LOGINAuthor’s POV The next morning, Elena arrived at V&C Fashion House earlier than usual. She had barely slept, but she no longer felt as restless as she had the night before. Her decision remained clear in her mind. She was staying in New York. For now. It was not a promise to Raven, nor did it mean she had forgiven the past. It was simply a decision she had made for herself and for Liam. She wanted her life to remain hers, even if Raven was slowly becoming part of it again. When Elena entered her office, Claire was already seated behind the desk outside, sorting through a stack of documents. “You’re early,” Claire said. “So are you.” “I had work to finish.” Elena smiled faintly. “Then we’re both guilty.” Claire studied her face. “You seem calmer today.” “I am.” “Did you finally make a decision?” Elena placed her handbag on the chair. “I decided to stay.” Claire smiled. “For how long?” “For now.” “That’s probably the healthiest answer you’ve given me.” Elena laughed s
Author’s POV By the time Elena returned home, she was exhausted, but Raven occupied her thoughts more than the day’s work. For weeks, she had told herself that his return was temporary. He would eventually stop apologizing, stop appearing at her office, and return to his own life. But he had not stopped. He had spoken to Liam, sent flowers, and remained patient even when she pushed him away. That patience unsettled her more than his anger ever had. “Mommy!” Liam ran toward her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re late.” “I know. I’m sorry.” “You promised we’d play.” Elena glanced at the blocks scattered across the floor. “Give me ten minutes to change.” “Five.” “Ten.” “Seven?” She laughed. “You’re becoming very good at negotiations.” After changing, she joined him on the carpet. They built a tower several times, and Liam knocked it down each time with great satisfaction. When they finished, he looked at her. “Are we staying here forever?” The question cau
Author’s POV Raven remained in the room long after Tracy walked out. The door was still slightly open, and he could hear the sound of her footsteps slowly disappearing down the hallway. He should have been angry. He should have followed her and demanded an explanation for the threat she had just made. Instead, he stood there in silence, staring at the empty doorway as her words continued to repeat themselves in his head. You’ll never see your son again. The sentence disturbed him more than he wanted to admit. Raven had always known that Tracy could be difficult when she was angry, but he had never expected her to use Leo against him. Whatever had happened between them, Leo was innocent. He was a child, and Raven had never considered using him as a weapon against Tracy. The thought of being kept away from him made something tighten painfully in his chest. He slowly walked to the chair beside the window and sat down. For years, Raven had believed that no matter how badly h
Author's POVRaven’s message remained on Elena’s phone long after she had read it.I’m not asking you to forgive me yet. I’m asking you to give me one chance to prove I’m not the same man.She stared at the words for several seconds before locking her phone and placing it face down on the table.She had no answer for him.Not because she didn’t understand what he was asking, but because she understood it too well. Raven wanted another chance, but Elena had already given him one years ago. She had entered their marriage believing that with enough patience, kindness, and time, they could become a real couple. She had stayed through the coldness, the distance, and the countless moments when he made her feel like an unwanted part of his life.Eventually, she had stopped waiting.Now she had Liam, V&C, and a life she had built without him. Those were the things that mattered.The next morning, she arrived at the office earlier than usual and immediately threw herself into work. Claire had
Author’s POV Elena stood in the hallway with her handbag hanging from one shoulder, staring at the message glowing on her phone screen. Raven: Can we talk? Just for a few minutes. Her thumb hovered over the screen for a moment before she locked the phone and slipped it back into her bag. No. There was nothing left to discuss. She had spent years learning how to live without Raven, and she had no intention of allowing one unexpected meeting to drag her back into the past. Whatever he wanted to say could wait, or better yet, remain unsaid. “Elena.” She stopped when she heard his voice behind her. Raven had followed her out of the conference room. He stood several feet away, his hands resting casually in the pockets of his trousers, but there was something different about his expression. He no longer looked like the confident businessman who had questioned her presentation moments earlier. He looked uncertain. Elena turned to face him. “Is there something you need, Mr. Calloway
Author’s POV“Hi, Elena. We should catch up when you have some time.”Elena read Raven’s message twice before locking her phone. She still didn’t understand why he had suddenly become interested in seeing her and Liam after all these years, but she refused to let his unexpected concern distract her. She slipped the phone into her handbag and returned her attention to work, spending the rest of the afternoon going through schedules and presentation plans with Claire. There was too much happening at V&C, and Elena had worked too hard to let Raven pull her back into a past she had already fought to leave behind.Later that evening, Elena returned to the apartment and found Liam sitting at the dining table with his coloring book spread out in front of him. She smiled as she walked into the kitchen and began setting dinner on the table. The warm smell of freshly prepared food filled the apartment, and within minutes, she called her son over.“Come on, sweetheart. Dinner is ready.”Liam qui







