INICIAR SESIÓNOliver’s POVThe entire table went quiet for a fraction of a second. I felt Elena shift slightly in her seat beside me."That was a long time ago, Genevieve," I said smoothly, my tone dry and unreadable. "It's all in the past, and I would rather not talk about it."Genevieve pouted slightly, leaning her chin on her hand. "Why not? We had so much fun! The yacht in Monaco, the late-night dinners—""I am here for a family dinner tonight," I interrupted firmly, turning my head completely away from her to address my uncle at the end of the table. "Richard, the final Sterling Group press releases went out this afternoon. The board is pleased with the stock movement."Richard took a slow sip of his wine, his eyes glinting. "Yes. A very successful signing, Oliver. The shareholders are quiet for now."As the conversation turned to market shares and quarterly projections, Genevieve kept chatting with my aunt across the table, but I could still feel the lingering tension radiating from the woman
Oliver’s POV"Hello, Oliver. It's been a long time."I didn't need to look twice to recognize the voice. I turned slowly, keeping my arm firmly linked with Elena’s, and stared at the woman standing at the base of the stairs."Hello, Genevieve," I said, my voice flat and completely devoid of warmth.Genevieve stepped off the bottom stair, her red silk gown sweeping the marble floor. Her father was a major shareholder on the board, and her older sister had been a close friend of mine during our university years. But Genevieve herself had always been insufferable."I just got back from Europe yesterday," Genevieve said, ignoring my distant tone entirely. She glided right into my personal space, her hand reaching out to pat my shoulder with overly familiar touch. "Daddy took me on a private tour across Europe for my birthday. Two weeks in Milan for fashion week, and then straight to Paris for a retreat. It was absolutely divine, but so exhausting. I kept telling everyone how much I missed
Elena’s POV The drive to Oliver's Uncle Richard’s estate took about thirty minutes. The long black car turned onto a winding driveway lined with tall, manicured hedges, finally coming to a stop in front of a massive, imposing mansion. The house was built of dark gray stone, featuring towering pillars, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and a grand fountain splashing water in the center of the driveway. It looked more like a historic museum than a residential home. It was a clear, aggressive display of wealth—a reminder that even if Richard wasn't the CEO of Wyatt Enterprises, the family bloodline carried immense fortune. As our car slowed down near the entrance, I noticed something unexpected. Standing near the bottom of the front steps were three photographers holding heavy camera lenses, their flashes clicking continuously in the early evening light. I blinked, turning my head to look at Oliver. "Reporters? Out here?" Oliver looked out the tinted window, a cold, knowing smirk touc
Elena’s POVSunday evening arrived faster than I wanted it to.I stood in front of the full-length mirror inside my bedroom, smoothing down the skirt of my dress. Oliver had arranged for another outfit to be delivered earlier in the day—a knee-length, tailored navy blue dress with long sleeves and a high, elegant neckline. It was simple, sophisticated, and looked like something a CEO's wife would wear to a family gathering.I leaned closer to the glass, touching my hair, which was styled into a neat low bun. I barely recognized the woman looking back at me. A few months ago, I was wearing oversized cardigans, running on three hours of sleep, and panicking over medical bills. Now, I looked like I belonged in a high-society magazine."Different world, Elena," I murmured to my reflection with a small, quiet laugh. "Just don't trip over your own heels."I picked up my clutch bag and walked out of my room, stopping by Chloe's door first. I pushed it open gently. Chloe was sitting up on her
Oliver’s POV The silence between us at the breakfast table felt warm and comfortable. Watching Elena talk about her parents and her little sister, I felt a deep sense of respect for her. She had carried so much heavy pain on her young shoulders without ever complaining or giving up. I finished my coffee, setting the white ceramic cup down on its saucer with a quiet clink. Looking across the table at her, I noticed the soft flush still resting on her cheeks. She looked relaxed now, but I hadn't forgotten the way her eyes had widened in panic when she first walked into the room this morning. I knew why she was nervous. I knew she was thinking about the kiss outside her bedroom door last night. I had purposely chosen not to bring it up. I saw how flighty she was when it came to us. If I brought up the kiss, if I pressed her about what it meant, I knew she would retreat behind her walls. She would start worrying about the contract, apologize for breaking the rules, and try to run awa
Elena’s POV The morning sun crept through the curtains, waking me up early. The moment my eyes opened, the soft magic of the night before vanished, replaced by a sudden wave of sheer panic. I sat up in bed, my heart instantly racing. Oh my God, I thought, pulling the blanket up to my chin. I kissed Oliver last night. I actually kissed my boss. My fake husband. I buried my face in my hands. How was I supposed to face him this morning? How was I supposed to walk into the kitchen, look him in the eye, and pretend like I didn't completely ruin the boundaries of our contract? For an hour, I paced back and forth in my bedroom. I tried on three different outfits before settling on a simple jeans and sweater combination. I brushed my hair, checked the mirror five times, and took ten deep breaths before finally gathering the courage to open my door. I walked down the stairs slowly, every step feeling like a mile. When I reached the dining room, I held my breath and looked around. The ta







