014: A Crack in the Truth

Adrian arrived at Sterling Technologies much later than usual.

When Elena was around, she always made sure he was ready before leaving for work. She would prepare his outfit, pack his lunch, and remind him of his meetings. Before he even got into his car, a text from her would appear on his phone.

"Have a good day."

It had become part of his daily routine.

Today, there was nothing.

The silence on his phone felt strange.

As soon as he entered his office, his secretary placed a cup of coffee on his desk.

"Your coffee, sir."

"Thank you."

Adrian took a sip.

He frowned immediately.

It didn't taste right.

For a moment, he remembered Elena standing in the kitchen every morning, carefully making his coffee exactly the way he liked it.

It was such a small thing.

Yet somehow, no one else could get it right.

He placed the cup back on the desk, suddenly losing his appetite.

Without realizing it, his mood worsened.

Throughout the morning, every employee who walked into his office noticed the change. Adrian was unusually quiet, impatient, and easily irritated.

No one dared to stay longer than necessary.

Later that afternoon, Vanessa walked into his office with a bright smile.

She had expected Adrian to welcome her warmly.

Instead, he barely looked up from the documents on his desk.

"Is anything bothering you?" she asked.

"No."

His answer was short.

There was barely any conversation between them.

Everything felt awkward.

The excitement that usually filled the room whenever they met was gone.

Vanessa forced a smile, but she could tell something had changed.

As she turned to leave, her eyes landed on a framed wedding photograph sitting on Adrian's desk.

It was a picture of him and Elena on their wedding day.

Her smile faded.

A sharp wave of jealousy rushed through her.

A painful realization hit her.

Elena was gone...

But she still hadn't left Adrian's heart.

At Blackwood Mansion, Elena sat quietly by the bedroom window.

She appreciated everything Damian had done for her, but she couldn't depend on him forever.

She wanted to rebuild her own life.

A gentle knock sounded on the door.

Mrs. Harper walked in with breakfast.

"Good morning, Miss Elena."

"Good morning."

Mrs. Harper placed the tray on the table before smiling warmly.

"I need to find a job," Elena said.

Mrs. Harper looked surprised.

"Mr. Blackwood won't allow you to struggle."

Elena smiled softly.

"That's exactly why I need to stand on my own."

Mrs. Harper looked at her for a moment before nodding with admiration.

"You really are different."

At the same time, Damian was in his study with the head of security.

The man handed him a report.

"Our investigation shows the security cameras weren't hacked at random. Someone used an employee access card to disable the system."

Damian's expression darkened.

"So the enemy had help from inside the mansion."

"Yes, sir."

The room fell silent.

Finally, the security chief asked, "Should we arrest everyone who had access?"

Damian shook his head.

"No."

The security chief looked confused.

"If we move now, the real mastermind will disappear."

"Keep watching them."

"I want to know who they're working for."

"Understood, sir."

That evening, Elena was reading alone in the mansion's library.

The room was quiet.

She didn't notice Damian until he pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Then Damian finally broke the silence.

"What's your biggest regret?"

Elena slowly closed her book.

She looked at him before answering quietly,

"Loving someone more than I loved myself."

Damian didn't reply.

He simply looked at her.

For the first time, he understood how deeply Adrian had broken her.

Late that night, Elena's phone vibrated.

She frowned when she saw an unknown number.

A message appeared on the screen.

LEAVE BLACKWOOD MANSION.

Her heartbeat quickened.

Before she could react, another message arrived.

OR THE NEXT FUNERAL WILL BE YOURS.

Her hands began to tremble.

Just then...

Someone knocked on her bedroom door.

Knock...

Knock...

Knock...

Her heart pounded.

"Who's there?" she whispered.

No one answered.

She stared at the door.

Then...

The doorknob slowly began to turn.