The next day. Dusk had fallen and the sky was beginning to turn red on the western horizon when Elena received a message from Tamara. She was sitting in the living room of her modest apartment, staring at her phone screen with a face full of emotion and an irrepressible smile.[Tamara] Elena, you won't believe it! Our new partners have made their payments, and the amount is way beyond expectations] Tamara wrote with a big smile emoji.Elena took a deep breath, feeling both proud and relieved. [Really, Tamara? I didn't expect the results to be this great. All the hard work has finally paid off].It didn't take long for Tamara to reply, [Yes, dear. All the transactions have been completed. Now, you've also completed the tasks at Mr. Nathan's company perfectly]Elena smiled a little while rubbing her cheeks, [Yes, it's true. I think it's time for me to move forward and turn over a new leaf]Elena put down her cell phone and stood near the large window overlooking the city. "I've planned
That morning, Nathan sat in his study with a cup of coffee that hadn't even been touched. He stared blankly at his laptop screen until a soft knock on the door broke his reverie."Come in," he said simply.His assistant entered with a brown folder."Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Nathan," the assistant said carefully. "There's an important letter that just arrived this morning. From Miss Elena."Nathan's eyes immediately sharpened. "Elena?""Yes, sir," Kevin replied as he handed over the folder.Nathan took it quickly and opened the folder. His eyes read it quickly, and instantly his jaw hardened."Resignation?" his voice was low but filled with unsuppressed anger.The assistant gulped. "Yes, sir. The letter is official. He has completed all his duties and-""Without my permission?" cut in Nathan, standing up from his chair. "He thinks he can just leave? How nice of him!"His assistant took half a step back, feeling the pressure of the man's cold aura."Have you tried contacting him?" asked
The International Airport was crowded that afternoon, as usual. People were passing by, welcoming families or rushing to catch flights. However, from among the crowd, a long-haired woman with sunglasses stepped gracefully, accompanied by four children. Behind her glasses, Elena's eyes swept around, breathing in the air she missed so much."Is this where Mommy used to live?" asked Alva, the soon-to-be five-year-old boy, clasping his mother's hand.Elena looked down and smiled, gently touching Alva's head. "Yes, dear. Mommy and your three older sisters used to live here.""Wow, I didn't expect that. I'm going back to this town," exclaimed Olivia, now a teenager, her face looking more and more like Elena.Katty and Delya were busy looking at the big buildings outside the airport. Their faces were enthusiastic."Everything looks different," said Katty."I was only three years old at the time, so I didn't really know the city," Delya continued.Elena just smiled a little. Five years is not
"But I'm still going," Elena said. "Elena..." Nathan let out a long breath. "I know this may sound abrupt. But let me be honest," Nathan said"Just say it, Mr. Nathan.""I love you, Elena."Elena gasped softly. Her gaze darted away, but Nathan didn't let her down. He looked into Elena's face with sincere eyes."Five years I lived with your shadow. Five years I wished you would come back. And now you're in front of my eyes again. I don't want to miss this opportunity."Elena closed her eyes, trying to control her feelings. "Mr. Nathan, I can't return your feelings.""Why not?" Nathan cut in softly. "Is it because of the past? Because of the hurt you got from your ex-husband?"Elena took a deep breath. "I don't want to hurt anyone, including myself. I don't want to open my heart again, Mr. Nathan."Nathan stepped closer, his tone turning softer. "You won't be disappointed if you're with me, Elena. I won't hurt you."Elena looked at Nathan with teary eyes. "You have no idea how hard my
"Darling, you are truly a gift to this family." The booming voice of Margaret Lancaster, her mother-in-law, filled the room. "At last, Damian has found a woman who can give him an heir." The smile on Elena's face slowly disappeared when she heard the voice from inside the room. She was about to give Damian—her husband of ten years—the best news of her life. Elena's hand tightly grasped the envelope containing the results of the doctor's examination. She was pregnant with her fourth child. Elena stopped in the doorway. Her eyes froze at the sight before her. A blonde woman with a perfect body was sitting gracefully on the sofa. She was so very perfect. She was Isabella Monroe. A top model who often graced fashion magazines. And now, she was sitting confidently in Elena's house, among her family. "Ah, Auntie, you're too much," Isabella laughed softly, her voice soft yet full of satisfaction. "Don't call me auntie, dear. You are now my daughter-in-law." "Right, call us Mommy and D
"Fine! We divorce, and take your three useless daughters!" Damian's voice echoed in the room, cold and heartless. Elena stood up straight, staring at Damian without a single tear on her face. Then she nodded slowly and turned away without another word. There was no point in prolonging a conversation with a man who didn't even appreciate his own flesh and blood. Her steps were quick up the stairs, heading straight for her children's rooms. Olivia, her eldest eight-year-old daughter, was reading a book on the bed. Katty, six, was playing with a doll, while Delya, the youngest at just three years old, slept soundly, her fingers still gripping the edge of her blanket. "Mommy?" Olivia looked at her mother in confusion. "Why does Mommy look angry?" Elena took a deep breath, trying to calm her emotions before speaking. "Honey, we need to get out of here right now."Katty turned her head, her eyes wide. "Leave? Where, Mom?""To a better place." Elena smiled softly, even though her hear
