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
Ethan's POVI sat in Keith's office, sipping on a cup of coffee as I recounted the events of the previous night. Keith listened intently, his expression growing increasingly incredulous."You're telling me that Maria, your employee, came into your bedroom and tried to give you a massage?" Keith repeated, his voice laced with skepticism. "And then she had the nerve to bring up your divorce?"I nodded, feeling a surge of anger and frustration all over again. "That's right," I said, my voice tight with emotion. "I couldn't believe it. I mean, I know Maria's always been a bit...eager to please, but this was something else entirely."Keith whistled softly, shaking his head. "Wow, that's quite a story," he said. "I can see why you're upset. But are you sure you're not overreacting just a bit?"I frowned, feeling a defensive prickliness. "Overreacting?" I repeated. "You think I'm overreacting? Keith, this woman came into my bedroom and tried to touch me. That's not just unprofessional, it's
Ethan's POVThe second I saw her, my body tensed. Shit.I turned away immediately, keeping my head low as I swiftly walked in the opposite direction. I couldn’t afford for Elena to see me. Not here. Not now. I wasn’t in the mood for another conversation, another round of her acting like she needed “space” while she was out here doing whatever the hell she wanted.It was a miracle she hadn’t noticed me. Maybe she was too distracted, or maybe she just wasn’t paying attention. Either way, I wasn’t about to stick around and find out.I took a deep breath as I moved toward the dairy section. Since I was already here, I might as well get milk too. I didn’t trust the maids to pick the right brand—just like my coffee, they always managed to bring back something else.Just as I reached for a carton, a voice cut through the low hum of shoppers.A voice I’d recognize anywhere.“Elena, what’s up?”I froze, my grip tightening around the milk. My entire body went rigid, and a cold wave of disbelief
Ethan’s POVAs soon as the Tech Lexis team left, I let out a slow breath, leaning back in my chair. The meeting had gone as well as it could have. We had secured a reasonable compromise, minimized risks, and ensured that our interests were protected. It was a win, but there was no time to sit back and relax.Business never slowed down, and neither could I.Christina was already flipping through her tablet, preparing for the next set of tasks. “Alright,” she said, tapping the screen. “Next on the agenda—reviewing the quarterly budget allocation. Finance needs your final sign-off before the numbers are locked in.”I nodded and reached for the thick report sitting on my desk. Flipping through the pages, I scanned the key figures, noting the increased expenditure on infrastructure upgrades. “IT expenses are higher than projected,” I murmured, running a finger down the spreadsheet.Christina leaned in slightly, adjusting her glasses. “Yeah, we upgraded our internal security systems and clo
Ethan's POVAs soon as I stepped into the office, the air shifted—less personal, more business. That was exactly what I needed. Work had always been my escape, my anchor, and today was no different.I strode through the sleek, glass-paneled halls, nodding at a few employees who greeted me as I passed. Their voices were distant, background noise to the thoughts I was trying to keep at bay. I didn’t need distractions. I needed focus."Good morning, Mr. Carter," Christina, my secretary, greeted me as I stepped into my office. She was standing near my desk, a tablet in her hands, already prepared with today’s schedule. Always efficient."Morning," I replied, setting my briefcase down. "What do we have today?""You have a meeting with Tech Lexis at ten. They’re finalizing the software integration deal, and they’ve made some modifications to the contract. Legal has already reviewed the changes, but they’ll need your final approval before we move forward," she informed me, scrolling through
Ethan's POVEverything felt numb.I sat there, staring at nothing, my mind an endless loop of questions that had no answers. How? When? Why? It didn’t make sense. It couldn’t make sense. One moment, I thought I had something real with Elena, and the next… this. The lies, the betrayal, the realization that I had been nothing more than a fool in some twisted game I never signed up for.I should be angry. Furious. I should be storming over to her place, demanding answers, making her look me in the eye and tell me why she did this. But what would that change? What difference would it make to hear her lie again?Because that’s all she ever did. Lie.A slow exhale left my lips, my shoulders slumping under the weight of it all.Victoria, who had been yabbing non-stop, finally sighed and softened her tone. "Okay, Ethan, that’s enough for tonight."I didn’t respond. I didn’t even move. My body felt too heavy, my thoughts too tangled.She must have noticed, because she reached out, her fingers
