ELARA’S POV Once the rain subsides, Elliot and I make our way to the car. My steps are slow as I contemplate whether to tell him everything or not. I know Elliot is just looking out for me, but how much he cares only makes me feel more guilt than I already do. “Elliot.” My voice is barely above a whisper. I’m not sure if I should tell him everything right here, but he’s getting so worked up because of me. The beeping sound of the car signaling that it’s been unlocked stops me. He doesn’t know anything right now. Maybe I should tell him and be done with it. But I can’t, not when he’s already in the car. Mom is probably inside, and I don’t think I’m ready to tell her anything. But when I reach the car, she isn’t in the front seat like I expected. “Where’s Mom?” I ask, sliding into the passenger seat. “She called a cab earlier and left,” he mutters, turning on the ignition. My Hand goes to the door slowly sliding into the car. The drive is quick, just as I thought
ELARA’S POV The car stays silent for a second before a smile spreads across my brother’s face. “I know that.” My eyes widen, and my jaw almost hits the floor. Maybe he heard me wrong. Maybe he didn’t understand what I was saying, because if he did, he wouldn’t be smiling. And earlier, he said he hadn’t found any evidence to prove our relationship wasn’t real. He knows? How does he know? “Did you hear what I just said?” I gasp in disbelief. Elliot lets out a chuckle, shaking his head. “That much I know, El. It’s quite obvious. What kind of remarried couple lives in separate houses and only sees each other during the day? I figured as much. Even though you still have your ring on, I know there’s a part of you that’s not fully in this. And to be honest, that’s what’s giving me hope right now that you’ll see through that man and let him go for good.” I don’t even know what to say. This whole remarried couple facade… it’s all backfiring. I should’ve known it was this obvio
ELARA’S POVThe sound I hate the most right now has to be the ringing of my phone.After my call with Nate, I didn’t know what to do with what he sent me. So, I decided to leave it on the counter while I changed out of my wet clothes.Maybe I can think of something for when next I set my eyes on them. I tried calling Jenna again today. Finally, her phone was on, but for some reason, she wasn’t picking up, not even leaving a text. So It could probably be her calling now.I switch off my hair dryer, hoping it’s her.I guess I didn’t pray hard enough because it’s not Jenna. But at least it’s not someone I was dreading. It’s Sienna.Pressing the answer button, I bring the phone to my ear.“Hello, Elara.” Sienna’s voice comes through the line.“Hello,” I say with a small smile, as if she can see it.“Are you busy right now?” Her tone seems a bit off.“No, I’m at home. Is everything okay?” I ask.“Yes… but, uhm, I know this is last minute, but I have the pictures we took a few days ago rea
ELARA’S POV “Nate forgot this last time. He said he’d come back for it, but he never did. Will you give it to him?” My eyes fall to the blue necktie in Sienna’s hand. I think I need to commend my luck, I’m trying to stay away from him, but something always seems to push me right back toward him. “Elara?” Sienna prompts with an arched brow, nudging the tie forward. “I don’t think I can take it to him. He said he’d come for it, right?” “Yes.” I force a smile. “Then I’m sure he will.” “But you guys are together… so I thought it would be easier if you take. Plus if it stays with me, I don’t think that would be a good idea. I can’t have some of the staffs mistaking this very expensive tie for one of ours.” A little part me told me to Just give up and take the tie, it’s just some stupid tie right? I let out a sharp breath, then forced a smile. “You can keep it in your office, then. I’m sure no one will think to use something tucked away in there.” I twist the doork
ELARA’S POV Fair enough. I glance to the opposite side of the room, where a woman has now taken a seat at what was an empty table just minutes ago. UNKNOWN: Relax, Goldie. No matter how hard you look, you won’t find me. So go ahead and drink your sorrows away in peace. ME: Who says I’m drinking away my sorrows? I ordered one mojito. And I haven’t even taken a sip of yet. UNKNOWN: Seems I guessed wrong, then. ME: You definitely did. I finally reach for my drink, taking a slow sip. The cool, minty flavor mixed with just a hint of alcohol is exactly what I needed. It’s been ages since I last had a mojito. After what feels like a long time. My screen lights up again. UNKNOWN: I have a gift for you, Goldie. Private rooms. Room B3. I’m sure you’ll love it. A gift? A few chats ago, they mentioned wanting to give me something. And now, suddenly, it’s waiting in one of the private dining rooms? A bad feeling settles in my gut. Obsidian’s private rooms are used f
ELARA’S POV My hands feel numb as I stare out the window. White, fluffy clouds with soft, foggy outlines stretch across the sky, staring back at me. On any other day, I would have admired how bright and pure they looked, how their silver linings shined in the sunlight, or how the sky from up here seemed like an endless ocean. But today, I can’t think about any of that. Because no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the image of what I saw last night. Nate and that woman… I don’t know what I was expecting from him, but it wasn’t that. Not after everything he told me. Not after the flowers. Not after the chocolates. Not after the note. FLASHBACK Our eyes met. For a second, I thought I imagined it, something flickered in his gaze, but it disappeared just as quickly. Then my eyes fell to the blonde woman sprawled on top of him, her hands wrapped around his neck. She let out a soft giggle. My stomach twisted. The heat in my chest was unbearable, spreading like wildfire.
