ELARA’S POV I didn’t sleep. Not even a little. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt it again, his arms wrapped around me, his chest against mine, the weight of what almost happened. The heat of what nearly crossed a line. I told myself I was over him. That I was here for my safety, nothing more. But my body hadn’t gotten the message. So I didn’t lie still. I scrubbed the bathroom tiles at four in the morning. Sketched and trashed three new layout ideas. Organized the guest room closet until my fingers hurt. Because if I stopped moving, I’d have to feel. And I wasn’t ready for that. By the time morning light slipped through the blinds, I was dressed, face washed, and halfway to the kitchen pretending to be normal. Pretending that last night didn’t rattle something deep inside me. The house was quiet. Too quiet. Mila meowed once, brushing against my legs as I walked past her new favorite perch near the window. I gave her a soft stroke behind the ears before stepping out onto
ELARA’S POV I stared at my phone long after the call ended, the screen dark but the words still echoing in my head. He didn’t even give me a chance to explain, he just jumped straight to calling me stupid and blinded by lingering feelings? I don’t have any lingering feelings for Nate. It’s over. I’m done with him. I’m only here, for my safety and nothing more! I let out a sigh, telling myself Elliot was just upset. That he didn’t mean what he said. it wasn’t as cold as it sounded. It can’t be. Elliot’s been with me through everything. When no one else was… he was there for me, so his anger is valid considering everything, once he is back and I explain everything to him he will understand and it and if he doest then that would be his own choice. I don’t have to explain myself anyways, I’m not a child. Even though this was the first in along time he was careless with his words, the sting of his words refused to dull no matter how many excuses I try to come up with.
ELARA’S POV I slid off my tote bag and pulled out my phone. A few texts from Kyle. Still nothing from Elliot. I sighed, pressed the call button again, and waited. After what felt like forever, he finally answered. “Hey,” I said quickly, my voice slightly too high. “I left a few missed calls…” “Oh, yeah?” His voice sounded drained. “I’ve been busy. I’m flying to Dubai tomorrow for another deal.” “Oh.” Part of me hesitated. Maybe I shouldn’t tell him. He already had so much on his plate. But this wasn’t just some tiny inconvenience I could sweep under the rug. If he found out later… it’d only be worse. Plus Elliott deserves to know everything. The last time I kept something from him, he didn’t take it well. “Is everything okay down there?” he asked, snapping me from my thoughts. “Well… there was a little issue. But it’s getting sorted.” “Issue?” he repeated, sharper now. I hesitated. My fingers curled tighter around the phone. “I’m not in Vegas anymore. I left for New Yo
ELARA’S POV Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d come back to this house. After the way I left, I thought I was done the day I dragged my suit case out. But I guess sometimes fate likes to play cruel jokes on us. I’m walking back into the same house, not us a wife… but as the ex who got dragged into her ex husbands messed up problems. As I made my way in, I paused. Everything looked the same. The interior, the furniture placement, even the scent in the room it was all just the way I’d left it. As if I’d walked out yesterday, not years ago. The bright nude entryway welcomed me in. My eyes wandered to the grandfather clock on the side, ticking like it always had. The frame glass next to it still held the same set of pictures. We used to call it the wall of memories. Each time we made an achievement or hit a picture from a trip we made sure it was on the wall. There was a picture of me as a child, another from our wedding day. We were both smiling so brightly,
NATE’S POV My eyes locked with my mother’s. I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t seen her in years, but she looks… older. Tired, maybe. But still wrapped in expensive fabrics and heavy makeup, trying to look like the woman she used to be. The illusion might’ve worked once, but not today. I turned away, tightening my grip on my father’s collar. “Where’s the fucking contract?” He raised a brow like I was asking for a cup of tea. “I said where the fuck is the contract Pier gave you the last time you met him?” “Nathan—” My mother’s cautious voice slipped into the room, but I ignored it. I didn’t have time for her softness right now. Every second wasted meant Elara was more exposed, more at risk. And I was done letting this man dodge accountability. I shoved him back in his chair and stormed to the desk, yanking drawers open, rifling through folders and paper stacks. “What do you think you’re doing?” Elias demanded. “I’m finding the shit you’re too much of a coward to give me!
