MasukI don’t know what he means by that, so I do my best to ignore that little flutter in my stomach.“So, where did you say we are going?” I ask instead, doing my best to move past the conversation that seems to be heading in a direction I’m not sure I want it to go yet.Griffin doesn’t push. He never does.He plays along. “I never said anything.”I watch him shrug before leaning back and crossing those broad arms over his perfectly sculpted chest—one that I have touched way too many times. A hell of a lot more than I ever did with Damon. If I were to be honest, in the five years of our marriage, Damon and I have only slept together five times, and each time, the name on his lips was Hannah’s. Not mine.I take a deep breath, realizing once again how I feel nothing for him anymore. It’s as if, the night Cora and I walked away, all my ties with him were cut for good, and whatever lingering feelings
[Elara]“I can’t believe this is finally over!” cries Sarah, literal tears running down her cheeks as she looks at all the faces that started to feel like family over the last 18 months. “I’m going to miss you all like hell.”Darius, one of the most silent and brick-faced guys in the group, seems to be moved by Sarah too, just like everyone else, though he hides it well by rolling his eyes and scoffing.I know that because I have spent five years with someone like him.Silent. Cold. Arrogant.The only difference between Darius and Damon is: Darius isn’t as cruel or heartless.He’s also a genius, so that’s something.“Only someone as sentimental as you would say that,” he mumbles under his breath, as usual lingering a few feet away from all of us, but always with attentive eyes and ears. “Don’t you have a family or a boyfriend to go back to? Who are you putti
[Griffin]After dropping Elara off at Cora’s school, I get into my car and drive straight to the private airport.The moment I step out, Liam follows me onto the plane.“Sir, the conference with the international clients has been pushed to midnight, just like you wanted. The land acquisition for the new research center has been greenlit, and the final papers will be signed by the end of the day. The media team is already prepared to release the announcement. Also, your father called.” He takes a rightful pause before searching for my face as I take my seat. “He wants you home in three days. He said that if you didn’t show up for your grandfather’s birthday party, he might as well disown you.”I almost laugh at the audacity to even think he’s capable of something so drastic.I wave him off. “Tell my father I’ll see him in Hell before I ever step foot in that house again.”“He also said he’ll cut your inheritance.”“He’s welcome to try.”Liam knows better than to push further. He nods a
[Elara]“You did great today,” he whispers into my ear, his calm yet husky voice sending a gentle shiver down my spine.I bite my lip, smiling lightly. “It was alright, I guess.”He pulls back a little, placing his hands on my shoulders. He turns me around, lowering himself so we are at the same eye level. “Didn’t we talk about this? No more hiding.”I swallow again, looking away briefly. “I’m not. I just don’t think I did it alone.”“Of course you didn’t do it alone,” he says gently. “No one ever does. But you were the one who carried the vision when the rest of them could only see obstacles. You gave them something steady to hold on to, something to believe in. That kind of quiet leadership—the kind that steadies people, that keeps them moving forward even when they doubt themselves—is rare. And in my view, it deserves to be acknowledged.”His words fill me with a warm, tender sense of pride. I look back at him, my lips once again stretching into a small grin. “Fine. I’ll take it th
18 Months Later:[Elara]“This demonstrates our approach to developing a lab-grown artificial heart that can integrate effectively with a patient’s body, offering an alternative for those who are unable to find a suitable donor. Thank you."I end my speech and walk back to my seat, feeling slightly less nervous, now that the worst has passed. The applause followed right after, exploding the entire auditorium with awe and appreciation.I hold back the urge to bite my lip, well aware it would look terrible in front of the grand audience in front of us.“Now, I would like to invite Professor Grant onto the stage and say a few words,” The announcer says as one of the lab technicians helps him get out of his chair and walk to the podium.A few months ago, on the way to his apartment, Professor Grant got hit by a car. It was a terrible accident, one that not only took his ability to walk without support but also delayed the conclusion of our research by a few more weeks.But that's not what
[Damon]I watch as mom’s expression changes from confusion to plain, unadulterated anger.“You—” She slaps Hannah really hard. “I told you. No more lies. I warned you.”Another slap. “But you. You tried to fool me again.” Another slap, and this one throws Hannah right onto the floor of the old Blackwood residence. “Again. And again.”Hannah sobs, holding her face. “I didn’t, Madam Blackwood. I didn’t. Please. You have to believe me.”“Still lying. Aren’t you?” Mom snaps, looking mad enough to pull her own hair out. “Guards!”Four guards standing at the door come running.“Take this bitch out of my sight and teach her a lesson on my behalf. And make sure. She never steps into any of the Blackwood properties. Ever. I swear to God, if I ever see her again, you would be the one losing your head.”The guards do as they are told. They grab Hannah and drag her away, despite her pleas and tears; no one even blinks.Once she’s out, Mom sinks into the couch, head in her hands.“This is all my f







