Elena's POVI hesitated for a moment, wondering what to do. But then I decided to let Mr. Johnson in. It would be weird to leave him standing outside."Okay, please come in," I said, stepping aside to let him enter.Mr. Johnson smiled and nodded, his eyes scanning the room as he walked in. "Thank you," he said. "I apologize again for coming by so late."I shook my head. "It's fine. Mia's not feeling well, but I'll go get her."Mr. Johnson nodded. "Please, take your time. I'll wait."I turned and headed towards Mia's room, wondering what her boss wanted to see her about. When I entered her room, I found her still sleeping, but she stirred as I approached."What's wrong?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes."Mia, your boss is here to see you," I said, trying to sound calm.Mia's eyes snapped open, and she sat up with a start. "What? Oh my god, how does he look?" she asked, suddenly frantic.I raised an eyebrow. "Um, he looks fine, I guess. Why does it matter?"Mia threw off the covers and ju
Elena's POVAs the evening wore on, I decided to plan a surprise for Mia. I turned to her with a mischievous grin. "Hey, Mia? Want to have a girls' night?"Mia's face lit up. "Yeah, that sounds cool!" she exclaimed.I smiled, happy that she was excited. "Awesome! I'll go get the snacks and drinks. You get the movies ready."Mia nodded and got up to prepare the movie. As I walked back into the room with the snacks, I couldn't help but notice how much better Mia looked. She didn't seem sick anymore, and her eyes sparkled with excitement.As we settled in for the movie, Mia started telling jokes and making me laugh. I was amazed at how one visit from Damien could lift her spirits so much.As the night wore on, we decided to take a break and chat. Mia snuggled up on the couch, and I sat down beside her."Hey, Mia? Can I ask you something?" I said, looking at her with concern.Mia nodded. "What is it, Elena?""I was just wondering...do you ever think about Daniel and Ethan?" I asked, tryin
Elena's POVI was sipping my coffee and checking my emails when Mia walked into the office. She looked stunning, dressed in a crisp white blouse and a pencil skirt. Her hair was styled perfectly, and her makeup was subtle yet elegant.I couldn't help but notice the confident stride in her step. She seemed like a woman on a mission. I wondered what was behind the transformation. Was it the conversation we had last night? Or was there something more?As Mia made her way to her desk, I caught her eye and smiled. She smiled back, looking a bit distracted. I could tell that something was on her mind.I tried to focus on my own work, but I couldn't help sneaking glances at Mia. She seemed to be waiting for something, or someone. And then I saw it - a note on her desk with a message from Damien.My heart skipped a beat as I realized what was going on. Damien had asked Mia to meet him in his office at 10am. I wondered what this meant. Was he going to ask her out on a date? Or was this just a
Elena's POVI lay back on the hospital bed, trying to get comfortable despite the awkwardness of the situation. The nurse, a friendly woman with a warm smile, bustled around me, preparing for my antenatal appointment."Okay, let's get started," she said, her voice cheerful and reassuring. "We'll begin with your blood pressure and then move on to the ultrasound."I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was my first antenatal appointment, and I wasn't sure what to expect.The nurse expertly took my blood pressure, her hands moving quickly and efficiently. "All good," she said, smiling at me. "Now, let's take a look at your baby."She led me to the ultrasound room, where a large machine hummed quietly in the corner. The nurse helped me get settled on the table, and then the technician began the ultrasound.I watched in awe as the image of my baby appeared on the screen. It was still early days, but I could see the tiny form, its heart beating steadily.Just as I was g
Elena's POVI had just settled into a peaceful nap, my mind finally quiet after a chaotic day. But my tranquility was short-lived, disrupted by the ringing of the doorbell. I groggily got out of bed, taking a bite of the apple I had left on my nightstand. The sweetness of the fruit helped jolt me awake.I made my way to the door, wondering who it could be. I wasn't expecting any visitors, and I wasn't in the mood for company. But I opened the door anyway, curiosity getting the better of me.To my surprise, Ethan stood on the other side of the door, a charming smile spreading across his face. "Hey," he said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation."Hey," I replied, trying to sound friendly despite my growing annoyance. "What brings you here?"Ethan shrugged, flopping down onto my couch. "Just thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing. You've been stressed lately, and I wanted to make sure everything's okay."I sighed inwardly, feeling a bit trapped. I didn't want to talk