Elena let out a long sigh as she looked at the small apartment that would now be home to her and her three daughters. It was a far cry from the luxurious mansion she had lived in for the past ten years."This is our home now?" Olivia asked quietly, her eyes sweeping the modest room.Elena smiled, trying to look strong in front of her children. "Yes, darling. Our new home."Katty looked at her mother in confusion. "Does Daddy not want to be our Daddy anymore?" Katty's tears flowed freely, further breaking Elena's heart.However, Elena tried to smile in front of her three daughters.Delya, who still didn't understand what was happening, hugged her mother's legs tightly. "I want Daddy, Mommy."Elena squatted down, gently stroking the little one's hair. "Daddy can't be with us right now, but Mommy is always here for you, okay?"Olivia took Elena's hand, trying to encourage her mother. "It's okay, Mom. Mommy will be both mother and father to us," Olivia said.Elena smiled, holding back her
The next day, in front of the registry office, Elena stood tall with her head held high. Her hands clutched tightly around her small bag, while beside her, Damian stood proudly.An officer came in with two divorce certificates, handing them over one by one."This is the divorce certificate, sir, madam. You are now officially divorced," the officer said formally.Elena accepted the deed with a faint smile. Damian, meanwhile, just let out a long sigh, putting the divorce certificate into his coat without looking at it again."You think you can survive without me?" Damian said in a mocking tone.Elena turned her head, raising one eyebrow. "Of course."Damian chuckled, folding his arms across his chest. "Don't be silly, Elena. Without my money, you wouldn't have survived. You shouldn't have refused the compensation I gave you."Elena smiled sarcastically. "Oh, so now you're worried?" Damian shook his head slowly, as if taking pity. "I'm just thinking realistically. You have no one, no p
"But I'm still going," Elena said. "Elena..." Nathan let out a long breath. "I know this may sound abrupt. But let me be honest," Nathan said"Just say it, Mr. Nathan.""I love you, Elena."Elena gasped softly. Her gaze darted away, but Nathan didn't let her down. He looked into Elena's face with sincere eyes."Five years I lived with your shadow. Five years I wished you would come back. And now you're in front of my eyes again. I don't want to miss this opportunity."Elena closed her eyes, trying to control her feelings. "Mr. Nathan, I can't return your feelings.""Why not?" Nathan cut in softly. "Is it because of the past? Because of the hurt you got from your ex-husband?"Elena took a deep breath. "I don't want to hurt anyone, including myself. I don't want to open my heart again, Mr. Nathan."Nathan stepped closer, his tone turning softer. "You won't be disappointed if you're with me, Elena. I won't hurt you."Elena looked at Nathan with teary eyes. "You have no idea how hard my
The International Airport was crowded that afternoon, as usual. People were passing by, welcoming families or rushing to catch flights. However, from among the crowd, a long-haired woman with sunglasses stepped gracefully, accompanied by four children. Behind her glasses, Elena's eyes swept around, breathing in the air she missed so much."Is this where Mommy used to live?" asked Alva, the soon-to-be five-year-old boy, clasping his mother's hand.Elena looked down and smiled, gently touching Alva's head. "Yes, dear. Mommy and your three older sisters used to live here.""Wow, I didn't expect that. I'm going back to this town," exclaimed Olivia, now a teenager, her face looking more and more like Elena.Katty and Delya were busy looking at the big buildings outside the airport. Their faces were enthusiastic."Everything looks different," said Katty."I was only three years old at the time, so I didn't really know the city," Delya continued.Elena just smiled a little. Five years is not
That morning, Nathan sat in his study with a cup of coffee that hadn't even been touched. He stared blankly at his laptop screen until a soft knock on the door broke his reverie."Come in," he said simply.His assistant entered with a brown folder."Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Nathan," the assistant said carefully. "There's an important letter that just arrived this morning. From Miss Elena."Nathan's eyes immediately sharpened. "Elena?""Yes, sir," Kevin replied as he handed over the folder.Nathan took it quickly and opened the folder. His eyes read it quickly, and instantly his jaw hardened."Resignation?" his voice was low but filled with unsuppressed anger.The assistant gulped. "Yes, sir. The letter is official. He has completed all his duties and-""Without my permission?" cut in Nathan, standing up from his chair. "He thinks he can just leave? How nice of him!"His assistant took half a step back, feeling the pressure of the man's cold aura."Have you tried contacting him?" asked
