Elena’s heart pounded as the taxi screeched to a stop in front of Alexander’s mansion. She paid with trembling fingers and rushed inside, ignoring the guards who bowed stiffly. Her heels echoed against the tiled floor, her chest tightening with every step until she reached his room.

She pushed the door open and leaned against it, breathless.

Alexander’s lips curved. “Wow. You’re here faster than I imagined. Her voice shook. “Delete the video.”

He tilted his head, sipping his drink casually. “Baby girl, don’t be in such a hurry. Sit down, and relax. Let’s have… fun. We’ll talk later.”

Her knees wobbled, but she stood firm. “I’m not doing anything with you. Mr. Alexander, please—delete it and let me go.”

A slow smirk tugged at his mouth. “I love your boldness. But tell me—what if the world sees your body all over the news? What if your precious son—Sam, right?—with his weak little heart, watches his mother in bed with me?”

Her breath caught, and she screamed, “Stop!” Tears blurred her vision. “Please stop.”

He rose from his chair, towering over her. “He’ll be so ashamed… maybe die instantly from shock. Tragic, isn’t it?”

Elena dropped to her knees, palms pressed together. “Please. I’m sorry for the way I spoke to you. Just… delete it. Please.”

His eyes darkened, voice cold. “Unless you become my mistress, the video stays.”

Her heart shattered. “No—”

He raised his phone, thumb hovering. “Thirty seconds. Decide. Or I hit post.” “Alexander, please—”

“Twenty.”

Her tears fell harder. “I can’t… I can’t leave my son tonight. His surgery is tomorrow.” She bowed her head. “Please. Let me be there. I’ll do whatever you want. Tomorrow night. I swear.”

He watched her break down in tears, his gaze sharp, calculating. Then, he slipped his phone back into his pocket. “Fine. Tomorrow night. Don’t test me again.”

She scrambled to her feet, thank him, and left.

At the hospital, Elena lay beside Sam, clutching his tiny hand as he slept peacefully.

The next morning, she watched them wheel him into surgery. Every minute dragged like eternity. She whispered silent prayers, her nails digging into her palms.

Four hours later, the doors opened.

The doctor pulled down his mask. “It was successful. He’s safe—for at least five years.”

Her knees buckled with relief. Tears ran freely as she rushed inside, pressing kisses on Sam’s forehead. “Thank you, God. Thank you…”

Hours later, she forced herself to work.

Vanessa at her seat waiting.

“So it’s whenever you like, you stroll in?” Vanessa sneered, dumping a heavy stack of files on her desk. “Finish this before tomorrow morning.”

Elena swallowed her frustration. “Yes, ma’am.”

When the office emptied, she worked through the silence until the clock struck past ten. Exhausted, she packed up, but Alexander’s shadow blocked her way.

“Let’s go,” he ordered.

Her stomach clenched. “Ehh...Please… the operation was today. I need to stay with my son tonight. Tomorrow I’ll come. I promise.”

His gaze hardened. “If you walk out, the world will see that video by sunrise.”

Her voice cracked. “Please, Alexander. Please. I’m not running. My son needs me. He almost died.” Tears slipped down her cheeks.

I mean, every word I say if you leave, don't joke with me, Elena, as he worked out, she hugged him from behind, trembling, Please… I’m not lying. He’s all I have.”

For a second, something flickered in his eyes. But then he said coldly, “Tomorrow. Don’t test me again.” He walked away. Her legs gave out, and . “Thank you.

He froze. Then, without a word, he left her there.

Relief washed through her as she headed home. But halfway down a dark street, rough hands grabbed her. A bag was shoved over her head. She screamed, kicked, clawed, but fists landed against her ribs, her back, her stomach.

The bag was yanked off, and through blurred vision, she saw Vanessa.

“Stop,” Vanessa ordered. The men released her.

Elena coughed blood, clutching her side. “Vanessa… why— ” Vanessa crouched, her voice dripping venom. “If you think you can steal my fiancé, you’re delusional. You’re nothing. You’ll always be nothing. Consider this a warning.”

Her heels clicked as she walked away. The men followed.

Elena forced herself up, pain burning with every step, and limped to the hospital. Nurses treated her bruises while she sat by Sam’s bed, tears streaming silently. She touched his small fingers.

