Chapter 5

Lena's POV 

Today, I wanted to impress Lucian.

That thought sat heavy in my chest as I stepped out of the elevator and into the buzzing hallway of the executive floor. People moved with purpose around me—heels clicking, low conversations overlapping, the faint scent of coffee and expensive cologne lingering in the air. Everything here screamed importance.

And for the first time in a long time… I wanted to be part of it.

Lucian had been kind to me since I resumed. Not the fake, dismissive kind of kindness some bosses wore like a badge, but the quiet kind. The kind that asked if I’d settled in okay. The kind that remembered how I took my coffee. The kind that didn’t look at me like I was fragile glass after my divorce.

My broken marriage.

My failed forever.

Being here—working, focusing, learning had helped. It kept my mind off the past. Off Alexander. Off the way my life had shattered so neatly in his hands.

I adjusted the folder in my arms and inhaled deeply.

Today mattered.

As I stepped fully into the office space, I immediately noticed the shift in energy.

Everyone was already heading toward the boardroom.

Executives. Assistants. Legal advisors. People murmuring into phones, others clutching tablets and files. The large glass doors of the boardroom were open, and inside, the long polished table gleamed under the lights.

My heart skipped.

The meeting.

I glanced at my watch, panic fluttering briefly in my chest before I steadied myself and turned toward Lucian’s office. I knocked once before pushing the door open.

Lucian looked up from his desk.

And for half a second, I forgot how to breathe.

He was already in his meeting mode—dark suit, crisp white shirt, sleeves buttoned neatly, tie perfectly aligned. His hair was styled just enough to look effortless, and his expression was calm, focused… commanding.

Dreamy.

Dangerously so.

“Good morning, Lena,” he said smoothly.

His voice—God, his voice always caught me off guard. Deep, warm, steady.

“Good morning, sir,” I replied, forcing myself not to sound breathless.

He stood, grabbing his tablet. “Get the files. Let’s go.”

“Yes—yes, sir.”

I moved quickly to the cabinet, pulling out the neatly labeled folders. As I passed him, his scent brushed past me—clean, masculine, faintly woody.

Intoxicating.

I hated how aware I suddenly was of my own body. Of how close he stood. Of how professional this was supposed to be.

Get it together, Lena.

We headed to the boardroom together. He walked with confidence, long strides, and I followed closely, matching his pace. When we entered, most of the seats were already taken.

Lucian took his place at the head of the table.

I stood beside him, handing him the necessary documents, then stepped back to my designated spot. My hands clasped in front of me, posture straight.

Waiting.

The room buzzed with low conversation. I caught fragments.

“…they should be here any minute…”

“…huge partnership…”

“…this would boost our company's name…”

I swallowed.

So this was the big company Lucian had mentioned. The one everyone would be around for. The one that mattered.

Suddenly, the murmuring shifted.

Not excitement.

Recognition.

“Oh,” a voice said softly, tinged with surprise.

“One of our members is here.”

My brows furrowed slightly.

Before I could process that, Lucian straightened.

He stood.

“Mr. Alexander,” he said, his tone warm but professional. “Good to see you.”

My world tilted.

Lucian stepped forward, extending his hand.

I turned slowly.

And then—

I was face to face with the devil himself.

Alexander Knight.

My ex-husband.

The air left my lungs.

He looked exactly the same. Sharp suit. Broad shoulders. That familiar, infuriating calm etched into his features. Dark eyes that once knew every part of me now scanned the room like he owned it.

What was he doing here?

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

No.

No, no, no.

Is he—

Is he the company we were partnering with?

Confusion crashed into me like a wave.

I instinctively stepped back, hoping, praying he hadn’t seen me yet. My head dipped slightly, hair falling forward as if that could shield me.

Not yet.

Please, not yet.

But fate, as always, had other plans.

“Miss Lena.”

Lucian’s voice.

Clear.

Calling me.

I flinched.

“Yes, sir?” I answered, lifting my head despite myself.

Lucian gestured politely. “This is Mr. Alexander Knight. He’s a dormant member of our company. A partner.”

What?

My ears rang.

Partner?

Lucian continued, unaware of the silent storm ripping through me. “Mr. Alexander, this is my new Personal Assistant—Miss Elena.”

Alexander’s gaze snapped to me.

Surprise flickered across his face.

Then amusement.

Slow.

Deliberate.

My chest tightened. I forced my expression into something neutral, professional, even though my insides were screaming.

He hadn’t expected this.

Good.

We shook hands.

His grip was firm. Familiar. Too familiar.

“Miss Lena,” he said, his voice smooth. “Pleasure.”

Liar.

I withdrew my hand quickly.

Lucian gestured toward the table. “Let’s begin.”

We all took our places. The real investors arrived shortly after, and the meeting kicked off seamlessly.

Numbers.

Projections.

Contracts.

I stood beside Lucian, attentive, handing documents when needed, taking notes mentally even though my eyes kept drifting back to Alexander.

A partner?

You’ve got to be kidding me.

He sat comfortably, like he belonged there. Like he hadn’t destroyed my life two weeks ago and walked away without looking back.

A dormant partner.

The words echoed mockingly in my head.

After what felt like hours, the meeting finally ended....successful, judging by the handshakes and satisfied smiles.

Lucian excused himself to speak with a few of the executives.

That was my chance.

Before I could second-guess myself, I moved.

I grabbed Alexander’s arm, pulling him aside sharply.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Alexander?” I hissed under my breath.

He looked down at my hand, then at me. Calm. Unbothered.

“I’m a partner in this company,” he said plainly.

I scoffed. “Rip-off. If you were a partner, I would’ve noticed a long time ago.”

He leaned slightly closer. “I’m here now. Deal with it, Lena.”

My jaw clenched. “Don’t ruin this for me like you ruin everything.”

Something hardened in his eyes.

“I’m a dormant partner,” he said quietly. “I have a two-year contract with this company. Get that into your head.”

My chest burned.

“I don’t want to see you here again.”

He gave a short, humorless laugh. “Like I care.”

Then he walked away.

Asshole.

I stood there, shaking slightly.

God, I hated him. So much it hurt.

Okay. Breathe.

Dormant partner.

Only comes when necessary.

Good.

Lucian’s hand touched my shoulder gently.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern threading his voice.

I turned to him and forced a smile. “Yeah. I am.”