Twice Burned, Unyielding Heart

Elena Hartman stood in the massive lobby of Vance Enterprises, staring up at the sleek, modern glass structure. The building seemed to mock her, reflecting the coldness in her heart. The city outside buzzed with life, but here, inside, it was dead silent, like the tomb of a past she could never escape. Breathing became difficult for her. The last time she had been here was years ago. Years since everything had fallen apart—since Leonardo Vance had broken her heart. But she wasn’t here for him. She was here for her company. For her daughter. Her heels clicked on the smooth marble floor as she entered, and the rotating doors moaned as they spun open. A receptionist's eyes widened as she looked up from her desk to see Elena. “Ms. Hartman,” the woman said, rising quickly. “How can I assist you today?” Elena straightened, forcing a smile. “I’m here to see Mr. Vance. I have an appointment.” The receptionist’s eyes flickered with hesitation, but she quickly recovered. “Of course, right this way.” Inside the penthouse-level office, Leonardo Vance stood by the window, his eyes fixed on the skyline below. The city sprawled out like a battlefield, its buildings rising in defiance of the world’s demands. He could almost taste the tension in the air—the pressure that came with power, with wealth. With being a Vance. His assistant, Emma, entered the room without knocking. “Mr. Vance, Elena Hartman is here,” she said, her voice crisp. Leonardo didn’t turn from the window, his fingers flexing against the glass. Elena Hartman. The woman who had deceived him so long ago. The woman who had abandoned him, leaving him disillusioned, angry, and damaged. She had no business being here. “Send her in,” he said, his voice flat. Elena met Leonardo's eyes as soon as she entered the office. Something she believed she had long since buried was awakened by the sight of him—still so strong, still so in control. Leonardo remarked, "You're here," with a tone that was both surprised and icy. “I didn’t expect you to come crawling back.” Elena swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay calm. "Leonardo, I'm not here for you. I am here in need of your assistance.” His brows lifted. “Help? With what? Your company crumbling under your feet?” He laughed harshly, without humor. "You're in the right place." "I require a loan," she stated in a stern yet quiet voice. “A significant one, to keep my business afloat. I’ve exhausted every other option.” Leonardo studied her, his gaze piercing. “And you think I’m going to help you? After everything you did?” He leaned against the desk, his posture exuding dominance. “You walked away from me, Elena. You chose business over us. Over me.” Elena winced, but she kept her eyes on him. “I did what I believed to be right. It wasn’t personal.” “Don’t lie to me.” His voice hardened. “You betrayed me, Elena. You used me, then discarded me. I’ve never forgotten that.” Her voice was shaking as she spoke, "I didn't want to hurt you, Leonardo." “However, I had no other option. I was attempting to safeguard both my future and my father's legacy.” Leonardo’s eyes narrowed. “You expect me to believe that after everything that happened?” “I expect nothing from you,” she snapped, her voice rising slightly. “But I need your assistance. I've changed since then as a person. And all I'm requesting is a chance, not your pardon.” A long silence stretched between them. Leonardo was silent, his eyes never leaving hers. At last, he spoke in a calm, low voice. "You truly believe I'll be of assistance to you?" Elena stood up straight, determined not to give up. "I have no choice but to be here. And it's okay if you wish to focus on the past. But I need your help now.” Leonardo’s lips curled into a cruel smile. “And what do you expect in return?” “Nothing,” Elena said, her voice steady. “I just need a loan. A chance to rebuild. I’m not asking for anything else.” Leonardo’s eyes glinted with something cold. “You’re asking me to trust you again? After everything that’s happened?” Elena balled her fists. “I'm not requesting your trust. Please give me a chance. Just like you gave everyone else a chance.” He crossed the room slowly, his movements deliberate. “You think I owe you that?” "No," Elena said, "but you have a responsibility to yourself to make the right decision." While Leonardo's face was still unreadable, Elena briefly noticed a glimmer of something—possibly uncertainty or something more profound—in his eyes. Then it vanished, to be replaced by the well-known mask of apathy. "You'll work for me," he said in a decisive tone. “What?” Elena asked, shocked. “I don’t need to work for you, Leonardo. I just need your help. This isn’t about power plays or control. It’s about survival.” His voice was harsh as he reiterated, "You'll be working for me." "You'll return to Vance Enterprises if you want the money and the opportunity to rebuild your company. You’ll work Elena started to object, but he interrupted her with a hand gesture. "You are not allowed to refuse. You requested my assistance. Here's how you'll obtain it. Take it or leave it.” Elena's thoughts were racing as she stood motionless. She was hearing things she couldn't believe. After all, he remained the same vicious, cold guy despite years of suffering and betrayal. She secretly knew better than to hope for a different response. "All right," she said in a firm voice. “I’ll take the job. But I’m not doing this for you, Leonardo. I’m doing this for my daughter.” His eyes flickered at the mention of Mia. “Your daughter?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper. “Her name is Mia,” Elena said, her voice quiet but firm. “She’s four.And I now do everything for her. So don't even consider that I'm doing this for you. I'm taking this action to safeguard my family and myself.” Leonardo said nothing, but his eyes never left her. His eyes held an unintelligible quality that caused Elena's heart to race. But before she could perform more analysis, there was a gentle click and the door to his office opened. Emma remarked, "Mr. Vance, there's an urgent matter that requires your attention," in a courteous but firm tone. Leonardo turned to her, annoyance flashing across his face. “Not now, Emma,” he snapped, but then his eyes returned to Elena, as though the conversation they were having was far from over. Elena was about to go, her mind racing with feelings, when she saw someone—something—standing in the corridor outside. A man in a black suit, with the shadows partially hiding his face. His eyes locked onto hers, and Elena’s blood ran cold. He knew who she was.