Elena’s Point Of ViewNicholas’s mansion loomed ahead, its familiar silhouette shrouded in the golden glow of dusk. My heart pounded as the car slowed to a stop, the driver silently opening the door for me. Stepping out, I was greeted by the scent of roses from the garden Nicholas had planted for me, roses I had once adored. Now, the smell turned my stomach. I swallowed the lump in my throat, straightened my shoulders, and forced my lips into a neutral line. This definitely wasn't homecoming. It was a mission.The front door opened, and there he stood. Nicholas. His tall frame filled the doorway, and for a moment, his face lit up with something close to relief, even joy. “Elena,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion.I wanted to flinch, to step back, but I couldn’t. Not yet. “Nicholas,” I said evenly, the name tasting bitter on my tongue.He closed the distance between us in a few strides, his arms outstretched as if to embrace me, but he hesitated. “I... God, I’ve missed you.”H
Nicholas’s Point Of ViewThe smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the dining room, a bittersweet reminder of the routine I once cherished. Elena sat across from me, her hands cradling a delicate porcelain cup, her eyes distant. She hadn’t touched her food, merely picking at it with her fork, and the silence between us was heavy, suffocating.Something was off.“Elena,” I started, keeping my voice light despite the weight of my growing suspicion. “You’ve barely touched your breakfast. Are you feeling alright?”Her gaze snapped to mine, her expression neutral yet strained. “I’m fine,” she replied, her tone too smooth, too practiced. She took a sip of her coffee, using the cup as a shield to avoid my eyes.“Fine, huh?” I leaned back in my chair, studying her carefully. The woman sitting before me was a shadow of the Elena I knew, guarded, detached, and… distant. She used to meet my gaze with fire, with passion. Now, all I saw was a flicker of something she was trying to bury.He
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe sight of Nicholas sitting in his office, head bowed under the weight of his collapsing empire, was a sight I hadn’t prepared myself for. He looked… defeated. The Nicholas I had known was untouchable, a force of nature that commanded respect and fear. But now, he seemed fragile, human.His fingers combed through his dark hair as he stared blankly at the scattered papers on his desk. Sleepless nights had etched dark circles under his eyes, his once-sharp gaze dulled by exhaustion. Watching him like this sent an ache through my chest, a sensation I hadn’t anticipated."Stop it, Elena," I scolded myself. "You can’t afford to feel sorry for him." I tore my eyes away and busied myself in the kitchen, though I had no appetite. I needed a distraction. My hands moved mechanically, preparing a simple meal for Nicholas, a small, meaningless gesture. Or at least that’s what I told myself. It wasn’t about care or affection, it was about maintaining my cover.As I stirred
Nicholas’s Point Of ViewThe walls seemed to close in on me. Every glance from my men felt like a challenge, every word from Alejandro dripped with double meaning. Paranoia had become my constant companion, a shadow whispering doubts into my ear. My empire was crumbling, my trust in shambles. But I had one certainty left, Elena.She was my anchor, the only person I could count on. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.I paced my office, my mind spinning with plans and contingencies. Every solution felt like patchwork on a sinking ship. I needed to needed to escape.The phone on my desk buzzed, breaking my thoughts. I snatched it up, my voice sharp. “Talk.”“Mr. De Luca, the arrangements you requested are nearly finalized,” the travel agent on the other end said. “Your private jet can be ready within 48 hours. Destination?”I hesitated, my hand tightening around the receiver. “Somewhere remote. Quiet. Far from prying eyes. I’ll confirm by morning.”I hung up, running a hand t
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe silence of the night wrapped around the mansion like a shroud, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioning and the soft rhythm of Nicholas’s breathing. He lay beside me, his face serene, unguarded in sleep. The powerful man who dominated every room he entered now looked vulnerable, almost boyish.My chest tightened painfully as I watched him. This is the man who shattered my world, I reminded myself, but the thought didn’t land with the weight I needed it to. My emotions warred violently, love, hatred, guilt, and a strange longing for what could have been.I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, wincing when the mattress creaked under my weight. My bare feet barely made a sound as they touched the cold floor. Nicholas stirred slightly, mumbling something unintelligible, but he didn’t wake. My heart skipped a beat as I stood frozen, holding my breath. When his breathing evened out again, I tiptoed toward the bathroom, closing the door softly behin
Elena's Point Of View The rain fell in an unrelenting drizzle, blurring the headstones around me into indistinct shadows. I stood frozen, my black heels sinking into the wet earth as the priest's voice droned on. The words, a faint hum of scripture about eternal rest and divine plans, might as well have been in another language. Nothing could reach me through the oppressive weight of grief that had wrapped itself around my chest like iron chains.This wasn’t supposed to be my life. Just two weeks ago, my parents were alive, vibrant, and making plans for their next anniversary trip. Now, their shared casket sat a few feet away, surrounded by wilted flowers and faces of distant relatives I hadn’t seen in years. People whispered their condolences as if words could somehow patch up the gaping hole their deaths had left behind.My hands trembled as I clutched the edge of the black umbrella, my knuckles white against the plastic handle. A cold wind swept through the cemetery, rustling the