Ethan's POV I slammed my fist onto the armrest, the worn leather creaking in protest. How could she do this to me? Elena, the one person who was supposed to understand me, was now cozied up with that insufferable idiot, Daniel. The image of them together was seared into my brain like a branding iron, refusing to be extinguished.My eyes narrowed, recalling the way Daniel's hand had brushed against Elena's arm, the way she'd smiled at him with that radiant glow that used to be reserved for me. A bitter taste flooded my mouth as I thought about how close they'd been, their bodies almost touching. It was like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and reeling.I shot up from the couch, pacing across the room in an attempt to shake off the agitation. But it only seemed to intensify, my anger simmering just below the surface like a pot about to boil over. Why did it bother me so much? I'd always thought of Elena as my friend, my confidante. But now, I wasn't so sure. The way my blood b
Ethan's POVI picked up the intercom again, pressing the button to call Maria back into the room. "Maria, I need you to call Alex for me," I instructed, my voice firm.Maria nodded and took the phone from the nearby table, quickly dialing the number. She handed it to me, and I took it, waiting for Alex to pick up."Hey, man," Alex's voice came through the line, cheerful as always. "What's up?""Just the usual," I replied, taking a sip of my scotch. "Business has been keeping me busy. How about you?"We launched into a discussion about our respective business ventures, exchanging updates and advice. It was a familiar routine, one that I always found comforting.As we wrapped up our conversation, I glanced over at Maria, who was still standing quietly in the corner of the room. "Thanks, Alex," I said, finishing up the call. "I'll talk to you soon."I hung up the phone and handed it back to Maria. "You can go now," I told her, dismissing her.Maria nodded and turned to leave, but hesitat
Ethan's POVMaria's voice was like a gentle breeze, soft and soothing, but it was beginning to grate on my nerves. "I just want to help you, sir," she said, her eyes filled with a genuine concern that only made me feel more annoyed. "You're not well, and I don't want to leave you alone."I let out a deep sigh, feeling my irritation grow. Why couldn't she just leave me alone? I didn't need her help, and I certainly didn't need her hovering over me like a mother hen. "Maria, I appreciate your concern," I said, trying to sound calm, "but I'm fine. Just...just leave me alone."But Maria didn't seem to take the hint. She continued to sit beside me, her eyes fixed on mine with an unnerving intensity. I tried to ignore her, closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing. Maybe if I just pretended she wasn't there, she'd eventually get bored and leave.It wasn't easy, but I finally managed to drift off to sleep, Maria's presence fading into the background as I slipped into a deep, dreamless slu
Elena's POV Four years had passed, and life had unfolded in ways I never could have imagined.Daniel and I are married now. It wasn’t a grand, extravagant event — just a small ceremony with close friends and family. But it had been perfect. I still remembered the way Daniel’s eyes locked on mine as I walked down the aisle, the way his fingers trembled slightly when he slid the ring onto my finger. The way his whispered “I love you” had calmed my nerves in an instant.Our wedding may have been simple, but our love? That was anything but.Chase was four years old now — bright-eyed, full of questions, and sweet in ways that melted my heart. He had Daniel’s calm nature — steady and thoughtful — but with just enough of my stubbornness to keep things interesting.“Mom!” Chase’s little voice rang out from the living room. “Can you tie my shoe?”“Coming!” I called back, setting my coffee mug down.When I stepped into the room, I couldn’t help but smile. Chase sat cross-legged on the carpet,
Elena's POV The warmth of morning sunlight kissed my face, stirring me awake. My lashes fluttered as I blinked a few times, adjusting to the light streaming through the curtains. Something felt... different. The room smelled faintly of lavender, and the air carried a sense of calm — unusual for my chaotic life these days.I sat up slowly, my gaze sweeping across the room. My eyes widened.Everything was spotless — no, perfect. The clothes I’d left scattered on the chair were neatly folded. The empty glasses on the nightstand were gone. Even the floor looked freshly mopped, shining faintly in the morning glow. A bouquet of fresh roses sat on the dresser, their vibrant red petals bright against the white vase.Daniel.I smiled to myself. He was always doing things like this — quietly stepping in to make my life easier without asking for credit. My heart warmed at the thought.I turned to check on Chase. He was curled up on his side, snuggled beneath the covers, his little face relaxed
Elena's POV I spent most of the day convincing myself that I was ready — that talking to Daniel wouldn’t be as terrifying as I’d built it up to be. Mia’s words kept replaying in my head.“Don’t let fear stop you from something that could actually make you feel whole again.”By evening, I was still nervous, but I knew I couldn’t keep running from this. It was time.The next morning, I got up early to prepare Chase’s bag — diapers, wipes, his favorite stuffed elephant — the usual things I carried when we went out. He was getting so big now, already crawling everywhere, babbling non-stop. Each day, he felt more and more like a little person, and I knew Daniel had played a huge part in that.After dressing Chase in his soft blue onesie, I scooped him into my arms.“Alright, little man,” I whispered, “let’s go see Daniel.”---Daniel greeted me with his usual warm smile when I arrived. He stood in the doorway, his hair still damp from a shower, dressed in a fitted black t-shirt and jeans.
