Ethan Cole used to wake up to control. Control of his company. Control of every decision in his spotless, glass-walled office. Control of the life he built brick by cold brick.
But that control slipped through his fingers the day Liana walked out of his world.
At first, he told himself he could handle it. That time would steady him. That burying himself in work would make everything feel normal again.
It didn't.
Because guilt has a cruel way of lingering, in the quiet moments, in the empty rooms, in the space beside him where she used to sleep.
And then… the scandal hit.
News broke like a slap across the city 'A' major partnership deal one Ethan had promised, defended, and fought for, was exposed as fraudulent. Not by him, but by someone he trusted to oversee it. A single overlooked email. A signature placed without proper verification. A mistake, yes, but in his world, mistakes cost millions.
In forty-eight hours, investors pulled out. Stocks dipped. Reporters camped outside the Cole Industries headquarters like vultures sensing blood.
Ethan stood in his office, watching the numbers fall on the screen, feeling something he hadn't felt in years:
Powerless.
His executives whispered behind closed doors. His board demanded explanations. And whenever he tried to focus, Liana's face, hurt, betrayed, gone, flashed through his mind.
He had destroyed the one good thing in his life… and now the rest was collapsing too.
He hadn't slept in days. Not properly. Not without the nightmares, the accident, the blood, the moment he learned she survived but chose to leave him anyway.
Even now, the guilt crawled beneath his skin like a slow poison.
Late that evening, he sat alone in his office, the city lights reflecting off the glass walls. His tie hung loose, his sleeves rolled up, his eyes darker than the night outside.
He opened his laptop, intending to review the scandal reports again.
But instead… a notification flashed on his screen.
A news article. One of those glossy society posts about charity galas and high-profile events.
He was about to close it, until he saw her.
Liana Rivera.
In a soft silver gown that shimmered beneath the lights. Her hair curled over her shoulders. Her smile small, gentle… real.
And beside her stood a man.
Tall. Dark-haired. Sharp suit. A hand resting lightly at the small of her back as they posed for the photo.
Ethan's heart stopped.
He leaned forward, breath caught in his throat, eyes locked on the image he couldn't look away from.
Liana looked happy.
Really happy.
And the man next to her. Adrian Hale, the caption read. Regional Director. Rising star. Known for his charm and leadership.
Ethan stared at the screen until his vision blurred.
His company was falling apart. His reputation was cracking. Everything he built was slipping away.
But none of that hurt as much as this one truth:
While his world burned…Liana was rebuilding hers.
With someone else.
And for the first time in his life, Ethan Cole felt genuine fear-the fear of losing her forever.
He saw in the caption that the two will be attending together at a gala later in the evening, which gave Ethan the uncertain motivation of whether to attend or not. But his will to go see her, made all the thoughts he had thought of diminished and readied himself to see through it, even if it meant him being looked like no one to her.