Chapter 23— The Aftermath

The car ride home was silent.

Daniel stared out the window, his mind elsewhere. His fingers tapped restlessly against his knee, and his jaw was clenched so tight it ached.

Naomi gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white.

She could feel it. The distance. The way Daniel's thoughts were somewhere else. Someone else.

"Elena," she said finally, her voice sharp.

Daniel blinked, turning to look at her. "What?"

Naomi's laugh was bitter. "You were staring at her, Daniel. Like she was the only person in the room. Like I wasn't even there."

Daniel's jaw tightened. "I wasn't—"

"Don't lie to me," Naomi snapped, her eyes flashing. "I saw you. The way you looked at her. The way you talked to her. Like she was... like she was everything."

Daniel looked away, staring out the window again. "I just... I didn't expect to see her like that."

"Like what?" Naomi demanded. "Successful? Beautiful? Untouchable?"

She slammed on the brakes at a red light, turning to face him.

"She's the reason we're in this mess, Daniel! She's the one who's taking everything from us! And you're sitting there looking at her like... like you miss her!"

Daniel's voice was quiet. "Maybe I do."

The words hung in the air between them like a bomb.

Naomi's face went pale. Then red. Then pale again.

"Maybe you do?" she repeated, her voice trembling with rage. "After everything we've been through? After everything we've done together? You're saying you miss her?"

Daniel finally looked at her, his expression conflicted. "Naomi, I... I don't know what I'm saying. I just... seeing her today. She was... different."

"Different?" Naomi's laugh was hysterical. "She's the same girl who tried to destroy us! The same girl who's taking everything we have!"

"No," Daniel said quietly. "She's not. She's... more. She's powerful now. Confident. Beautiful."

He paused, his voice dropping.

"And I let her go."

Naomi's hands clenched on the steering wheel so hard her nails dug into the leather.

"You let her go?" she repeated, her voice dangerously quiet. "Daniel, I gave up everything for you. My reputation. My friends. My family. I helped you destroy her. I lied for you. I stole for you."

Her eyes filled with tears, but they weren't tears of sadness.

They were tears of rage.

"And now you're telling me you regret it?"

Daniel's expression was pained. "I'm not saying I regret us. I'm just... I'm saying I regret how we handled things. With Elena. Maybe there was another way."

"Another way?" Naomi's voice rose. "There was no other way, Daniel! It was her or us! And you chose us!"

She took a deep breath, her mind racing.

But Daniel wasn't listening anymore. He was staring out the window again, lost in thought.

And Naomi knew.

She knew that no matter what she said, no matter what she did, Daniel's heart was still with Elena.

It had always been with Elena.

And that realization made something snap inside her.

That night, Naomi sat alone in her apartment, a glass of wine in her hand.

Daniel had gone home early, claiming he was tired. But she knew the truth.

He was avoiding her.

Avoiding the conversation. Avoiding the reality of what he'd admitted.

That he missed Elena.

That he regretted letting her go.

Naomi set down the wine glass, her hands shaking.

She'd spent four years believing that Daniel was hers. That they were partners. That they were building something together.

But today, in that boutique, she'd seen the truth.

Daniel didn't love her.

He loved Elena.

He'd always loved Elena.

And Naomi... Naomi was just the girl who'd helped him destroy the woman he really wanted.

The thought made her chest burn with jealousy.

She stood, walking to the window. Outside, Los Angeles glittered in the night, beautiful and cruel.

And somewhere out there, Elena Moore was living the life Naomi should have had.

Successful. Powerful. Beautiful.

And with Daniel's heart.

Naomi's hands clenched into fists.

No.

She wouldn't let Elena win.

She wouldn't let Daniel sit around pining for a woman who'd moved on.

If Daniel wanted Elena...

Then Naomi would make sure Elena was no longer an option.

She pulled out her phone, scrolling through her contacts.

There was a name she hadn't called in years. A private investigator. Someone who specialized in... delicate matters.

Someone who could dig up dirt on anyone.

Someone who could find weaknesses.

Someone who could make problems disappear.

Naomi's lips curved into a cold smile.

Elena Moore thought she'd won.

Thought she was untouchable.

But Naomi knew better.

Everyone had secrets.

Everyone had weaknesses.

And Naomi was going to find Elena's.

She pressed the call button.

The line rang twice before a voice answered.

"Richard Black. Private investigations."

Naomi's smile widened.

"Mr. Black," she said smoothly. "I have a job for you.”