All Chapters of Ruthless Desire : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Elena’s POVDinner ends, but the damage doesn’t.I barely taste the food on my plate, my hand and my fork moves automatically, my mouth smiles when expected, but everything inside me is cracking quietly.Olivia laughs too loudly, leaning into Julian like she owns him, her hand rests on his arm, her head tilts toward him, and when she do, she will look up at me and smirk, every small touch feels deliberate.Julian doesn’t look at me not even once.The man who had me sitting on his lap that morning, who kissed me like I mean the world to him, doesn’t even spare me a glance now..I feel my heart breaking once again and this time is much worse My mother talks about wine and renovations and upcoming events, completely unaware that her dining table feels like a battlefield.I push my chair back first as I get up.“Excuse me” I say softly. “I’m not feeling well.”My mother nods, already distracted, not caring at all , Olivia barely looks up, Julian’s jaw tightens, that’s the only sign he hav

Julian’s POVI shouldn’t have gone to the bar.I knew it the moment I stepped inside and felt that familiar restlessness settle in my chest, the kind that meant I was already on edge, already halfway to making a mistake.I met Dominic there, he was relaxed as always, one arm draped over the back of the booth, a drink in hand.“You’re late” he said, lifting his glass. “And you look like hell.”“I’m fine,” I replied automatically, loosening my tie as I sat across from him.“That’s a lie.” he said, snorting I was about to respond when my eyes drifted across the room without permission, without thought and they landed on her.Elena.She was sitting in a booth near the bar, shoulders relaxed, head tilted toward the woman across her, she was laughing softly, her smile was real and one I haven't seen since that night at Santorini.Something tightened in my chest.“She’s here” I muttered.Dominic followed my gaze. “Ah” he said. “The assistant.”I didn’t say anything to correct him.Elena bru

Elena’s POVDAYS LATERI don’t go straight home after work, and instead of taking the bus I decided to walk to Nora's apartment to clear off my head.Block after block, letting the city noise swallow my thoughts, letting my heels click against the pavement until my feet ache, pain feels easier than thinking, easier than remembering the way Julian’s voice sounded when he asked if someone else touched me.By the time I reach Nora’s apartment, my chest feels too full instead of empty.I press the intercom and minutes later she opens the door in sweatpants and an old T-shirt, her hair pulled into a messy bun. One look at my face and she steps aside without a word.“You look like you’re about to fall apart,” she says instead of hello.I step inside and when she close the door, I drop my bag on the floor and lean back against the wall, sliding down until I’m sitting on the cold tile, my hands shake.“I need to say this out loud” I whisper loud enough. “If I don’t, I think I’ll drown in it.

Elena’s POVThe next morning at work, the silence feels intentional, not the awkward kind, not the kind that comes from avoidance, but the sharp, precise kind that feels chosen.Julian doesn’t look at me when I arrive, not even once.He’s already in his office, his glass walls was clear, his posture straight, the expression he have on his face is unreadable. .I sit at my desk and open my computer, forcing my focus onto emails and schedules, trying not to look up, my hands move automatically but my mind does not. Every few minutes, I catch myself wondering if he's looking at me or listening for his footsteps, his voice, anything that reminds me I’m not imagining the shift but nothing.When I deliver his morning coffee, I place it neatly on his desk.“Thank you, Elena” he says without looking up.I nod and leave.My chest tightens on the way back to my desk, this is what I wanted, I remind myself, distance, boundaries and peace, so why does it feel like I’m being erased?By mid-morning

Elena's pov There’s a difference between silence and calm.Calm settles gently, silence watches you.That’s what this morning feels like.I wake up before my alarm, staring at the ceiling, my chest already tight like I’ve missed something important, my phone is face-down on the bedside table. I don’t reach for it, I already know there’s nothing from Julian and somehow, that still hurts.I shower, dress, move through my routine like I’m following instructions written for someone else. When I step outside, the city feels too awake, too alive for how heavy I feel inside.At work, everything looks the same. Glass walls, polished floors, controlled smiles but I’m different.I don’t look toward Julian’s office when I arrive, I don’t need to, I can feel him there anyway. That awareness hasn’t left me yet, no matter how much distance I pretend to keep.I sit at my desk and open my computer, replying emails, scheduling meetings and setting reminders. Normal things.My phone buzzes softly bes