The velvet trap

, and her finances. The physical distance from Julian, coupled with the legal battles, gave her little time to reflect on the emotiona

ture. But now, for the first time in years, Elena was thinking about herself-about what she truly wanted. And as the days passed, the more s

standing in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. The reflection staring back at her was a woman transformed.

t of the long hours she had spent in meetings, in courtrooms, and on the phone, dealing with the fallout of Julian's actions. She

he wanted. She wanted to feel the power of her own desire. The hunger she had ignored for so lon

or a moment, she thought about Julian-about the way he had once made her feel desired. But that feeling had long s

nights she had spent in the past few weeks. But tonight, she wasn't going to sleep fitfully. She wasn't going to be consumed by the shadows of her past. She was going to

on the legalities, that she had neglected her own needs. But now, with the silence of the house surroundi

found freedom. She wasn't ready to dive into a relationship-not yet-but there was a part of her that hungered for int

lived for too long under someone else's shadow, fulfilling his desires, his nee

she had created in her mind. She froze, unsure of who could be at the door at this hour. H

t, standing on the other side with a stack of papers in hand. Elena's stomach tightene

trying to keep her voice s

ld. "I just wanted to make sure you received the final draft of the new agreement with the board," she

ocent, but there was an electric charge that passed between them. She couldn't explain i

er voice softer now. "Just t

hat Elena's journey was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface. She

said with a small, knowing smile. Elena watch

ef encounter. She couldn't deny that there was something between her and Maria-something that

et moments, when she was alone, Elena couldn't stop thinking about Maria. The way their hands had bru

laimed her life, her freedom, and the last thing she needed was to rush h

ears, Elena wasn't just thinking about what was expected of her, or about what she could give.

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