Chapter 1 I never thought my ex-flame would use a company meeting to destroy me. But there it was. On my laptop screen, projected for the entire boardroom to see. A video of him and his current girlfriend, going at it. The sounds of their heavy breathing filled the room, amplifying the sudden, suffocating silence. Waves of shock and disdain crashed over me from my colleagues. Panic and shame clawed at my throat as I scrambled to slam the laptop shut. I turned, trembling, only to see Julian Thorne smirking, a cruel twist to his lips. "Can't handle it?" he sneered. In that moment, I knew. He did this on purpose. He’d swapped my presentation. He wanted me humiliated. He wanted me to watch him making love to another woman until it broke me. I took a shaky breath, trying to steady my racing heart. I remembered when we were in love. We were so close, just waiting for that final barrier to fall. Then, my so-called best friend set me up. I was framed for climbing into his bed, then accused of digging for the Thorne family fortune and stealing trade secrets. Because of that scandal, the Thorne dynasty nearly collapsed. Julian’s parents, driving frantically to deal with debt collectors, lost control of their car on a cliffside road. No survivors. Everyone blamed me. I became the villain of the century. Then came the diagnosis: Leukemia. Not wanting to drag Julian down with a dying woman, I left. That’s when I found out I was pregnant. Twins. One was born weak and sickly; the other was taken from me, missing without a trace. When I returned, desperate for money to save the only child I had left, I swallowed my pride. I agreed to be Julian’s assistant. I knew he only kept me around to torture me. I bit my lip, refusing to look at him. But my silence only seemed to infuriate him. He let out a cold laugh, his fingers drumming rhythmically on the mahogany table. "Take it off." Two words. The room cleared instantly, colleagues fleeing the tension. I looked at him in disbelief. "Take off what?" "Vanessa’s dress got ruined. She’s in my lounge right now, and she doesn’t want to see your face. So, take yours off and give it to her." Julian’s voice was ice. My chest tightened, a suffocating pressure building behind my ribs. I swallowed the rising bile of grievance. "Julian," I whispered. "If I strip in the conference room, how am I supposed to walk out of here?" "Walk out naked. Or were you hoping someone would carry you?" He leaned back, eyes dark. "Think about your situation, Elara. If you want the money, be a good girl." The threat hung in the air. I unclenched my fists. My baby was in the ICU. I couldn’t watch my child die. Slowly, I reached for the zipper. The office lights glared off the glass walls. Outside, people were watching, waiting to see my shame. Finally, I tossed my dress onto the table. Julian watched, savoring my humiliation. "Does it hurt, Elara? You deserve it. Compared to what you did to me, this is nothing." His malice was undisguised. Tears stung my eyes, but I forced them back. What did I do wrong back then? I was framed. No one believed me. I was innocent, yet I was the sinner in everyone's eyes. I thought I had moved on, but the tears wouldn't listen. Julian grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. "Crying? Already? Save your tears. You’re going to need them for what comes next." He wiped a tear from my cheek with a rough thumb, leaning in to whisper in my ear. "I’m in a good mood. Company retreat tonight. Everyone attends. Especially you." He let go, and the stinging in my bones—the leukemia—flared up, nearly buckling my knees. I sank to the floor, hugging myself, shivering. Even after he left, the phantom sounds of that video echoed in my ears. Hours later, after everyone had gone, a coworker quietly handed me a spare coat. "What did you do to offend the boss? He’s going to eat you alive at dinner." It was the only kindness I’d felt in months. I shook my head, unable to speak. The history between Julian and me was too heavy for words. I knew he had more humiliation planned for the retreat, but I had no choice. When I pushed open the door to the private room at the restaurant, I saw her immediately. Vanessa, nestled in Julian’s arms. She was wearing a red slip dress—definitely not the one I had taken off. She smiled at me. "Julian said your dress was too shabby for me. You aren't mad, are you, Elara?" I looked at her gloating face, pressed my lips together, and lowered my eyes. "Does she dare be mad?" Julian scoffed, addressing the room. He slid three full glasses of liquor across the table toward me. "Late arrivals are penalized three drinks. You know the rules." My doctor had been explicitly clear: No alcohol. Not with the leukemia. "I can't drink," I said, my voice trembling. Julian’s face went cold. "Can't drink? How about this?" He pulled a check from his pocket and slapped it onto the table. "Fifty thousand dollars. Finish the bottles on the table, and it's yours. Is that enough?" He sneered. "For a woman like you, who’d do anything for cash, this should be easy." My heart shattered. I stared at the check. I thought of the ICU bills. I closed my eyes, grabbed the first bottle, and started chugging. One bottle. Two. The pain in my stomach blurred as the alcohol hit my blood. The room went silent as they watched their CEO’s face grow darker with every swallow I took. He hated me, didn't he? He should be happy I was debasing myself. Why did he look so angry? I slammed the last empty