Elena

The morning light filtered in through the curtains. Too bright. Too sharp.

I dragged myself out of bed after barely a few hours of sleep. My mother's incessant cough had kept me awake most of the night.

In the kitchen Sophie lay sprawled across the floor, her crayons scattered around her. She looked up with her big, grey-blue eyes. Just like him and smiled.

"Mommy, can I come with you to the party?" she asked innocently.

My chest tightened. The staff must have been whispering about it.

"No you can't baby, it's not for little girls like you," I said lightly ruffling her hair.

She pouted, then went back to coloring; thankfully, she didn't press further about it.

The bitter steam of the coffee I had in the kitchen did nothing to calm the dread curling in my stomach.

I pushed gently on the door to my mother's room, balancing a tray of green tea and

toast. The curtains were drawn halfway letting in little brightness over the room.

"Mom," I said softly and set the tray on the bedside table.

Her eyes fluttered open, tired but warm.

"Elena."

She needed assistance so I propped her up with pillows against the headboard and placed the cup in her hands. She sipped slowly and handed it back to me.

"I know you're angry at your brother," she said. Not a question.

"He wants to marry me off to a man I barely know. No, this isn't just anger Mum, it's betrayal."

Her hand covered mine, frail but insistent. "Liam made mistakes. He took the wrong risks that didn't end well for him, but he is still your brother. Everything he does right now is just out of desperation."

I bit back a bitter laugh. "But that does not make it right."

"No," she agreed softly, "It makes it human. Elena, don't harden your heart against him, try and see the weight he's carrying, please my daughter."

Tears stung at the back of my eyes. "And what about the weight you want me to carry?"

Her voice cracked. "Sometimes love means sacrifice. Even when it breaks you.

I looked away, blinking back tears because I couldn't let her see how deep those words cut."

Sophie was still busy with her colors by the time I came back downstairs. I felt a pang of guilt knowing that I hadn't really spent enough time with her since we arrived.

"Sophie, do you want to go outdoors with mummy?"

Her head shot up, and with the biggest smile on my face. "Yes, I want to."

The rest of the morning was spent with Sophie admiring different exotic flowers in the garden and playing hide and seek, oh how I'd missed this.

We were halfway up the stairs when the slam of the front door startled me. A moment later Liam's voice filled the hallway.

"Elena?"

I sighed. What does he want?

"I need to see you in my study, now?"

"Sophie can you go up to the room mummy will join you soon"

"Okay."

He was already seated behind his desk when I walked in. I didn't even bother to sit.

"You're ready for tonight?" he asked, although it sounded more like an instruction than a question.

"I wasn't planning on it."

His face tightened. "Julian Marks wants you as his date tonight. You don't want to embarrass the family or mother."

I crossed my arms. "Funny how I'm the one trying to be embarrassing when it was you," I pointed a finger at him, "who got us in this mess in the first place."

His head shot up.

"Yes, I know you got involved in shady business deals and lost a lot of money."

His eyes narrowed, a flicker of guilt quickly masked with steel. "And that's why I'm trying to get us out of this mess." He replied in a cold voice.

"Oh please, by offering me up?"

"Everything we have left right now is because of him. So yes, Elena, you're going. And you'll smile while you do it."

"I would never forgive you for doing this to me." My voice broke.

"You don't need to, make sure you're ready by seven."

The dress clung to me like liquid moonlight, every curve smothered, every flaw hidden. In that moment, I could swear the woman staring back at me through the floor-length mirror was a model stepped out of a magazine cover.

She looked regal, perfect... untouchable.

But I knew better, underneath the silk and lace was just me, tired, anxious, and scared.

"Mummy?"

I turned. Sophie stood in the doorway, her small hands clutching her teddy, eyes wide in disbelief.

Her face lit up. "You look like a princess."

My throat tightened. "Really?"

She nodded eagerly, her curls bouncing as she came to have a closer look. "The most beautiful princess, prettier than the ones in my storybook."

I laughed softly, despite the ache in my chest. "That's quite the compliment."

