Chapter 16
The morning after the rooftop bar, Elena woke up feeling different. Lighter. For the first time in a long while, her past didn’t feel like a weight tied to her ankles.
It didn’t mean everything was perfect. But it meant she was no longer stuck in survival mode. She was starting to live again—not for others, not for appearances, but for herself.
Sebastian didn’t rush her. He didn’t flood her phone with messages or try to force his way into her daily life. He gave her space, but every now and then, his presence would slip in through little things—a coffee delivered to her office, a link to an article he thought she’d like, or just a one-line text:
“Still thinking about that kiss.”
Elena smiled when she read it, heart warming. She didn’t reply immediately. Not because she didn’t feel the same—but because she was learning how to feel safe again.
At work, Elena’s influence was growing fast. She was invited to speak at panels, give interviews, and mentor up-and-coming entrepreneurs. Her face was now seen on business blogs—not for scandal, but success.
One afternoon, she met with her lawyer, Nora, who had been helping her discreetly gather documentation related to Andrew’s financial dealings.
“We’ve found something,” Nora said, sliding a folder across the table.
Elena opened it and blinked. Inside were records of shell companies and shady investments Andrew had made behind the scenes—some even during their marriage.
“He siphoned off joint assets,” Nora explained. “If we move forward with a formal case, you could file for compensation.”
Elena stared at the papers, heart slow and steady. A year ago, this would have devastated her.
Now?
It was just one more truth exposed.
“I’ll think about it,” she said. “But I’m not sure I want more courtroom drama. I want closure, not a fight.”
That night, she told Sebastian about it over dinner.
“You’d be within your rights,” he said, studying her. “But I get it. Sometimes peace is worth more than winning.”
She nodded. “I spent so long being angry. I don’t want to live there anymore.”
Sebastian raised a glass. “To freedom, then.”
“To freedom,” she echoed, smiling as their glasses clinked.
But just when things seemed to be settling, Chloe called.
Elena didn’t expect to hear her voice ever again. It sounded different now—strained, on the edge.
“Elena… please. Can we meet?”
Elena hesitated, instincts screaming no. But curiosity tugged harder.
Later that week, they met at a quiet café. Chloe looked worn down, nothing like the polished, smug woman from before.
“I know I don’t deserve your time,” Chloe began. “I just… I need you to hear this from me.”
Elena didn’t speak. She just listened.
“Andrew’s a mess,” Chloe confessed. “The business is falling apart. He’s blaming everyone. Even me.”
“Did you expect anything less?” Elena asked, voice calm.
“I thought we’d be happy. That what we did… that it meant something. But now? I see how he used me too. How I helped ruin something good for nothing in return.”
Elena looked at her, not with hatred, but pity. “You didn’t ruin it for nothing. You ruined it for a man who was never worth it.”
Chloe looked down, tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Elena nodded slowly. “I know.”
When she walked away from the table, she felt no anger, no revenge, not even satisfaction.
Just peace.
The past had finally lost its grip on her.