CHAPTER 11

ELARA POV The ringing tone was short. "Julian Sterling," a voice answered on the other end, sounding crisp and alert despite the late hour. "It’s Elara Thorne," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I stood by the window, watching the reflection of the silver envelope on the coffee table. There was a brief pause, followed by a low, pleasant chuckle. "I didn't expect you to call so soon, Elara. I take it you received my package?" "I did. Thank you." I paced the length of the living room, my heels clicking softly on the marble. "Is the offer actually real? Alaric said you were only doing it to get back at him." "Alaric thinks the world revolves around his boardroom," Julian replied smoothly. "Does it matter why I offered it if the opportunity is good for you? My firm handles some of the biggest estate transitions in the city. You have the Thorne name and, I assume, the Thorne brains. You’d be an asset, not a charity case." I stopped pacing. "He won't like it. He’s already told

Last Updated : 2026-04-22

CHAPTER 12

ELARA POV Monday morning felt different. Usually, I woke up to the quiet hum of the penthouse and the looming shadow of Alaric’s expectations. But today, I had a destination that wasn't dictated by him. I dressed carefully in a navy blue dress and a blazer, checking my reflection one last time. I looked like someone who had a purpose. When I stepped into the kitchen, Alaric was already there, leaning against the island with a cup of coffee. He didn't have his usual tablet or newspapers. He was just watching the door. "The driver is waiting," he said. His voice was flat, devoid of the heat from our argument two days ago. "I’m taking the subway," I replied, grabbing my bag. "If I’m paying rent and working for a paycheck, I’m not using your private car to get there." Alaric set his coffee down. "It’s raining, Elara. Don't be difficult for the sake of being difficult." "It’s called being independent. You should be happy. It’s one less thing for you to manage." I walked toward the f

Last Updated : 2026-04-23

CHAPTER 13

ELARA POV The morning after Alaric’s revelation about Julian felt like walking through a minefield. I sat in the dining area, staring at a piece of toast I couldn’t bring myself to eat. The documents Alaric had mentioned—the supposed proof of Julian’s betrayal—were all I could think about. Alaric entered the room, already wearing his suit jacket, though his tie was draped loosely around his neck. He looked at my untouched plate and then at me. "You’re not eating," he noted, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "I’m thinking about what you said," I replied, looking up. "If Julian really leaked that information, why haven't you shown the press? Why hasn't he been sued?" Alaric sat across from me, the steam from his coffee rising between us. "Because in the world of high finance, proving intent is nearly impossible. He didn't send a press release from his official email, Elara. He used middle-men. It takes months to trace that kind of paper trail. If I move too early, he’ll just sl

Last Updated : 2026-05-01

CHAPTER 14

ELARA POV The monitor on the wall showed Julian standing in the lobby, looking casual but impatient. He was wearing a light jacket, a contrast to the sharp suits he usually wore at the office. "What is he doing here?" I whispered, my heart hammering against my ribs. The blue folder on the bar felt like it was glowing, a neon sign of our betrayal. "Checking his investment," Alaric said. He grabbed the folder and shoved it into a hidden drawer behind the bar. He turned to me, his hands gripping my shoulders. "Elara, listen to me. You have to be perfect. If he sees even a hint of what we just talked about, the whole thing falls apart. Can you do that?" I took a deep breath, trying to steady my shaking hands. "I... I think so." "Don't think. Know." He brushed a stray hair from my face, his touch briefly softening before he stepped back and pressed the intercom. "Send him up." We stood in the living room as the elevator chimed. When the doors opened, Julian stepped out with a wide, e

Last Updated : 2026-05-02

CHAPTER 15

ELARA POV Tuesday morning arrived with a stillness that felt entirely different from the day before. The memory of the kiss remained in the space between us, an unspoken shift that neither of us acknowledged when we met in the kitchen. Alaric was at the island, his laptop open, his tie perfectly knotted once more. The vulnerable man from the night before had been neatly tucked away beneath a fresh charcoal suit. "You're taking the car today," Alaric said, his voice flat as he kept his eyes on his screen. "Marcus is driving. No arguments." I poured myself a glass of juice, my fingers steady this time. "Fine. But he drops me off a block away from Julian’s office. I don't need the whole security detail drawing attention." Alaric looked up, his dark eyes tracking my movements. The professional mask was firm, but there was a tightness around his mouth that hadn't been there last week. "One block. No further. And you keep your phone on your desk where you can see it." "I know the dr

Last Updated : 2026-05-17

CHAPTER 16

ELARA POV I didn’t wait for Julian to respond or for the two men in suits to protest. I grabbed my bag from the floor and stood up so fast my chair scraped loudly against the hardwood. Alaric didn't move from the doorway. He stood there like an anchor, his eyes locked on me until I crossed the length of the room and stopped right beside him. Marcus immediately stepped into the space between me and the conference table, his large frame blocking Julian’s view of me. "Alaric," Julian said, his voice dropping its oily warmth, replaced by a cold, jagged edge. He stood up slowly, tossing his phone onto the mahogany table. "You’re trespassing. This is a private corporate meeting." "It was a corporate meeting," Alaric corrected, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. He signaled to one of the men beside him, who stepped forward and placed a stamped, blue-sealed document on the table directly over the leather folders. "As of ten minutes ago, a federal injunction has frozen all secondary a