Mag-log inWhen Elara Vance was at her breaking point—homeless, grieving, and clutching a positive pregnancy test—she turned to the only person she ever trusted: Julian Thorne. But instead of the protection he promised, he gave her a cold shoulder and a one-way ticket out of his life, choosing his family’s empire over their "pathetic" love.Five years later, Elara is no longer the girl who begs. She has rebuilt her life from the ashes, fueled by a quiet strength and the secret she kept from the world. But fate has a cruel sense of humor.When her new job lands her in the inner sanctum of the tech industry’s most ruthless billionaire, she finds herself face-to-face with the man who destroyed her. Julian Thorne is now at his peak—more powerful, more handsome, and more dangerous than ever. He doesn't recognize the woman he discarded, but he wants her.He thinks he can win her with his billions, unaware that Elara isn't there for his money or his heart."You told me I was a mistake you couldn't afford, Julian. Now, I’m the debt you’ll never be able to pay off."As the past and present collide, Julian is determined to claim her, but Elara has a bombshell that could topple his empire: The child he never knew existed is waiting at home.
view moreLivia’s Point of View
Agitated and thrilled. That is how I discern. I hoisted my porcelain hand and knocked on the door three times. My heart was pounding hard and my fingers were shaking. Regardless, the door creaked, and a dazzling man showed up wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist as drops of water fell on his hair down to his mesomorphic shoulders and went to his hard stomach.
I bit my lip seeing Archer standing in front. His stern eyes and stoic face greeted me whilst holding the box of the necklace he asked me to drop by.
“Babe-“ I was trailed off when I heard a soft voice that obviously came from a girl inside.
“Hon, is the food we ordered already arrived?” she asked.
I twitched in shock. A woman came out of nowhere, wearing only a bathrobe, then seductively hugged my husband from behind. My eyes drifted to Archer’s hand, it crept on the woman’s waist and then glanced at me.
I know her. She’s the new rising star in the film industry. I saw one of her interviews and the reporter asked her if she already had a boyfriend or a crush in showbiz yet she said she have none. But then, when my husband’s name was spoken out by the reporter, she was thrilled.
I could even remember how Emily Brooke told everyone that she didn’t mind having a one-night-stand with Archer Washington– a CEO, more likely a billionaire; so as my husband.
Emily Brooke. That was her name. Many people admired and wanted her. She’s pretty and curvy. She has Archer's wants in a girl. No wonder they are both together, fulfilling Emily’s wants behind my back.
My head went down, bit my lower lip as the excitement and agitation I had disappeared. Hence, Archer sneered.
“I didn’t know you invited someone, hon. I thought we’ll enjoy the night together?” Emily whispered in his ears.
Archer only gave me a disgusting look; like I was trash he would never look at.
“She’s my assistant. Forget about her existence. I asked her to drop by my gift for you. Remember the necklace you wanted?” Now, his voice becomes sweet when he’s talking to her.
Archer seized the box of the necklace in my hand. Watching how he put the diamond necklace on Emily’s neck mortified me. After receiving the message he sent, I instantly ran to the address of a five-star hotel he said. Thinking the necklace should be given to me gave me hope, yet the scene right now took the illusion I’m yearning for.
“It’s magnificent!” Emily Brooke giggled. Sparkles were seen in her eyes.
On the other hand, my husband wrapped her hands around the rising actress’ waist and then kissed her cheeks. “It’s a gift. I hope you liked it.”
“What? Of course! I’ve been dreaming of buying this but it's always out of stock. I wonder how you made a reservation for this limited-stock jewelry?”
He smirked. “I paid triple.”
Just a few minutes ago, I received a message from Archer to see him. I thought he had already changed his mind. I thought he remembered today is our wedding anniversary and assumed he'd give me a gift turns out the necklace he asked me to get was for his other girl and not for me.
A stab mutilates my heart. It’s painful and heartbreaking. I veered around and let the two enjoy the night even if my heart was crying due to heartbreak.
Supposedly, today is our wedding anniversary. Thinking he’d ask me out, I settled myself ready supposing he’d accompany me to dinner. Flowers, gifts, surprises… How many years since the last time I received those from him?
I thought after what happened to us back then he would now consider our marriage. He would now look at me the same way before; like I was a flower he’d see amid cactuses around me like I was sunshine in his dark and cold surroundings. Yet, turns out I was only assuming because of his mixed signals.
Tears started to roll down my eyes. I dressed myself, put make-up on my face, and made sure to look attractive in his eyes. But all of it was ruined when I got my hopes high.
“Damn… I knew it.” I whispered silently whilst sitting down on the bench outside the hotel.
I looked up at the sky as the tears trickled down my face. My makeup was now ruined, and I bet, I became ugly because of it.
Whilst scanning the five-star hotel they went to, I could pipe dream of myself being happy with my husband again; celebrating my birthday, our anniversary, and delicate dates with him. However, I knew to myself that won’t happen. He would never look at me with those genuine smiles and charming stares he once did.
My love for Archer was beyond the pale. I knew it. I lived five years as his hidden miserable wife. I love him, yes. Even if I do, a person would still give up everything so she could be freed from his tight grip.