ELARA’S POV Jenna ends her call with a sharp click, slamming the phone back into place. My gaze flickers to her, my mind still circling the last thing she said. “She won’t notice a thing.” Who is Brick? And who exactly is this person who won’t notice anything? Me? No, that can’t be right. I don’t have the full context of the conversation. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. But if I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, then why is she in my seat, giggling into the phone with some guy named Brick while she’s been ignoring my calls for nearly a week? A tightness spreads through my chest, but I mask it with a slight arch of my brow. I push the door shut behind me, the soft click of it sealing us inside. “What are you doing in my office?” I ask, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. Jenna gasps dramatically, her face lighting up in exaggerated excitement. “Elara!” Instead of answering my question, she jumps up from my chair and rushes toward me. Before I can react
ELARA’S POV I made it very clear to her last time. I didn’t want her butting in with this kind of stuff. That’s what we hired the ad team for. That’s what the staff is for. I wanted her to focus on the work laid out for her, nothing more. Is that too much to ask? But then, when I look at her and see that expression. the shift in her face, the subtle guilt in her eyes it makes me rethink. Maybe she really did do this with the company’s best interest at heart. And maybe I’m the one getting sensitive? “I’m sorry, Elara,” she says, her voice a little shaken this time. That surprises me. “I feel so bad now. I shouldn’t have done that, but they seemed like such a good company to partner with. And when I saw the chance, I just thought we’d want to seize it… to take the opportunity to make more.” She exhales sharply before continuing, “But now I know it’s not my place to decide that. I should’ve been more careful.” She blurts the words out like they’ve been weighing on
ELARA’S POVI wish the earth would open up and swallow me whole.“Kyle,” Mimi speaks up before I can respond to him. “I need all of you to leave right now.” The smile I thought was permanent is long gone from her face. Even though she isn’t frowning, she doesn’t look happy.“Mimi—” Kyle begins.“I know it’s not your fault, but I need you guys out while we assess the damage.” Her tone is clipped, but her anger is evident and I don’t even blame her for getting mad.Nate broke two luxurious bed lamps during the stupid tussle. Thankfully, we were the only people around. What if she had customers in here and he came in making this mess? That would’ve been even worse.Kyle turns and gestures for us to leave while trying to straighten the wrinkles on his shirt.“I’m really sorry about this, Mimi,” I whisper, slipping my business card discreetly into her hand. “Please send me the invoice. I’ll make sure the damages are covered.”“There’s no need to apologize. It’s not your fault, dear,” she s
NATE’S POV I yank my phone out of my pocket, hands trembling as I dial Dave’s number. He picks up on the first ring. “Dave.” “Yes, sir,” he responds, sharp and ready. “I just sent you a number. I want the exact location. Right now.” “Got it, boss.” I don’t know where to start looking for her since she wasn’t at home, but I hit the main road anyway. My foot is heavy on the gas pedal, heart pounding against my ribs like it’s trying to break free. The phone buzzes again a moment later. “Do you have anything?” “Yes, sir. 288 Flitwood. It’s pinging to a Boho-style interior show room, place called Mali.” What the hell? I hang up, quickly typing the address into the GPS. A shortcut lights up on the screen. I take it without a second thought. Why the fuck would she be in an interior design place with another man? I slam my hand on the steering wheel, jaw locked as I try to shake the thought. My mind is spiraling images of her laughing with some man, touching him. Whil
NATE’S POV “Right,” the valet mutters, fumbling with the keys in his hands as he searches for mine. It feels like it’s taking forever. My foot taps impatiently against the marble floor while my mind spins with the worst possible scenarios. Each second wasted here is another second Elara could be with him laughing, smiling, looking at him the way she used to look at me. But then, as the valet continues to sort through the keys, I spot a familiar keychain the sleek black one with the silver initials that belong to Marcus’s car. “I’ll take these,” I say sharply, snatching them before he can react. The guy blinks, mouth opening as if to protest, but he must be smart enough to read the expression on my face. He doesn’t ask questions, doesn’t try to stop me. Wise choice. I press the unlock button on the fob, and the car beeps in the distance before I even reach it. “Nate!” I hear Marcus call out behind me. I don’t turn around. I don’t have the time or the patience
NATE’S POV A few months ago, when Jenna reached out and proposed a deal to me about helping me keep an eye on Elara, I was stunned. Gobsmacked even. She wasn’t just Elara’s assistant but her friend also. So if Ask me, I thought I’d be the last person she’d want to help, especially considering how rocky things are between Elara and me. I expected her to do everything in her power to keep me away from my wife… not offer to play matchmaker for a price. She claimed she wanted to help us “fix things.” Said she could keep me in the loop, provide updates, even talk Elara into showing up when I needed her to. Even though I agreed to this arrangement, I found it a little suspicious and with time I kept seeing weird patterns and I don’t think money is all she wants I think she wants more that but then again. She didn’t do it out of loyalty. No, backstabbers like Jenna always have a price. And hers? Pathetically low, if you ask me. Once everything is back to normal bet
