"Sit, son. Breakfast is ready."

Camille motioned toward the chair beside her just as the maids moved quickly, setting dishes on the long mahogany table; toast, eggs, tea, fruit I couldn't touch.

I sat opposite him, still unsure how to breathe in the same space with the man I had sinned with.

"Thank you," he said simply, taking the seat. His voice carried quiet authority, the kind that silenced a room without effort.

Camille smiled, pleased. "You arrived late last night. Too tired to attend Andrea's engagement party. I would have loved to see you there."

"I had other matters to attend," he replied.

Harmless words, but my stomach twisted. Other matters.

Does he remember? He sounds like he doesn't. Or maybe he just hides it well.

"By the way..." Elias turned to Andrea. "Congratulations on your big day."

Andrea tossed her hair, feeding David with an exaggerated sweetness. "Thank you. My fiancé and I appreciate it."

David's eyes darted to me, awkward, guilty. I immediately looked down at my plate.

Camille poured Elias a cup of tea. "We'll have to talk about the company today."

He nodded. "I just came from there. You don't have to worry about it."

My fork slipped from my hand, clattering softly. Camille didn't notice.

Elias did. His gaze flicked toward me, too fast, like he had been watching me without looking at me.

When he spoke again, his voice was steady, almost casual. "Mara will be joining me at the company."

I froze. "Excuse me?"

He didn't even glance my way this time. "You'll be my co-CEO. You'll work with me."

Camille lifted her head, surprised. "That's sudden, isn't it? She's still...."

"She's Philip's wife," he said evenly. "Her presence stabilizes the board."

My chest tightened. "I never agreed to..."

"It isn't a request," he cut in. His tone was smooth, unraised, but final. "You start next week. I'll have your schedule sent to you."

My mouth went dry. "You can't just decide that"

"I can," he said softly. "And I have."

Silence swept across the table.

Camille sighed, folding her napkin. "He's right, dear. It's... what Philip would have wanted. For appearances, if nothing else."

Appearances.

That's all I'd ever been to this family. A ring. A headline. A placeholder.

Elias stood and pushed his chair back. "We're done here."

He left without a glance.

Andrea didn't wait a second after Elias left.

"Why are you acting like you don't want that position, Mara?" she snapped.

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.

She only sighed, annoyed, and walked away.

Camille stood next.

"Mother... please tell him I don't want that position. I don't want any of it."

She didn't even flinch.

"Remember where you are, Mara. You don't get to call me 'mother' here."

Then she left too.

I pushed my plate away. The food suddenly tasted like ash.

Halfway out the door, David's voice caught me.

"Is that how they've been treating you?"

I didn't look back. I kept walking.

I went to my room and sat on the edge of the bed, staring into nothing.

What kind of man was Elias Lawson?

How foolish of me to think he was nicer than Philip.

I groaned into my palms. I already hate him.

My phone rang-Clara.

"Baby girl," she burst out, "before you vanish again, I'm reminding you, your appointment is exactly one week from now. Don't stand me up. I will disown you."

A tiny laugh escaped me. "I won't."

"You'd better not. You've been skipping too many follow-ups."

"I know... I'll come. I promise."

A week later, I kept that promise.

The hospital smelled of antiseptic and cold air. I headed straight to Clara's office. She stood at the end of the hallway with a file in hand, one eyebrow raised.

"Mara Lawson," she said with mock sternness. "Look who finally decided not to run from her own body."

I rolled my eyes and hugged her. "I'm here, aren't I?"

"Yes, under emotional blackmail." She pulled back, studying my face. "You look tired again."

"I live in a house full of people who want me gone. Tired is my brand now."

She looped her arm through mine. "And I heard about David's engagement. I swear he's doing that out of spite."

"I don't want to talk about that."

"Fine. Let's check you before you faint on my floor. I just cleaned it."

I laughed softly and followed her inside. She shut the door and dropped the serious-doctor act.

"Okay," she said, flipping my file open. "First, your test results."

My pulse picked up. "Good or bad?"

"Both," she admitted. "You're healing, but slowly. Hormones still adjusting. Your uterus is still sensitive. You have internal inflammation."

My breath caught. "So I'm not okay."

"You're healing," she corrected. "But you're not Superwoman. No stress. No lifting. And Mara no sexual activity. None."

I groaned. "You sound like my mother."

"I sound like someone who doesn't want you bleeding on my table."

I tried to joke, but guilt pressed against my chest. Clara saw it instantly.

"What aren't you telling me?"

I looked away.

