The morning sunlight filtered through Elena's bedroom curtains, golden and soft. But the peace it offered felt fragile like glass on the verge of cracking.
She lay still, tangled in her silk sheets, the scent of him still clinging to her skin.
Alexander was gone.
Not surprising. But it still pierced something deep inside.
She rolled over, staring at the empty space beside her.
For a few hours, it had felt like the past never happened.
But the ache in her chest reminded her that it had.
And it had nearly destroyed her.
Her phone buzzed.
Kira: Wyatt signed the deal. You won. But you're not going to like the next message.
Elena's pulse quickened. She opened the attachment.
A photo.
Her. Alexander. Last night. In the penthouse.
Together.
In each other's arms.
The angle was distant, but clear enough.
Her breath hitched.
Kira: Someone leaked it. It's already trending in investor forums. Blackvale stock dropped 3%. PR team's on it. Do you want me to kill the story?
Elena's fingers trembled.
No. She needed to be calm. Strategic. Like always.
She replied: Not yet. Let me think.
Then she threw her phone across the room.
Wolfe Enterprises — Morning Meeting
Victor dropped the same photo on Alexander's desk. "Well. That didn't take long."
Alexander leaned back in his chair, still buttoning his cuffs. He looked calm.
Too calm.
"Do we know who took it?" he asked.
Victor nodded. "Building across from her penthouse. Probably a rival company. Or worse… one of yours."
Alexander's jaw clenched.
"Want me to issue a denial?"
"No." He smirked. "Let them talk. It'll scare the board and her."
Victor raised a brow. "You sure mixing business and ex-wife revenge sex is your new strategy?"
"It wasn't revenge," Alexander said. "It was clarity."
Victor rolled his eyes. "Just be careful. She's not the same woman who begged you for love five years ago."
"I know," Alexander murmured, eyes distant. "Now she begs for control."
Blackvale HQ — Strategy Room
Elena walked into the room like a storm on stilettos.
Kira and two legal advisors stood.
"We can spin the leak," Kira began. "Say it was a setup. A strategic distraction. Make Wolfe look desperate."
Elena shook her head. "No lies. Not this time."
Kira hesitated. "Then we lean in. Play the 'past lovers turned rivals' card. Might soften the blow with the media."
One of the lawyers added, "Or… we sue for defamation and breach of privacy."
Elena exhaled, pacing.
"No. This isn't just a photo. It's a message."
Kira tilted her head. "From Alexander?"
"Or whoever wants us at war."
She turned to her lawyer. "Trace the leak. I want names."
And then, to Kira: "Tell the media the truth."
Kira blinked. "The truth?"
Elena's voice was sharp. "I slept with my ex-husband. It was a mistake. A moment of weakness. But I don't regret it."
"You're going to get crucified," one of the advisors whispered.
"Then I'll rise from the ashes," she said.
That Night — Alexander's Private Lounge
He watched the press conference on his personal screen. Elena in black. Hair tied. Calm, controlled, untouchable.
"Yes, I was once married to Alexander Wolfe. And yes, we shared a moment last night. But I am no longer the woman who used to live in his shadow. I built Blackvale. I fought to protect my son. And I will not be defined by an old flame or a new scandal."
Applause erupted in the studio.
Alexander's knuckles whitened around his glass.
Victor looked over. "Still want her back?"
"She never left," he said quietly. "She just learned how to win without me."
Victor paused. "You think she's going to retaliate?"
Alexander's lips curved.
"Oh, she already is."
Two Days Later — Blackvale Legal Office
Elena read through the file with growing dread.
She knew the name on the final page before she even turned it.
Sabrina Lane.
Alexander's new legal advisor.
And his former mistress.
The woman who had destroyed Elena's trust five years ago.
Kira's voice was cautious. "She's spearheading Wolfe's new IP suit against Blackvale. She's targeting your patent filings. Claims you stole core logistics tech from Wolfe."
Elena's hands curled into fists. "Because I designed that system back when I was still married to him."
"And now they're saying that makes it theirs."
A breathless silence filled the room.
"I want her name out of the media before she even gets to court," Elena said darkly. "We bury her in corporate mud before she tries to drag mine through it."
Kira hesitated. "Are you sure that's the road you want to take?"
Elena's voice turned ice-cold. "She helped ruin my marriage. Now she's trying to take my company. That's not business. That's war."
Midnight — Elena's Penthouse
She couldn't sleep.
The memory of Alexander's touch still haunted her skin. But the name Sabrina burned deeper.
That woman had whispered lies into her husband's ears. Had played the perfect distraction while Elena had fought for their marriage, unaware she was already losing.
And now, she was back.
Working beside him.
Feeding his strategy.
Wielding her as a weapon.
Elena walked to her son's room. Elias was fast asleep, holding his stuffed fox.
Her walls cracked again.
He deserved better.
He deserved peace.
And to get that, she would have to end this war. On her terms.
Whatever it took.
Wolfe Enterprises — Sabrina's Office
Sabrina sat at her desk, legs crossed, phone to her ear.
"She saw the leak?" she asked, smiling.
"Yes, ma'am. She issued a statement. But she's rattled."
"Good," Sabrina purred. "Let her feel exposed. Let her remember."
She hung up just as Alexander entered.
"Planning my next lawsuit?" he asked dryly.
She stood, all soft curves and fake sympathy. "Just trying to protect your empire, Alex. Like always."
He narrowed his eyes. "I remember the last time you said that."
Sabrina moved closer, touching his arm.
"That was a lifetime ago."
He pulled away. "And I'm not that man anymore."
She laughed lightly. "Oh, darling… you always are."
He left without another word, but her smile lingered.
Because she had a secret.
One neither Alexander nor Elena knew.
And when it came out?
Everything would burn.