ElliotWhen I finally walked into the boardroom, their faces looked like some overfed monkeys.The long mahogany table was filled with familiar faces...men and women who had sat in those same seats for years, acting like they ran the company.They didnโt.I did, I've always been the one.I took my time, adjusting my cuffs as I strolled to the head of the table. No one spoke. They were just waiting, and watching. Gerald sat near the end, flipping through a report, his expression neutral. He wasnโt the enemy, but he wasnโt my ally either...not yet.I finally took my seat, leaning back in the leather chair, letting the silence settle."Let's not waste time," I said. "I know youโve all been waiting to air your concerns, so go ahead. Entertain me."The CFO, an older man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. "Mr. Prescott, while we respect your leadership, your abrupt departure created instability. The stockholders...""The stockholders are relieved that Iโm back." I cut him off smoothly. "
Susan The message stared back at me like a challenge. Eleanor Prescott requests your presence for lunch. One oโclock. Prescott Tower, 45th floor. I didnโt need to think twice. This wasnโt an invitation...it was a summons. Elliotโs mother had spent years pretending I didnโt exist, treating me like a temporary inconvenience that would eventually disappear. But now, after everything that had happened...the scandal, Elliotโs return, the press conference that rocked the business world...she was suddenly willing to sit down with me? I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath before walking through the grand entrance of Prescott Tower. The lobby was pristine, with marble floors and golden accents, exuding the kind of wealth that was meant to intimidate people like me. But I wouldnโt be intimidated. The elevator ride to the 45th floor felt both too long and too short. When the doors slid open, I was met with an airy, sunlit dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city
Susan I walked out of Elliotโs office without looking back.I could still hear his voice...sharp, cutting, and desperate...โDonโt do this, Susan.โ But I had to.Because in the end, love wasnโt enough.Not when his mother still saw me as an outsider. Not when the world still whispered about how I wasnโt good enough for Elliot Prescott. Not when, no matter how much I tried to prove myself, I still felt like I was fighting a battle I was destined to lose.And if signing my name on a damn contract was the price for being accepted into his family, for securing a future where his mother wouldnโt look at me like I was nothing, then so be it.I ignored the sting in my chest and walked down the halls of Prescott Enterprises with quiet determination. My heels clicked against the marble floors, my heart pounding with every step toward the woman who had made me feel small for so long.Mrs. Prescott was waiting for me.She sat behind a grand mahogany desk, poised and elegant, a picture of unshaka
Susan The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Meeraโs apartment. I blinked awake, the events of last night crashing down like a tidal wave. My head throbbed, not from the wine but from the weight of my choices.I had betrayed Elliotโs trust.And worse...I had done it knowing exactly how much it would hurt him.I turned on my side, expecting Meera to still be asleep, but she was already sitting up against the headboard, scrolling through her phone.โMorning, traitor.โ She didnโt even look up as she spoke, but the sarcasm was thick in her tone.I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. โI donโt need the judgment this early.โโWell, too bad,โ she snapped, tossing her phone onto the bed. โElliot called me twice.โThat got my attention. I shot up, my heart beating rapidly. โWhat?โโAnd texted,โ she added, handing me her phone.I hesitated before reading.Elliot Prescott: Where is she?Elliot Prescott: Sheโs not at the penthouse. If sheโs with you, tell
Susan I took a deep breath as I stepped into the headquarters of the Prescott Foundation. The towering glass doors reflected the morning sun, casting a golden glow over the entrance. This was my new beginning, but not in the way Mrs. Prescott had envisioned.The receptionist, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, looked up at me and stiffened slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," she said, her voice polite but laced with curiosity.It was clear...everyone here knew who I was. Not as Susan Hart, the new employee. But as her. The woman Elliot Prescott was involved with. The one who had seemingly walked into this job with privilege wrapped around her like a designer coat.I straightened my shoulders, let them think what they wanted. I would prove them wrong."I'm here for my first day," I said with a calm smile.Her eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, but she nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Castillo will be with you shortly."I knew of Mr. Castillo..
