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 POV “You know, dear, expanding a business in early July is not something I’d recommend,” Mr. Caldwell says, his voice smooth but condescending, his hand lingering on my back a little too long for my liking. I shift slightly, forcing a polite smile, hoping he gets the hint. But instead of stepping back, he inches closer. Men like this are exactly why I avoid socializing at grand events like these. The flashing cameras, the overwhelming crowd, the endless small talk, it’s exhausting. And then there are the men the ones who mistake common courtesy for an invitation. Elliot had insisted I come tonight as his plus one. I had wanted to stay home, lose myself in work, but I agreed to this because, for the past two days since we returned to Vegas, we hadn’t had a moment alone. And I needed to talk to him. To tell him the truth. But the moment we arrived, it seemed like everyone had someone to introduce to my brother, or Elliot himself had someone he needed to speak with. I
ELARA’S POV His words were all I could think about when I got to the office. I’m going to change, El. It played in my head like a broken record. But was that really possible? Nate? Change? Those two can’t be in the same sentence. It was a little hard to believe. No! scratch that it was very hard to believe. Nathaniel Hale never changed for anyone. He expected the world to adjust to him, not the other way around. I knew that because I had done exactly that for him… over and over again. I gave up a lot back then. Things I once loved. Things that made me me. Like my regular visits to *** the After my father passed, I stopped going not because I wanted to, but because Nate never liked me going there. Said it was too far out of the city. And when his new circle of friends started whispering in his ear, questioning why I kept going… well, it became easier for him if I just stopped. And so I did. Let’s not even talk about how I had to reduce my work hours, put dreams on
ELARA’S POV When I woke up, the first thing I did was glance out the window. I don’t know why I cared, but… his car was still there. Something fluttered in my chest relief? No. No, it couldn’t be that. After getting ready and filling Milla’s bowl, I made a second cup of coffee. For Nate. He spent the whole night in his car. I never asked him to, but still making him coffee wasn’t a big deal, right? Just… basic decency. Pouring it into a mug, I grabbed my bag and double checked the locks on my door. Maybe triple-checked. Just in case. Before I headed out. “Good morning,” he said, rolling down his window. He looked terrible. Dark circles sagged under his eyes, his shirt was wrinkled like he’d been dragged through the night. His hair stuck up like he’d run his hands through it too many times. Guilt twisted my stomach. It must’ve been hell, sitting out here all night. “Coffee,” I said, handing him the mug. “Thanks.” His lips curled into a half smile as he
NATE'S POV Every part of me wanted to stay. Fight a little harder. Maybe if I had, she would’ve let me? Maybe. But she made her choice. And the last thing I ever want to do is make her uncomfortable in her own home. She’s mad at me — she has every right to be. Hell, I don’t deserve a damn thing from her. I messed up. When I had her, I took her for granted, thinking it was the only way to protect her. But I thought wrong. I should’ve known better. I should’ve been better. I’ve been screwing things up for a long time now. But this time, I swear I’m going to be different. Elara doesn’t need me bulldozing my way back into her life. My eyes flick to her house. The lights are still on. She’s no longer standing at the window. It’s been a little while since I sent the texts, She hasn’t replied but she read them. And for now... that’s enough. At least she knows she’s not alone. Even if she doesn’t want me close. Even if she can't trust me yet. When she s
ELARA’S POV He takes a breath, trying to reel in his temper. “If I leave, we leave. I’m not going unless you come with me. I can’t imagine you staying here all alone and no security” he states with finality in his tone. We? that just didn’t rub me the right way, he can’t come in here and demand that I leave with him. I arch a brow. “We? There is no we, Nathaniel. There never will be.” He messed up the ‘we’. Now there can never be one not again. He can’t be reliable, and I don’t think I can trust that he won’t try anything. It might all start with him staying over. Then he’d probably decide to make this an every night thing. Or come up with reason to stay close. I know Nate and this is how it starts with him. Then, I’d probably start making excuses for him. Then I might let my guard down. And I can’t let that happen. I still have the scars he left me with even though I’ve been shoving them far away, trying my best to forget they’re there. I can feel them. I remembe
