CHAPTER 8: BETRAYAL
224 Words
The headline hit like a bullet.
“Kade Corporation Moves to Full Acquisition of Vance Dynamics.”
Elara stared at the screen.
Heart pounding.
Hands shaking.
No.
No.
No.
Nora rushed in. “Elara—”
“He promised nothing,” Elara said slowly.
“But he—”
“He said nothing.”
Her chest tightened painfully.
Of course.
Of course she was stupid enough to believe—
She grabbed her coat.
“I’m going to him.”
⸻
Adrian didn’t expect her.
But when she walked in—
He knew.
“Elara—”
“You lied.”
“I didn’t.”
“You’re taking my company.”
“It’s business.”
Her laugh was sharp, broken.
“Business?”
She stepped closer, eyes blazing.
“You stood there… told me you understood me… and this is what you do?”
His voice hardened. “I warned you. I don’t mix emotions with business.”
Her expression changed.
Something shattered.
“Good,” she said softly. “Because I don’t mix betrayal with forgiveness.”
The word hit.
Hard.
Adrian stepped forward. “Elara—”
“Don’t.”
Tears filled her eyes—
But she didn’t let them fall.
Not in front of him.
“Congratulations,” she whispered. “You finally broke something.”
And then—
She walked away.
- Writer