Ethan’s POVI never thought heartbreak would feel like this.Like a hollow ache settling deep in my chest, stretching its fingers into every part of me. Like my whole world had shifted under my feet, leaving me standing on nothing.Elena had been lying to me. Not just once. Not just a slip-up or a mistake, but for who knows how long. Every word, every touch, every promise—I had believed it all, swallowed it whole like a fool. And the worst part? I hadn’t even seen it coming.Daniel.The name alone made my hands clenched into fists. Of all people, it had to be him. Well I never trusted him with her so… but he was someone I never really saw as a threat. She loved him. Maybe she always had, and I had just been the convenient distraction, the placeholder until she could have what she truly wanted.I exhaled shakily, running a hand down my face. I should be angry. I should want to scream, break something, do anything but sit here drowning in my own thoughts. But I couldn’t. The anger was t
Ethan's POVVictoria lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head as she glares at me. “It’s Elena, isn’t it?”I chuckle dryly, leaning back against the bed. “Yeah, right.”She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I knew it. It shows all over your stupid face.”My jaw tightens. “Why are you insulting me? It’s not my fault.”“It is your fault,” she snaps, turning to fully face me now, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. “Because you’re stupid, Ethan. You’re blind. And you’re being played.”My brows furrow. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”Victoria laughs again, but there’s no humor in it. Just frustration, just anger, just something that looks a little too much like hurt.“After everything I’ve done,” she mutters under her breath, shaking her head. “This is what I get.”I exhale sharply, rubbing my temples. “Victoria, what are you even talking about?”She lifts her gaze to me then, and there’s something sharp in her eyes, something unreadable. “Don’t you see?” she demands. “Can’t you
Ethan's POVVictoria’s voice is barely a murmur in the dimly lit room. "I have something to tell you," she says, her fingers tracing light patterns against my chest.I sigh, my exhaustion weighing me down like a boulder. "What is it?" I ask, my voice flat, void of interest.She doesn’t answer—not with words.Instead, she leans in, closing the small space between us.And then she kisses me.Soft. Slow. Deliberate.For a split second, my mind blanks out. My body freezes, my breath caught in my throat. I don’t react, don’t move—don’t even process what’s happening.Because I don’t know how.Every defense mechanism I should have—every instinct to pull away, to push her off—is completely off-key. Dead. Silent.I just sit there, numb, lost in the sheer sensation of it.When was the last time I was kissed?Really kissed?Not a quick brush of lips. Not something shallow or distant.Elena.The answer slams into my chest harder than I expect.Elena was the last person I kissed. But Elena wasn’t
Ethan's POVI barely get ten minutes of peace. Just as I’m on the edge of sleep, drifting into much-needed rest, I hear the door press open. A slow, quiet creak that instantly pulls me from my exhaustion.My eyes snap open, and I already know who it is before I even turn my head.Victoria.Gawddddd. Did they send this girl to me?I groan, dragging a hand down my face in sheer frustration. "What now, Victoria?" I mutter, my voice hoarse with exhaustion. "What do you want?"And then I see it.The towel.The white towel loosely wrapped around her body, her damp skin glowing slightly under the warm bedroom light. Her long, wet hair falls over one shoulder, and she’s standing there like she owns the damn place.I exhale sharply, wishing—wishing—I had locked the damn door.I sit up, rubbing my temples as I glare at her. "Victoria, what the hell are you doing?" I ask, my tone dripping with annoyance. "And why the hell are you dressed like this in my house?"She tilts her head, completely unf
Ethan's POV Victoria leans back into the couch like she owns the place, a smug smile playing on her lips as she crosses her legs. "Last time I checked, I can visit whenever I want."I shut the door behind me, letting out a low breath as I loosen my tie. "Last time I checked, we're not dating, married, or soulmates, so no, you can't just come whenever you want," I shoot back, my tone clipped. "We broke up, remember? Your access to all those sacrosancts is limited now."She laughs, soft and mocking, tilting her head as she looks at me like I’m some child throwing a tantrum. "Oh, Ethan, don’t be so tough on yourself, baby," she purrs, standing up and sauntering toward me like she hasn’t just crossed multiple boundaries. "You look tense. Looks like you had a stressful day, anyway." She tilts her head slightly. "How was work?"I hiss under my breath, already tired of this game. "Cut to the chase, Victoria. What do you want?" I throw my keys onto the console table by the door, shrugging of