THE BILLIONAIRE WHO THREW AWAY HIS VIRGIN WIFE 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 was still at my desk when my phone lit up with a name I hadn’t seen in weeks.Sophie.We had been friends since college. She had come to the engagement party, sent a warm message after the wedding announcement, and then gone quiet like most people did once the public story about the separation started circulating. I stared at the screen for a second before answering.“Sophie?”“Finally,” she said. “You picked up. I was starting to think you’d permanently changed your number or decided the entire city needed a break from you.”“I’ve been keeping things small. Work. Home. Not much else.”“I figured. Listen, I’m in your neighborhood for a work thing that ended early. Can I come by? I don’t need a long visit. I just want to see your face and make sure you’re still breathing in a non-metaphorical way.”I almost said no out of habit. The idea of explaining anything, even by accident, made my shoulders tighten. Then I realized I didn’t actually want to say no.“I’m at the offic

Elena’s povI was in the kitchen when Mom set her phone down harder than usual.“What?” I asked.She hesitated, then turned the screen toward me. “Marcus Voss called the landline. He said he was trying to reach you and your mobile went straight to message.”I stared at the name on the display. Alexander’s cousin. The one who had been civil at the wedding and quiet ever since.“What did he want?”“He didn’t say much. Only that he was checking whether you were all right and whether you needed anything handled on their end. I told him you were fine and that any further contact should go through the lawyers.”I sat down at the table. “He called here. After more than a week of complete silence from Alexander.”“Yes. I thought you should know. I also thought you should know I didn’t give him any details. No address. No update. Nothing he could use.”I rubbed my thumb along the edge of the table. “Why would he call now? The papers are filed. Alexander has been completely silent. No messages

Elena’s povMy manager stopped at my desk first thing Monday morning with a folder and a look that meant business.“Elena. The Mercer proposal got moved up. The client wants the full analysis and recommendations by Thursday at noon. I need someone who can stay locked in and not drop details. Are you up for it?”I looked at the folder, then at her. “Yes.”“It’s going to mean long days. Possibly late nights. If it’s too much right now, say so. I can reassign.”“It isn’t,” I said. “I want it. Give me the full load.”She studied me for a second, then set the folder down. “All right. Rachel’s on the supporting data. You’ll lead the recommendations. Check in with me at the end of day tomorrow so I know where we stand. If anything starts slipping, flag it early.”“Understood. I’ll keep you updated.”As soon as she walked away I opened the folder and started reading. The project was dense, market numbers, competitor notes, three different scenarios the client wanted weighed. It was the kind

Elena’s povI went back to the library on Thursday evening after work. The late hours were quieter, just as the librarian had said. I found the same table near the back, set my bag down, and pulled out the novel I still hadn’t finished. For a while the only sounds were pages turning and the occasional soft roll of a book cart in another aisle.I was reaching for a pencil to mark a page when I realized the reference book I needed, the one on local zoning history I had seen listed in the catalog, it was not on the open shelves. I walked to the desk.The librarian from my first visit looked up. “Help you?”“I’m looking for the municipal planning volume that covers the east district redevelopment. The catalog says it’s in reference, but I can’t find it on the shelf.”She typed something, frowned, then glanced past me. “I think someone already has it out. Daniel—do you still have the east district planning book?”I turned. A man a few tables over looked up from a spread of papers and an o

Elena’s povI was folding laundry on the living room floor when Mom came in from the kitchen and stood watching me longer than usual.“You’ve been quiet the last few days,” she said.“I’ve been working. And going to the library. I’m fine.”“I didn’t ask if you were fine.” She sat in the armchair across from me. “I said you’ve been quiet. There’s a difference. Fine is what you say when you don’t want anyone looking closer.”I kept folding a shirt that didn’t need that much attention. “I’m just tired. The Mercer follow-up took more energy than I expected. That’s all.”“Elena.” Her voice was calm but firm. “Look at me.”I set the shirt down and did.“You’re making yourself small again,” she said. “I watched you do it after your father left. I watched you do it