LOGIN(Elena's POV)Lena and I were meeting today for girl's night out.She was already at the restaurant when I arrived.She waved from a corner table and I walked over."Sorry I'm late. Traffic was terrible,” I breathed out, taking a seat."You're fine. I just got here five minutes ago myself. I ordered wine already. Hope that's okay.""Perfect."The waiter came over as if on cue. He poured wine into my glass, and I drank some immediately.Lena watched me, concern on her eyes. "Long day?""Long week,” I agreed, nodding."Has work been hectic?""Yeah. The usual. How about you?"She smiled. "Good actually. Really good. The speech has been getting a lot of attention. More than I expected.""I saw. It's trending everywhere.""I've been getting interview requests. Magazines. Podcasts. Even a few TV shows.""That's amazing.""It is. And there's something else. A children's brand reached out. They want Charlotte to be in their new campaign. Baby clothes. Organic cotton. Very ethical company.""A
(Daniel's POV)Janelle knocked on my office door at three thirty at noon."Come in."She opened it slowly. Her eyes were red like she'd been crying, quickly arousing concern in me."Mr. Hart, I'm so sorry to bother you. I know you're busy,” she said, her voice shaky."What's wrong?""I have a dental appointment at four for an emergency root canal. I'm terrified of dentists and I don't have anyone to come with me. I was wondering if—” she paused, finding it difficult to say whatever it was.“Go on,” I nudged.“I know this is asking too much but could you maybe drive me there? Just so I'm not alone?"I looked at my calendar. I had a five o'clock call but nothing until then."Where's the appointment?""Just ten minutes away. On Harley Street. I'll be quick. I promise. I just— I'm really scared and I don't have anyone else to ask."She looked genuinely distressed. Her hands were shaking slightly."Okay. I can drive you."Her whole face changed. "Really? Oh thank you so much. You have no i
(Lena's POV)Two thousand women were looking at me.I stood at the podium with the microphone clipped to my dress and the speech in my hand even though I'd decided not to read from it.The introduction was over. The host had walked off stage, now it was just me and the crowd and the words I'd been practicing for weeks.I looked down at Charlotte in the front row. She was on Adrian's lap, chewing on her rabbit. Completely unaware that her mother was about to talk about her in front of thousands of people.I took a breath and started talking."My name is Dr. Lena Blackwood. Over 7 years ago I didn't exist. I was someone else with a different name living a different life. Then I erased myself. Changed everything, and started over from nothing."The room was quiet."I came to London with one suitcase and no plan. Built a company called BioGen Dynamics. Hired brilliant people. Developed treatments that actually help patients. Took on a pharmaceutical company that had hurt thousands of wome
(Elena's POV)I decided to surprise Daniel with lunch. It's been a month since our wedding and the butterflies in my belly have not stopped moving one bit.He'd been working late all week. Coming home after eight most nights, and stressed about the pitch he was preparing.So I picked up sandwiches from the cafeteria near his office and drove over to see him.Jennifer looked up when I walked in. "Mrs. Hart. He's in his office. Go ahead.""Thanks, Jennifer."I walked past Jennifer's desk toward Daniel's office. There was someone sitting at a desk that hadn't been there the last time I visited. A young woman. Early twenties, judging from her look, and working on her computer.She looked up. "Can I help you?""I'm here to see Daniel.""Oh! You must be Mrs. Hart. I'm Janelle. The new intern."My brain immediately did a recap as I recalled Daniel had mentioned her.She stood up, and extended her hand.I shook it and noticed immediately what she was wearing.The skirt was short. Not obscenel
(Daniel's POV)(A month later…)A knock sounded on my office door at nine thirty.“Come in,” I called out, not bothering to look up.Jennifer, my secretary, walked in. “Good morning, Mr Hart. The new intern is here," she said. "The HR team sent her up for introductions."I looked up from the report I'd been reviewing, frowning slightly. "Already? I thought orientation was next week.""They moved it up. Something about her class schedule conflicting. Do you want me to send her in?""Sure."Jennifer disappeared and came back a few minutes later with a young woman who looked barely out of her teens."Mr. Hart, this is Janelle Manning. She'll be interning with us this summer."The girl stepped forward and extended her hand. "Thank you so much for this opportunity, Mr. Hart. I can't tell you how much it means to me."I shook her hand. "Call me Daniel. And you're welcome. Jennifer, can you give us a few minutes?""Of course."Jennifer left and Jnelle stood there looking nervous. She was dre
(Serena's POV)The kettle clicked off, signaling the water was ready.I took hold of it and poured some water into my mug. The flat was quiet. Emma had left with Julian an hour ago for their weekend together. She'd been talking nonstop about going to the zoo. Julian had promised her they'd see the penguins. And I was happy I got to taste and savor my tea instead of hurriedly gulping it down between Emma's breakfast and getting her ready for school.I took my tea to the living room and set it on the coffee table.Two full days alone. Forty-eight hours of silence and space and nothing to do except what I wanted.Four years ago this would have sent me into a panic. The empty flat. The silence. No one needing me. I would have filled the time with noise. TV on in the background. Music playing. Anything to avoid sitting alone with myself.Now I just sat down on the couch with my tea.My laptop was on the cushion next to me. I opened it and pulled up my email.The message was still there.
(Evelyn's POV)The plane landed with an alarming jolt that made my stomach drop. I'd been half-asleep, when it made its descent.Around me, people started grabbing their bags, turning on phones to call their loved ones, while some complained about the flight. All of these were normal things, but I
(Evelyn's POV)I woke up to sunlight streaming through thin hotel curtains and for a moment, I forgot where I was.Then it all came rushing back.I sat up, my body protesting with every movement. I'd slept in my clothes, and hadn't even bothered to take off my shoes. My phone still lay on the night
(Evelyn's POV )I watched the seconds tick by on my watch. Julian stood between me and the door, and I could practically feel the desperation oozing from him."Five minutes," I repeated. "Talk."He ran both hands through his hair, making it stand up in all directions. "I know I don't deserve forgiv
(Lena's POV)My hands wouldn't stop shaking.I was in the hotel bathroom staring at them under the running water. They'd been fine during the press conference and after I left.But now, twenty minutes later in the bathroom of the restaurant Adrian had brought me to, they were shaking like I'd just







