All Chapters of My Boss, My Step-Brother: The Devil From My Past: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Sitting alone in her apartment, Elena found herself lost in thought. The present was complicated enough, but her mind drifted back to a time she rarely allowed herself to revisit. It was the spring of her junior year in high school—a time when her feelings for Elliot had begun to shift, growing into something she hadn’t fully understood until it was too late. At the time, Elliot had already established himself as the school’s golden boy. He was smart, athletic, and charming in a way that seemed effortless. But for Elena, he was also a source of torment, his teasing and harsh words leaving a mark she couldn’t easily erase. Yet, amidst all the pain he caused, there had been moments—brief, fleeting glimpses of kindness—that had planted the seeds of her conflicted emotions. The day started like any other. Elena sat in the back of the classroom, scribbling notes while trying to remain invisible. Elliot, as always, was at the center of attention, cracking jokes and earning laughter from

Elena stared out the car window, her arms crossed tightly across her chest. She had been less than thrilled when her mother announced the family road trip, calling it a "bonding experience." In theory, it sounded great: a scenic drive, a few tourist stops, and quality time with the newly blended family. In practice, it meant being crammed in the same vehicle with Elliot for hours on end. Elliot sat in the passenger seat beside his father, occasionally glancing back at Elena. She was seated in the back next to her mother, who was enthusiastically rattling off facts about their first destination—a quaint countryside town known for its picturesque lake. The tension between Elena and Elliot was palpable, though their parents seemed blissfully unaware. As the car pulled onto the highway, she couldn’t help but wonder how she was going to survive the trip without letting her frustration boil over. The first few hours were as awkward as Elena had feared. Her mother and Elliot’s father cha

Elena’s day had started off well enough. A small triumph at work—a presentation she had prepared was well-received by their department head. For the first time in months, she felt like she was beginning to prove herself. She had even caught herself smiling more often, thanks in no small part to Elliot’s recent support. But things had a way of spiraling, and today was no exception. It began with a conversation she overheard in the break room. Two of her colleagues were whispering near the coffee machine, their voices low but laced with amusement. Elena wasn’t one for eavesdropping, but her name caught her attention. “You know she’s only doing so well because of Elliot, right?” one of them said with a smirk. “Of course,” the other replied. “He’s practically handing her success on a silver platter. I mean, why else would he defend her so much?” The words hit Elena like a punch to the gut. She stepped back, her heartbeat quickening as their laughter echoed in her ears. The comment

The day had started as a typical one for Elena—meetings, emails, and a growing list of tasks demanding her attention. She was reviewing some documents for an important client presentation when her phone pinged with a calendar reminder. The meeting with the client, Mr. Carson, was scheduled for later that afternoon. Mr. Carson had a reputation for being difficult—demanding, curt, and often dismissive. Elena had dealt with him before, but this time felt different. Not only was she leading the presentation, but Elliot would also be in the meeting, observing as her manager. The thought made her stomach churn. While she had grown more comfortable with Elliot’s presence in her work life, she still felt the weight of his gaze during high-stakes moments like this. The meeting started as most client meetings did, with pleasantries and a recap of the project’s progress. Elena felt a flicker of pride as she confidently walked Mr. Carson through the details, highlighting key deliverables and t

The memory came back to her on a quiet evening when she least expected it. Elena had been sorting through some old belongings, unpacking a box that had sat untouched in the corner of her closet for years. Inside were relics of her high school years: yearbooks, notebooks, and pictures of friends who had drifted away over time. Among the items was a small journal she had kept during those days—a place she had poured her feelings when life had felt too overwhelming. As she flipped through the pages, one particular entry stopped her cold. The date jumped out at her immediately, pulling her back to a day she had tried hard to forget: the day Elliot’s bullying had broken a part of her confidence she hadn’t even realized was fragile. It had been a sunny afternoon during her sophomore year of high school. The school was hosting its annual talent show, and Elena had finally mustered the courage to sign up. Singing had always been her passion, and while she was shy by nature, her friends had