7. A deeper shit?

ELOWEN

ELOWEN

My eyes shot open, wide in a daze as I stared at the highlighted headline. Immediately I sat upright on the bed, and started scrolling down the news feed.

The news is—everywhere! With photos from the club. Adrian, bleeding Reynold, me and others!

What the hell!?

‘Elowen Hale caught cheating—new billionaire scandal unfolds.’

‘From wife to mistress? Elowen Hale clings to Veyrek after divorce papers.’

There was even a video of me throwing divorce papers at Adrian and—and the rooftop argument with Adrian with Alexander Veyrek beside me.

No. No, no, no—

My vision blurred, my heart thrummed, on the verge of shattering.

“H-how…!” I swallowed hard. The entire news of the evening was surrounded by the three of us only. Worse—pointing at me as the mistress while Adrian became the victim!

The photos glared back from the screen—me at the club, Alexander’s hand gripping my waist, his face too close, too unreadable. My body angled toward him. The perfect shot. Cropped and twisted, the kind of image that burns truth alive for clicks and profit… Who? Who would do it? Who was there to take photos as though—as though it was planned!

The comments were even harsher…

— What a shameless woman!

— Poor Adrian Hale, I didn’t even know he was married!

— When did Adrian Hale get married? Why on earth did he marry such a shameless woman!? Was it also a trick of hers!?

— Undoubtedly she seduced him and climbed into his bed! I hate these types!

— These whores ruin the images of a good woman!

— She should be cast out of society! Why is no-one suing her!?....

My phone slipped from my hand, vibrating continuously, with merciless contents.

My stomach knotted. My breath turned sharp and shallow. Suddenly, my phone started ringing.

I threw my red gazes over it—It was Serena. With trembling hands I tried to pick up the phone but I couldn't. I know she had seen the news and worried, but—what would I say to her? What would she say to me?—various thoughts heaved my mind and tears started slipping down my eyes.

My phone kept ringing continuously, but I was in no mood to answer. However, I somewhat dragged myself and answered the call…

“El! You okay!?” Her concerned tone rang in my ears.

I wanted to answer, my lips trembled but—my words got stuck within my tongue, only sobs escaped my lips.

“Elowen, please talk.” Her desperate tone came again and I finally broke down.

“I—I do-on't know…” My sobs broke my words as I cried. I felt too down, too low.

“Hey, don't panic.” Serena said softly, “I'm currently in New York, but I'll return by the morning. Don't leave your home, okay? I'll be with you soon.”

I nodded, “o-okay…” I muttered and then a few more assuring words she hung up…

I, however, didn’t feel good, I couldn’t. My eyes were stuck at the popping news and hateful comments of people.

At one point, it felt too nauseating that I couldn't take it anymore and threw my phone away somewhere on the floor.

Why? Why is this happening to me? Why now? Wasn’t it enough to be cheated and betrayed by the man I have loved and trusted? Wasn’t the humiliation through the circle enough already?

Now, I'm a laughing and hating stock.

For years, I have hoped to be recognised as Adrian’s wife, but the world never really knew and when I finally decided to leave, all hell broke loose.

Why? How long am I going to be punished for loving selflessly?... Yet, the questions remained unanswered…

_________

Night fell before I even noticed. Dark and cold. I laid on my bed without moving at all unless I felt like vomiting because of hunger.

My home was completely empty, nothing to eat. Therefore, I had no choice but to walk out to buy at least something to survive.

So I slipped on my coat and walked out of my small apartment. No direction. Just aimless motion.

The park was quiet except for the whisper of trees and the distant hum of cars. I tried to breathe, to think differently, but I couldn't— the hateful comments kept on haunting me.

Adrian cheated on me, discarded me, humiliated me—yet somehow I was the scandal. The laughingstock. The desperate woman clinging to men above her league.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Perfect. Just perfect.”

Just then—I spotted a small café on the corner—dim lights, warm scent of roasted beans and I slipped inside without thinking much.

The barista gave me a tired smile. “Late night?”

“You could say that,” I muttered, ordering a black coffee and sandwich I knew I wouldn’t finish.

I sat near the window, watching city lights blur through the glass. The world outside kept moving, utterly indifferent.

By the time I stood to leave, the caffeine hadn’t touched me, but the exhaustion had.

