Bought by the Billionaire

tepped into the elevator, the skyline a blur of lights and shadows. The glass walls seemed to trap her, as if she were locked

on her independence, on building a life from nothing. The thought of surrendering even a piece of that to someone like him made her stomach turn. But the stak

ead. She could walk away, but what then? Veronica's words echoed in her head: Damien doesn't love anyone.

again, interrup

ppened? What

she explain? How could she explain the growing se

rk for him. And he's giv

ng moment before pressing send.

an't just work for him. You don

of a choice. He owns everything

swer right away, but Mi

lly. I know it's hard, but don't let him

eep into her bones. She wasn't sure if Mia's words were meant to reassure her or ma

ring her father's business, and he had made it clear that she was expected to take an active role. Each time she saw him, the tension between them see

sometimes, when their eyes met across a crowded room or in the midst of

me of the financial documents Damien had sent over, she felt a presence behind h

?" he asked, his vo

send him away as she had done in the past. But there was something in the w

he'd been reviewing. She leaned back in

ds in front of him. "You've been avoiding me," he s

Elena replied quickly.

n eyebrow.

swirl of emotions that had consumed her in the last few days.

licker of something that almost looked like un

now what you expect from me, Damien. I'm not just going

but firm. "But I need you, Elena. Not just for the company, but

building inside her. "And what

es locked onto hers, intense and unwavering. "Someone who understands what'

d it with a sarcastic laugh. "I'm a part of this? You mean I'm a cog i

g almost dangerous in the way he looked at her. But th

id quietly. "This isn't just abou

d. "Survival? What a

ney? I've already got that. What I need is someone who can help me keep this business afloat. Your father left me with

He had always been so guarded, so controlled. But in that mo

reat to the safety of her own w

f I can do this

near hers. For a brief moment, she tho

ftly. "But think about it, Elena. You're stronger

nderstand Damien Blackwood, the more she realized how little she actua

aking the moment between them. "I'll think about it,

longer than necessary. Then, as if nothing had changed, he stood and walked