“Elena!”

The sharp sting on her cheek sent her staggering. Vanessa’s hand still hovered in the air, her lips twisted in disgust as the entire office froze.

“Who gave you the audacity to come back here?” Vanessa spat, her voice loud enough for the whole floor to hear. “You were fired yesterday, or did poverty finally scramble your brain?”

A few of the staff laughed. Some hid their smirks behind files. Elena’s hand trembled on her cheek.

“Ehmm… Alexander told me to resume.” Her voice quavered, but she forced herself to meet Vanessa’s burning eyes.

The laughter rose louder. “Did you hear that? The almighty Alexander Knight sent her?” Vanessa threw her head back, laughing like it was the funniest joke in the world. “This low-class secretary thinks she’s important now. My boyfriend told you to resume like my husband to be told you to resume, can you hear yourself.”

She turned to security. “Throw her out! Wait—” her eyes gleamed wickedly, “—give her the beating of her life first. Teach her what happens to nobodies who lie and think they can fool me.”

Two guards moved toward Elena. Her knees shook, but she stood firm.

“Enough.”

The word sliced through the office like a whip. Everyone froze. Then, heads turned all at once.

Alexander Knight had just walked in.

Sharp suit, cold aura, eyes like steel. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Every staff member scrambled to their feet. “Good morning, sir!”

Vanessa’s smugness faltered. “M-Mr. Knight, Baby, I—”

“Stop.” His gaze landed on the guards. “If you touch her, you won’t see tomorrow.”

The guards stepped back instantly.

Then Alexander’s eyes locked on Elena, cold, unreadable. “ln my office, Now!!!.”

Her heart thundered as whispers filled the air. She followed him, trembling under the weight of curious stares.

The moment the door shut, Alexander didn’t wait. He grabbed her wrist, shoved her back against the wall, and kissed her—hard, claiming every inch of her lips..

“W-What are you doing?!” Elena struggled, panic rising in her throat. “They’ll see us—”

His lips barely left hers as he growled, “Let them.”

She shoved at his chest, desperate. Her pulse was racing, her body betraying her fear and something else she refused to name. “Please, Alexander—someone could come in—” then a heavy knock came on the door.

The door rattled under furious knocks.

“Alexander! Open this door right now!” Vanessa’s voice pierced the air.

Elena froze. Her heart beating so fast it could come out of her chest.

Alexander slowly pulled back, his breathing steady, controlled. His eyes gleamed with amusement at her flushed face. “Relax," he said.

She shook her head, tears stinging her eyes. “You’re insane.”

He smirked, straightening his tie. “And you’re mine.”

“Alexander!” Vanessa’s voice cracked with rage.

“Open it,” he ordered coolly.

Her hands shook as she turned the handle. Vanessa stormed inside, eyes wild, but froze when she saw Elena standing there.

“You brought her back? After I fired her?” Vanessa’s voice dripped venom.

Alexander leaned casually against his desk, his eyes sharp as blades. “Get Out. Before I lose my temper.”

The room went still.

Vanessa’s face paled. I am your fiancée for crying out loud. She looked at him again. No one disobeyed Alexander when his tone dropped that low.

She swallowed hard, forced a brittle smile, and backed away. “Fine. But this isn’t over.” She slammed the door behind her.

Elena exhaled shakily, realizing her chance. She darted toward the door, ignoring Alexander’s amused glance.

By the time Vanessa turned to leave, she was gone.

That evening, the hospital smelled like disinfectant and sorrow. Elena sat at her son’s bedside, brushing a hand through his soft hair.

"Mummy, you said you won't wait to me at work today."

Her throat tightened. Guilt crushed her chest.

“I’m sorry, angel.” She forced a smile, kissing his forehead. “Mommy was… busy. But I promise, I’m here now. Always.”

He smiled faintly, believing her. She hugged him tight, hiding her tears in his tiny shoulder.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced down. Mom.

She hesitated, then answered.

“Elena! What kind of daughter are you?” Her mother’s voice was sharp, scolding. “Do you even care about me? Look at your sister, married to a rich businessman, always buying me gifts, sending money. And you? What have you ever given me except an unwanted bastard?”

Elena’s hand trembled around the phone. “Mom, please —”

“Don’t ‘please’ me! You’ve brought me nothing but shame. Look, let me tell you, your sister’s husband is throwing a party, and i know he will invite you, so please, please, and please, do not go there and disgrace yourself, rubbish, useless girl. ”

Immediately, the line went dead.

Her eyes burned. She set the phone down, her whole body shaking. She wanted to scream, but Sam stirred in his sleep. She swallowed her pain and kissed his forehead again.

Minutes later, her phone rang again. She flinched when she saw the caller ID. Alexander.

She ignored it. It rang again. She pressed decline.

The third time, she answered, her voice tight. “What do you want from me again ?”

“I need you tonight,” he said calmly, as if it were nothing.

“No, our deal is done.” Her voice cracked. “Whatever happened between us is over.”

She hung up before he could reply. Relief lasted only seconds. A new message arrived. A video.

Her stomach dropped as she pressed play—her own body on the screen, tangled beneath Alexander, his hands on her, her gasps filling the air.

Her blood ran cold.

Her fingers shook as she called him immediately. “What is the meaning of this?!” she shouted, voice breaking.

On the other end, his voice was low, cruel, and calm. “If you don’t want this all over the internet as tomorrow’s top news, you’ll be in my house within the next thirty minutes.”

The line went dead.

Elena’s breath caught in her throat. She clutched the phone so hard her knuckles turned white. Her chest heaved, her world collapsing around her.

She looked at Sam, sleeping peacefully.

Tears spilt down her cheeks as her lips trembled. “God… what do I do?”

Her phone buzzed again.

Tick tock. Twenty-nine minutes left.