y replayed in her mind, each detail as sharp as broken glass. She had seen no one, but the voice-h

breath coming in shallow gasps. It had been Ethan's voice, she was certain o

ed for it, half-expecting his name to appear on t

o? Everyone's raving about your

to reply. She needed answers-not reassurance. Shrugging off her coat, she walked into her bedroom and opened the drawer of

ntry dated just days before Ethan had shattered

conquer it together. I've never felt so

notebook shut. For

-

sight of Elena at the gallery had thrown him more than he cared to admit. She was still breathtaking, but the fire in her eyes was n

in his mind. Revenge is

e wasn't the same man she'd known either. He had spent years building walls to

him like a network of veins. Somewhere out there, Elena was thinking about him. He'd seen i

a decisive clink. If she wanted to play games

-

only company. She busied herself with organizing invoices and reviewing upcoming exhibition schedules. But her

rs weren't expected for hours. Approaching cautiously, she peered through the glass and froze.

the door and opened it just enough

" he said, his vo

ed to shut the door, but he pl

ena. Just f

allowing him inside. He looked around the gallery, his gaze lingering on

aid finally, his voice tinged with

y," she snapped. "Say

expression unreadable. "I neve

fenses rising. "Funny. You had

t steady. "I made mistakes, but there were thin

upted. "I'm not inter

is isn't about excuses, Elena. It's about t

walked away? Why you destroyed everything we built toge

?" he ask

ken. Elena's heart raced, but she refused to

said, her voice

and left without another word. The door clicked shut behind him

-

greeted each visitor with practiced ease. But beneath her composed exterior, she felt

ller pieces. He was tall, with dark hair and an air of quiet intensity. Wh

d, his voice smooth. "It's rare

cautious but intrigued.

" he said, ex

h disdain by Ethan. This was the man who had once been his closes

she said, masking her un

idening. "I've been following your career for so

y, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful wh

ons than answers. Who was Victor Hale, really? And why did it feel lik

-

e poured herself a glass of wine and sank into the plush armchair by the window, she replayed every word Victor had s

s. She picked it up, expecting another message from Sophia. Instead, the sc

el

hick and oppressive. Just as she was ab

have stayed

. She stared at the phone, her hands sh

ched crept over her. She