The silence after their kiss was deafening.
Elena stood in the middle of Alexander's penthouse, her lips swollen, heart racing. Her hand hovered near his chest, but she didn't press it there. Not again.
They had crossed a line.
And she wasn't sure which one of them would survive it.
Alexander broke the silence first. "You can't look at me like that and expect me to let you go."
Her voice was hoarse. "And you can't kiss me like that and expect me to forget everything."
He reached for her again slowly this time, carefully as if she were a flame and he already had the scars to prove it.
"Elena…"
She stepped back, trembling. "Don't."
He froze.
"I'm not ready," she whispered, voice cracking. "I came here to offer peace, not fall back into the trap."
"I'm not a trap."
She laughed bitterly. "No, Alexander. You're the whole cage."
She turned and walked to the door. His voice followed her.
"I want to try again."
Her hand paused on the knob.
"You don't even know how to try," she said softly. "Because it would mean not winning. It would mean choosing love over power."
Then she was gone.
And the door clicked shut with more finality than any judge's gavel.
The Next Morning — Blackvale HQ
Elena arrived early.
She hadn't slept.
Her lips still tingled, her chest ached, and the memory of his mouth on hers lingered like a bruise.
But today? Today was about strategy, not seduction.
She stormed into the war room. "What's the status on Wyatt Corp?"
Kira, startled but composed, answered, "They're still in talks with Wolfe, but we intercepted their logistics proposal. We can beat it."
Elena nodded. "We'll offer them equity instead of buyout. Make them feel like partners, not pawns."
Kira hesitated. "Are you sure you want to push this hard?"
"I kissed the enemy last night," Elena said, eyes hard. "Now I need to remind him who I am."
Wolfe Enterprises — Executive Suite
Alexander sat in front of a monitor, replaying the footage of his penthouse hallway of her walking away, her fingers trembling on the elevator button.
Victor entered with a file. "Wyatt Corp just stalled negotiations. Blackvale made a move."
Alexander's jaw clenched. "Of course she did."
"Maybe back off for a week? Let things breathe?"
"I gave her an opening. She took it and stabbed me."
Victor arched a brow. "You kissed her. That's not strategy. That's a confession."
"I can do both," Alexander snapped. "Love her. And still outplay her."
Victor sighed. "Just make sure you don't end up losing everything again."
Later That Day — Wyatt Corp Headquarters
Both CEOs arrived, both uninvited.
The boardroom practically vibrated with tension.
"Miss Vales," said Mr. Wyatt with an awkward smile. "Mr. Wolfe. We weren't expecting… either of you."
"I came to clarify our offer," Elena said smoothly. "No pressure, just presence."
Alexander smirked. "Likewise. I find personal visits... persuasive."
They were seated on opposite sides of the table. The board members looked between them like this was a tennis match and someone was about to break serve.
Elena leaned forward. "Our proposal includes tech support, distribution leverage, and a 15% equity stake. You're not just protected you're part of our family."
Alexander countered. "We offer international expansion, strategic immunity, and full brand absorption. You don't have to fight anymore. You just grow."
Mr. Wyatt cleared his throat. "You both make compelling arguments."
Elena's voice was silk. "But I understand Wyatt Corp's values. You've built something from the ground up. You don't want to vanish. You want to thrive."
Alexander's voice cut through the air. "Or they want to survive. And I'm the one who ensures that."
The tension was nuclear.
Elena stood slowly. "You have my number, Mr. Wyatt. No rush. Just know that with me, you don't disappear."
Alexander's eyes locked on hers.
She walked out without looking back.
That Evening — Elena's Penthouse
She stood in her bathroom, peeling off her heels, and sighed. Her body ached. Her heart throbbed in places she thought were long frozen.
A soft knock on her door startled her.
She opened it ready to scold Kira for working late.
It was Alexander.
Again.
"You need to stop doing that," she said.
"I came to say I backed off."
She blinked. "What?"
"I called Wyatt. Told them to consider your offer first."
She stared at him. "Why?"
"Because for once, I wanted to see what happens when I don't take the crown."
She didn't know what to say. For once, Alexander Wolfe didn't look like the ruthless CEO.
He looked like the man she married. The man she cried for. The man she loved.
He stepped inside slowly. "I can't change the past. But I can try to earn a future. For Elias. And for you. If you'll let me."
"I don't know how to let you in again," she admitted.
"Then we start with this," he said, reaching out and placing her hand over his heart. "One beat at a time."
And then, slowly, his lips met hers again.
Not devouring.
But asking.
And for the first time in five years…
She said yes.
Bedroom — Minutes Later
Their mouths clashed like a storm. This time there were no games. No power struggles. Just two people remembering how it felt to need each other more than air.
His jacket dropped to the floor.
Her blouse slipped off her shoulders.
He kissed every scar her tears left behind, trailing down her collarbone, her stomach, until she gasped.
Her legs wrapped around him. Fingers in his hair. His voice thick and low.
"I missed you."
"Then show me."
And he did.
Again. And again.
Until the night swallowed their names, and all that remained was skin, sweat, and the sound of them breaking all over again together.