Elena left the boardroom with tears stinging her eyes. She had begged Alexander to believe her, but his silence was worse than anger.
Alone in her small apartment, she replayed every moment. The kiss. The promises. The fire. And then his cold dismissal.
Meanwhile, Alexander sat in his office, drowning in rage. If Elena had betrayed him, then he had been a fool. But a voice in the back of his mind whispered the truth he didn't want to face:
She wouldn't. Not her.
Still, the damage was done.