Nate’s POV“Congratulations, brother.”Angelo pulls me in for a quick bro hug, his signature grin stretched across his face.“Thanks, man,” I reply, patting his back before stepping away.“What is this, your millionth project now?” James jokes from the side, his tone casual but curious.I shrug with a smirk. “Could be. Who’s counting anymore?”The event kicked off earlier than planned because of the product showcase Marcus insisted on adding. He said it’d help widen our customer base and give the brand a more approachable image. He even suggested slashing some of our prices to attract more interest.Which, of course, I didn’t agree with.Our company has been doing just fine with the current pricing more than fine, actually. If it’s not an increase he’s proposing, then I’m not interested. But this entire branch is going to be his soon. A few more weeks and I hand over the reins. After that, he can do whatever he wants with it. For now I want to make this event is a success. To be hon
ELARA’S POV For most of the time now Kyle has been quiet while Mimi does more explaining. Kyle is still holding my iPad swiping g through the sketches. With an expression I can’t quite explain. His hand slightly brushed mine as he turns the iPad to me. “This is good,” Kyle murmurs, his voice low and thoughtful as he studies the design on my iPad. I try to swallow the sudden lump in my throat. Why the hell am I feeling nervous now? It’s just Kyle. Just a stupid couch. Just… expensive cologne and annoyingly attractive… Pull it together, Elara. “But I don’t think there’s an exact design like this here,” I say, clearing my throat and pointing toward a set of couches arranged nearby. “So, what if we swap it out for one of those? Just for the prototype, I mean. If you don’t like them, we could… maybe look somewhere else.” I lower my voice at the last part, just loud enough for him to hear. The last thing I wanted was to offend Mimi by talking about scouting o
ELARA’S POV The woman, who I assumed was Mrs. Jules wrapped Kyle in a quick hug the moment we walked in. “I never thought I’d see the day Kyle Sinclair showed up late,” she teased, pulling away from him with a warm laugh. Kyle frowned immediately, his eyes flicking to me with pointed accusation. I bit back the smile threatening to curl my lips, pretending to be entirely innocent. So petty, I thought, barely holding in a chuckle. “And you must be Kyle’s friend…?” she asked, turning her attention to me. “Elara,” I replied with a friendly smile. “Elara Westwood—” Before I could finish my introduction, she pulled me into a hug. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Elara. I’m Mimi Jules.” “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jules,” I said as we pulled apart. “Oh, no, darling, just call me Mimi,” she insisted with a bright smile. “We don’t have much time today,” Kyle cut in, his tone all business. “But if she likes the place, we’ll be back for a more in depth.” “Oh, of course
ELARA’S POVThe ride to the showroom wasn’t as awkward as I thought it would be.Even with Kyle awful silent, grumpy energy from the driver’s seat, I focused on my phone, trying my best to stay calm. Every now and then, I threw a glance in his direction to see if his mood had improved, but nope same stone cold scowl plastered on his annoyingly handsome face.“You can take a picture, you know,” he muttered out of nowhere.I raised a brow, keeping my expression innocent. “A picture of what?”“Stealing glances is kind of outdated,” he said smoothly, eyes still locked on the road. “Just take a picture. That way, you can stare at that instead of burning a hole in my head.”I gasped. “Excuse me? With what eyes did you even see me staring? You haven’t looked away from the road.”A smirk played on his lips. “Your stares are not exactly discreet.”I crossed my arms, refusing to let him get under my skin. “For the record, I was not staring at you. There’s nothing particularly interesting to lo
ELARA’S POV Taking another bite of my noodles, I rose to my feet, bowl in hand. “I’m gonna go take this call,” I told Elliot, who only gave me a nod before going back to whatever was on his phone. I headed for my room, kicking the door shut lightly with my foot as I slid my thumb across the screen to answer. The line connected, but for a few seconds, there was nothing. Just the sound of distant shuffling and movement on the other end. “Hello?” I said, adjusting the phone against my ear. Still no reply. “Kyle,” I tried again, dragging his name out. “If this is some weird prank call attempt, it’s really lame.” Finally, his voice came through low and a little rough. “Yeah. I’m here.” I blinked, dropping the bowl on my desk. “That’s how you start a phone call? You sound like someone just dragged you out of bed.” “I was working,” he muttered, clearly irritated. “Didn’t realize I had to sound like a radio host for you to take me seriously.” I couldn’t help but grin. “So… did you c