MasukThe tension didn’t fully leave the room, but it softened just enough for them to keep eating.Elara picked at her food, her movements controlled, her mind already shifting back to work. That was her safe place numbers, meetings, plans. Not this… whatever this was turning into.“I have a business meeting this morning,” she said, breaking the silence without looking up.Her tone was normal.Too normal.Kael nodded once, setting his fork down. “I need to leave too,” he replied calmly. “I have things to handle.”Simple.Straightforward.Like the night before hadn’t happened.Like the morning didn’t feel different.Elara gave a small nod, finishing the last bite on her plate. “Good.”The word came out a little too quick.And Kael noticed.Of course he did.But before he could say anythingZara walked back in.And the energy shifted immediately.She stopped right at the entrance, her eyes moving from Elara to Kael, then back again, her expression slowly turning into something far too knowin
Silence held for just a second too long.Zara was the first to move.She blinked once then twice before suddenly letting out a small laugh, the kind that came a little too fast, a little too forced.“Elara?” she repeated, tilting her head slightly like she was confused herself. “Wait… did I say that out loud?”Kael didn’t smile.His gaze stayed on her.Careful.Observing.Zara waved her hand lightly, brushing it off. “Oh, don’t mind me,” she said quickly, stepping further into the kitchen like nothing had just happened. “I’ve been calling people random names lately. It’s becoming a bad habit.”Elara caught on immediately.Too quickly.She let out a small laugh too, turning back to the stove like the moment hadn’t just shifted everything.“Yeah, she does that,” she added casually. “It’s actually getting worse.”Zara nodded, playing along perfectly. “Honestly, I called my driver ‘Daniel’ yesterday. His name isn’t even close to that.”That got a reaction.A small one.Kael’s expression e
Elara didn’t ask him to leave.That was the first mistake.Or maybe it wasn’t a mistake at all.The night had stretched longer than she planned. What was supposed to be a short conversation at the door turned into him stepping inside, then sitting, then staying. No pressure. No force. Just presence. And somehow, she let it happen.“Guest room is upstairs,” she had said casually, like it didn’t matter.But it did.Everything about this felt unfamiliar.And yetShe didn’t stop it.Morning came softly.Elara woke up earlier than usual, her mind clearer than she expected. For a second, she forgot.Then she remembered.Him.In her house.She sat up slowly, brushing her hair back, her expression thoughtful not annoyed, not confused… just aware.Different.That was the word.She got up, dressed quickly, and went for a short jog. She needed air. Needed movement. Needed something normal before facing whatever this was turning into.By the time she got back, the house felt quiet again.Calm.Sh
The night had already settled in by the time Kael left the house.He didn’t look back.Didn’t say anything else.The argument with his mother still lingered in the air, but he didn’t carry it with him. Not anymore. Because the moment he stepped into his car, his mind had already shifted.To her.The city lights blurred past as the car moved smoothly through the quiet streets of Paris. His expression was calm, but his thoughts were sharp, focused in a way that didn’t leave room for hesitation.This wasn’t business.This wasn’t a strategy.This was a choice.And he had already made it.Elara had just stepped out of the shower when the doorbell rang.She paused.Brows pulling slightly.She wasn’t expecting anyone.Not this late.She wrapped her robe tighter around herself, her damp hair falling loosely over her shoulders as she walked toward the door. Her steps were slow, cautious not afraid, just… curious.The bell rang again.Impatient this time.She reached the door and opened it with
The silence in the room didn’t last long.Kael stood by the door, his gaze locked on the woman sitting comfortably on his couch like she had every right to be there. She didn’t look nervous. Didn’t look lost. If anything, she looked… prepared.That alone irritated him.His jaw tightened slightly as he stepped further into the room, closing the distance just enough to make his presence felt.“Who are you?” he asked.His voice was calm.But it carried weight.The woman stood slowly, smoothing down her dress like this was some kind of formal introduction. “I think you already know why I’m here.”“I asked who you are,” Kael repeated, this time colder.Before she could respondThe door opened again.Of course.His mother.She stepped in like everything was perfectly normal, like this wasn’t completely out of line.“Kael,” she said, her tone controlled. “This is”“I don’t care,” he cut in immediately.Silence dropped.Sharp.Heavy.His mother paused, clearly not expecting that.“This is the
The moment Kael stepped into the mansion, he knew something was off.It was too quiet.Not the normal quiet this one felt arranged. Planned.His steps slowed slightly as he handed his coat to one of the staff, his eyes scanning the space without making it obvious. The lights were on. The house was alive. But there was a tension in the air that didn’t belong.He didn’t need to ask.He already knew.His mother.“Kael.”Her voice came before he even reached the main living area.Calm.Controlled.Waiting.He didn’t stop walking.“I just got back,” he said, his tone flat, already tired of whatever conversation she was about to start.“That’s exactly why we need to talk.”Of course.Kael exhaled quietly, running a hand through his hair before finally turning to face her. She stood there, perfectly composed as always, like she had been waiting for this exact moment.“I just came back from a trip,” he said. “Can this wait?”“No.”One word.Firm.Final.He held her gaze for a second, then loo
“Starting over isn’t easy… but staying broken is worse.” The city felt different. Alive. Bright. Free. Elara stepped out of the taxi, her eyes slowly taking everything in the tall buildings, the soft breeze, the unfamiliar streets filled with people who didn’t know her. Didn’t judge her. Did
The call came in just as she stepped into her office. Her assistant didn’t even bother knocking twice. “They’ve called for a second meeting,” she said, slightly out of breath. “They want to continue the discussion.” She paused for a second. That was fast. Too fast for hesitation. “Set it up,”
The room slowly filled up. One after the other, representatives from different companies walked in, taking their seats. Voices were low. Controlled. Professional. Then, The door opened again. She didn’t look up immediately. She was already going through her notes, calm as ever. But across
The music changed again.Slower.Softer.People moved toward the dance floor, laughter blending with the low sound of conversations and clinking glasses.But for herIt was already too much.Too controlled.Too predictable.She glanced around the room one more time, then back at him.“This is borin







