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 POV"I don't see why I need to handle this situation calmly," I said, shaking my head. "The fact is, Maria crossed a line, and she's getting fired. End of story."Keith raised an eyebrow. "You're not even going to consider giving her a second chance?" he asked.I snorted. "A second chance? Are you kidding me? I don't need this kind of drama in my life. I've got enough stress and distractions already."Keith leaned back in his chair. "I suppose you're referring to Elena and Victoria?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.I nodded. "Exactly. I've got Elena, who's...well, she's Elena. And then there's Victoria, who's still lingering in the background, waiting for her chance to pounce. I don't need some unstable employee like Maria causing more problems in my life."Keith chuckled. "You're certainly not lacking for drama, are you?" he asked.I shook my head. "No, I'm not. And that's exactly why I don't need Maria around. I need to simplify my life, not complicate it further
Elena's POV I sat on the edge of my bed, one hand resting on my barely-there baby bump. It wasn’t fully visible yet, but I could feel it—every ounce of exhaustion, every wave of emotion that crashed over me without warning. My body was changing, reminding me every second that I wasn’t alone anymore. But instead of feeling warmth or excitement, all I felt was loaded.Last week had been a mess. Too many emotions. Too many unexpected visits. Too many feelings I wasn’t sure how to process.First, there was Ethan. My ex-husband. The man who once swore he loved me, only to walk away and leave nothing behind but divorce papers and silence. I was moving on—or at least trying to—until I found out I was pregnant. His child. And just when I was still figuring out how to deal with it, he showed up. Not once, but twice, demanding to talk, to understand, to be a part of something he chose to walk away from.Then there was Daniel. The unexpected storm in my life. That one night with him had been re
Elena's POVI groaned, rubbing my hands over my face. “Mia, please, I’m not planning any vacation. I just want to rest.”Mia blinked at me. “So no fancy beach trip? No spa retreat?”I shook my head. “Nope. Just me, in my house, resting, doing nothing, and being completely left alone.”She studied me for a moment, as if trying to figure out if I really meant it. “So that’s what you really want?”“That’s what I really need*,” I corrected.Mia exhaled, throwing her hands up. “Alright, alright. No vacation. Just home, peace, and zero men.”I nodded, satisfied. “Exactly.”“Fine. If that’s the goal, then I’m staying to make sure you actually rest,” Mia declared, stretching her legs out on the bed. “You don’t even get a choice in this.”I rolled my eyes. “Like I could stop you anyway.”She smirked. “You can’t.”For the first time today, I actually felt lighter. We started talking, shifting into the kind of random, mindless conversation that only best friends could have. It felt good to laugh
Elena's POVI inhaled sharply, clenching my jaw as I fought back the urge to scream.“You both need to leave,” I said, my voice as firm as I could manage despite the exhaustion dragging me down.Neither of them moved.Of course, they didn’t. That would’ve been too easy.From the corner of my eye, I saw Mia standing by the kitchen door, her arms crossed as she observed the chaos unfolding in my living room. She met my gaze for a brief second, and I could practically hear her thoughts—Good luck with this mess, girl. Then, with a tired sigh, she turned and disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving me to deal with my uninvited guests.I wished I could follow her.Ethan, still standing too close for my liking, let out an annoyed breath before narrowing his eyes at me.“Why are you being soft with Daniel?” he asked, his tone sharp. “You practically pushed me out the door, but when he shows up, suddenly, you’re all gentle?”I rolled my eyes, already tired of where this conversation was goin
Elena's POVSomething inside me snapped.I had been patient. I had been civil. I had tried—really tried—to keep my emotions in check, but these two overgrown children just wouldn’t let me breathe.And now? Now I was done."GET OUT!" I exploded, my voice raw, shaking with frustration.Daniel and Ethan barely even flinched.Oh, so now they were deaf?"Did you not hear me?!" I shouted, my breathing uneven. "I said both of you—GET. OUT!"Nothing.They were still standing there, facing each other like two idiots in a damn standoff, waiting for the other to make the first move.I let out a dry, humorless laugh. Of course. Of course! These two weren’t going to leave. They weren’t even listening to me.My hands balled into fists as I glared at them. "I don’t want to see either of you near me! Do you hear me?! I want to be alone!" My voice cracked slightly, but I didn’t care. "I’m stressed! I need a break! And instead of making things easier for me, you two are here acting like I’m some damn t
Elena's POVFor the first time in weeks, I actually slept.Not the restless, tossing-and-turning kind of sleep. Not the light, half-conscious naps where my mind was still racing with a million thoughts.No.This was deep, undisturbed, dreamless sleep.A sleep so heavy that when I finally woke up, it took me a few moments to even remember where I was.My eyelids fluttered open, and for a few seconds, I just laid there, staring at the ceiling, my body still wrapped in the cocoon of warmth from my blanket. It felt… different.Peaceful.I stretched slowly, my limbs stiff from how deeply I had slept. My stomach felt a little tight—probably from being in the same position for too long—but overall, my body felt lighter.Glancing at the clock, I nearly choked.Twelve hours.I slept for twelve whole hours?A part of me wanted to feel guilty—how could I sleep for so long?—but another part of me knew that this was exactly what I had needed.No stress. No arguments. No overthinking.Just rest.I
Ethan's POVI can’t believe I actually apologized to Elena. The words had left my mouth before I could even process them, and now, as I sit in my car gripping the steering wheel, I can’t shake off the weight of it. Apologizing was never my thing. I was too stubborn, too proud. But when I saw her standing there, exhausted and drained, I realized just how much damage I’d caused.The image of her wouldn’t leave my head. The strain in her eyes, the faint lines on her forehead, the way she seemed like she was holding herself together with sheer willpower—it all made my chest feel tight. She looked like someone who had been carrying a burden far too heavy, and the worst part? I had been the one piling it on her. I had made her life hell, and now, she was paying for my selfishness.I hate that I let things get this far. That I let my ego take control, putting my pride first when her health, her happiness, should have been my priority. But I hadn’t seen it that way before. I had been too caug
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