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 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 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
Elena's POVThe supermarket’s cool air brushed against my skin, a welcome relief from the afternoon heat outside. Rows of shelves stretched before me, lined with everything from snacks to cleaning supplies. The faint sound of distant chatter and the squeak of cart wheels filled the air.“I can’t believe Daniel paid for your stuff,” Mia said beside me, her eyes scanning the shelf stacked with baby formula.I reached for a can of milk powder and turned it in my hand, inspecting the label. “Yeah... I didn’t expect it either,” I admitted. “But honestly, I’m glad we didn’t start another scene.”Mia snorted, tossing her curls over her shoulder. “I’m still surprised. Last time, I thought they were going to rip each other apart.”I chuckled under my breath. She wasn’t wrong. Daniel and Ethan had been unbearable, constantly hovering and marking territory like I was some kind of prize. The break I’d asked for had worked wonders — for all of us. I’d finally had time to breathe, to focus on mysel
Elena's POVI watched Ethan grab his cart, his fingers curling tightly around the handle like he was barely holding himself together. His silence said more than words ever could — cold, hard, and distant. My chest tightened.“I’m telling you the truth!” I stepped in front of him, blocking his path. My voice trembled, but I refused to let him see how scared I was. People were watching — I could feel their eyes burning into me — but I didn’t care. None of that mattered right now.“I know,” Ethan muttered, his voice sharp. “I know everything.”For a second, relief washed over me — until he added, “Victoria’s been telling me all this while.”My breath hitched, and my stomach twisted painfully. "Victoria?" I spat her name like poison. “Victoria Moore has been feeding you lies, and you believed her?”His gaze hardened, cutting through me like a blade. “She wasn’t lying.”Of course he believed her. Of course she was the one he trusted. My heart pounded so hard it hurt. “You actually think sh
Elena's POVI don't know what got into me that made me stop and turn back to call his name “Ethan!” I called after him again, my voice sharper this time. “You just wait there .”He turned back, his face still twisted with frustration. “You’ve said enough already,” he muttered.“No,” I snapped. “I haven’t.”“You think explaining everything now makes it better?” His voice rose. “Why didn’t you just tell me from the start that Victoria was lying?”“How was I supposed to know you were actually listening to her?” I shot back.“You should’ve told me anyway!”“And you should’ve trusted me!” I fired back. “Instead, you believed whatever she fed you like it was gospel. You didn’t even ask me!”His eyes narrowed. “You’re seriously blaming me right now?”“Yes, because you’re acting like I’m the villain when I’ve been trying to protect you!”“Protect me?” He scoffed. “By sneaking around? By keeping secrets?”“I wasn’t sneaking around!” I nearly shouted. “I was putting out fires because Victoria’s
Ethan's POV The bright hospital lights stung my eyes as I was rushed through the corridor. My breathing was uneven, my face drenched in sweat, and my body trembled from the pain that wouldn’t stop. Everything felt like a blur — voices shouting, footsteps pounding, wheels screeching as they pushed my stretcher down the hallway.“She’s going into premature labor,” I heard one of the doctors say.Premature labor.The words hit me like ice water.“No… no, no,” I whimpered weakly. My mind raced. It was too soon. My baby wasn’t supposed to come yet — it was too early.“Stay with me, Elena,” a nurse said, gripping my arm. “We’re going to do everything we can, but you need to stay calm.”Calm? How could I possibly stay calm when my baby — my tiny, helpless baby — was about to be born too soon?I twisted my head, trying to spot Ethan, but he was gone. The last thing I remembered was the nurses pulling him back, saying he couldn’t follow me past this point.Now I was alone.The pain was relent
Ethan's POVI sat in the corner of the hospital room, staring blankly at the floor. The steady beep of the heart monitor was the only sound filling the silence, and I clung to it like it was my lifeline — a reminder that Elena was still breathing, that she was still here.But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop the guilt from swallowing me whole.This was my fault.I clenched my fists tightly, my knuckles turning white. How could I have been so blind? How could I have let Victoria manipulate me so easily?I should’ve known better — I should have known better.Elena had always been honest — painfully so. She was never the type to hide things, never the type to sneak around or play mind games. I knew that — I’d always known that — yet somehow I let Victoria twist everything, make me believe lies I shouldn’t have fallen for.I remembered all the times Victoria whispered things in my ear — how she claimed she “saw” Elena meeting some man, how she warned me that Elena was keeping s
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,