The next day. Dusk had fallen and the sky was beginning to turn red on the western horizon when Elena received a message from Tamara. She was sitting in the living room of her modest apartment, staring at her phone screen with a face full of emotion and an irrepressible smile.[Tamara] Elena, you won't believe it! Our new partners have made their payments, and the amount is way beyond expectations] Tamara wrote with a big smile emoji.Elena took a deep breath, feeling both proud and relieved. [Really, Tamara? I didn't expect the results to be this great. All the hard work has finally paid off].It didn't take long for Tamara to reply, [Yes, dear. All the transactions have been completed. Now, you've also completed the tasks at Mr. Nathan's company perfectly]Elena smiled a little while rubbing her cheeks, [Yes, it's true. I think it's time for me to move forward and turn over a new leaf]Elena put down her cell phone and stood near the large window overlooking the city. "I've planned
Elena entered her apartment with shaky steps. The door closed behind her, isolating her from the outside world. She leaned back for a moment, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The image of the incident in Nathan's car was still vivid in her mind, making her cheeks heat up."What have I done?" she murmured softly, voice barely audible in the quiet room.Elena opened her eyes, gazing around her simple yet cozy apartment. Without turning on the light, she made her way to the bathroom. Every step felt heavy, as if the weight of her thoughts added to the gravity around her.Arriving at the bathroom, Elena turned on the light and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her normally bright brown eyes now looked dim, filled with doubt and regret."Elena, you have to be stronger," she whispered to herself, trying to be encouraging even though her heart was still in turmoil.Elena took off her clothes one by one, feeling the cold fabric that clung to her skin from the previous rain. Once
The sound of heavy rain hitting the glass of the building had been heard since the afternoon. The street lights slowly lit up as the sky grew darker. Elena tucked her drawing tools into her folder, took a deep breath and stared at her office window filled with the shadows of water drops.What a day, she thought. But all the designs are done, all the revisions have been sent, nothing else is pending."Miss Elena, you're not home yet?" asked Mila, wearing a light raincoat and carrying an umbrella.Elena stood up and straightened her bag. "Waiting for a taxi."Mila glanced outside. "It's raining really hard. I'll just wait in the lobby."Elena just smiled. After Mila said goodbye, Elena walked down to the lobby. Her shoes were wet from the puddles on the front steps. Her hair was starting to get damp even though it hadn't really left the canopy roof.Elana stood on the sidewalk, trying to order a taxi from the phone app. But everything was "unavailable"."Geez, not like this," she mutte
Elena's footsteps sounded softly coming down the taxi. Her hair was neatly tied up, her face looked tired but determined. Just as she passed through the glass doors of Nathan's office lobby, a man in a black formal suit approached her with a serious face."Sorry, Miss Elena. I have a meeting outside. Please follow me."Elena was suspicious. But when she saw the shiny black sedan parked out front, she had a bad feeling. The window of the car rolled down slowly. Mrs. Sonia's haughty face appeared behind it."Come in, we need to talk," the woman said flatly, in an unassailable tone.Elena took a deep breath. But she stepped in anyway, opened the door and sat in the rear passenger seat. The door locked automatically. The car was still in place, but the atmosphere felt like it was moving into the abyss."What did Madame want to talk about?" Elena asked quietly, calm despite the rumbling in her chest.Without further ado, Madame Sonia took out a thick white envelope from inside her luxuriou
The atmosphere in the café was warm. Elena sat with Nathan and his three daughters, enjoying a lunch full of laughter. Olivia, Katty, and Delya looked so comfortable around Nathan, as if they had earned the affection of a father. However, the warmth suddenly faded when a middle-aged woman with an elegant appearance entered the cafe. Her sharp eyes swept the room until they stopped on Nathan. Her face hardened when she saw her son sitting with Elena and her children.Nathan, recognizing his mother's presence, immediately stood up. "Mom," he greeted in a flat tone.Mrs. Sonia approached, her gaze coldly fixed on Elena and her three daughters. "Nathan, who is that woman?" she asked sternly.Elena felt awkward and quickly stood up, trying to smile politely. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I am Elena, and these are my daughters, Olivia, Katty, and Delya."Mrs. Sonia ignored the introduction and looked back at Nathan. "I need to talk to you, Nathan. Now."Nathan sighed, then turned to Elena. "Sorr
Elena looked at the cheerful face of Olivia who was jumping up and down beside her. The school program was over, and the smile on her eldest daughter's face made all the tiredness seem to evaporate. Nathan walked quietly beside them, one hand holding the large teddy bear he had given Olivia. "How about lunch," Nathan said, glancing at Elena, who was still a little awkward after Olivia's statement. Elena smiled and pulled out her cell phone. "I'll call Tamara first. Katty and Delya can't be left for too long." She typed quickly and put the phone to her ear. Soon, Tamara answered. "El, relax, I can take care of them. In fact, Katty was teaching Delya to dance on TikTok just now," Tamara said with a laugh. "Seriously? Geez... well, I'll leave them for a while. I'll be back shortly after eating." "Take it easy," Tamara said in a soft voice. After hanging up, Elena turned to Olivia and Nathan. "Tamara said Katty and Delya are safe. So... let's eat?" Nathan nodded. "I happ