"Oh no," she said. "Start talking."

My fingers twisted. "Clara... something happened."

"When?"

"Where?"

"Why do you look guilty?" She piled questions like bullets.

I swallowed. "I slept with someone."

She blinked. "Okay. It happens. But who?"

I whispered, "At the engagement party."

Her jaw dropped. "Mara! Don't tell me it was David".

"No," I cut in. "I wouldn't let that happen. It was... someone else."

She narrowed her eyes. "Who?"

I hesitated. "It turns out... he's Philip's brother."

She froze completely.

"Mara. No. No, you didn't."

"I was drunk. I swear, I wasn't in my right mind."

"And your body wasn't healed!" she nearly shrieked. "Do you have a death wish?"

"I didn't know," I whispered. "Clara, I wasn't thinking."

Then her voice softened, serious.

"Mara. No one can ever know. Not Andrea. Not Camille. Not David. No one in that house."

"I know."

"I mean it." Her voice trembled. "For your safety, your peace, your reputation, stay away from him. Whatever happened that night, it ends there."

A lump formed in my throat. "Am I... a bad person?"

She squeezed my hand. "No you were lonely, hurting, and fate screwed you over. But now you have to protect yourself."

She exhaled softly, her tone shifting. "And you need to keep it a secret, Mara. Completely. Just like no one knows you're even here today."

I frowned, and she caught it immediately, her eyes softening.

"I know what you're thinking," she added. "And I'll say it again, it wasn't your fault that you lost Philip's baby. Your pregnancy was dangerous from the start. One day you'll explain it to them, but for now... let them believe it was a miscarriage. You don't owe anyone your pain, Mara. You've been through enough."

My throat tightened. "What would I do without you, Clara? I love you so much. God really blessed me with a best friend and a doctor in one."

She squeezed my hands gently. "I'm here anytime. Always."

When I returned to the mansion, it was late.

My stomach growled, so I slipped into the kitchen for a fruit.

The room was quiet. I sliced an apple, leaning against the counter, the dull ache in my abdomen pulsing.

I turned to grab a cup

and froze.

David stood at the doorway, hands in his pockets.

"I didn't know you were back."

How does he know I left?

"I live here," I said, avoiding his eyes.

He nodded, glancing around. "You look... tired."

"I could say the same."

The silence stretched-awkward, heavy. It's our first real conversation since the breakup.

"I heard about Philip," he said finally. "I'm sorry."

"Thank you," I whispered.

He took a small step forward. "I wanted to reach out sooner. But... it didn't feel right."

"No. It wouldn't have."

He watched me with a softened expression-familiar, almost kind.

"You deserve better than this place, Mara."

Our eyes met, and for a moment, something in his eyes softened. Familiar. Painful. Almost kind.

"Baby, I'm back. I've been looking everywhere for you!"

Andrea's voice shattered the moment as she strode into the kitchen.

David stepped back immediately, clearing his throat. "Oh... yeah."

"Yes," Andrea said, holding his arms before meeting my gaze "If you're hungry, baby, I can call the maids to prepare something for you."

I had no interest in whatever performance she was starting.

I simply walked out.

The next morning, I got ready for my first day at the company.

Elias was already in the car when I came out. I entered without a word.

The drive was painfully quiet. Elias didn't speak, not even once. I kept my gaze glued to the window, pretending I was comfortable with sharing the same space with him.

When we reached the company, he walked ahead, giving me no chance to slow down or look around. Straight into the boardroom.

Everyone stood immediately. A chorus of greetings followed. Elias took the CEO's seat at the center, and I sat on his right.

"I want to introduce Mara Lawson," he said firmly. "She'll be working alongside me here."

I noticed eyes shifting, some nodding politely, others whispering. I looked around until my gaze fell on her.

Purple dress. Sleek hair. Red lipstick too bold.

I recognized that face.

The face that kissed my husband.

Her smile was thin. Mocking.

I looked away before my anger swallowed the room.

The meeting dragged on which I didn't pay attention to. All I could think about was her, sitting there so comfortably, as if she hadn't played a role in destroying my marriage.

When it ended, Elias and I headed to the office. Our office suite was bright, modern, separated only by a glass wall.

Do I really have to share a space with him? How am I supposed to stay away like Clara warned me to?

He unscrewed a bottle of water, took a slow drink, and I stayed standing, waiting for whatever judgment he planned to deliver.

"This company is bleeding," he said finally. "I don't expect you to understand the details, but you'll do as you're told. Don't meddle. Don't interfere. And most importantly, don't embarrass the Lawson name."

