A MESSAGE THAT IGNITES WAR
David stood on the penthouse balcony, the night wind whipping against his cold face. His eyes stared at his phone screen, his fingers typing with suppressed fury. His logic knew this was a terrible idea, but his wounded heart and torn ego were in control.
To Kael:
"Elara has left home.If she's with you, take care of her. And don't you dare lay a single finger on her, or you'll have to deal with me. I will find you even if you hide in the deepest hole. And if you are with her right now, don't think you've won. Remember, Elara is mine. And I am still her husband."
The message was sent. David threw his phone onto the sofa, then took a deep breath. He felt like an idiot, but also satisfied for having issued the threat. At least he felt some semblance of control.
KAEL'S SIDE: CONFUSION AND OPPORTUNITY
Kael was in his NGO office when David's message arrived. He read the words once, then twice. His brow furrowed.
"Elara left?" he murmured. His heart raced with a mix of worry and a small hope that he quickly dismissed. He knew Elara—she wouldn't come to him in a situation like this. But...
His fingers danced over the screen. Part of him wanted to reply honestly, saying he knew nothing. But another part, the part that still bore the wound of Elara being taken by David, rebelled. David was always arrogant, always acting entitled. Maybe it was time to teach him a lesson.
Reply from Kael:
"David,you always think everything is about winning and ownership. Elara is not property. But if you really want to know... she needs someone who understands, not someone who threatens. And she knows where to find me."
The message was intentionally ambiguous. It didn't admit anything, but it didn't deny anything either. Kael knew this was dangerous, but his anger at David's arrogance overrode his common sense.
After sending the message, Kael immediately tried calling Elara. No answer. He sent a private message:
To Elara:
"Where are you?I'm ready to listen to you 24/7, whenever you need me. Tell me where you are."
He waited. No reply. His worry became real. Where are you, Elara?
THE MEETING WITH NATASHA: A MAZE OF LIES
The next day, David met Natasha at an exclusive members-only club. He arrived in a perfect suit, his face an impenetrable mask of coldness. No trace of sadness or desperation was visible. He was David Yang, the business mogul.
Natasha was already waiting in a private corner. She looked stunning in a simple black dress, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"David, I'm glad you came," she said, her voice soft.
"Get to the point, Natasha. What proof do you have?" David sat down, not wanting to waste time.
Natasha pulled out her tablet. "I have access to the email of our business partner's company, which coincidentally also collaborates with Kael's NGO. There are records of their communication—meeting plans, project discussions... and personal conversations hidden among the official documents."
She swiped the screen, showing some snippets of conversations between Elara and Kael. The content was about the project, but there was a warmth to it—asking about each other, hoping to meet, hinting at past memories.
"See," Natasha whispered, leaning closer. "This isn't just a work partnership, David. This is... a connection that never truly ended."
David stared at the snippets. His heart felt wrung out. But something felt off. "How did you get these? This is a serious breach of privacy."
"What matters is that I got them for you," Natasha replied, her eyes gleaming. "You deserve to know the truth. Elara... she's not what you think. She's still tied to her past. To Kael."
David looked at Natasha for a long moment. He recognized that look—a mix of fake concern and personal ambition. Natasha was his ex-girlfriend, a relationship that ended because David chose to focus on his career. Natasha had never truly moved on.
"Why are you doing this, Natasha?" David asked suddenly, his voice flat. "What do you hope to gain?"
Natasha was taken aback, then smiled bitterly. "I care about you, David. I don't want you to be played. Elara may be beautiful and elegant, but she's not the right person for you. She doesn't understand your world the way I do."
Everything became clear. This wasn't about helping David. It was about destroying his marriage, about Natasha's hope that if David and Elara split, maybe she would have another chance.
David stood up. "I appreciate... the information. But I can handle my own affairs."
"David, wait—"
"Goodbye,Natasha."
David walked away, leaving Natasha with a face flushed with shame and anger.
BACK TO SOLITUDE
Inside his car, David stared at the photo of Elara and Alisha on the dashboard. Kael's message still haunted him. "She knows where to find me."
Was Elara really with Kael? Was all of this—her leaving, her tears—just an act to justify an affair?
But when he closed his eyes, what he saw was Elara in the art gallery years ago, her tears as she looked at a beautiful painting. That wasn't an act. That was the same woman who had loved him, built a family with him.
His phone rang. It was Sofia.
"David, do you know where Elara is? I'm worried."
"She's not with you?"
"No.She only said she needed time alone. But she didn't tell me her location."
David took a deep breath. So Elara was alone. Not with Kael. Not with Sofia. Alone, hurt, and probably just as confused as he was.
Slowly, something inside him cracked. Not anger, but deep regret. He had let his fear and jealousy drive him to send a stupid message, listen to a malicious ex, and hurt the woman he loved most.
He looked back at his message to Kael. And Kael's cutting reply. He's taking advantage of the situation.
David clenched his fist. This battle was no longer between him and Kael. It was between his fearful self and the man who deserved Elara's love.
And that night, for the first time since Elara left, David cried. Not from sadness, but from shame. Shame at himself.