She reached up, fingertips brushing over the diamond stones on the dress. "Can I come with you? Please?"

I crouched, gathering her into my arms, inhaling the soft smell of shampoo that clung to her hair. "Not tonight, my love. It's a party only for grown-ups."

Her little brow furrowed. "But I won't be there to always tell you that you're beautiful."

I kissed her cheek quickly, hiding the sting in my eyes. "I'll just have to remember what you said," I whispered, hiding the crack in my voice.

Sophie beamed, utterly convinced. "Promise me you won't forget."

"I promise," I said, holding her tighter as if she could anchor me against the storm I was walking into.

The ballroom glittered with high chandeliers, exquisite decorations, and laughter. Music swelled, drowning out the erratic pounding of my heart.

Julian Marks was ten years older than me,

Polished shoe, hair never out of place, the picture of success to every mother. But to me, all that polish felt like glass, cold and hard if you dared to press too close.

His smile never reached his eyes, and his gaze lingered on me. Not in a way of admiration but more like ownership.

"You look exquisitely beautiful tonight Elena." He said, his eyes devouring me.

"Oh thank you," I muttered.

"I'm sure no one would be able to keep their eyes off you," he said with a smirk.

I couldn't think of a response to that so I kept silent instead.

He looked proud as many heads turned in our direction immediately we stepped in.

I forced my chin up and pasted on a smile. I could survive just this one night of pretence I told myself.

He greeted a few people he knew, and all I could do was follow him around, smiling at people I had no interest in knowing.

I excused myself to go have some drinks at the bar, anything to get away from him.

And then I felt it, eyes... heavy. Burning.

My gaze lifted across the room.

And there he was.

Greyson Hale.

Five years older. Broader shoulder. Eyes harder. And still somehow, the boy who owned my heart.

The air left my lungs.

Greyson

My office door opened and Adrian strolled in without waiting, holding food boxes.

"I brought takeouts," he announced, holding up the boxes. "You need to consume something other than liquor."

"I know doc." I rolled my eyes.

He sat down across my desk and opened the boxes. The aroma made my stomach growl.

He raised an eyebrow with an annoying smirk.

I shot him a 'you better say nothing look.' "Aren't you supposed to be working?"

"I left early to prepare for the gala. Remember?"

"You're more excited about this gala than I am."

"Of course, I'm not the one who will run into the once love of his life."

"Very funny," I replied sarcastically.

"You have to relax man, she might not even recognize you."

"Like hell she wouldn't."

We ate the rest of the food and Adrian cleared the empty packs.

"Got to run, still have some business to attend to"

"Alright, thanks for the takeout."

"Anytime."

It was noon, and I still had a half-done sketch on my desk. I dragged a hand through my hair. The possibility of seeing her tonight had pulled my mind away from work all day.

A soft knock at the door brought me out of my reverie.

"Come in."

Bridget stepped in. "Just got off the phone with the technician, the final lighting would be installed tomorrow, and the furniture in the second board room would all be in place tomorrow."

"Good, so we're done with setup?"

"Yes boss, the cleaning company would also be coming over by the weekend."

"That's good, inform HR that everyone should come in by Monday. We're set."

"Thank heavens, this place was starting to feel like a ghost town."

"I liked it."

"I'm not even a bit surprised."

"Is that all?"

"Yes boss, I'm done for the day. Would you be needing anything else?"

"No. I will head home soon."

"Okay, would you be coming in tomorrow?"

"Don't think so, send any messages to my email."

"Will do boss, see you on Monday."

I opened my laptop, checked for important emails, replied to some, and closed it.

I headed home.

Blueprints and unfinished sketches were scattered all over my desk in front of me but the lines refused to make sense. I pinched the bridge of my nose and just then my phone buzzed.

"Mr Hale, please don't tell me you're still in that office. It's well past eight."

"I'm home, Bridget. I'm not a total workaholic."

"Mm. You know you are."

I swirled the drink in my glass. "Do you have anything for me?"

"Well just checking in to be sure you're not ditching the gala."

"Thinking of it."