ElliotThe first time Susan missed dinner, I let it slide.She texted me last minute, saying she was caught up at work, something about an urgent report she needed to finalize before the morning. I replied with a simple Okay, donโt stay too late.But then it happened again. And again.At first, I told myself she was just adjusting to the new job. She wanted to prove herself, show that she was more than just the CEOโs girlfriend playing charity director. And I admired that about her.But admiration turned into irritation real quick.By the fourth night in a row of her coming home past eleven, barely speaking two words before collapsing in bed, I was done being understanding.Tonight, I didnโt bother preparing dinner. What was the point? I sat in the dimly lit living room, glass of whiskey in my hand, staring at the front door like a damn abandoned husband waiting for his wife to return from war.The sound of the key turning in the lock made my jaw clench. The door creaked open, and the
Elliot I woke up alone again.The other side of the bed was empty, the sheets cool to the touch. I ran a hand through my hair, irritation already simmering beneath my skin. This had become a pattern...Susan leaving at dawn before I even got the chance to hold her, to talk to her, to feel like we were still us.I sat up and reached for my phone.No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.With a sigh, I tossed the device onto the nightstand and stared at the ceiling.She had promised this wouldn't happen. That her new position at the foundation wouldnโt consume her, that she wouldnโt lose herself in proving a point to my mother.Yet, here I was. Alone. Again.My patience was wearing thin.I climbed out of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and headed to the kitchen, where I found Gerald waiting for me. He was standing by the counter, sipping coffee, his expression unreadable."You look like hell," he noted dryly."Good morning to you too, Gerald," I muttered, grabbing a mug and pouring myself
Susan I barely had time to think before Elliotโs lips crashed into mine.It wasnโt soft. It wasnโt patient.It was raw.Like a man who had been starving for too long. Like someone at their breaking point.I gasped against his mouth, but he didnโt let me pull away. His hands gripped my waist, fingers digging in as if to remind me exactly who I belonged to.I had pushed him away for weeks.Tonight, he wasnโt letting me run.His lips traveled down my jaw, hot and demanding, his breath ragged against my skin. My knees threatened to buckle when his teeth scraped the sensitive spot just beneath my ear."Tell me you missed me," he growled.I shuddered, clutching his shoulders. "Elliot..."His grip tightened. "Say it."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. "I missed you."A low curse left his lips before he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bedroom. My arms wrapped around his neck, and my body molded against his as he kicked the door shut behind us.I barely had time to process
SusanThe warmth of Elliotโs body anchored me in place, his arm draped over my waist like he had no intention of letting me go. His breathing was slow and steady, his chest rising and falling beneath my cheek.I blinked against the soft golden light streaming through the curtains, my body still aching in the best way possible from the night before.I should get up.But for once, I didnโt want to move.Not when Elliotโs fingers were lazily tracing patterns along my spine. Not when the scent of him...warm, musky, familiar...wrapped around me like a cocoon.I shifted slightly, but the moment I did, his grip tightened, pulling me back against him.โWhere do you think youโre going?โ His voice was thick with sleep, rasping against my ear.I smiled, tilting my head back to meet his gaze. His dark hair was a tousled mess, his jaw dusted with stubble, and his eyes...still heavy with sleep...watched me like I was the only thing that mattered in the world.โI need to get up,โ I murmured.โNo, yo
ElliotI used to believe I was a patient man. That no matter how chaotic life became, I could handle it with control and precision.But Susan was testing me in ways I never imagined.I sat at the dining table, fingers tapping rhythmically against the wooden surface. The clock on the wall mocked meโ11:47 PM.She was late, again.Dinner had gone cold an hour ago, and the bottle of whiskey Iโd sworn I wouldnโt touch was now half-empty.The moment I heard the front door click open, I tensed. Her footsteps slow. Then, the sight of her...exhausted, her hair slightly messy, dressed in a sleek business suit that reminded me just how deep she had buried herself in that damn foundation.She barely glanced my way as she set her purse down, stretching her neck. โYouโre still up?โI let out a slow exhale. โNo, Susan. Iโm sleepwalking.โHer lips pressed together, and I knew Iโd hit a nerve. But I didnโt care.โI had a long day, Elliot.โ She rubbed her temples, sighing. โPlease donโt start.โI pushe
Susan I barely had time to think before Elliotโs lips crashed into mine.It wasnโt soft. It wasnโt patient.It was raw.Like a man who had been starving for too long. Like someone at their breaking point.I gasped against his mouth, but he didnโt let me pull away. His hands gripped my waist, fingers digging in as if to remind me exactly who I belonged to.I had pushed him away for weeks.Tonight, he wasnโt letting me run.His lips traveled down my jaw, hot and demanding, his breath ragged against my skin. My knees threatened to buckle when his teeth scraped the sensitive spot just beneath my ear."Tell me you missed me," he growled.I shuddered, clutching his shoulders. "Elliot..."His grip tightened. "Say it."I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering. "I missed you."A low curse left his lips before he lifted me effortlessly, carrying me toward the bedroom. My arms wrapped around his neck, and my body molded against his as he kicked the door shut behind us.I barely had time to process