bottle down, snatched the check, and shoved it into my pocket. "I'll take the check—" Before I could finish, the burning in my stomach sent me running. I barely made it to the restroom before throwing up everything, blood mixing with bile. I was rinsing my face with freezing water, shivering, when I heard a sharp voice behind me. "I overestimated you. I thought you really didn't care." Vanessa walked into the frame of the mirror, applying lipstick. "You left, broke his heart, and now you crawl back to seduce him? Have you no shame?" I looked up, panic setting in. Vanessa capped her lipstick aggressively. "Keep your mouth shut. After Julian and I get married next month, I'll tell you where your other kid is. Until then, stay out of sight." Chapter 2 "My child?" My eyes lit up. When I first returned, Vanessa hinted she knew what happened to my missing twin. I had to believe her. I’d been searching for years while trying to keep my sick child alive. I stepped closer, desperate. "Where? Tell me!" But as I moved, I saw the hickeys on her neck. My breath hitched. Then, a sharp cramp in my stomach doubled me over. Vanessa watched coldly. "I'm actually worried you won't live long enough to find out. Try not to die, Elara." She clicked away in her high heels. Sweat drenched my back. I gripped the sink, forcing myself to stand. I had to live. For the kids. I dragged myself to the hospital. Dr. Liam Pierce looked at my test results and went silent. "Your condition is critical, and you’re drinking? Do you want to die? Your stomach is bleeding. You need to be admitted. Now." My lips were pale. "Liam, I need the money. Just give me the meds, like usual." He sighed, frustrated, but wrote the prescription. I visited my baby in the ward, then checked my bank account. Less than a hundred dollars. I clutched the fifty-thousand-dollar check, grateful I had sold my dignity for it. On the waiting room TV, news of the Julian-Vanessa engagement was breaking. They looked perfect together. My eyes burned. I went home to take my meds. I woke up at 3:00 AM to a dozen missed calls from Julian. Thinking maybe he felt guilty, I called back. "What kind of garbage was that proposal you submitted?" His voice was freezing. "Redo it. I want a satisfactory draft by morning, or don't bother coming in." I checked my laptop. I had sent that draft three days ago. He hadn't even opened it. In the background of the call, I heard a woman’s moan. "Julian... please... I can't take anymore..." "You started this fire," Julian growled. "Already tired?" I hung up, tears streaming down my face. I spent the rest of the night rewriting the proposal to save my child. The next morning, I handed him the new draft. He didn't even read it. He threw the file in my face. "I told you to redo it, not give me this trash." He walked to the shredder and fed my night’s work into it, staring at me the whole time. I stumbled back, falling, hitting my bruised knees. My leukemia caused my bones to ache constantly, but my heart hurt worse. I looked up at his hate-filled eyes. "Okay. I'll write it again." I went back to my desk. Halfway through, a stack of contracts landed on my head. "Why didn't you go to the meeting with Mr. Carter yesterday?" Julian demanded. "Remember your place, Elara. If you want money, do your job." Yesterday? When he made me strip? How could I meet a client like that? "Yesterday, I—" "Excuses?" He cut me off. "If we lose this contract, the loss comes out of your pocket." I nearly fainted. The contract was worth millions. I couldn't pay that. He was driving me to a dead end. I rushed to Carter Corp to apologize. The receptionist kicked me out. "No appointment, no entry." I waited outside for three hours in the scorching sun, then a sudden downpour soaked me to the bone. From the building across the street, I saw a silhouette in the window. Julian, swirling a glass of wine, smiling as I stood in the rain. How does it feel, Elara? his eyes seemed to say. I wiped rain from my face. I didn't kill his parents. He never believed me. Then Vanessa appeared beside him. They toasted, laughed, and kissed passionately against the glass. My heart went numb. The rain beat down, reminding me of the past. Once, in a storm, a pervert followed me. Julian had appeared, soaked half his body to keep me dry under his umbrella. "I'll protect you forever, Elara," he had said. Now, he was the storm. I laughed until I cried, unable to tell rain from tears. Finally, Carter’s car pulled out. The window rolled down. It was Julian driving. Vanessa was in the passenger seat. "Mr. Carter," I begged, rushing to the car. "Just ten minutes, please!" Julian laughed. "You beg with no sincerity, Elara. Look at you. Disgusting." He floored the gas. The car grazed my knee, knocking me into a puddle. Vanessa mouthed Loser and gave me the finger as they sped away. I sat in the mud, powerless. But I thought of the hospital bills. I forced myself up, limping to hail a taxi. "Follow that Maybach." Chapter 3 I followed them to a shooting range. I ran up to Carter’s group, holding the soggy proposal. But Vanessa grabbed Julian’s arm, smiling wickedly. "Julian, I have a great idea for a game. But we need Elara's help." My stomach churned. "If Elara agrees to be our target," Vanessa purred to Carter, "you should give her a chance to pitch. Deal?" Julian paused, then tapped Vanessa’s nose affectionately. "You always have such fun ideas." He turned to me, his face hardening. "Unlike some money-hungry