I stared at him.

"So you've already decided I'm incapable of anything but destruction?"

His eyes met mine, sharp and cold. "Aren't you?"

The words stung. "You must really dislike me. Why so much hatred for someone you barely know?"

"Because my brother is dead," he raised his voice "and I don't know what part you played in it."

I froze.

What?

Does he...

Does he think I killed Philip?

"You're wrong," I forced out. "Even though I still can't remember everything from that day... one thing I know is that I loved Philip. I did not kill him."

He scoffed.

"You had enough reasons to end his life. And I regret..."

He stopped. Something shifted in his expression. Confusion? Annoyance? Maybe both. He dragged a hand through his hair and stepped closer, invading my space until I could feel the heat of him.

"Miss Lawson, what happened between us that night," he said, voice low "was a mistake. It will never happen again."

He won't win in humiliating me like this.

"What exactly happened that I supposedly can't remember?" I asked, steady and composed even though I was lying through my teeth. "Because from where I'm standing, you're the one who dragged me into this company. Now you're acting like I begged for it."

His eyes flickered in confusion. "You don't remember? Stop playing games with me."

I only stared back.

He stepped away slightly, still studying me like something wasn't adding up.

"Richard will brief you on your duties," he said finally. "You'll oversee Public Relations. You can leave."

I walked into my office and sat down, trying to steady my shaking hands.

His words replayed in my head, cutting deeper each time. My gaze fell on the iron nameplate engraved with my name.

If he suspects me...

Then why give me this position?

To watch me?

Either way, I wasn't going to let him break me.

The least I could do was prove myself.

I stood up and headed to the PR department.

Phones rang, laptops clicked, voices overlapped. They greeted me warmly, and for a moment, I admired how driven everyone looked, until my eyes landed on her.

She approached like she owned the entire floor. "Mara Lawson," she said, stopping in front of me. "We've already been informed that you'll be leading us."

"Yes," I replied calmly. "And I expect professionalism. We're here to work."

She smirked. "We've run this department for years. It isn't as simple as showing up. I doubt Philip would think you capable of handling this if he were alive. By the way, it's Vivian"

Her casual tone toward Philip made my stomach twist.

I tilted my head, matching her tone.

"If Philip trusted you so much, Vivian, the department wouldn't be in the state I found it today. Don't project your insecurities on me."

Her eyes widened-offended, furious-and I walked away before she could speak.

By evening, I finally arrived home, exhausted and emotionally drained. After freshening up, a knock came on my door.

"Come in," I said.

Margaret entered, carrying a tray. "Mrs. Lawson... I brought dinner for you."

"I didn't order anything," I said, stepping forward, then a sharp pain shot through my stomach.

She rushed to me. "Should I call someone? Are you okay Ma?"

"No. I'm fine," I said quickly. "Just... leave it there."

She hesitated, concern etched on her face, but obeyed.

I tried eating, but the pain wouldn't let me. Eventually, I lay down, letting sleep drag me under.

"Why... Did you think I wouldn't know?"

The voice dragged me out of sleep and into the nightmare I'd been running from.

I opened my eyes to find myself standing in Philip's study, the same room he died in. The same dream again. The same haunting replay... but this time, it didn't stop where it usually did. It went further.

Across the room, I saw me.

My other self-drunk, angry, shattered.

Philip stepped toward her, his voice breaking. "Mara... I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to find out this way."

I leaned forward, desperate to hear more, but the sound blurred, like the dream was muting the truth on purpose. My other self stumbled back, face twisted with hurt. Philip reached for her.

And she pushed him.

Hard.

His head slammed against the edge of the table with a sickening thud.

I jolted awake, gasping, drenched in sweat.

The dream was different this time. Sharper. More violent.

Did I kill him?

Did I really push Philip that night?

Could I have ended his life without remembering?

Maybe that's why everything is blank.

Maybe my mind is hiding something I'm not ready to face.

By dawn, my eyes burned from staying awake after the nightmare.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Philip's head hitting the table. I saw my own hands pushing him. Whether it was really my memory or madness, I couldn't tell.

I dressed slowly, still thinking of it. I needed to work myself out in the company to forget the thoughts.

Outside, the driver opened the car door for me. I slid in, waiting for Elias to join.

He didn't.

After a few seconds, I leaned forward. "Where's Elias?"

"He left very early this morning, ma'am."

I sat back, unsettled. What business did he have before sunrise?

The ride to Lawson Corporation was quiet, but my mind never was. I kept replaying the dream, the push, the possibility... the fear.

