004: A Call From The Past

Elena could barely sleep that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Adrian and Vanessa together.

By morning, she gave up trying.

She got out of bed and walked to the window. The garden below was beautiful, but she couldn't enjoy it.

Too much had happened in one day.

A soft knock came from the door.

The maid from yesterday entered with breakfast.

"Good morning, Miss Elena."

Elena thanked her and sat down at the small table near the window.

She wasn't hungry, but she forced herself to eat a little.

As she picked up her phone, she noticed several missed calls.

All from the same number.

The number that had called last night.

The number connected to the life she left behind.

Her stomach tightened.

A few seconds later, the phone rang again.

This time, she answered.

"Miss Elena," the man on the line said. "Please stop hanging up on us."

Elena closed her eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Your grandfather wants you home."

"I don't have a home."

There was a pause.

"Miss Elena, everyone believes you are dead."

Her hand tightened around the phone.

For years, she had stayed away from the Vale family.

After her parents died, she wanted nothing to do with the wealth, power, and endless family conflicts.

After meeting Adrian, she finally had an excuse to walk away completely and start a different life.

She thought she had found a simple life.

Instead, she had ended up with a broken marriage.

"Tell my grandfather I'm not interested," she said.

Before the man could respond, she ended the call.

A few moments later, another voice spoke behind her.

"That sounds important."

Elena jumped slightly.

Damian stood near the doorway.

She hadn't heard him enter.

"Do you always eavesdrop?"

"No. Only the suspicious ones."

Elena rolled her eyes and looked away.

Damian walked into the room and placed a folder on the table.

"What's this?"

"Information on Adrian's company."

That caught her attention immediately.

She opened the folder.

Inside were financial reports, debts, and legal documents.

The company was in worse shape than she imagined.

Much worse.

"He's practically bankrupt," she said quietly.

Damian sat across from her.

"He has been hiding it for months."

Elena continued reading.

Then something caught her attention.

A transfer record.

A large amount of money had been moved into a private account.

Vanessa's account.

Elena frowned.

"What's this?"

Damian looked at the page.

"Three million dollars."

Elena's eyes widened.

"Adrian gave her that much money?"

Damian nodded.

The realization hit her immediately.

While Adrian claimed his company was dying, he was secretly spending millions on his mistress. He hadn't even spent half of that amount on her before.

The man had sold his wife to save a business he was already destroying himself.

Elena let out a bitter laugh.

For the first time since leaving, she didn't feel heartbroken.

She felt angry.

Very angry.

And anger was much easier to live with than sadness.

Damian watched her carefully.

"What are you thinking?"

Elena closed the folder.

Then she looked directly at him.

"If Adrian thinks he can ruin my life and walk away happy..."

She paused.

A cold smile appeared on her face.

"He's about to learn how wrong he is."

Damian leaned back in his chair.

For the first time since meeting her again, he smiled.

Because the woman sitting across from him finally looked ready to fight back.