Elena's Point Of ViewThe engine purred softly as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white against the smooth leather. The city sprawled before me, a labyrinth of glass and steel under the relentless glare of the afternoon sun. My father's office which was about to become my office now, loomed in the distance. Returning to Torres Enterprises for the first time since the funeral felt like walking into a battlefield unarmed.My father’s empire was all I had left of him. The weight of the responsibility pressed down on me, making my breaths shallow. I’d spent days convincing myself that I was ready to step into his shoes, to salvage what was left of our legacy. Yet here I was, my stomach twisting in knots, feeling anything but prepared.The underground parking lot was cavernous and eerily quiet, except for the echo of my heels clicking against the concrete. The shadows seemed longer here, stretching unnaturally across the space. As I approached the elevator, my fingers brushed aga
Elena's Point Of View"I'm sorry, Miss Torres, but your financial situation makes you too high a risk for this type of loan."The bank official’s words played over and over in my head as I stepped out of the Heritage Bank, the chilly wind biting at my cheeks. I clutched the handle of my purse so tightly my knuckles turned white, the sting of rejection burning deeper with every passing second.It wasn’t the first bank to shut me down this week. It wasn’t even the third. No matter how passionately I pleaded or how much I laid bare the desperation in my soul, they all gave me the same response. The Torres name, once a symbol of wealth and respectability, was now little more than a cautionary tale.The heels of my boots clicked sharply against the pavement as I walked back to my car, parked a block away. The city buzzed around me, cars honking, conversations spilling out of cafes, and the distant hum of construction but it all felt muted, like I was underwater. My world had shrunk to the
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe silence of the night wrapped around the mansion like a shroud, broken only by the faint hum of the air conditioning and the soft rhythm of Nicholas’s breathing. He lay beside me, his face serene, unguarded in sleep. The powerful man who dominated every room he entered now looked vulnerable, almost boyish.My chest tightened painfully as I watched him. This is the man who shattered my world, I reminded myself, but the thought didn’t land with the weight I needed it to. My emotions warred violently, love, hatred, guilt, and a strange longing for what could have been.I slipped out of bed as quietly as I could, wincing when the mattress creaked under my weight. My bare feet barely made a sound as they touched the cold floor. Nicholas stirred slightly, mumbling something unintelligible, but he didn’t wake. My heart skipped a beat as I stood frozen, holding my breath. When his breathing evened out again, I tiptoed toward the bathroom, closing the door softly behin
Nicholas’s Point Of ViewThe walls seemed to close in on me. Every glance from my men felt like a challenge, every word from Alejandro dripped with double meaning. Paranoia had become my constant companion, a shadow whispering doubts into my ear. My empire was crumbling, my trust in shambles. But I had one certainty left, Elena.She was my anchor, the only person I could count on. Or at least, that’s what I kept telling myself.I paced my office, my mind spinning with plans and contingencies. Every solution felt like patchwork on a sinking ship. I needed to needed to escape.The phone on my desk buzzed, breaking my thoughts. I snatched it up, my voice sharp. “Talk.”“Mr. De Luca, the arrangements you requested are nearly finalized,” the travel agent on the other end said. “Your private jet can be ready within 48 hours. Destination?”I hesitated, my hand tightening around the receiver. “Somewhere remote. Quiet. Far from prying eyes. I’ll confirm by morning.”I hung up, running a hand t
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe sight of Nicholas sitting in his office, head bowed under the weight of his collapsing empire, was a sight I hadn’t prepared myself for. He looked… defeated. The Nicholas I had known was untouchable, a force of nature that commanded respect and fear. But now, he seemed fragile, human.His fingers combed through his dark hair as he stared blankly at the scattered papers on his desk. Sleepless nights had etched dark circles under his eyes, his once-sharp gaze dulled by exhaustion. Watching him like this sent an ache through my chest, a sensation I hadn’t anticipated."Stop it, Elena," I scolded myself. "You can’t afford to feel sorry for him." I tore my eyes away and busied myself in the kitchen, though I had no appetite. I needed a distraction. My hands moved mechanically, preparing a simple meal for Nicholas, a small, meaningless gesture. Or at least that’s what I told myself. It wasn’t about care or affection, it was about maintaining my cover.As I stirred
