Part 1 – “You Promised Me, Jaden”
“I love you, Jaden!”
Elysee’s voice cracked through the cold evening air, her words slicing through the tension like a dagger. Her heels clapped against the marble tiles as she stood frozen in the courtyard of the university, chest heaving, eyes red.
Jaden didn’t stop walking. His broad shoulders were tense, his fists clenched at his sides. The golden hue of the sunset fell behind him, casting a long shadow as if he was already fading from her life.
But the words—her words—made him freeze.
He stopped.
His heart pounded. His jaw tightened. His eyes burned from the tears he had been holding back for hours.
Elysee’s heels clicked again as she ran toward him. She threw her arms around his waist from behind, burying her face into his back.
“You promised me, Jaden,” she sobbed. “You promised.”
He closed his eyes, fighting back the pain.
“You told me to trust you. You said you’d be mine. You said nothing— nothing —would come between us.” Her voice cracked like glass.
Jaden turned slowly, wrapping his arms around her.
God, he loved this woman.
Her honey-brown curls, her almond eyes, the way she looked up at him like he was the only thing that mattered in the world.
But now, everything was crashing down on them. The truth. The pressure. The war waiting for them back home.
“Elysee…” he said, voice trembling. “I meant every word.”
“Then why?” she whispered. “Why are you leaving me now?”
He didn’t answer.
Six Months Ago – Paris, France
Their first encounter was accidental. Elysee was late to their International Business Strategy class and spilled her entire matcha latte on Jaden’s laptop bag. He looked up, annoyed—until their eyes met.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” she gasped, dabbing the soaked bag with napkins.
“It’s fine,” he muttered, clearly irritated.
But it wasn’t. His laptop inside was drenched. And she knew it. So she offered to buy him a new one.
“Right. Let me just pull a spare MacBook out of my purse,” Jaden replied sarcastically.
Elysee raised an eyebrow, then smirked. “So you do have a sense of humor.”
They bickered again two days later over group project roles. Then a week after, they found themselves arguing over economics at a café—and laughing while doing it.
One evening, during a walk along the Seine, under a streetlamp, Jaden said softly, “I don’t think I’ve met anyone who challenges me the way you do.”
Elysee looked at him. “That’s either a compliment or a red flag.”
“It’s a compliment.” He smiled. “You fascinate me.”
He kissed her that night.
And that was the beginning.
From that day on, they were inseparable. They studied together, traveled together, and fought over everything—from wine choices to which startup idea was better.
Elysee introduced him to vintage bookstores and morning croissants; Jaden introduced her to yacht parties and underground art shows.
They didn’t know—at least not then—that their last names were ticking bombs.
Jaden Rowe.
Elysee Duclaire.
Heir to Rowe International.
Heiress to Duclaire Group.
Rival empires. Generations of bloodshed wrapped in suits and press conferences.
Back to Present – Paris Courtyard
“I want to fight for you, Elysee,” Jaden said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I do. But it’s not that simple.”
“It is,” she insisted, tears streaming down her face. “It is if we both want this.”
Jaden turned away, shaking his head. “My father found out.”
Elysee’s lips parted.
“He told me if I don’t cut you off, he’ll destroy your family’s contracts. He has access to three of your suppliers. He can finish them.”
Elysee stepped back in horror. “What?”
“He’s planned it all. He knows about us. He knows where we meet. The apartment. The bookstore. Even the weekend in Capri.”
She staggered, clutching her chest.
“You’re telling me… you’re leaving me because your dad is threatening my family?”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
SLAP.
Elysee’s hand connected with his cheek.
Jaden stood still.
“I don’t need your protection, Jaden. I needed your love.”
Her voice was ice now. Her eyes were fire.
“You don’t get to choose for me. You don’t get to walk away like that.”
“I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“No,” she said coldly. “You’re trying to make a business decision.”
Jaden swallowed hard. The truth hurt because it was half-right.
“You said you’d marry me,” she whispered, tears falling silently now. “You said we’d run our own company. Be unstoppable. What happened to that dream?”
His voice cracked. “Reality happened.”
Elysee laughed bitterly. “Then go. Go back to your golden cage. Go play CEO’s son. But don’t you dare ever say you loved me.”
He turned around, took a step…
…then stopped.
“I do love you,” he said without turning.
“And that’s what makes this the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”
He walked away.
And this time, he didn’t stop.
