All Chapters of The Heiress's Choice : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Elena's pov The two weeks passed faster than I expected. It was full of meetings, calls, and final year approvals.And now, the day of the launch event was here already.I adjusted my posture as I stepped out of my ride and into the event hall, already wearing my professional smile.“You look stunning tonight, Ms. Sterling."I turned to see Jarvis Henderson, one of Singapore's top investors, smiling at me with a champagne glass in hand."Thank you, Jarvis," I said, smoothing down the silk fabric of my emerald dress. It hugged my curves and fell just above my knees, paired with heels that made my legs look long.My hair was swept up in a sleek bun, not a strand out of place, my makeup subtle but polished.I looked like I had my shit together."Excuse me," I murmured, moving past him toward the entrance of the event hall.That's when I saw him.Damien.He stood near the bar, talking to someone I didn't recognize, his hands in the pockets of his tailored black suit, it made his shoulder

Elena's POV The spa was one of my favorite spots back home.It was one of the places I always went to before I ran off and married Damien.I wanted a body massage, a manicure, calm music, maybe even a facial if I felt like it.I wanted to wash last night off my skin, out of my head, and pretend for a few hours that I had my life together.By noon, I was lying face down on a massage table, my body melting into the cushions as the therapist worked out every knot in my shoulders.The room smelled like lavender and eucalyptus, soft music playing in the background, and for the first time in weeks, I felt my mind go quiet.No thoughts of Damien, no thoughts of work, no thoughts of anything.Just this.An hour later, I was sitting in the pedicure area, wrapped in a plush white robe with my hair tucked under a matching head wrap.My feet were soaked in warm water while a technician filed my nails.I closed my eyes and leaned back in the chair, letting myself sink into the moment.That's when

Elena's pov"This is pathetic."I said it out loud to my empty apartment, staring at my laptop screen where I sat on my couch, refreshing my email for the third time in ten minutes.Nothing.No new messages, no updates, nothing from him.Work had been unbearable the last three days, every moment at my desk making me want to scream.It wasn't the work itself, the work was fine.It was the emptiness of it all, the dullness, the way the office felt empty without him in it.I hated that I even noticed.I hated that Damien's absence was affecting me this much, that I couldn't stop checking my phone, couldn't stop glancing at the elevator every time it opened, hoping he'd walk out.He didn't though, he was gone. And I still had absolutely no idea when he'd be back.I slammed my laptop shut and stood up from the couch.Adrian was right, I needed to get out of here and stop sitting around waiting for something that clearly wasn't coming.I grabbed my phone and pulled up his last message.Adri

Elena's pov The city was still half asleep as we drove toward the airport, the streets quieter than usual.That was when it hit me."Wait, stop the car."My driver glanced at me in the rearview mirror, his foot already moving to the brake."Ma'am?""I forgot my passport," I said, panic rising in my chest as I rummaged through my bag. "We need to go back."He nodded and made a U-turn, heading back toward my building. I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes, already annoyed with myself.How could I forget the one thing I absolutely needed for this trip?The car pulled up to my building ten minutes later, and I grabbed my bag, ready to run upstairs and grab it.That's when I saw him.Damien.He was standing in front of my building, hands in his pockets, looking up at the entrance like he'd been waiting.My pulse picked up and my palms got sweaty.I got out of the car slowly, closing the door behind me with a soft thunk. He turned at the sound, and our eyes met."Damien?" I said, my

Elena's pov *Fifteen days later*Christmas had come and gone but I could see my breath when we walked out of the airport, the air still sharp and biting against my skin.The city felt different now, quieter. Decorations still hung on buildings but most had been taken down. We were halfway home from the airport, the heater blasting as Jenna drove, when Claire twisted around in the passenger seat to look at me.They offered to come pick me up from the airport when I landed and were now driving me back home.“Welcome back, Elena,” Jenna said, keeping her eyes on the road. “While some of us were stuck with aunties asking why we’re still single, you disappeared, having the time of your life.”“Next year,” Claire said dramatically, twisting around in her seat, “I’m disappearing. No family, no traditions, none of that. I will go on a holiday trip.”Jenna snorted. “You say that every year.”Claire ignored her and turned back around, grinning at me, her eyes narrowing with interest."So, tel