Nicholas’s Point Of ViewThe smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the dining room, a bittersweet reminder of the routine I once cherished. Elena sat across from me, her hands cradling a delicate porcelain cup, her eyes distant. She hadn’t touched her food, merely picking at it with her fork, and the silence between us was heavy, suffocating.Something was off.“Elena,” I started, keeping my voice light despite the weight of my growing suspicion. “You’ve barely touched your breakfast. Are you feeling alright?”Her gaze snapped to mine, her expression neutral yet strained. “I’m fine,” she replied, her tone too smooth, too practiced. She took a sip of her coffee, using the cup as a shield to avoid my eyes.“Fine, huh?” I leaned back in my chair, studying her carefully. The woman sitting before me was a shadow of the Elena I knew, guarded, detached, and… distant. She used to meet my gaze with fire, with passion. Now, all I saw was a flicker of something she was trying to bury.He
Elena’s Point Of ViewNicholas’s mansion loomed ahead, its familiar silhouette shrouded in the golden glow of dusk. My heart pounded as the car slowed to a stop, the driver silently opening the door for me. Stepping out, I was greeted by the scent of roses from the garden Nicholas had planted for me, roses I had once adored. Now, the smell turned my stomach. I swallowed the lump in my throat, straightened my shoulders, and forced my lips into a neutral line. This definitely wasn't homecoming. It was a mission.The front door opened, and there he stood. Nicholas. His tall frame filled the doorway, and for a moment, his face lit up with something close to relief, even joy. “Elena,” he breathed, his voice thick with emotion.I wanted to flinch, to step back, but I couldn’t. Not yet. “Nicholas,” I said evenly, the name tasting bitter on my tongue.He closed the distance between us in a few strides, his arms outstretched as if to embrace me, but he hesitated. “I... God, I’ve missed you.”H
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe mansion felt hollow, every echo of my footsteps ricocheting through the empty halls like a ghost’s wail. Returning here was like walking into a graveyard of memories, the warmth and love that once defined this space were long gone, replaced by the suffocating weight of grief. It had been only hours since I moved out of Nicholas’s house, yet it felt like an eternity. My heart ached, but my anger was louder, drowning out the soft whispers of regret trying to break through.I stood in my father’s study, running my fingers over the edge of his mahogany desk. The faint scent of his cologne lingered in the room, a cruel reminder of what I’d lost. My mind replayed the recording, Alejandro’s damning words, and Nicholas’s desperate attempts to explain himself. Every moment felt like a fresh stab to my heart.Nicholas had betrayed my trust. I couldn’t let myself believe otherwise.As the weight of it all pressed down on me, Alejandro’s offer resurfaced in my mind. Join
Elena’s Point Of ViewThe world came back to me in fragments, a soft mattress beneath me, the faint scent of fresh linens, and the dim glow of sunlight filtering through heavy curtains. It was the sound of shallow breathing, uneven and filled with tension, that fully pulled me from the haze of unconsciousness. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized where I was: Nicholas’s bedroom.For a moment, I lay there in the quiet, but it wasn’t peace I felt. Memories crashed over me like a tidal wave, the harsh grip of ropes, the burn of cruel words, Alejandro’s voice slicing through my heart with devastating revelations. The lump in my throat grew as I turned my head to find Nicholas sitting in the chair beside the bed.He looked terrible. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with something raw and unfiltered. His shirt was wrinkled, his jaw shadowed with stubble, and his eyes, those piercing, calculating eyes looked heavy with guilt and something else I couldn’t quite place.“Elena,” he sa
Nicholas’s Point Of ViewThe phone rang just as I was pouring a drink, the weight of the last Forty Eight hours pressing down on my chest like a vice. My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the glass, amber liquid swirling with every thought of Elena. She was out there somewhere, scared, alone, and I was here, helpless.The screen lit up with Alejandro’s name, and I didn’t hesitate to answer. “Tell me you’ve got something.”His voice was steady, almost too calm. “We found the location where she us being held.”Everything in me froze for a split second, and then the storm broke loose. “Where?” I demanded, my voice sharper than a blade.“An old Castillo warehouse on the outskirts of town,” he said. “But It’s heavily guarded. We’ll need... ”“I don’t give a damn how many men they have and what we need,” I snapped, already moving. “we need to get Elena out of there tonight.”Alejandro sighed, but there was no argument. He knew better. "I will be at the warehouse in 30 minutes with mor
Elena’s Point Of ViewI woke with a jolt, my head pounding as if someone had taken a hammer to my skull. The air was thick with the stench of mildew and something metallic... blood, perhaps. The room was dim, the only light coming from a single bulb swaying overhead, casting eerie shadows that danced on the cold concrete walls. My arms ached, and when I tried to move, I realized why. Thick ropes bound me to a metal chair, digging into my wrists and ankles with every slight motion.Panic clawed its way up my throat as I tugged against the restraints. “Hello?” My voice cracked, barely above a whisper, but I tried again, louder this time. “Who’s there?”A low chuckle echoed from the shadows. My heart dropped.“Well, well, sleeping beauty finally wakes up,” a voice drawled.Two masked figures stepped into the light, their dark eyes glittering with malice. One leaned casually against the wall, a cigarette dangling from his lips, while the other cracked his knuckles like he was itching for