Mag-log inElena’s pov The moment we entered, the room got cold instantly. "Everyone," Jonathan said, his voice cutting through the noise instantly as we entered. Every head turned, and I watched a few of them straighten up nervously. "This is Elena. She is now head of operations in this kitchen. She's taking over everything Gustav used to handle." A collective gasp went through the room. "You can't replace Gustav," one of the cooks said. "Watch me," Jonathan said flatly. "He's already been replaced. His attitude has cost this restaurant money for months. The hotel next door complains. Our own staff complains. Patrons complain. Is that any way to run a kitchen?" "But Gustav could cook," someone else protested. "This lady can also cook," Jonathan shot back. "She's also presentable, professional, and doesn't insult customers to their faces. Anyone want to vouch for Gustav and say he’s a role model to be emulated?” No
Elena's pov I got to the school a few minutes early and waited by the gate, watching kids come out in small groups. My heart started to hurt as I wondered if he was having a hard time in his new school. I silently prayed everything would go well or it was going to be hard to change again. When I spotted Eli, my chest loosened for the first time all day, he was laughing, walking alongside two other boys, his backpack bouncing on his shoulders. "Hey, buddy," I said as he ran up to me. "Mommy!" He grabbed my hand, still grinning. "I made friends. Their names are Marcus and Theo. Marcus has a dog." "That's wonderful," I said, squeezing his hand as we walked toward the waiting cab. Once we were settled in the back seat, I asked him more about his day, and he chattered on happily about how the teacher was nice, how they'd get their textbooks tomorrow, how the playground had a slide way taller than the one back
Elena’s pov“I’m sorry. It’s just that you are…” he gave a shape of a figure eight and I chuckled to lighten the mood."So," he said. "You're here about the job.""Yes, I have my resume…"He waved a hand. "No need. A very good friend of mine called yesterday and already set everything up on your behalf. You're hired." He leaned forward. "But I do want to know what you can actually do.""I'm very good with customers," I said.He chuckled. “With a body like that, I beg you can.”I shook my head, "Not that. I can handle complaints, difficult guests, that sort of thing.""That's nice," he said, "but I need more than that. Can you cook?""Yes," I said. "I'm an excellent cook."A look of relief crossed his face. "Perfect. You're hired." He gestured toward the door the chef had just stormed out of. "That man who just left, Gustav, is getting on my last nerve. I've been this close to firing him for weeks. But before I make that call permanent, I need to actually see what you can do.""I can s
Elena's povThe next morning, I dressed in the one professional outfit I owned that hadn't gotten wrinkled in the move, a simple black blouse and slacks, my hair pulled back neatly. Eli sat on the edge of his bed, arms crossed, refusing to look at me while I helped him into his shoes."I don't want to go to a new school," he mumbled."I know, baby," I said, crouching down in front of him. "But you have to keep learning, even here. I promise it'll get easier."“Why can’t we just go back?”“It’s not that simple.”He didn't answer, he just let me lead him out the door by the hand, his feet dragging the whole way to the cab.When we got in, I told the driver the name of the school I had researched last night and called ahead of time as the man nodded and drove me there.I looked at Eli who was sulking and looking out of the window as I felt bad for him.This move was going to be a huge change for him. But it was for his own good. If I didn’t take him out of Astringe, maybe next time, I wo
Elena’s pov "Oh, he owes me big time," she said, waving a hand dismissively, clearly not planning to explain further. By that evening, we were already on the road, Eli buckled into the back seat of Maya's car, most of our things crammed into whatever bags we could carry without raising suspicion from the staff. I hadn't said goodbye to anyone. I couldn't risk it. If even one person let it slip where I'd gone, it would all be for nothing. All I did was tell the maid I would be back, get into the car, and wait until it was time to leave. The drive to Kesterfield took most of the day, and by the time we pulled up outside a modest apartment building on a quiet street, exhaustion had settled deep into my bones. But something about the place felt like exactly what I needed. It wasn’t like the big mansion I had left behind. No. This was comfortable and cozy. The apartment itself was simple. Two bedrooms, a small kitchen, old but c
Elena's pov I sat at the edge of Eli's bed that morning, watching him sleep, his small chest rising and falling steady and peaceful for the first time since the kidnapping. I'd been up most of the night just watching him, unable to convince myself he was actually safe until I saw it for myself over and over. Lucien had left before dawn, kissing my forehead before he slipped out, murmuring something about handling things at the pack. I barely registered it at the time as I was too tired, but sitting there now, in the quiet morning, I finally let myself think clearly for the first time in hours. And what I thought was this: I couldn't do this anymore. The Ashthorne family and their drama were taking me down. But now, they were dragging my son with it. Anyone could do whatever they wanted with me, but the moment they went for my son, they had crossed a line that was not supposed to be crossed. I wasn’t going to stay







