The Heiress's Choice のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

Elena’s povI grabbed the pen tightly, staring at the contract that could rip Damien's life off everything he has built and I was the one who wrote it.By 7 AM on Tuesday morning, the city felt so big and large. I stood in my office, by the glass window staring down at the cars as sped by. Everyone looked so small from up here. It was already 30 minutes into my work day as I sipped my coffee.Today was the day Damien would sign away everything to me. His company. His pride. Everything. And I would watch."This is what you wanted," I whispered. I’d lost count of the amount of times I’ve said that to myself.“Miss Sterling?" My assistant walked in, interrupting my thoughts. “Mr Blackwell is here for the meeting.”My stomach dropped just like that, with no warning. Just pure dread mixing with something else I didn’t want to name.“Give me five minutes. Send him to Conference Room B." She nodded at me and walked away.My hands were already shaking. I told myself to stop it, I've been p

Elena's pov Damien's apartment building looked worse than I remembered, the peeling paint and flickering hallway lights buzzing like dying insects.Nothing like the life he pretended to have.I'd been calling him for an hour, but no response. 5 missed calls, 7 ignored texts. Now I stood outside apartment 4B, knocking hard enough to rattle the door.Nothing.I banged again, harder. “Damien, I know you're in there, your car is outside. Open the door."Nothing again. Then I heard footsteps, slow and heavy. When he opened the door, I forgot how to breathe.He looked terrible. His hair messy, eyes red, and he was wearing wrinkled clothes like he hadn’t bothered changing in days."Elena," he said softly."We need to talk." I pushed past him without waiting. "Now."Inside his apartment was a mess. Old takeouts, papers on the floor, a blanket on the couch like he hadn’t slept in his bed for days."What are you doing here?" He asked quietly.“You know why.” I faced him. “The divorce papers.

Elena’s pov “Hey, you.”Caleb stood in my doorway, in his casual dressing. Plain white tees and dark jeans. Nothing dramatic. But his hair… he dyed it. Blonde. Bright enough to notice, soft enough not to look stupid.I wasn’t surprised he pulled it off.I realized I hadn’t heard his voice since the gala. I hadn’t even let myself think about the moment we shared, I didn’t have time to. My life had been spiraling fast enough.Just two weeks. Two weeks that felt like two years.I glanced at the coffee table where my glass of wine sat. I poured it the moment I got home, hoping it would help me relax. It didn’t, it barely even took the edge off. I pushed it aside before he noticed.He stepped inside, closing the door. We stood there, a few feet apart, like neither of us knew who should move first.I squinted. “Your hair. You dyed it.”He winced, running a hand through it. “Yeah… the boys dared me. Long story involving cards and tequila.”A dry laugh slipped out.“When did you get back?

Elena’s pov The elevator doors slid shut, and for the first time all day, my shoulders finally dropped in exhaustion.Monday had been hell and somehow, I still had the rest of the week to survive with Damien working with me.Working for me.It was nearly 7 PM, and I was only just leaving work. The lobby was nearly empty now. I rubbed my temples as I walked, trying to ease the headache that had been drilling behind my eyes since the board meeting. With Aunt Catherine in town for her merger, I’d braced myself for her popping into the office, but thank God she wasn't in today's meeting.They questioned every decision I made, every plan, everything… and then the Singapore merger came up. A deal I built from scratch. Everything was on track until this morning when they suddenly insisted the “real” CEO be present for the final signing in two weeks.And the board? They didn’t hesitate to suggest sending Adrian to finalize it because he “still held the legal authority.”I had to sit there

Caleb’s povCoach blew the whistle and I ran another drill. My legs moved on instinct, but my mind was nowhere near the field.It was still stuck on Monday night. It’s been three days since then.Elena in my jersey. The way she smiled when I dropped her off.That kiss I’d replayed a hundred times in my head.I was so distracted I almost fumbled the pass.“Harding! Where the hell is your head at?” Coach barked.I tried to lock in, but every time I blinked, I saw her again. Her eyes. Her lips softening right before she leaned in…Marcus smacked my shoulder pad. “Yeah, man’s gone. Look at him.”“Shut up,” I muttered, but I was already smiling.“You bringing her to Jessica’s party Saturday?” He asked, gulping water. “She wants her there.”“Maybe. I haven’t asked yet.”“Well, ask. Everyone wants to meet her officially.”The thought made me smile. Elena beside me, everyone knowing she was with me.Except… was she? One kiss didn’t make us anything. But it damn sure felt like something.By th