"Where did you go?" He questioned, not bothering to adjust his unbuttoned shirt. I had run away but here I was coming to apologize for my actions. "You think you can come and go as you please?" His fingers pressed against my cheeks, firm but not painful, forcing me to meet his gaze. "No, I-I," I stammered, but before I could finish, his lips almost grazing mine, he interrupted, his tone ice-cold. "You will go home this instant," he spoke, his face dark. "And you'll stay there till I get back," he barked out his orders, his eyes boring into mine. "Who do you think you are to order me around," I thought to respond but my lips wouldn't make a sound. I didn't fight back. I couldn't. Without another word, I turned and walked away, his gaze searing into my back. ~~~~~~~~~~ Â After a steamy night with a sexy stranger, Elena finds out she is pregnant. She is sent abroad to study by her father. Unknown to her, when she comes back five years later her father arranged for her to marry Damien Landon, the illegitimate son of a powerful family. Feeling caged in a loveless marriage and finding out her husband has another woman, Elena decided to run away but the past she ran away from followed after her. Things get complicated when she meets her Ex Cornell Grey, who has now become a charming billionaire. He set his sights again on Elena, trying to win her back. Torn between the two powerful men asking for her back and haunted by secrets of her past, Elena must navigate love, betrayal, and the cost of a marriage built on lies.
Chapter 1 Prologue.
Prologue.
Elena's POV
"Who's Elena Kingston?" The question hung in the air and my breath hitched. Why would the CEO's PA be looking for me? I wondered, getting quickly to my feet.
"Me," I raised my hand hurriedly, getting to my feet. I could feel my insides tangle into knots as everyone's eyes were on me.
"You're needed in the CEO's office," the PA, a slim haughty woman everyone called Clara said. "He's going to be taking over the 'Houston Project,' she revealed a piece of shocking news.
"I..." the words lodged in my throat and for a moment all I could do was stare. I quickly caught myself, rushing to pack the files I'd worked on through the night before I rushed out of the office behind her.
I clutched the project file tighter, and my fingers felt damp against the smooth leather as I followed the PA through a maze of glass walls and neutral décor.
One month. That's how long I'd been here-long enough to blend into the background, unnoticed, unbothered. Just the way I wanted it.
"His office," Clara said, stopping abruptly. "He'll be overseeing the project with you. He's waiting for you," she glanced at me.
I nodded, my throat tightening. I hadn't had reason to meet the CEO yet but whispers about his ruthlessness had reached every corner of the building.
I rolled my eyes secretly. Perfect. Exactly what I needed-a demanding boss breathing down my neck.
I pushed the door open.
He was seated in his chair with his back facing me, his eyes fixed on the impressive skyline view.
"Good afternoon, sir," I said, trying to make my voice sound as professional as I could.
Silence greeted me. Feeling awkward, I cleared my throat and stepped forward, placing the file on his desk. "This is the report on the-"
"Quiet," he snapped, cutting me off. I froze, my heart skipping a beat and I wondered if I'd done something wrong.
I saw him raise his cell phone to his ear, he was on a call? I hesitated for a moment before I turned to leave, not wanting to listen in on his conversation.
"Did I ask you to leave?" I paused, the familiar voice freezing me to the spot.
My breath caught as I turned. The chair rotated on its wheel, revealing the face of the CEO.
Him? The sight of him knocked the air out of my lungs and I could feel the blood drain from my face.
How could it be him? I wondered, my gaze fixed on him. The man I'd sworn to forget. The man I once called my husband.
What was he doing here? Last I remembered he was working at his father's company.
I quickly arranged my features to be cool and calm. I didn't want the fear and shock that gripped me to sip through my expressions. I was no longer the woman he knew months ago. "Your PA asked me to present the project details to you," I forced myself to meet his gaze squarely.
"You..." his eyes widened with shock. "What games are you trying to play, Elena?"
