All Chapters of Ruthless Desire : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Elena's pov Liam texted last night before going to bed that we should have breakfast together before going to work and I agreed.The next morning, Liam chooses a small and warm cafe, it was tucked between two buildings.Morning lights spills through the windows, catching dust in the air and the smell of coffee and toasted bread wraps around me as I step in.Liam stands immediately he sees me, smiling like he’s genuinely happy I came.“Morning” he greeted when I stop at the table “Morning” I reply, returning the smile.I got around the table and slide out my sit for me.“ Thank you” I muttered as he goes back to sitHe slides a cup across the table.“Black coffee, one sugar.”I blink. “How did you”“You mentioned it once,” he says lightly. “Felt important.”Something tight in my chest became tighter, because I never mentioned it“That was thoughtful.” I said giving a half smileHe shrugs. “I like paying attention.”There’s no rush, no pressure, ee talk about nothing at first. The wea

Elena’s POV The next morning I wake up before my alarm, with my eyes burning, my chest tight like I slept with a stone on it. For a moment, I don’t remember why I feel like this. Then everything rushes back, everything that happened in Julian’s office, hus hands, my phone ringing and interrupting, how I got home through the bus and coming back to cry alone.I turn onto my side, pick up my phone on the nightstand and stare at itTwo missed calls and one text.From Liam.I don’t open it, and it not because I don’t care but because I care too much, and I don’t know what to say without lying again.I get up, shower, dress, move through my apartment like I’m borrowing someone else’s body. My reflection looks softer than I feel whenever I look in the mirror, tired eyes, my lips pressed together like they’re holding something back.On the bus to work, I sit by the window again. Different day, same seat. I don’t cry this time, but my throat stays tight the whole ride.By the time I step into

Elena’s POVThe next morning feels too quiet, not peaceful.Just quiet in the way a room feels after something fragile has shattered and no one has swept the glass yet.I barely sleep that night very time I close my eyes, I see Julian’s face, the way he hesitated, I see Liam walking out. I just feel there's something wrong with the way my chest feel so tight My alarm rings and immediately turn it off, I lay there staring at the ceiling for a moment “I’m done standing in the middle,” I whisper to myself as I get upBut saying it in a dark room is easier than living it in daylight.When I step into the office, everything looks normal, too normal.Phones ringing, heels clicking as people walk part, assistants laughing softly near the elevators.No one looks at me strangely, no one whispers and that makes my shoulders relax slightly.“Elena.”Maybe Olivia didn’t, her voice glides across the floor before I see her.I turn slowly.Olivia stands near the reception desk, dressed in cream an

Elena’s POVI did not sleep that night, the e sky outside my window turns from dark to gray, but my mind never rests. I keep seeing my mother’s message, julian’s silence and Ethan’s words.About the photo, we all know who took it.Olivia.She may not have held the camera herself, but Olivia does nothing without intention.I kept my phone off, for the first time in years, I do not want to be reachable.I sit on my bed, staring at the wall, when someone knocks on my door.Three soft knocks, then a pause, then two more.I stand and open it.It was Nora standing at the other sideShe walks in holding two cups of coffee and a paper bag.“You look like you fought a war” she says softly.“I did” I reply.She hands me a cup. “Drink.”We sit at the small kitchen table, the morning light is pale and quiet.“I kept thinking about what you said last night,” she begins.“Which part?”“That this isn’t about love anymore.”I stare into my coffee. “It never was for her.”Nora nods slowly. “So what ar

Elena's POVThe morning after Nora has leavesmy apartment, the city feels suddenly unusually loud, cars pass under my window, someone argues on the sidewalk,a dog barks somewhere down the street.Normal sounds, but inside me everything feels like the quiet before something breaks.I stand in front of the mirror in my bedroom, staring at my reflection.“You said you wouldn’t hide,” I murmur to myself.The woman in the mirror looks tired but steadier than she did days ago and for the first time in weeks, I feel something close to clarity.Then my phone vibrates, I look down at it, it was an unknown number.My stomach tightens.I already know who it is.Ethan.I hesitate before picking and answering.“Hello?”“Elena.”His voice is calm, too calm.“Yes.”“We should talk in person.”“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”“It’s necessary.”I walk slowly toward the window, watching the traffic below.“About the situation?” I ask.“Yes.”Silence stretches between us, finally I sigh.“Where?”An