Elias POV
Breakfast was unusually quiet.
I sat at the head of the table, staring at the untouched coffee cooling beside me, pretending to listen to the soft clatter of utensils. But my mind wasn't here.
It was replaying last night.
The scent of her skin when she pulled me closer instead of pushing me away.
The soft shock of her mouth, warm, opening under mine.
The way she whispered my name like she didn't hate me…like she remembered the last time we had kissed.
I shouldn't have touched her.
I sure as hell shouldn't have woken up in her room.
But I did.
And now I was sitting here pretending everything was normal.
Mara stepped into the room.
She was dressed for work, hair pinned neatly, face bare. Her eyes were swollen from crying, but her posture was painfully controlled, as if holding herself together by sheer force.
She saw everyone at the table…and immediately tried to walk past like she wanted nothing to do with any of us.
Margaret hurried forward.
"Madam, your food is on the table," she said gently.
I didn't hear Mara's reply, her voice was too low.
Margaret tried again.
"Please, ma… you didn't eat yesterday. At least take small."
Mara hesitated, shoulders trembling faintly. She stood there for a long moment, torn between running and obeying.
Finally, she exhaled and walked toward the table.
The reaction was immediate.
Camille dropped her fork loudly and stood up, leaving without a glance.
Andrea rose next.
David followed silently behind her.
All three left as if her presence contaminated the air.
Mara sat down anyway.
She didn't lift her face, not even when I tried to catch her eyes.
The discomfort in my chest was something else.
I couldn't stand sitting there anymore.
I pushed my chair back and left.
At the Company
Richard was already waiting for me in my office, tablet in hand.
"Sir, your meeting with Scott Enterprises is in thirty minutes," he said. "Should I confirm the conference room?"
"No, I'll be heading there in person." I said, pausing , looking at her from the glass that separated us. She seemed to be busy too.
"Tell Mrs. Lawson to prepare. She'll be joining me."
Richard blinked. "Um… yes, sir. Will she be joining you in the car or…"
I glanced at him and he shut up.
I waited for her inside the car. When she finally stepped out of the building, she kept her eyes on the floor. Without a word, she slipped into the back seat beside me.
The ride was quiet.
Every second dragged last night closer in my mind until it pressed against my ribs, refusing to be forgotten.
I clenched my jaw and turned away from her.
I hated that I could still feel her.
Scott Enterprises welcomed us with glass walls and city views. Their manager, Mr. Desmond, dove straight into projections and mergers.
I responded on mechanically.
Because my eyes kept drifting to her.
She sat beside me, but her mind was miles away.
"…Mrs. Lawson?" Desmond called.
She jerked slightly, startled.
"I'm so sorry. I need a moment," she whispered, then stood abruptly and left the room.
Desmond raised a brow at me.
I ignored it.
We ended the meeting barely ten minutes after she walked out.
I waited outside by the car until she emerged.
Her face was expressionless.
"You can't walk out of meetings like that," I said, voice sharp. "What was so important you had to leave?"
She didn't answer.
She opened the door and sat inside.
My hands curled into fists before I followed.
When we reached the company, we entered the elevator together.
She stood in front.
I stood behind.
Her profile was too clear—long lashes, faint freckles, the soft line of her cheek.
Then my eyes dropped to her lips.
The same lips I kissed.
The same lips that kissed me back.
My chest tightened painfully.
The elevator chimed open.
She stepped out.
I followed, unable to stop watching her.
As we approached our offices, I saw Richard trying to block someone standing at her door.
David.
"What's going on?" I asked, voice turning cold.
Richard nearly jumped. "S–sir, I tried to stop him—"
David turned sharply, glaring at me as if we've been enemies for days.
"Are you lost," I said, stepping closer, "or have you forgotten your place in this company? You belong downstairs."
"I'm not here for you," he snapped, brushing past me like I wasn't even there.
Then he grabbed Mara's wrist, dragging her out.
Something cold and violent snapped inside me.