Elliot I woke up alone again.The other side of the bed was empty, the sheets cool to the touch. I ran a hand through my hair, irritation already simmering beneath my skin. This had become a pattern...Susan leaving at dawn before I even got the chance to hold her, to talk to her, to feel like we were still us.I sat up and reached for my phone.No messages. No missed calls. Nothing.With a sigh, I tossed the device onto the nightstand and stared at the ceiling.She had promised this wouldn't happen. That her new position at the foundation wouldnโt consume her, that she wouldnโt lose herself in proving a point to my mother.Yet, here I was. Alone. Again.My patience was wearing thin.I climbed out of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and headed to the kitchen, where I found Gerald waiting for me. He was standing by the counter, sipping coffee, his expression unreadable."You look like hell," he noted dryly."Good morning to you too, Gerald," I muttered, grabbing a mug and pouring myself
ElliotThe first time Susan missed dinner, I let it slide.She texted me last minute, saying she was caught up at work, something about an urgent report she needed to finalize before the morning. I replied with a simple Okay, donโt stay too late.But then it happened again. And again.At first, I told myself she was just adjusting to the new job. She wanted to prove herself, show that she was more than just the CEOโs girlfriend playing charity director. And I admired that about her.But admiration turned into irritation real quick.By the fourth night in a row of her coming home past eleven, barely speaking two words before collapsing in bed, I was done being understanding.Tonight, I didnโt bother preparing dinner. What was the point? I sat in the dimly lit living room, glass of whiskey in my hand, staring at the front door like a damn abandoned husband waiting for his wife to return from war.The sound of the key turning in the lock made my jaw clench. The door creaked open, and the
Susan I took a deep breath as I stepped into the headquarters of the Prescott Foundation. The towering glass doors reflected the morning sun, casting a golden glow over the entrance. This was my new beginning, but not in the way Mrs. Prescott had envisioned.The receptionist, a woman in her late thirties with sharp eyes behind black-rimmed glasses, looked up at me and stiffened slightly. "Good morning, Ms. Hart," she said, her voice polite but laced with curiosity.It was clear...everyone here knew who I was. Not as Susan Hart, the new employee. But as her. The woman Elliot Prescott was involved with. The one who had seemingly walked into this job with privilege wrapped around her like a designer coat.I straightened my shoulders, let them think what they wanted. I would prove them wrong."I'm here for my first day," I said with a calm smile.Her eyebrows lifted ever so slightly, but she nodded and picked up her phone. "Mr. Castillo will be with you shortly."I knew of Mr. Castillo..
Susan The morning light seeped through the curtains, casting a soft glow across Meeraโs apartment. I blinked awake, the events of last night crashing down like a tidal wave. My head throbbed, not from the wine but from the weight of my choices.I had betrayed Elliotโs trust.And worse...I had done it knowing exactly how much it would hurt him.I turned on my side, expecting Meera to still be asleep, but she was already sitting up against the headboard, scrolling through her phone.โMorning, traitor.โ She didnโt even look up as she spoke, but the sarcasm was thick in her tone.I groaned, burying my face into the pillow. โI donโt need the judgment this early.โโWell, too bad,โ she snapped, tossing her phone onto the bed. โElliot called me twice.โThat got my attention. I shot up, my heart beating rapidly. โWhat?โโAnd texted,โ she added, handing me her phone.I hesitated before reading.Elliot Prescott: Where is she?Elliot Prescott: Sheโs not at the penthouse. If sheโs with you, tell
Susan I walked out of Elliotโs office without looking back.I could still hear his voice...sharp, cutting, and desperate...โDonโt do this, Susan.โ But I had to.Because in the end, love wasnโt enough.Not when his mother still saw me as an outsider. Not when the world still whispered about how I wasnโt good enough for Elliot Prescott. Not when, no matter how much I tried to prove myself, I still felt like I was fighting a battle I was destined to lose.And if signing my name on a damn contract was the price for being accepted into his family, for securing a future where his mother wouldnโt look at me like I was nothing, then so be it.I ignored the sting in my chest and walked down the halls of Prescott Enterprises with quiet determination. My heels clicked against the marble floors, my heart pounding with every step toward the woman who had made me feel small for so long.Mrs. Prescott was waiting for me.She sat behind a grand mahogany desk, poised and elegant, a picture of unshaka
Susan The message stared back at me like a challenge. Eleanor Prescott requests your presence for lunch. One oโclock. Prescott Tower, 45th floor. I didnโt need to think twice. This wasnโt an invitation...it was a summons. Elliotโs mother had spent years pretending I didnโt exist, treating me like a temporary inconvenience that would eventually disappear. But now, after everything that had happened...the scandal, Elliotโs return, the press conference that rocked the business world...she was suddenly willing to sit down with me? I stepped out of the cab and took a deep breath before walking through the grand entrance of Prescott Tower. The lobby was pristine, with marble floors and golden accents, exuding the kind of wealth that was meant to intimidate people like me. But I wouldnโt be intimidated. The elevator ride to the 45th floor felt both too long and too short. When the doors slid open, I was met with an airy, sunlit dining area. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the city