I could remember vividly how I asked Archer for a divorce, turns out, we only had gotten into a heated argument and I ended up crying all night.
“You came out with a woman again?” I busted out in anger after waiting for Archer to come home.
He only scoffed, he was supposed to come upstairs yet I held his hand. “Just to remind you, Archer, you still have a wife waiting for you!”
His jaw clenched then took his arms roughly. “Then you should have thought of your husband before cheating on me, then, Livia!” he backfired, critically narrowing his eyes on mine.
Tears wanted to roll down my face. He’s drunk and has multiple kiss marks on his neck. I knew it. She had girls in the club again, making out with them while here I am, waiting for his call or heads up all night, yet nothing came.
“You know what… I’m tired! You should’ve just agreed on divorcing me if you do not want someone to wait for you all night and ask where you go!” I shouted out of my lungs.
Archer’s face remained stoic. He clicked his tongue before his ruthless stern glares narrowed me. “A divorce won’t happen, Livia. I won’t give you the freedom you want. This is your punishment for cheating on me and bearing someone’s child!”
The evening before the Mayfair meeting was spent in purposeful preparation. Elara remained at the kitchen island long after Leo had gone to bed, carefully reviewing the architectural printouts and placing them into a sleek black leather portfolio. She checked the structural calculations for the courtyard three times, wanting to ensure that when she sat across from Alistair and his associates, her data would be completely flawless.When Tuesday morning arrived, the weather was typical for London—a thick, gray mist hanging over the city streets and a light chill in the air. Elara dressed with deliberate care, choosing a sharp, tailored emerald-green pencil dress and a structured black blazer. It was an outfit that projected absolute corporate authority, exactly what she needed for an exclusive Mayfair business club.By eleven o'clock, she was finishing up her morning emails at the office. The design floor was quiet and running perfectly under her established guidelines. She felt a deep
The transition into the next phase of the West End project demanded Elara’s absolute concentration. Sitting at her large executive desk, she carefully organized the new structural files on her monitor, ensuring the digital layout for the main tower was perfectly updated according to the latest municipal codes. Alistair Sterling's massive financial backing had completely changed the scope of what Vance & Associates could accomplish, lifting a massive weight off her shoulders. She felt a deep sense of professional pride as she managed the expanding budget, knowing that her hard work was finally paying off in a huge way. She was entirely in her element, directing the future of the firm with total confidence and making decisions that would shape the city's skyline.She spent nearly an hour adjusting the spreadsheet cells, cross-referencing the costs of premium granite against the original concrete estimates. Every decision had to be precise, and she took her time ensuring that nothing was
The workspace remained completely organized as the afternoon progressed, but the quiet atmosphere did not help Julian’s state of mind. He spent the remaining hours of the workday going through the technical drawings on his digital screen, but his attention kept drifting back to the leather folio Alistair Sterling had left on the central table. Every small interaction between his wife and the new investor felt like a heavy weight pressing down on his chest. He could still see the white orchids sitting in the presentation lounge through the clear glass partition, a constant reminder of the wealthy billionaire who was trying to step into their lives under the guise of business. Every time a telephone rang at the front desk, Julian felt a sharp spike of anxiety, worrying that it would be Alistair calling back with another excuse to drop by the office. He tried to focus on his calculations for the West End foundation walls, but the lines on his screen seemed to blur together. When the
The signed partnership agreement with Alistair Sterling brought an immediate wave of changes to the office. Within forty-eight hours, the firm’s main bank account received the first major financial injection, securing all the necessary materials for the West End project. For Elara, it felt like the ultimate validation of her hard work. She was able to pay off the remaining construction vendors ahead of schedule, and the constant stress of balancing the budget vanished completely. On Thursday morning, Elara walked out into the main design corridor to find a massive, elegant arrangement of fresh white orchids sitting on Sarah’s front desk. The flowers were so large they practically blocked the view of the reception computer. "Wow," Elara said, stopping in her tracks. "Sarah, who sent these? Did a client receive their final layout drafts early?" Sarah looked up, her face bright with an amused smile as she handed over a small, thick cream envelope. "They arrived about ten minutes ag
The alarm went off at six o'clock, the sharp sound cutting through the quiet bedroom. Elara reached out from under the heavy blankets and switched it off, the room still cast in the dull grey light of the early hours. Next to her, Julian was already awake, sitting on the edge of the mattress with h
Julian looked at his watch. It was exactly midnight. The silence of the shipyard was heavy, broken only by the sound of the dark water hitting the wooden pillars of the dock. He knew he was walking into a trap, but he didn't care. For five years, he had lived in a world where he was the one in co
The world felt like it was tilting to one side. The pressure inside the room dropped so fast that the air became thin and freezing cold. Elara Vance could feel her lungs burning as she struggled to breathe. High above her head, the beautiful gold ceilings and expensive carpets were literally bein
The rain in the Capital District didn't fall; it descended like a heavy grey curtain, drowning the neon lights of the lower sectors in a dull, metallic haze. Elara stood in the cramped bathroom of the safe house, staring at her reflection in a cracked mirror. She had traded her tailored blazer fo












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