บททั้งหมดของ My Boss, My Step-Brother: The Devil From My Past: บทที่ 41 - บทที่ 50

It was a quiet Saturday morning when Elena received the text from her mother. She had been savoring a cup of coffee, her first moment of peace in days, when her phone buzzed. “Don’t forget about lunch today with Mrs. Lang and her son. It’s important.” Elena frowned, rereading the message. Mrs. Lang was an old friend of her mother’s, someone she hadn’t seen since childhood. The “son,” however, was a detail that immediately raised a red flag. “Elena,” her mother had said the previous night, her tone suspiciously sweet. “Mrs. Lang’s son is very accomplished, you know. A lawyer. It wouldn’t hurt to meet him. Who knows what might happen?” Elena had waved off the suggestion at the time, but now it was clear: her mother had arranged a casual lunch that was anything but casual. Elena stared at the message, her stomach sinking. She had no interest in being paraded in front of some stranger, no matter how accomplished he was. But she knew her mother, and skipping the lunch wasn’t an optio

High school was not a time Elena remembered fondly. Most of her memories were clouded by relentless teasing, whispered taunts, and public humiliation orchestrated by Elliot and his friends. The halls she walked daily felt more like a battlefield than a place of learning. Yet, buried deep within that turbulent period was a moment that had stuck with her—one that was so out of character for Elliot that she had questioned its authenticity at the time. The memory began on a cold, overcast morning. Elena had woken up with a knot in her stomach, dreading the thought of another day at school. She had a science presentation scheduled, one she had worked tirelessly on, but anxiety gripped her as she imagined standing in front of the class. Public speaking was hard enough without the added pressure of being a favorite target of ridicule. Elliot and his friends were always ready with snide comments, and the thought of them mocking her during her presentation was almost unbearable. But there w

The office was alive with its usual buzz of ringing phones, clicking keyboards, and the hum of low conversations. Elena was immersed in her work, her focus honed on an upcoming project deadline. It was one of those rare moments when she felt entirely at ease, her mind not plagued by the turbulent history she shared with Elliot. But the peace was short-lived. “Hey, Elena,” Adam, a cheerful coworker from marketing, approached her desk with a grin. “Got a minute?” Elena looked up, her expression brightening. Adam was a friendly colleague, always upbeat and easy to work with. “Sure, what’s up?” Adam leaned casually against her desk, holding a folder. “I need a second pair of eyes on this campaign pitch. You’re great at catching details I miss.” “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she teased, accepting the folder. Their conversation was light and full of laughter as they discussed the project, but neither of them noticed the sharp gaze from across the room. Elliot stood by hi

The annual office party was a grand event, eagerly anticipated by most employees. For Elena, however, it was yet another social obligation she wasn’t particularly looking forward to. With her history of being introverted and a lingering unease around large groups, she usually preferred to keep to herself in such gatherings. But attendance was mandatory, and she couldn’t avoid it. Elliot, on the other hand, seemed effortlessly at ease. He navigated the room with confidence, exchanging pleasantries with colleagues and flashing his charismatic smile. Watching him from a distance, Elena couldn’t help but feel a pang of irritation—and maybe something else she wasn’t ready to name. She reminded herself to keep her emotions in check. This was just a party, after all, and she was determined to blend into the background. The ballroom was decorated extravagantly, with strings of twinkling lights and elegantly set tables. The sound of clinking glasses and soft music filled the air as coworker

As they stood near the exit, the cool night air drifting in through the open doors, Elena found herself unable to shake the evening's events. Claire's words still lingered, the judgment and whispers of her coworkers etched into her mind. Yet, beside her stood Elliot—a complicated figure, one she hadn’t fully figured out but who had been her unwavering support tonight. “Elliot,” she said softly, drawing his attention. “Why do you keep doing this? Protecting me, standing up for me—even when it makes things harder for you?” He studied her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he looked out toward the city lights visible through the glass doors. “Because I owe you that much,” he began, his voice low but steady. “And because I want to.” Elena frowned slightly. “What do you mean, you owe me? You’ve apologized so many times, and I get it—you’re trying to make up for the past. But it’s more than that, isn’t it?” Elliot hesitated, the weight of his thoughts clear in t