as's unexpected visit lingered, echoing in quiet moments when she let her guard slip. She felt the growing pressure of her double

nto bed, her daughter gazed up at h

" The question was as inno

her tongue. Amelia's curiosity was natural; she was growing up, asking questions any chil

eetie?" she replied gently,

ies every night," Amelia said, her voice wist

smartest little girl, Amelia. You don't need anyone else to make you s

nto sleep. But Elara's mind wouldn't quiet. The delicate life she'd built, the careful lie she maintained

significant tasks and higher stakes, particularly when it came to managing the details of the acquisition. Synergy had long desired a

ntage, Elara knew she was steering Lucas's company closer to instability. And as satisfying as it wa

knock on her office door drew her att

e door behind him. There was an edge to his exp

chair, feigning nonchalance. "

replied, a note of frustration in his tone. "Yet every

ticed ease. "Perhaps you're reading too much into it.

now you, Elara. I know when you're being tactic

r was willing to yield. She held his gaze, her heart racing, even as her resolve hardened. She wouldn't let

cold. "But my job here is clear, and if you can't han

d feel the heat of his gaze, the intensity that had once drawn

he said, his voice barely above a whisper,

her voice steely, "that's

a step back, his gaze never leaving hers. "If that

e weight of his warning. She knew she was treading a fine line, pushing him further than perhaps she should-

oticing things she hadn't seen before. The unguarded way he looked at her when he thought she wasn't paying attention. The way his expression softened, almost imperceptibly, whenever he

fice, gazing out over the city lights. The night was cool, a gentle breeze tugging at her hair, and for a brief m

ee Lucas standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, h

ad company," she repl

avering. "Why are you doing this,

ng-to lay bare the pain, the betrayal, the long, lonely years she had endured bec

e asked, her tone deflective. "

rs. "Because it feels like there's something

he wanted to deny it, to push him away, but the truth loom

Lucas," she said quietly, "it

ade her breath catch. But then, without warning, he reached out, gently brushing

ething she couldn't quite place. "If there's something

r walls begin to crumble. But she couldn't allow herself to be vulnerable, could

er expression unreadable as she turned and w

breath. The stakes were higher than ever, the lines between revenge and vulnerability blurring

ached, she knew she would see her