women who are just boring and vulgar." I stood there, swaying. I wanted to scream that I did this for our son. But I couldn't. "Fine," I croaked. I put on the protective gear and stood by the targets. Before I was ready, Vanessa fired. The bullet grazed my left ear. Blood trickled down. It burned, but I felt numb. "You're terrible at this, Elara! You're supposed to dodge!" Vanessa laughed. "Good aim," Julian clapped. My heart bled. He was cheering for the woman shooting at me. Bang. Another shot hit my stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of me. I fell, gasping. "Julian! Did you see? Bullseye!" Vanessa squealed, hugging him. "You're amazing, babe," Julian said. Then he pointed at me. "Get up. Let her shoot again. Or the deal is off." I looked at him, remembering the eighteen-year-old boy who used to hold the gun for me so the recoil wouldn't hurt my shoulder. That boy was dead. I forced myself up. Vanessa fired again. A hit to the chest. I collapsed, hitting my head on the back wall. The world spun. "Is she dead?" Vanessa scoffed. "Julian, surely she's faking it." "She's nothing," Julian said. "Get up, Elara. Stop being dramatic." I watched him pick up a gun. He aimed. I froze. The bullet whizzed past my nose, grazing the tip. Blood gushed out. Tears blurred my vision. Those eyes... they used to look at me with so much love. Now, only hate. "You said... if I did this... I'd get a chance," I gasped. Julian frowned, tossing the gun aside. "I was joking. You didn't actually believe me, did you?" My world tilted. Joking? With my life? "You're despicable, Julian!" I screamed. "Despicable? I'm not even half as bad as you were," he retorted, turning to leave with Vanessa. I panicked and grabbed Carter’s sleeve. He shoved me away. "Don't touch me. I didn't promise anything. Ask the lady." I realized this was all Vanessa’s game. But before I could beg her, Carter grabbed my arm. "Actually, I changed my mind. Julian's ex is dirtying my suit. Lick it clean, and I'll listen to your pitch. Right here, in front of Julian." Carter sat down, spreading his legs, pointing to a spot on his shoe—or perhaps higher. It was pure humiliation. My nails dug into my palms. "Hurry up!" Carter barked. He grabbed my hair and forced my head down. Terrified, I reached out and grabbed Julian’s pant leg. "Julian, please..." He paused. Then he kicked my hand away. "What does this have to do with me? Who do you think you are to ask for my help?" He lit a cigarette, pulling Vanessa close. "Open your eyes. I have a girlfriend. Flirting with me in front of her? Do you think I won't hurt you?" My heart froze. I couldn't defend myself. "Elara is so stupid," Vanessa giggled. "Did you really think anyone would dare bully you without Julian’s permission?" Her words struck me like lightning. I closed my eyes, accepting the despair. Carter pushed my head down harder. "Enough chatting. Show some sincerity." Chapter 4 Carter wasn't really going to let me pitch. He just wanted to break me. As he forced my head down, I panicked. I grabbed a heavy ashtray from the table and smashed it against his head. Slap. Carter backhanded me so hard my vision went black. I heard the sound of a second blow coming, but it never landed. Julian had stopped his hand. For a second, I saw concern in Julian's eyes. But then he smiled, a cruel, twisted thing. He pulled out his phone. "911? I'd like to report an assault." My hope died. "Did you think I was saving you?" he whispered, leaning down. "Use your brain. I'm calling the cops on you." I collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably. "Why are you doing this to me?" "You owe me this," he hissed. "Go to jail and think about what you did." Vanessa stepped on my hand with her stiletto heel as they left. "Enjoy the cell, Elara." Seven days in detention. The inmates knew who put me there. They tortured me. Maggots in my food. Ice water at midnight. Beating me in the bathrooms. "Who do you think you are?" the leader of the cell block shouted, slamming my head into the wall. "Trying to seduce Mr. Thorne? With Miss Vanessa in the picture? You're trash." I lay on the cold floor, hallucinating the old Julian. The one who brought me water after gym class. The one who ignored everyone else just to sit by me. When I was released, I dragged my broken body home. The door was smashed open. Men were tearing my apartment apart. "Pay up!" one shouted. "You owe us on the loan!" "I never took a loan!" I cried. "Get out!" Vanessa walked in, clapping. "Still feisty?" Julian followed her. "I took the loan out in your name. To cover the losses from the Carter deal. You messed up, you pay." My blood ran cold. He was systematically destroying me. My bank accounts were frozen. How would I pay for the hospital? "Julian, please," I begged, grabbing his sleeve. "What do I have to do for you to let me go?" He shook me off. "Let you go? Did you let my parents go? I want you to suffer for the rest of your life." I fell to the floor. When his family went bankrupt, I watched him work night shifts, living in a basement. I left him because I was dying and pregnant, not because I didn't love him. I tried to save him from my burden. "Search the place!" Julian ordered the thugs. "Take anything valuable." They smashed my furniture. I tried to stop them, but they shoved me into a bookshelf. Books rained down on me. Vanessa picked up a brown leather notebook. "Ooh, what's this?"
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