All Chapters of Ruined By Mr. Cross: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7

Selene/ Elena's Pov “You really think you can walk into Cross Technologies and not get eaten alive, Miss Hale?”I looked straight at the HR woman across the desk, my pulse hammering but my smile steady. “I don’t just think it. I know it. Your luxury division needs someone who understands old money clients. That’s me.”She tapped her pen, eyes narrowing like she was trying to place my face. Good luck with that. Three years, a new name, and enough distance from New York had changed me on the outside. Inside, the hate still burned hot.“Impressive résumé,” she said finally. “Mr. Cross himself approved the final interview. He’s… particular.”My stomach twisted at his name, but I kept my voice light. “I’m counting on that.”“Most candidates sweat when they hear his name. You don’t. Why is that?” she asked, leaning forward.I shrugged with a small smile. “Because I’ve dealt with difficult men before. My previous clients were demanding, but I delivered results. I’m not here to impress anyon

Selene’s PovI barely slept.Damien’s proposal played on repeat in my head while I paced my tiny apartment. Fake marriage. The perfect weapon. I could live in his world, learn every weakness, and destroy him slowly. Make him feel the same helplessness my father felt before he died.But those eyes… the way he looked at me like he was seeing straight through the fake name. And that brief touch yesterday. I hated how it affected me.The next day I went back to his office.He was waiting, standing by the window again like some dark king surveying his kingdom.“I accept,” I said.No smile. Just a nod, like he’d expected nothing less. “We’ll announce it quietly. A whirlwind romance. The board will love the stability it signals.”I crossed my arms. “And what’s my story? Poor girl swept off her feet by the big bad billionaire?”“Something like that.” He stepped closer. “We’ll need to sell it. Dinners, events, shared living. Starting tonight.”“Tonight?”“My place. The guest wing is yours. Bri

Selene’s PovThe restaurant was exclusive, lights low, tables spaced for privacy. Damien sat across from me looking unfairly good in a tailored black suit. Cameras waited outside. This was our first public show.“You’re tense,” he said, pouring me more wine. “Relax. Or people will think I’m forcing you.”“You are forcing me, in a way,” I replied with a sweet smile for anyone watching.His mouth twitched. “You said yes.”“Because I have my reasons.”We ordered. Between courses he reached across the table and took my hand, thumb stroking my knuckles. It was for show, but my body didn’t get the memo. Heat spread up my arm.“Tell me something real about you,” he said quietly. “Not résumé stuff. Real.”I hesitated. The online version of him had asked the same thing once. I’d told him about losing my mother young, about wanting to prove myself to my father. He’d listened.“I lost someone important three years ago,” I said carefully. “It changed everything. Made me… harder.”Damien’s grip ti

Selene’s PovI woke up in the guest wing bed alone, staring at the ceiling. Damien’s kiss from last night still lingered on my lips. It wasn’t supposed to feel like that. Not real. Not good.My phone buzzed. Talia.“You okay? I heard about the restaurant photos. You two looked cozy,” she texted.I typed back quickly. “It’s part of the plan. Keep digging on Adrian.”I got dressed in a simple black dress and headed to the kitchen. Damien was already there, sipping coffee, looking too handsome in his white shirt. His jaw was tight.“Morning,” I said, pouring myself a cup.“Morning,” he replied, eyes on me. “Sleep well?”“Not really. That call from Adrian kept me up.” I sat across from him. “What’s the plan for today? You said we’re meeting your family?”He nodded. “Family house at ten. Victor’s lawyer will be there too. We need to look united. No slips.”I stirred my coffee. “United. Right. After you kissed me like that last night.”Damien set his cup down. “You kissed me back, Elena. Do