Chapter 7:
In front of Lumina Corp, Lena walked briskly, shoulders hunched, her mind spinning like a storm. Her worn-out heel wobbled with every step, but she didn't slow down—too embarrassed, too flustered.
And then—another collision.
The impact sent her sprawling to the pavement. Again.
"Kill me now," she whispered, covering her face with trembling hands. "Twice in one day? I can't dress, I can't walk… and my date's ruined."
Tears pricked her eyes as humiliation sank in. She stayed there, frozen, mortified.
A man knelt beside her, his voice urgent. "I I'm so sorry! Please don't cry. Are you hurt?"
Around them, curious pedestrians slowed, whispering:
"Did he make her cry?"
"Poor girl. Look at her dress—it's ruined."
"Was that a breakup?"
Lena sat up quickly, brushing off her skirt. "No, no—it's not his fault," she said shakily. "Really, I just tripped."
The man extended a business card, his tone gentle. "Please call me. I'll pay for everything—shoes, dress, anything."
"I'm fine," she murmured, swiping at her tears.
"At least let me make it up to you," he said softly. "Please. I insist."
An Unexpected Kindness
Minutes later, they stood in a nearby shoe store.
"You really don't have to," Lena said.
"I want to." His voice was calm but resolute. "It's the least I can do."
As the clerk returned with a few options, Lena finally asked, "Can I at least know your name?"
"Stephen," he replied with a warm smile. "Just Stephen."
The clerk presented a pair of deep night-blue heels with delicate bows. Lena slipped one on, and her eyes brightened despite herself.
"They're perfect," Stephen said softly, catching the fleeting smile on her face.
She quickly looked away. "Thank you—but this isn't fair. You didn't even break the first pair."
"Even so," Stephen shrugged, "how could I walk away from someone who clearly needed help? Especially someone as lovely as you."
Lena let out a short laugh. "As you can see, I'm not exactly cut out for heels. I'll take the flats instead—the white ones."
She reached into her bag and pulled out a small card. "My family runs a flower shop. Let me return the favour sometime. This will get you a discount—any occasion, any style. Just say you know me."
Her phone rang. She gave Stephen an apologetic look and turned away to answer.
"Fine," her tone sharpened. "I'll come since you've got no one else. Sure, sure—just double my salary. I'm already on my way."
She turned back with a sheepish smile. "I'm so sorry, I have to run. But really—come by the shop. Just ask for me."
She headed for the door.
"Wait!" Stephen called. "What name should I give?"
Lena paused, glancing over her shoulder. Her smile was warm and unguarded.
"Lena."
And then she was gone.
Stephen stood there, her name lingering in his mind.
"Lena," he murmured. "That's… beautiful."
He glanced at his watch and cursed softly. He was late. Very late.
Stephen Thorne
At Lumina Corp, Stephen ran through the sliding doors and straight for the elevator.
"Meeting in five," a colleague called out.
"I know." Stephen adjusted his tie, scanning his notes.
"Yes, but—Mr. Shade will be there today."
Stephen froze. "What? He's back already?" A flicker of unease crossed his face. "Damn. I need a second to prepare."
Another coworker grinned. "You always say that, but you're the one holding this team together. That's why you're our manager, Mr. Thorne."
Stephen offered a crooked smile. "Don't make me sound so heroic. I need you all more than you need me—this is a team effort."
Around the office, no one disliked Stephen Thorne. Dependable, generous, and effortlessly charming, he had a quiet magnetism that went beyond his polished glasses and lean frame.
The women in the office whispered about him constantly. Effortless. Handsome. Kind. Even those brave enough to ask him out left heartbroken—yet somehow still admired him.
Lena's Breaking Point
Across town, Lena's restaurant shift bled into the late evening. By the time she stepped out into the cool night air, her body felt like lead.
Rain began to fall. She didn't bother with her umbrella.
Her steps slowed. Her chest tightened.
The day's chaos faded, replaced by the harsh truth she had tried so hard to ignore—her parents had signed her life away.
Tears blurred her vision. She sank onto a low curb, hugging her knees as the rain plastered her hair to her face.
"This isn't my life," she whispered. "This can't be real."
She didn't notice the figure approaching until a shadow fell over her.
"Lena?"
She looked up.
A large umbrella blocked the rain. Rowan stood there, his usual teasing smile replaced with concern.
"Are you okay? What are you doing out here?"
At Shade Mansion
Meanwhile, Will signed the last of his documents with an impatient flick of his pen.
His eyes skimmed the headlines scrolling across his tablet:
"Where's the wife of yours? I knew he couldn't do it. A man of his status doesn't go for common girls."
"What could soften Will Shade's heart? Business partners call him cold. Maybe a wife will humanize him again."
Will's jaw tightened as Lumina's stock dipped five percent.
"This world doesn't care if you're tired or kind," he muttered. "If you don't make money, someone else will plan how to take it from you."
His thoughts drifted to Jin's proposed solution—the fake engagement with Lena.
And then, to their brief encounter in the lobby.
No shame, as predicted. She was already walking like she owned the place.
He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face.
"Let's hope this idiotic plan works… and skyrockets the stock."