CRACKS BENEATH THE SURFACE
The boardroom was filled with tension thick enough to choke on.
Lucien stood at the head of the table while his relatives and investors whispered angrily.
"You embarrassed this company," his uncle snapped.
"Over a woman!"
Lucien's eyes were cold.
"Over my wife."
A man slammed his hand on the table.
"You've lost contracts. Stocks are dropping!"
Lucien leaned forward.
"And? Money can be replaced. Integrity can't."
Silence followed.
Then his uncle spoke quietly.
"You'll step down as CEO."
Gasps filled the room.
Lucien didn't flinch.
"If that's the price," he said calmly,
"I'll pay it."
---
Elara's Collapse
Across the city, Elara stood in her office reviewing contracts when dizziness hit her.
Her vision blurred.
"Elara?" her assistant called.
She tried to answer… but her legs gave out.
Everything went black.
---
Hospital
Lucien burst into the emergency room, face pale.
"Where is she?" he demanded.
A nurse pointed him to a room.
Elara lay on the bed, eyes half-open.
"Hey," he whispered, holding her hand.
"You scared me."
She tried to smile.
"I'm fine… just tired."
The doctor entered.
"She fainted from stress and exhaustion," he said.
"She needs rest."
Lucien exhaled in relief.
But the doctor hesitated.
"There's something else," he added.
"We should run more tests."
Lucien stiffened.
"Why?"
The doctor met his eyes.
"Just to be safe."
---
Serena's Smirk
In her cell, Serena watched the news.
BLACKWOOD STEPS DOWN AS CEO
She laughed softly.
"Everything is burning," she whispered.
"And I'm enjoying it."
Her smile slowly faded.
"But I'm still not finished."
---
Quiet Moment
Lucien sat beside Elara's hospital bed.
"I lost my job," he said quietly.
She looked at him, surprised.
"For me?" she asked.
He nodded.
She squeezed his hand.
"Then I won't waste your sacrifice," she whispered.
"I'll get stronger."
Their eyes met.
No contracts.
No lies.
Just them.