NATE’S POV My jaw clenched as the car pulled up to the estate.My phone buzzed again.Angelo sent a message— photos.Images of my father and some other man at a bar. I didn’t even need to process it. I dialed Angelo immediately.“What the hell did you just send me?”“You were right,” he said, voice grim. “Your father’s the leak. He’s been meeting with Pier for a few days now. It was hard to trace, but I backtracked it.”“So it’s him,” I whispered, the disbelief bitter on my tongue.The bastard really hasn’t changed.“What else do you have?”“For now, we know they’re trying to sign a new contract. We don’t know what he’s getting in return yet, but—”“I’ll find out myself,” I cut him off and ended the call.I leaned forward. “Dave, turn the car around.”“Sire… but—”“I said turn it around. We’re going to the Hale mansion.”“We just left—”“Not that one. My parents’ house. And step on the damn gas.”My leg was already shaking, the anger vibrating through me like an earthquake in my vein
ELARA’S POV “But why didn’t you tell me all this before, Nate?” The words spill out before I can stop them. “Why didn’t you tell me how things were? Why did you decide for me?” A slight burn stings my eyelids, and a lump rises in my throat—but I force it down. “Elara…” He rises from his seat and lowers to his knees beside me. “I made a mistake…” he chokes out, as though the words taste bitter in his mouth. His tired eyes are fixed on mine, glistening with guilt. Even though I know this is all his fault, I can’t stop wondering how did he carry everything alone? The burdens, the pain… without anyone by his side. Except Angelo. How did he manage to survive that? “Have you forgotten what you told me by the lake?” I whisper, voice trembling. “Did you forget the promise you made to me all those years ago?” “I didn’t,” he breathes, almost like a confession. “I remember every single part of it, El.” He gently pulls my hands from my lap, wrapping them in his. “I remember everyt
ELARA’S POV I had a quick call with Olivia. Jenna was usually the number one person I put in charge when I was away, but since she was still MIA and I hadn’t had the time to deal with the issues surrounding her yet… So, in the meantime, I gave Maya and Olivia a list of things they could manage, knowing I’d be working remotely for a few days. I tried calling Kyle, but it didn’t go through. So I sent him a text explaining I wouldn’t be available. I tried Elliot too, but it was the same. I didn’t want to text him—I needed to say this over the phone. It felt more respectful. After a quick shower, I threw on a grey jogger set and tied my hair in a low bun. I packed a few essentials and clothes into a small travel bag. I wasn’t sure what to bring, but since it was just a few days, I kept it light. When I joined Nate in the living room, he was no longer in just his buttoned-up shirt—he’d put on his blazer too, phone pressed to his ear. The second his eyes landed on me, he pause
ELARA’S POV “The kidnappers… it’s not random, El. It’s because I have enemies. People lurking around,” Nate said quietly. “Clearly, I don’t,” I shot back. “I thought I had everything under control, but… I left some loose ends. And now they’re back. They want things from me that I can’t give, so they’re coming after you to get to me.” My knees weakened, my breath hitching. “I don’t understand what you’re saying, Nate. Make it make sense.” “It’s a long story, Elara…” “I have all day.” My voice was firm. If I’m in danger, I need to know what’s really going on and why this is happening. “I know you probably didn’t think much of it when I first told you, but it’s the same dangerous people from before. The main reason I had to stay away from you. I thought I dealt with everything before—” “Oh, I remember now,” I said bitterly. “Your so-called criminal friends? The ones that led to our divorce?” “Yes.” A dry chuckle escaped me. “This has to be a joke. Tell me you’re joking