Lahat ng Kabanata ng Bound by debt, Trapped by desire: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 15

Elena knew it wouldn’t be easy.Whatever was happening between her and Alexander, whatever this thing was, it wouldn’t come without consequences.And she was right.Because the next morning, Scarlett showed up.—Elena was in the library when the knock came.It wasn’t a soft, hesitant knock. It was sharp. Demanding.Before she could react, one of the house staff entered, looking uncertain.“Mrs. Calloway,” the woman said. “There’s a… guest at the door.”Elena frowned. “Who?”The woman hesitated, then sighed. “Scarlett Monroe.”Elena’s stomach dropped.She shouldn’t have been surprised.After what had happened at the gala, after Scarlett’s warnings, it was only a matter of time before she made another move.Still, Elena wasn’t prepared to come face to face with her this soon.She straightened her shoulders. “Where is she?”“The foyer.”Elena exhaled slowly. Then, without another word, she made her way there.Scarlett was waiting by the grand staircase, dressed in an elegant black coat,

Elena should have known something was wrong the moment she stepped into the mansion.The air inside felt off—too still, too heavy. The grand chandelier overhead cast a cold, silvery glow, illuminating the long hallway leading to Alexander’s study.Her gut twisted with unease.Alexander should have been home by now. But the house was eerily silent.She hesitated at the study door before slowly pushing it open.And then she froze.Scarlett sat perched on Alexander’s chair, legs crossed, a wine glass dangling from her fingers.Tristan stood beside her, his expression unreadable.Elena’s heart slammed against her ribs.“What… what are you doing here?” she asked, her voice coming out steadier than she felt.Scarlett’s lips curled into a smirk. “Hello to you too, darling.”Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to step inside. “Where’s Alexander?”Tristan chuckled, the sound low and mocking. “He’s… occupied. Which means it’s just us.”Elena stiffened. “I don’t have time for your games.”Scar

A year later…Elena stood at the balcony of their penthouse, staring out at the New York skyline as the golden hues of sunset painted the city in breathtaking shades. A gentle breeze carried the scent of fresh roses from the garden Alexander had built for her—a sanctuary in the midst of the chaos that had once ruled their lives.She placed a hand on her stomach, feeling the small but growing swell beneath her dress. A secret she hadn’t yet told Alexander. Their child.She smiled.A year ago, she had been nothing more than a waitress trying to survive. Then she had been a wife bound by a debt she hadn’t created. But now? Now she was a woman in love. A woman loved.Strong arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a familiar warmth. She sighed as Alexander pressed a kiss against her temple.“What are you thinking about?” he murmured.Elena turned, looking into the deep ocean blue of his eyes. The same eyes that had once been cold, guarded—now filled with warmth and devotion.“Our l