"We were meant to be strangers. Just one evening. No names. No repercussions.
Elara Sinclair lost her job at her family's hotel business, witnessed her dying grandmother's fortune being stolen by the people she trusted most, and caught her fiancé in bed with her stepsister in one cruel evening. She runs to the airport in a desperate attempt to get away, but a storm cancels her flight.
She meets him there.

The stranger gives her one ideal night—no identities, no past, just two people pretending the world doesn't exist—because he is tall, incredibly attractive, and obviously fleeing his own issues. They make a vow to never see each other again after tonight, converse until morning, and divulge secrets they've never told anyone.

However, fate has a perverse sense of humor.
Three weeks later, Elara learns two things: she is expecting a child, and the man she met at the airport is Damien Cross, the merciless billionaire CEO who recently bought her family's business and is now her boss. Even worse, he is her ex-fiance's family's sworn enemy and is unaware that the enigmatic woman he can't stop thinking about is in front of him.

When Damien learns the truth, he presents her with an irresistible offer: a fictitious engagement with strict guidelines—no ties, no feelings, and most definitely no falling in love—in order to eliminate both of their adversaries.
However, their shared evening produced more than simply a child. It forged a bond that neither of them can deny, and as their revenge scheme develops into something genuine, Elara must choose whether to believe the guy who began as a lovely lie or whether their forbidden love will turn into another agonizing farewell.

One flight was canceled. One baby in secret. One lover who is an adversary. And a pledge that was supposed to be broken.

Iris tried the penthouse door at 3 AM and found it locked from the outside.


Not surprising. Victor had explained the security measures. Not allowed to leave without escort. Not allowed to go anywhere without security confirmation. The lock wasn't meant to trap her. It was meant to protect her.


She stood at the door for a long time. Hand on the lock mechanism. Trying to understand the distinction between protection and imprisonment. Finding it impossible to separate one from the other.


She found Julian in his office. He was reading files, reviewing information from Webb's investigation. He looked up when she entered but didn't move.


Chapter 32 - THE RECKONING