FAZER LOGINAlaric’s POVThe last director left my office just after six.As the door clicked shut, the silence that followed was almost welcome.I leaned back in my chair, loosened my tie, and closed the folder in front of me. It had been another productive day. Three meetings. Two contracts signed. One acquisition finalized.The company was running exactly as it should.Now my attention shifted to what mattered even more.My phone vibrated.Alex.I answered immediately.“Talk.”“Mrs. Carrington left the office fifteen minutes ago.”“Any issues?”“No, sir.”“She completed her scheduled meetings and left on time.”I nodded, satisfied.“The security detail?”“They maintained a safe distance throughout the day.”“Did she notice?”“We don’t believe so.”Good.That was exactly how I wanted it.Elena valued her independence. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel trapped simply because someone had decided to threaten my family.“There is one thing.”Alex’s voice became more serious.“Our surveill
Elena’s POV“I still think you’re overthinking it,” she said as she stirred her coffee as we sat in the employee café, the lunchtime crowd filling almost every table around us.I smiled faintly. “I probably am.”“You definitely are,” she rasped as she reached across the table and nudged my hand.“You’ve been through a lot these past few weeks. It’s normal to be a little… cautious.” Lana murmured.“Cautious?” I asked, paranoid,“Okay.” She laughed. “Suspicious.”“I don’t like that word.” I took a gulp from my coffee.“Neither do I,” she murmured as she took another sip of her coffee before studying me.“Can I ask you something?” She cleared her throat uncomfortably.“You just did.” I teased, sending her discomfort.She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”I smiled.“Go ahead.” I nodded.“Are you happy?”The question caught me off guard.I looked down at my untouched cup.“Of course I am.” I smiled softly.“Are you sure?” She asked.“Why are you asking?” I asked.“You know.” She shr
Alaric’s POVThe message wouldn’t leave my mind.Not because I had seen it.Because I hadn’t.The moment Elena slipped her phone into her pocket when I walked back into the bedroom told me everything I needed to know.She was hiding something.Normally, I would’ve asked.Tonight, I didn’t.Trust wasn’t built by forcing answers out of people.It was built by giving them space to speak when they were ready.I only hoped she wouldn’t wait too long.I would have to wait patiently till she opened up, and I hope it won't be too late by then. But, I knew that her going to back to work is going to work isn't going to be easy. It's more like giving the enemies more hand at their threats.Since we started sleeping in the sand room, it hadn't been more awkward than this night. By six-thirty the next morning, I was already in my study.The mansion was still quiet.A fresh pot of coffee sat untouched on the corner of my desk as I skimmed through overnight reports.Nothing unusual around the estat
Elena’s POVThe drive home was quieter than usual.Not uncomfortable.Just… peaceful.The city lights stretched across the windows as the car made its way through evening traffic. I sat beside Alaric in the back seat, absentmindedly turning the small gift bag Lana had given me over in my hands.He, on the other hand, was still working.A tablet rested on his lap as he reviewed a stack of digital reports, occasionally making notes without looking up.I wondered if he ever truly switched off.“You’ve been staring at me for the last two minutes.”I blinked.“I have not.”One corner of his mouth lifted.“You have.”I looked away, pretending to admire the city skyline.“I was wondering whether you ever stop working.”“I do.”“When?”“When I’m asleep.”I laughed.“So… never.”“More or less.”The answer shouldn’t have amused me as much as it did.The silence returned, comfortable enough that neither of us felt the need to fill it.I glanced down at the gift bag again.“Lana gave this to me b
Alaric’s POVThe clock on the wall read 4:17 p.m.The quarterly review had ended twenty minutes ago, yet no one had left the boardroom.Not because they had more questions.Because they were waiting for me.I closed the financial report in front of me and looked around the table.“If there’s nothing else, this meeting is adjourned.”One by one, the directors gathered their documents.As they filtered out, Director Harrison lingered behind.He had served on the Carrington board since my father’s time. If there was one person who never wasted words, it was him.“Mr. Carrington.”I looked up. “What is it?”He hesitated before taking the chair opposite mine.“I’ve been meaning to congratulate you.”“For?”“Your engagement.”“Thank you.”He smiled politely.“I never thought I’d see the day.”“I wasn’t expecting it either.”His expression turned thoughtful.“I knew your father well.”That caught my attention.“I remember the day he became CEO.”He chuckled softly.“He walked into this very
Elena’s POVWalking back into the Carrington Empire felt strangely familiar.The revolving doors spun as employees hurried in and out of the lobby, conversations blending with the soft hum of the morning rush. For the first time in over a week, I wasn’t surrounded by marble walls and anxious faces asking if I needed another pillow or another glass of juice.I was exactly where I wanted to be.Working.I adjusted the strap of my handbag and stepped into the lobby.Heads turned almost instantly.Some people smiled.Others whispered.A few simply stared.The engagement announcement had spread across every business magazine and news outlet over the weekend. There was no hiding from it anymore.I ignored the curious looks and walked toward the employee elevators.“Good morning, Mrs. Carrington.”I stopped.The receptionist smiled politely.“Good morning.”I smiled back.“It’s Elena.”The young woman looked flustered.“Sorry… Elena.”I laughed softly before stepping into the elevator.Some
(ELENA’S POV) “Easy,” he whispered above my ears. “It’s over now.” Not yet but that moment I pretended it was. Alaric didn’t let go of me immediately he allowed me to sob out my heart. His arms stayed around me like he was anchoring me in place, steadying the parts of me that were too hard to hi
(ELENA'S POV) "How long are you going to pretend not to see him?" Lana whispered as we stepped out of the coffee shop. "Who said I'm pretending?" I breathed as I clutched my coffee cup closer to my heart. "I just want to focus on my work." That was partially a lie. I just couldn't allow Xavier t
(ELENA’S POV) For a split second, I forgot how to breathe. The rooftop light blurred behind him, the wind caught in my hair and his words kept echoing in my head like a glitch in time. “Marry me, Elena, be the mother to my child and your father will be saved.” I laughed—not because it was funny
(Elena’s Pov ) "$150,000, Miss Hart. That's the cost " the doctor had said. "I'm sorry, but we can’t proceed without a deposit." $150,000. I didn’t even have close to $15,000. My hands trembled as I tried to focus on the pile of reports on my desk. But all I saw was my dying father on the hos