I walked out of the empty cafe, perhaps one or two lonely strangers like me. However—I had spoken too early, I wasn’t alone at all. Not when I stepped out of the café.

Sudden bright light flashed across my eyes, pausing me dead and dumbfounded. Before I realized it, another flash was added to it.

Then another. And another.

“Elowen! Over here!” Someone screamed at me.

And I froze. Soon, the night outside erupted into chaos, cameras and loud voices.

— “Is it true you cheated on Adrian Hale?”

— “Are you with Alexander Veyrek’s now?”

— “Did you trap both men for money?”...

“No, I—” The words died as microphones lunged toward me, flashing lights blinding my vision. I tried to move, but bodies pressed in tight, walls of noise and accusation closing around me.

“Step back!” I gasped. “Get away from me!” I tried to move away, trying to run, but it was too late. I was trapped.

Someone laughed. “Come on, sweetheart, just one comment! You’ll look better if we get your side!”

I stumbled back, shoulder slamming against the brick wall of the café.

A camera nearly hit my face. “Smile for the lens, Mrs. Hale!”

“I’m not—!” I snapped, my voice strangled. “Stop calling me that!” I screamed, still trying to break free.

Their laughter was sharp, cruel. Someone yelled, “Guess Veyrek’s done with you already!”

The words bled in. For one dizzy second, I thought I might actually crumble right there on the pavement. Perhaps faint. And perhaps I almost lost myself, when—

headlights flashed, startling everyone with the new intruder. A sleek black car screeched to a stop at the curb, engine growling like a beast. The paparazzi turned, momentarily blinded by the beam.

The back door swung open, and a deep, low voice sliced through the noise. “Get in, tempest.”

For a moment, everything stilled…

The crowd’s chatter dulled into a hum as I raised my eyes and saw him—Alexander Veyrek—leaning against the leather seat, one hand resting casually on the doorframe, eyes gleaming like polished emeralds under the streetlight.

My breath caught… I didn't know if I should be happy or cry harder.

“Now,” he said, his voice felt as though dipped in iron.

It wasn’t a request. It was a command.

The flashes started again. “Mr Veyrek! Over here! Are you two really together?”

I hesitated. Everything inside me screamed no. I didn’t want to owe him anything. Not even a bit.

But the wall of cameras pressed closer, and the humiliation crawled up my spine, choking me.

Alexander’s gaze held mine, steady, unflinching. “You’ve had enough of their circus,” he murmured, loud enough for only me to hear. “Get in before they eat you alive.”

My pulse roared in my ears. And more than that it was the crowd and before I could think rationally, before my pride could protest—my feet moved. I yanked the door open and slid into the car with a thundering heart.

The door slammed shut. The noise outside faded into distant chaos as tinted glass swallowed the world.

Alexander’s cologne lingered in the closed air—cedar, smoke, and something darker, like temptation wrapped in danger.

He sat beside me, not even looking my way, as his driver pulled off.

“Why are you here?” I asked after I finally took a breath, though my voice was still shaking.

He didn’t answer immediately, but slowly, turned his head, his gaze was steady, glinting with something between mockery and curiosity. “I expected a thank you, I guess?”

“Don’t act innocent.” I clenched my fists. “Your world is the reason my name’s in flames.” I couldn’t hide the anger and snapped.

He didn’t flinch though, only his lips curved—slow, deliberate and something darker. “My world didn’t touch you, not yet, Elowen Corvella. Yours burned itself down.”

And those words—they landed like a direct slap. My gaze burned, blood boiled, yet, I couldn’t utter a word because deep down I knew he's right. Indeed, it was my own foolishness that dragged me down to this situation.

I turned to the window, my jaw tightened to the point of breaking, fighting the sting in my eyes.

I didn't want to face this man and let him see how correct he is, that he could see through me. No!

However, he knew he did. And he leaned closer, his voice dropping low. “But since you’re already in the fire…” His breath brushed my ear, making me shiver. “…you might as well learn to use the heat.”

My head snapped at him as I shot him a glare. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I hissed.

His lips twitched before he turned to the other side, out of the window. “You’ll find out soon enough, tempest…”

The car sped through the night, city lights flashing past like shadows of choices I couldn’t undo. As I sat beside Alexander Veyrek like a stupid, in a daze.

And for the first time since the divorce, I wasn’t sure if I had just escaped ruin—or driven straight into a deeper shit…