All Chapters of After The Night In Miami : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Elena’s POV 7:45 a.m . My kitchen smells like burnt toast and desperation . Leo’s at the table, smearing jelly all over his shirt like it’s finger paint. He hums something from preschool , proud and messy and four .“Mommy , the necklace!” he chirps , pointing to the locket I left by the sink .I glance at it ; small, gold , heavy like its holding secrets . The Hayes crest glints on its face. My stomach twists .“Yeah, baby ,” I say, sliding it over my head. “Grandma wants to see it later .”He kicks his legs, eyes wide. “We going to Grandma’s? She got cookies?”“Always ,” I say, but my voice sounds flat even to me. I grab my phone and type one - handed while pouring milk into his cereal .Google : “Hayes - Alvarez 1987”The first article hits like a punch. Eco-Tech partners dissolve. Patent disappears after signing.My hand shakes. Mom’s name stares back at me in pixel ink.The phone rings—Victoria’s number.“Tea tonight,” she says before I can speak. “Bring questions. And Leo.”“A

Julian’s POV The room is thick with tension ; paper, perfume, cheap coffee , the whole mix. I stand in front of the board , marker in hand, pretending my pulse isn’t spiking because Elena just walked in . She sits like she owns the place without even trying to .“Anti-corruption lead,” I announce, scanning the suits before letting my gaze land on her. “Full access. Elena Alvarez.”A couple gasps. Mark mutters under his breath, “The ex-cleaner?”My jaw flexes, but Elena doesn’t flinch. She sits up straighter, pen poised, eyes sharp.“Why me?” she asks. No fear. Just challenge.I lean on the board, arms crossed. “Because you’re brilliant,” I say simply. “Your vendor pitch saved us eighteen percent. I trust your eyes.”Her gaze flickers ; shock, maybe a little heat ; and she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.“I’ll need server logs,” she says. “Finance too. No redactions.”“Granted.”Our eyes catch and hold . Storm to fire. Neither of us says a word, but the whole room feels it .Sh

Elena’s POV Mila is buried in my closet like she’s staging a military coup against my wardrobe . Clothes fly left and right — silk tops tossed onto the bed , jeans draped over the lamp, a sweater landing on my head like it’s personally offended her .“Red dress,” she announces , holding it up with the flair of someone presenting a sacred artifact. “This is the one . Wear it , Don’t argue.”“It’s a work meeting,” I groan, though my voice does that awkward crack that betrays me. “Not a date. Not whatever you’re imagining.”She levels me with the most unimpressed stare known to womankind . “A work meeting with a billionaire who practically eye-fucks you every time you breathe . You’re welcome , by the way. I’m protecting the world from your delusion.”“Mila.” My face flames. “Stop.”But she doesn’t , Of course she doesn’t . She’s on a mission , and nothing short of divine intervention can stop her once she’s in this mode . She grabs me by the hips , spins me around , and zips the dress

Elena’s POV 9:27 p.m .I’m still in the same red dress, seams digging into my ribs , my bare feet cold against the floorboards . The wine glass trembles in my hand, little ripples breaking across the surface . Julian’s last text is still glowing on my screen .Fine. Your place. One hour.I slide my thumb across the keyboard, ready to type change of plan, when the phone lights up with a call.Caller ID : Dad.My stomach drops so violently the room tilts out of focus.I answer before fear can stop me.“What?”“Elena.” Richard’s voice comes from the other end , older, heavier, worn-down in a way that feels like it’s been waiting years to corner me. “We know about the boy.”My whole body goes still. “There is no we. You forfeited that word four years ago.”“Serena knows, mija. She’s… not happy. Come home. Let’s fix this before it gets ugly.”“Fix this?” The laugh escapes me sharp, crooked, nothing like humor. “You mean pay me to disappear again?”Silence stretches thin. Then he tries ag

Julian’s POVMy phone lights up on the kitchen island.A message from Elena.One photo.Her and Leo walking out of Victoria’s gate earlier today — Leo half-asleep on her shoulder, T-Rex poking out of his backpack, the afternoon sun catching in Elena’s hair.Under it, just three words:Someone’s watching us .The words hit like a punch to the ribs. For a second my body forgets how to move , how to breathe . Then everything inside me snaps tight .I grab the phone with a grip that makes the metal creak.I call her.Straight to voicemail .The silence on the other end stretches out like a threat .Keys. Wallet . I don’t remember picking them up ; only that my hand is already closing around them .My thumb hits the security line before I reach the elevator.They answer instantly. “Hayes Security.”“This is Hayes,” I snap. “Apartment 12B. Elena Alvarez. I want two of our men outside her door in five minutes. Full watch. No excuses.”“Yes, sir.”“No uniforms. No attention. Quiet. But visibl