Before I could respond, he stood and rounded the desk, grabbing my wrist.
"Sir, what are you-"
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you caused me with your actions?" His voice was heavy with a bitterness I hadn't expected.
"I..." I hesitated for a split second contemplating what next to do before I yanked my hand back, my mask of calm slipping back into place.
My thoughts were a mess and in a state of panic, the words, "I don't know what you're talking about. We've never met before today," trailed off my lips instinctively as a means of self protection.
I had started a lie I had to see through to the end.
His lips twisted into a smirk, one that sent shivers down my spine. "Really?"
Before I could react, his lips crashed onto mine. The kiss was searing, infuriatingly familiar, and I bit down hard. He pulled back, wincing, and the sound of my palm striking his face echoed through the room.
"What are you doing?" I snapped, chest heaving. I was careful to keep my expression disgruntled but I secretly felt happy at the feeling of slapping him.
He deserved it... And more.
"What..." His expression faltered-confusion and disappointment flashing briefly before he masked it. "You really don't know who I am?"
"No," I moved away from him, wiping my lips. "Why did you do that sir?"
"You..." Damien shuddered, his expression changing. "You may leave," he said finally, his tone hollow.
"Yes," I turned quickly, relief washing over me as my hand gripped the door handle.
"Wait."
I froze, glancing back. His eyes were sharper now, calculating. "I want you in my office tomorrow morning with additional details on the project."
"Yes, sir."
I left without looking back, my mind a chaotic swirl of thoughts.
My pulse was still racing when I reached my desk. But I'd made up my mind. If my leaving had shaken something in him, I wouldn't let it affect me. He made his choice long ago, and I wasn't about to fall for him again.
I would keep up this act. I would act like I didn't know him.
But the lingering burn of his kiss and the look in his eyes told me this was far from over.
Chapter 1 Prologue.
17/03/2025
Chapter 2 1: The Wedding
17/03/2025
Chapter 3 2: No Change
17/03/2025
Chapter 4 3: A Friend
17/03/2025
Chapter 5 4: Embarrassing
17/03/2025
Chapter 6 5: unwanted help
17/03/2025
Chapter 7 6: My surprise
17/03/2025
Chapter 8 7: ESCALATING TENSIONS
17/03/2025
Chapter 9 8: Breaking Free
17/03/2025
Chapter 10 9: Taken Flight At Dawn
17/03/2025
Chapter 11 10: Confrontations
17/03/2025
Chapter 12 11: A Safe Place
17/03/2025
Chapter 13 12: Strings Attached
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Chapter 14 13: Confrontations
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Chapter 15 14: Tense Encounter
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Chapter 16 15: Â Misjudgments
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Chapter 17 16: Crossroads Of Deception
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Chapter 18 17: Off To A Bumpy Start
17/03/2025
Chapter 19 18:Â Confrontation
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Chapter 20 19:Â Still Scarred
17/03/2025
Chapter 21 20 Shocking Encounter
23/03/2025
Chapter 22 21: Shifting Power
23/03/2025
Chapter 23 22: In confusion
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Chapter 24 23: Holding On To Her Nerve
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Chapter 25 24: Audacity
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Chapter 26 25: Clash Of Interests
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Chapter 27 26 Leap Of Faith
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Chapter 28 27: Frayed Emotions
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Chapter 29 28: Unforeseen Circumstances
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Chapter 30 29: Ghastly Incident
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Chapter 31 30 And She Didn't Know A Thing
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Chapter 32 31: Missing Pieces
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Chapter 33 32: Past And Present
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Chapter 34 33 Unraveling Schemes
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Chapter 35 34 The Place Where Paths Diverged
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Chapter 36 35 Nervous Energy
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Chapter 37 36 The CEO's Pet
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Chapter 38 37:Â He's A Savage
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Chapter 39 38Â A Different Shade Of Him
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Chapter 40 39: Conflicted Hearts
23/03/2025