Elena's POV
The office was eerily quiet, fluorescent lights buzzing faintly overhead as I organized the last of the files Celeste had so kindly dumped on my desk just before I was about to leave.
"These need to be scanned and submitted before tomorrow morning," she'd said sweetly, her smile a little too fake to ignore.
It was nearly 9 PM.
I sighed, stuffing the documents into my tote and walking toward the elevator. My heels clicked softly against the marble floor, echoing off the empty walls of Z&H Enterprises.
As the elevator doors slid open, I stepped in and pressed the button for the ground floor.
But as soon as the doors shut, everything went still.
No movement.
No sound.
A sharp jolt threw me against the wall—and then the lights flickered once… twice… and went out.
My heart pounded in my chest.
"No… no, no, no," I whispered, pressing the emergency button, but nothing responded.
The small space seemed to close in on me. I could barely breathe. Memories of being locked in a closet as a child surged to the front of my mind. Panic rose like a wave, crashing over every rational thought.
I banged on the door, screamed for help—once, twice—but there was no answer.
And slowly, the edges of my vision began to darken.
My legs gave way.
Everything went black.
—
Zayden's POV
I hadn't planned to come back.
But I'd left a set of sensitive investor documents in my office. I wasn't going to risk them lying out overnight.
As I stepped into the dimly lit lobby, I noticed the silence. Odd. There was usually a night guard at the front desk.
I moved toward the elevator, but something felt… off.
A faint banging sound echoed down the hallway.
I froze.
"Elena?" I called out instinctively.
No answer.
Then I heard it again—softer this time. Coming from the elevator shaft.
My heart dropped.
I raced toward it, pressing every emergency button I could find.
"Elena!" I shouted, banging on the door. "Are you in there?!"
No response.
My hands trembled as I grabbed the override key from the wall panel and forced the doors open just enough to see her crumpled on the floor, unmoving.
"Elena!" I cursed, prying the doors wider, not caring if I hurt myself in the process. I jumped down, scooped her into my arms.
Her skin was cold. She was unconscious.
"Elena, stay with me," I whispered, brushing hair from her forehead.
She stirred slightly, murmuring my name.
My chest twisted.
I didn't waste another second. I carried her out of the elevator, grabbed my car keys, and took her straight to the hospital.
—
Later, at the hospital
The doctor's face was grim. "She fainted from extreme emotional stress and oxygen deprivation. She'll recover—but…"
He looked directly at me.
"If she experiences another intense emotional breakdown or panic episode, it could trigger a deeper neurological shutdown. It may lead to a coma. You need to protect her. Keep her away from stress and absolutely no alcohol."
I nodded tightly, my jaw clenched.
I walked into the room where she lay, still unconscious but breathing steadily now.
I sat beside her, holding her hand. "Who did this to you?" I whispered, rage simmering underneath my skin.
But for now, all I could do was stay.
Watch.
Protect.
And never, ever let her be hurt again.
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