Elena stared at the city lights from her penthouse window, a glass of untouched wine in her hand. Her reflection in the glass wore a mask of power flawless makeup, elegant posture, and lips that didn't tremble.
But beneath it? Chaos.
She still felt the heat of his hands on her waist, the scent of his skin, the tension in his jaw just before she brought him to his knees.
Literally.
"I also remember how to break you.
It was satisfying…
But why did it hurt?
Her phone buzzed.
Kira: Urgent. Check the finance channel. Now.
Elena quickly grabbed the remote and switched to the business network.
"Breaking News: Wolfe Enterprises secures an emergency acquisition deal with Galleon Holdings. Sources say the move is in direct retaliation to Blackvale's rise in media and manufacturing…"
Her hand clenched around the wine glass. It cracked.
So that was how he wanted to play. He was no longer just defending. He was attacking.
At Wolfe Enterprises — Midnight
Alexander sat with Victor and his head of strategy, reviewing the signed papers.
"Three billion in assets traded to secure Galleon," Victor said, brows raised. "You sure she's worth bleeding for?"
"She was worth more," Alexander replied coldly. "And this time, I don't plan to lose her or the war."
"But she's not your wife anymore. She's your enemy."
Alexander leaned forward, fire in his voice. "She's both. And I plan to conquer every part of her.
The Next Day — Courtroom 5C, Family Division
Elena arrived first.
Hair tied in a sleek bun, black dress perfectly tailored, heels clicking like gunfire.
A lioness in litigation.
Alexander entered minutes later, flanked by two lawyers. The air thickened the moment their eyes met.
The judge cleared his throat.
"This preliminary hearing concerns Mr. Wolfe's request for visitation rights. Ms. Vales, you've challenged on grounds of abandonment and potential emotional harm to the child?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Elena said firmly. "He wasn't there for the pregnancy. He didn't know Elias existed because he made it clear he didn't want to."
Alexander's jaw tightened. "Objection. I never knew..... "
"And you never asked," she snapped.
The judge sighed. "We'll keep this professional."
Elena turned to the judge again. "I left to protect my son from a man who was emotionally unavailable, volatile, and obsessed with power. That man hasn't changed."
Alexander stood. "That's not true."
She faced him. "Then prove it. Don't buy companies. Don't play chess with lawyers. Be a father."
He hesitated.
Because that… he didn't know how to do.
Not yet.
Later in Courthouse Parking Lot
She was halfway to her car when she heard his voice.
"Elena, wait."
She stopped but didn't turn.
"I didn't know," he said softly behind her. "You gave me divorce papers and disappeared."
"I had no choice."
"You always had a choice. You just didn't choose me."
She whirled around. "You want the truth? You were cold. Distant. You buried yourself in Wolfe Industries while I carried everything our marriage, the pregnancy, myself. Alone."
He looked like he'd been slapped again.
"Do you think I wanted to walk away?" she said, voice trembling. "I begged for you to see me."
He stepped closer. "I see you now."
"It's too late."
He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her face. She didn't flinch but she didn't lean in either.
"I'll prove it's not," he whispered.
Then he walked away, leaving her breathless, heart pounding, and angrier than ever that she still felt anything at all.
Blackvale HQ in the Strategy Room
Kira walked in with a folder. "We traced Galleon's lawyers. He bought that deal out from under us in two hours. He knew we were going for it."
Elena nodded grimly. "He's using my playbook now."
"What's the counterstrike?"
Elena flipped through the report. "We go after Wyatt Corp. They're small, but if we destabilize their logistics division, Wolfe's distribution takes a hit."
Kira hesitated. "This is… getting personal, Elena."
"It was always personal."
"And Elias? What happens when he's caught between two people at war?"
Elena's eyes softened.
"I don't want him to grow up like us surrounded by wolves."
"But you're not pulling back?"
"No," she said, standing. "I'm pulling the trigger."
Wolfe Penthouse That Night
Alexander was halfway through a glass of scotch when a soft knock echoed at his door.
He opened it and froze.
Elena.
No bodyguards. No armor. Just her.
In jeans and a sweater that somehow made her more dangerous than the designer gowns.
"I'm not here to surrender," she said.
"Didn't think you were."
"I came because I need to say something before this gets worse."
He stepped aside.
She walked in.
"I hated you for a long time," she said, standing at the window. "And I still do. But there were nights I woke up reaching for you, and that scared me more than your indifference ever did."
He said nothing.
"I'm not here to give you Elias. Not yet. But I won't let him grow up without knowing the truth about you. Good or bad."
He stepped behind her, close enough to feel the heat radiate off her skin.
"I want to know him. And I want you to let me earn it."
She turned to face him, breath hitching.
"What changed?" she whispered.
"You came back," he said.
And then he kissed her.
Not with strategy.
Not with power.
With hunger.
With regret.
With five years of fury and longing.
She gasped against his mouth as his hand slid up her spine, the kiss deepening, bodies pressed close.
When they broke apart, she didn't move.
"You're still poison," she whispered.
"And you're still fire," he said, voice rough. "Let's burn again."
For one moment, she let herself fall.
And the room disappeared.