"Not a chance. The tuxedo's already been delivered, and you'll look devastating. Also, try not to scowl too much."

"Scowling is the only thing that gets me through these events."

She chuckled. "If you say so, just make sure you scowl in style."

"Yes ma'am"

"Goodnight boss, have a great time."

I poured myself another drink and stepped onto the balcony of my penthouse apartment that overlooked the city lines.

No matter the occasion, events were never my thing, but I couldn't avoid them, mostly the ones that led to zeros being added to my account were involved.

Inside my phone buzzed again. A message from Adrian.

"You're still down for the gala right?"

"Can't back out now."

"Good, see you there."

The drive to the gala would take well over forty minutes. I might as well get ready, so I headed to the shower.

The car hummed smoothly along Newport's bright lit street, headlights sweeping across exquisite buildings. I tugged at my tie, the damn thing felt like a rope.

Bridget's voice crackled through the speaker. "On your way?"

I exhaled. "Yes."

"Ok. Just making sure you didn't find an excuse to cancel at the last minute.

I sighed. "Happy?"

"You bet. I'm surprised you let the driver pick you up instead of sneaking in behind the wheel."

"Not in the mood for control tonight."

"That's the scariest thing you've said all week," she teased. "Also, try to smile when you get there. The ladies might faint if you look approachable."

I glanced out the tinted window. My reflection stared back at me, older, sharper carrying weights I hadn't shaken.

"What's worth smiling about?"

Bridget sighed on the line. "Who knows? Maybe you might find it tonight."

The call clicked off, leaving only the hum of the engine and my heart pounding.

I leaned back against the leather seat, adjusting my cufflinks. This was going to be one hell of a night and I knew it. The kind that would tear open old wounds I'd thought were buried.

And deep down the thought of seeing her again terrified me.

The driver eased the car to a halt in front of the hotel's entrance. Camera flashes exploded as couples stepped out of sleek black exotic cars. I tugged at my cufflinks and masked my expression into one expected of me. Control. Untouchable.

Inside the ballroom, chandeliers spilled gold light over marble floors. The air was filled with perfumes, champagne, and politics.

A waiter approached. "Welcome."

I nodded, taking the offered glass of champagne, I had no interest in drinking.

In the last five minutes, I had shaken too many hands, endured many hollow compliments, and faked plenty of smiles.

I let the conversations wash over me, nodding at a few faces I recognized, old acquaintances, investors, wives whose smiles lingered for too long.

The first twenty minutes were predictable.

"Greyson Hale as I live and breathe. You've built quite an empire since your father's days."

I offered a polite nod. "Some of us prefer to let the work speak louder than the name."

The older man chuckled. "And it definitely has. Newport hadn't seen such designs in years. I visited one of your developments last month and I was amazed."

I allowed the faintest curve of a smile. "I take pride in what I do."

"Excellent. Designs like yours are rare to see these days."

"I don't just stack bricks, I build structures people want to live in and experience, not just to pass through."

The man's eyes shone with interest.

"Exactly why you should be the one I talk to on this. There's a waterfall project about to break ground, and it needs someone with vision. I'd like to have you on this, will have my assistant send the details."

I raised my glass slightly letting the liquid touch the light. "I'll take a look, and if it's worth it, I'll get back to you."

He laughed nervously relieved. "Very well, I'll be in touch."

And with that, he drifted into the crowd.

Adrian had said half the city would be here and he wasn't wrong. Every significant name in Newport was in attendance.

Speaking off... Why haven't I seen him?

I drifted towards the edge of the crowd, scanning faces while avoiding eye contact, I had no interest in making small talk.

And then...

By the bar, across the glittering room. I saw her.

Back turned at first, long waves of hair cascading down her back, golden light catching the smooth curve of her shoulder.

A drink in hand, her posture poised.

Elena.

My chest tightened. She hadn't seen me yet, but I saw every inch of her, and in that instant, five years collapsed into dust.

She lifted her head, eyes scanning the room as if searching for an escape.

And then finally her gaze collided with mine.

The rest of the ballroom fell away.