When I reached the office floor, my steps slowed.

Elias's voice drifted from his office.

His door was slightly open.

"Traces of arsenic poisoning were found in my brother's system. There should be something you can do."

My blood turned cold.

Arsenic.

He's investigating Philip's death?

I stepped closer to hear more.

"I want his medical report file" he continued. "i need it soon. so get it ready."

I forced myself to walk past as if I hadn't heard anything, but the sudden sharp pain tore through my abdomen again. This time, worse.

I tried to keep walking.

Another cramp hit, violent and sudden.

My knees wobbled. I fumbled for the pill Clara prescribed, pulling one out with trembling fingers, but my vision blurred

and everything went blank.

I woke up to white lights and cold air.

I was in the hospital.

My head felt heavy, but the pain had finally eased.

A nurse approached. "You're awake. How do you feel now, Miss?"

I sat up, touching my head.

"I'm... better," I whispered, though the weakness in my voice betrayed me. "Wh... who brought me here?"

"The doctor asked to speak with him," she said. "I can direct you to the doctor's office if you're fit to walk."

"I'm okay now. Thank you."

I pushed myself up, legs shaky, and followed her down the hall. When I pushed the doctor's door open. I froze.

Elias was inside.

Sitting.

His eyes locked onto me instantly.

The doctor cleared his throat. "Mrs. Lawson, you may join us."

I sat beside Elias.

"How are you feeling?" the doctor asked.

"I'm okay now."

He turned to Elias.

"It seems your wife is stable now."

My eyes widened, but he continued, "She needs more rest. I'll prescribe additional medication."

I felt a wave of embarrassment. I wanted to correct him, we weren't married, but no words came out. Elias said nothing either.

When we were done, I followed Elias out.

He didn't look at me.

He didn't speak.

Not in the hallway.

Not in the elevator.

Not even in the car.

The ride back to the Lawson mansion was suffocating. I kept forcing myself to say thank you, but the words stuck to my throat.

Finally, when the car stopped, I whispered, "Thank you... for taking me to the hospital."

He said nothing.

The car drove off before I could close the door.

"So rude," I muttered. "He could've nodded at least."

I sighed and headed to my room.

But when I entered, I froze.

David was inside.

"What are you doing here?"

He flinched and turned toward me.

"Mara..."

"What are you doing in my room?"

He stepped forward, closing the space between us, and I instinctively moved back, but he caught my face and kissed me. For a few seconds, shock rooted me in place before I pushed him off.

"David, stop." I shoved him away, wiping my lips, "What are you doing?"

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Mara, please"

"If we're caught together..." I began, but he cut in.

"I miss you, Mara."

My entire body went still. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't even process his words.

"This isn't the time," I said quietly. "And you shouldn't be in my room. Please leave."

"Just hear me out, Mara," he tried, stepping forward again, but froze when I backed away.

"Leave my room," I warned, final and firm.

He obeyed at last.

The moment he stepped out, I exhaled shakily. He shouldn't be doing this. He's engaged. I'm married.

Dinner arrived before I had even recovered from everything that happened earlier. I kept my gaze fixed on my plate, refusing to look in David's direction.

I heard Camille talk "Elias," she said brightly, "I thought about something. Maybe you can put David somewhere in the company. He'll soon be family or he's already family. He can start at the company with you, maybe you can help him".

God, no. The last thing I needed was David hovering around the company after what happened in my room.

Camille kept rambling on, but Elias remained silent. When I risked a glance at him, he was already staring at me-intensely. My pulse jumped. I quickly lowered my eyes again.

Once Camille finished, Elias placed his cutlery down with a harsh clatter that echoed through the dining room. Everyone instantly went quiet.

His gaze never left me.

"Mara," he said, and a chill ran down my spine. "Tell everyone why you lied about your miscarriage and hid your abortion."

Camille and Andrea both gasped.

"Wait– abortion?" Andrea repeated, voice full of disgust.

Before I could even breathe, something smacked lightly against my cheek and dropped onto my plate.

My medical report.

My whole body went cold. How did he even get it? I told Clara to keep it hidden.

Camille grabbed the paper from the table, scanned through it, and her expression shifted immediately-anger, disappointment, accusation.

My throat felt tight, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

Every pair of eyes in the room was on me.

Without another word, Elias pushed back his chair and walked upstairs without another word.

I sat there, frozen, unable to explain, unable to defend myself, unable to form a single word.

Tears gathered in my eyes.

Why here?

Why like this?

In front of everyone?