Elena's POV I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to shake Daniel’s words from my mind.“I’m here... not just as a friend, but as someone who cares about you.”I closed my eyes, replaying that moment over and over again. The warmth in his voice, the softness in his gaze — it all lingered in my thoughts, making my chest feel tight.The truth was, I’d been denying it for weeks. The way my heart raced whenever he smiled, the way I caught myself thinking about him even when he wasn’t around. I told myself it was nothing — that it was just comfort, or maybe gratitude.But it wasn’t.I knew it.I rolled onto my side, clutching the pillow close to my chest. Daniel had been denying it too — pushing his feelings aside, holding back when it was so clear he wanted more. I could see it in his eyes when we talked, feel it in those quiet moments when his hand lingered just a second too long.He wanted me.And the truth was... I wanted him too.But I didn’t know how to say it. After so much
Elena's POVI lay on my bed, the soft hum of the ceiling fan above me creating a calming rhythm. My body felt heavy, not with exhaustion but with a strange sense of peace. For the first time in a long while, life felt... manageable. Maybe even a little happy.Chase’s giggles still echoed in my head — that sweet, bubbly laugh that made my heart melt every single time. He was growing so fast. Just yesterday, he was this tiny bundle in my arms, barely able to hold up his head. Now, he was crawling around the house like he owned the place, babbling "goo goo ga ga" as if he had so much to say but just couldn’t find the words yet.I smiled to myself, turning onto my side to stare at the empty spot beside me on the bed.Daniel had been coming around more often lately — always showing up with a warm smile, always willing to lend a hand. What started as simple work discussions had shifted into something... more. Something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.I remembered the way he looked at me
Elena's POVAs the evening at the Pizza Club in McPherson, Kansas, drew to a close, the warmth of the celebration lingered in the air. Laughter and the aroma of freshly baked pizza had filled the room, creating memories we would cherish. Daniel, ever the gentleman, offered to escort me outside while the others settled the bill.Stepping out into the night, a brisk March breeze greeted us, sending a shiver down my spine. Noticing my discomfort, Daniel immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders."Here, take this," he said, his voice filled with concern. "Can't have you catching a cold now."I looked up at him, gratitude warming me more than the jacket ever could. "Thank you, Daniel. You're always so thoughtful."We began to stroll along the quiet street, the soft glow of streetlights casting elongated shadows on the pavement. The town had a serene quality at night, with only the distant hum of traffic disrupting the silence."So, how have you been?" I asked, gla
Elena's POV I sat on the couch, scrolling mindlessly through my phone when Mia burst into the room, her face glowing like the morning sun."Elena!" she practically screamed.I barely had time to react before she flopped down beside me, hugging a throw pillow tightly against her chest."What's gotten into you?" I laughed, setting my phone aside."Guess what!" she grinned, her excitement practically bouncing off the walls."What?" I asked, leaning in eagerly."James proposed to me yesterday!" she squealed, flashing her hand in front of me. The silver ring caught the light perfectly, sparkling like something out of a fairy tale.My eyes widened, and in the next second, we were both on our feet, screaming and jumping like a pair of schoolgirls."Are you serious?!" I grabbed her hand, inspecting the ring like a jeweler. "Oh my gosh, Mia, it's beautiful!""Right?! He planned this whole surprise dinner — candles, roses, everything — and then just got down on one knee right in front of every
Elena's POV Rumor had it that Ethan was in New York. Apparently, he'd been staying lowkey since the whole scandal started, but Daniel somehow managed to track down where he was staying.“We should go talk to him,” Daniel said as we sat in his apartment, reviewing the evidence again.I raised an eyebrow. “Confront him? Just like that?”Daniel leaned back in his chair, his fingers drumming on the table. “If he’s in New York, this is the perfect chance to clear things up. He needs to know the truth — and fast.”I exhaled slowly, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. “Yeah... you're right. Let's do it.”A couple of hours later, we were standing outside a sleek hotel in Manhattan. My heart hammered in my chest as we walked inside. Ethan wasn’t exactly the most predictable person — especially now. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to what we were about to tell him.“Are you sure he’s here?” I asked, clutching my bag tightly.Daniel nodded. “I called ahead. He's in his room.”The elevator ride
Elena's POVDaniel was working tirelessly — even I could see it. The dark circles beneath his eyes were impossible to miss, and his sharp features seemed a little sunken. He looked exhausted — like he’d been running on fumes for days.All this... just to help me.I didn’t know whether to feel touched or guilty. Maybe both.That evening, I decided to stop by his apartment. Mia had mentioned earlier that she and Mr. Johnson were going out tonight, which meant Chase was with Jade. That gave me some free time — and a perfect reason to check on Daniel.I knocked softly on his door, half-hoping he’d already fallen asleep so I could just leave and convince myself he was taking care of himself.“Come in,” his tired voice called out.I stepped inside and felt my heart twist. He was sitting at his desk, surrounded by papers, files, and — oh my God — three empty coffee mugs. His laptop screen glowed faintly, bathing his face in pale blue light.“Hey,” I said softly, trying to sound casual.“Oh,