James drove through the rain with no destination in mind. Just away. Away from Harrison's estate, away from Elena's tears, away from the truth that had shattered everything he thought he knew.His windshield wipers beat a rhythm that matched his pulse—fast, frantic, trying desperately to clear what couldn't be cleared. Rain blurred the world outside until nothing was distinct, nothing was real except the road ahead and the emptiness consuming him from inside.He drove for an hour. Maybe two. Time felt meaningless.Eventually, muscle memory guided him to an address Marcus had mentioned once in passing—weeks ago, before everything fell apart. A medical facility Marcus funded. The place he'd said James could use if he ever needed space to think, to work, to breathe.James pulled up to an unmarked building in the medical district. Nothing distinguished it from the warehouses and office buildings surrounding it except the discreet entrance and the faint glow of lights from within.He sat i

Five days.Elena had lasted five days before the need to see James, to try to fix what she'd broken, became unbearable. She'd promised herself she'd give him space. She'd tried to respect his silence, to let him process the betrayal on his own terms.But five days felt like five years.She drove to the clinic at nine in the morning, having gotten the address from her father's private files. Marcus would be furious when he found out, but Elena was past caring about his approval.The building looked unremarkable from the outside—just another medical facility in a district full of them. But somewhere inside, James was there. Breathing the same air. Existing in the same world, even if he wanted nothing to do with her anymore.Elena pushed through the door and approached the reception desk. A young woman looked up with a professional smile that faltered when she saw Elena's expression."I need to see James Caldwell," Elena said.The receptionist hesitated. "Do you have an appointment?""No

James woke to his phone vibrating continuously. He'd made the mistake of turning it back on the night before, and now thirty-seven text messages appeared in rapid succession.Most were from people he barely knew. Former acquaintances. Medical colleagues. Even patients. All sending the same thing: links to gossip articles with photos of him and Sophia."Reconciliation in the Works?""James Caldwell Back with Ex-Wife?""Sterling Heiress Replaced by Former Flame?"James stared at the photos. The angle made everything look intimate—Sophia leaning close as they talked, the hug goodbye captured at exactly the wrong moment. To anyone who didn't know the truth, it looked like a romantic reunion."No," James muttered. "No, no, no."He pulled up Elena's contact and hit call before he could overthink it.The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. Then her voicemail picked up."Elena, those photos aren't what they look like," James said quickly. "Sophia and I just talked. As friends. That's all. No

Day fourteen.Elena drove to Harrison's estate with white knuckles and blurred vision. She'd barely slept in two weeks. Barely eaten. The business ran itself while she unraveled.She didn't knock. Just pushed through the front door like a woman drowning.Harrison stood in the foyer—recovered enough now to walk with only a cane. His eyebrows rose."Elena," he said carefully. "What are you doing here?""I need to see James." Her voice cracked on his name. "Please. I can't keep doing this."Harrison's expression softened. "He's not here.""I don't believe you." Elena moved toward the stairs. "Please, just let me—"She pushed past him, desperation overriding propriety. Started checking rooms. Study. Library. Guest bedroom."James!" she called out, voice breaking. "James, please!"Victoria appeared at the top of the stairs, concern etched across her face."Elena, stop." Victoria descended quickly, catching Elena's arm. "He's not here. Grandfather isn't lying to you."Elena spun, frantic. "

Day eighteen.Sterling Tech was hemorrhaging money, reputation, and stability in equal measure.The boardroom had become a war zone. Twelve executives sat around the table with varying degrees of panic and rage etched on their faces."Stock is down twenty-three percent," one of them said, voice tight. "We're fielding calls from shareholders every hour. The media is tearing us apart. We need decisive action."Another board member stood. "We're calling a vote of no confidence. Miss Sterling is clearly unfit to lead during this crisis—"Marcus slammed his hand on the table."You'll do no such thing," he said, voice dangerously quiet. "She's my daughter, and she's doing what's right.""What's right?" The board member's face flushed red. "She's destroying everything you built!""Everything Catherine built on lies," Marcus corrected. "Elena is cleaning up our family's mess. I stand with her."But even as he said it, Marcus looked worried. Dark circles under his eyes. Hands that shook slight