Terms and conditions of the heart

Chapter One Elara Hart swung her bag onto the chair and let out a tired sigh. She’d just returned from her parents’ house, where they had spent the whole day together — watching movies, eating tuna casseroles, and squeezing fresh oranges from the small garden out back. It wasn’t the best or fanciest birthday celebration, but it was warm, real, and full of love. That was all she needed. Turning twenty-five didn’t come with any fireworks, but she was grateful. Her parents had done their best, even when times were tough. It was better than spending the day alone, drowning in thoughts and eating chips on the couch. After kicking off her shoes, she slipped into the bathroom, ready for a shower and some peace. As the warm water poured over her skin, she silently wished that twenty-five would be a year of new beginnings. Meanwhile, Noah Bennett, her boyfriend of three years, quietly unlocked the apartment door with a spare key. “Happy birthday to you…” he sang softly, balancing a smal

Chapter Three Voss HoldingsLucien Voss sat behind his wide mahogany desk, the morning light catching the glass edges of his office. Everything about the space screamed power — from the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city to the quiet hum of employees who never dared speak too loudly when he was around.He had everything a man could want — and if he didn’t, he knew how to get it.The door opened. Patricia, his secretary, stepped in wearing a short, fitted dress. She knew exactly what she was doing when she chose it this morning. Every woman in the building seemed to want Lucien Voss, and Patricia was no exception.She walked up to his desk, swaying slightly as she placed a stack of files before him. When she bent forward, her neckline dipped lower than necessary.Lucien didn’t even flinch. He leaned back in his chair, a quiet sigh escaping him. This wasn’t the first time she had tried this, and it wouldn’t be the last. Beautiful, yes, he couldn't deny that, but she was a st

Chapter 5 Elara sat beside her brother in the hospital. It had been a week since she ran out of Noah’s apartment. Things were calm between them now, but it still felt like there was an invisible wall separating them. It had also been a week since she saw Lucien on the charity event advert. Lucien wasn’t just anyone to her. He was her childhood best friend—her first love. Their families had been inseparable back then. Her father and his were like brothers. She had known Lucien since before she could even form proper words. He had always looked out for her, teased her, protected her. When she was younger, she got jealous anytime she saw him around other girls. Her mother always told her it was just a silly crush and that she’d get over it eventually. But she never did. What she felt for Lucien went deeper—it was love, the kind that made everything else fade away. They started dating when she was sixteen. It felt like a dream come true, even though it had always felt like they’d bee

Chapter 7A week had passed since Elara sent the text to Lucien, and still, there was no response. All hope was lost now. She had expected it, but she hadn’t expected it to hurt this much.No one knew she had gone to see him. Elara was staying at Ryan’s apartment; she couldn’t bear to sleep in her own house alone. She heard from Noah occasionally; after their fight, he’d called to check in and sometimes dropped off food for her.She was currently nestled on Ryan’s bed, slowly eating a bowl of soup. Ryan’s eyes never left her.“I want to ask why you’re looking at me like that, but I really don’t have the strength to know why,” Elara said, her spoon scraping the ceramic bowl.“You talked to him, didn’t you?” Ryan pressed.“Who?” Elara asked, feigning ignorance.“Lucien, you bitch,” Ryan said, pulling the soup bowl away.“I’m going to bed,” Elara announced, adjusting herself under the duvet.“Oh, come on, Ellie. I know you did. I just hope you didn’t do or say anything stupid.”“I didn’t

Chapter 9“The hell do you mean you’re getting married to Lucien?” Ryan shouted, pacing the room like a storm about to break.“Yes… I don’t know, but it was my only choice,” Elara said quietly.“Girl, that’s bullshit! You didn’t even tell anyone. Taking a loan would’ve been way better than marrying that man.”“And how was I supposed to pay it back, Ryan?” Elara shot back, anger flaring through her voice.Ryan stopped pacing, her lips pressed into a thin line.“If I don’t help them, no one will,” Elara continued, her voice shaking. “We’ve tried everything—we’re stuck. I know it’s stupid, but it would be even more stupid if I let them die just like that. You heard the doctor that night. They can’t do anything for us anymore… no one can.”Her voice broke, and the tears came in heavy drops. She fell to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.Ryan’s anger melted away. She hurried over, crouching beside her and pulling her into her arms, running her hand gently through Elara’s hair.“Please… don