“If I knew your father,” she whispered brokenly, “maybe he’d help us. Maybe we wouldn’t suffer like this.”

She pressed her forehead against his, sobbing until exhaustion claimed her.

Vanessa slinked into Alexander’s house. He was drinking, shirt loose, tie undone.

“Alex, my baby” she purred, sliding closer. “You’ve been so tense. Let me take care of you.” He shoved her hand away. “Get out.”

Her smile faltered. “Why? Because of that low-life secretary?”

“Enough.” His voice thundered. He called the guards. “See her out.”

As she was dragged away, Vanessa’s eyes blazed. Because of that thing? Fine. I’ll crush her. I’ll break every bone in her body if I have to.

Elena blinked at the clock on the hospital wall. Her eyes widened.

“Oh my God… ten already? I’m late!”

The door swung open. Mrs. Carlo stood there, eyes sharp.

“what are you doing here? You have luck. We are running out of the waitress. One more chance,” she snapped. “If you mess up again, you’re out.”

Her heart pounded. “Thank you mrs Carlos ”

“You have lucky you are beautiful.” Mrs. Carlo’s gaze was like fire. “Do your job or leave.”

Her throat tightened, but she nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

That night, the club lights flashed. She balanced a tray, weaving between tables, and a smile forced across her face. Men’s eyes followed her, some whispered, while some stared openly. She bit her lip and kept moving.

Alexander stepped in with his friends after he had dismissed Vanessa. Laughter, whiskey in hand, until—he saw her. His chest tightened. She was here. Serving drinks. In that short skirt, those tired but dazzling eyes.

One friend nudged him, grinning. “Damn. Look at that waitress.”

Alexander’s jaw ticked.

“Hot as hell,” another muttered. “That body… bro, if she looked at me like that, I’d lose my mind.”

“Shut up,” Alexander cut in, voice low but sharp.

They blinked at him. “What? She’s just a waitress.”

His hand curled into a fist under the table. Eyes locked on her as she leaned over a customer’s table, her smile soft, hair falling against her cheek. The man she served looked at her too long, and his lips curved in interest.

Heat shot through Alexander’s chest, jealousy, Rage,and anything you could think of.

She told me she had to stay with her son… and now she’s here? Letting men look at her like that? he spoke in his mind.

The glass in his hand trembled. His friends laughed again, whispering about her.

He couldn’t take it anymore. His chair screeched back as he stood, eyes locked on her. His friends called after him, but he ignored them.

In seconds, he had her wrist, dragging her down the hallway behind the bar. Her tray shook with shock as she saw him, glasses rattling until one fell and shattered. Gasps followed, but she couldn’t look back—his grip was too strong.

Her heart pounded. “Alexander please you’re hurting me”

He pinned her to the wall, his eyes burning into hers.

“You lied to me,” he spat. “You made a fool out of me, right?”

Her lips trembled. “No… no, please, it’s not what you think—”

He leaned closer, voice sharp as a blade. “Not what I think? So this is the hospital you told me about? This is you, sitting beside your son?”

Tears stung her eyes. “Alexander, please ”

He smirked, a bitter laugh escaping. “You’ve pushed me to the wall, you know that? You’ve cornered me with your lies.”

Her chest rose and fell fast. She pressed her palms against him, desperate. “I can’t… I can’t rely on you all the time. Please understand, I have to work, I want to take care of my son, am very gratefulyou helped us .”

His eyes burned in anger, hurt, betrayal, all crashing into one storm. For a second, he looked like he might kiss her…. Instead, he stepped back.

“Work?” His laugh was low, dangerous. “Fine. Keep working.”

She reached out, voice breaking. “Don’t do this—please”

But he was gone. His footsteps thundered down the hall, out the door.

Moments later, in the cold silence of his car, he gripped his phone. His jaw tightened. His thumb hovered—then pressed.

A video posted.

immediately, Her phone buzzed. Once. Twice. Then, nonstop.

She frowned, pulled it out, swiped the screen—

Her picture. Her face. The video. Everywhere.

Her hand shook. “No… no, this can’t be—”

Another notification. Another, comments flying across the screen. Words stabbed her eyes. people calling her all kind of names, Slut, Liar, Desperate woman.

Her knees buckled. She fell to the floor.

She collapsed, phone clutched to her chest, tears spilling fast. “Why, Alexander? Why would you do this to me?”