ELARA’S POV “What do you mean they were trying to bug my house?” The words tumble out of me in disbelief as I stare at the truth, the two tiny cameras in his hands. I don’t think I have any enemies. Well… maybe I’ve made a few along the way, but I don’t think they’d stoop as low as spying on me. why would someone even decided to spy on me? my life isnt that eventful. Nate’s jaw tightens as he turns to me from where he was surveying the area. “This is very obvious, El. Someone is trying to keep tabs on you.” “Okay, it might be a silly mistake. Maybe they were looking for another house—” “I don’t think so. That van has been out there since I got here.” “How long have you been here?” I couldn’t help but ask, did he stay long before he knocked? “A long time. A very long time. And they were here even before I was.” I think I also saw that black van when I came back from work. But I don’t want those thoughts to be true. It can’t be. “Still—” “These aren’t cheap knock-off
ELARA’S POV I don’t know what I’m doing as I reach for the doorknob and step out of the house. The cold air bites at my exposed skin. I shouldn’t open the door. I should leave him standing out there in the cold until he gets the message. But I open it anyway. And I see him, standing outside the gate. The moment the entrance creaks open, his eyes find mine. And for a second, we just stare at each other. He looks rough. Tired eyes. Ruffled hair. Wrinkled shirt like he’s been pacing for hours or didn’t even bother changing after work. “What do you want?” I ask flatly, not stepping aside to let him in. “I needed to see you,” he says. My grip on the door tightens. “Congratulations. You’ve seen me. Now leave.” “El…” he lets out a sigh. “I’m afraid I don’t have anyone for you to beat up today, Nate.” The street is quiet. No one’s out here except him and me. A black van is parked a few steps away. I think I saw it there earlier when I came home probably belongs to one
ELARA’S POV The rest of Rob’s conversation fades into the background as a strange unease creeps up my spine. “Elara?” His voice tugs me back to the present. “Are you okay?” he asks again, eyes narrowing as he studies me. “You’ve been staring out there a lot.” I blink and take a quick sip of my drink, masking the sudden chill running down my arms. “Well…” I hesitate. Should I say it out loud? Would I sound crazy? "well..." he repreats leaning closer. Maybe I should ask... “Okay, this might sound weird, but… I think someone’s watching us.” His gaze follows my discreet point toward the glass wall of the café. The street is a little quiet, as the warm orange glow of the evening lights is in the distance. Rob frowns. “Where?” “I don’t know exactly. But it’s from that angle,” I say, motioning to it. “It’s like… I can feel it. And it’s making me really uncomfortable.” He’s quiet for a beat. Then, “I think I feel it too.” Relief washes over me. See? I’m not imagin
ELARA’S POV “You finally decide to show up,” Rob said, turning to Kyle as he strolled into the elevator, his usual scowl etched on his face. Kyle hit the button and leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Do I have a choice?” “Someone’s grumpy,” Rob muttered, nudging me with a smirk. I didn’t laugh. My gaze stayed a second too long on Kyle, his jaw clenched, shoulders seem tense. His eyes caught mine, and my chest tightened. I looked away quickly.As a deafening silence bang creeping in rob spoke. “Where’ve you been all weekend?” “Busy.” Kyle didn’t even open his eyes. My thoughts flashed to Saturday. To Nate. The tension. Kyle’s disappointed look in his eye before he left, it still weighed heavy. Rob’s voice faded into the back ground. As soon as the elevator doors opened, I stepped out like the hallway was on fire. “I don’t think we’ll manage that tour today,” Rob said, eyes glued to his phone. “Something’s up with my a project.” “What’s the issue?” Kyle ask. “the Italian
ELARA’S POV “Is that all we have to discuss?” I ask, to no one in particular. I’m currently in the conference room for the staff meeting. Normally, I’m good with it excited for it, even, sometimes. But today? Not so much. Even though it’s just, me the operations team, a few from sales, and finance. Plus the meetings never take long because well we have a small company. It’s a few minutes in and I’m already tired. For one, I’ve been staring at screens way too much lately, because all I’ve been doing after my very eventful Saturday is burying myself in work. I decided to forget everything that happened and just focus, but that came with consequences. Every time I glance at the screen in front of me, it feels like torture. And honestly, the last place I want to be is the office. But then again, I don’t have a choice. “Well, ma’am,” Olivia, who’s standing in front of the projector begins, “the reports are in order, and this is the rundown we have for last month’s operation