Chapter 8:The First Crack
557 Words
The headlines spread across every major business platform before sunrise.
COLE TECH FACES MAJOR DATA BREACH
CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS LEAKED ONLINE
INVESTORS DEMAND ANSWERS
Selena stirred her coffee slowly, satisfaction hidden behind a calm expression.
In her previous life, Ethan had used this very project to secure influential investors and expand his company. That success had become the foundation of the power he later used against her.
Now, she had shattered that foundation before it could be built.
Her phone buzzed.
Ethan Calling.
Right on time.
She answered on the fourth ring.
"Selena."
His voice was strained.
"Have you seen the news?"
"I just woke up. What happened?"
"There was a leak. Someone released confidential company information."
Selena widened her eyes in mock surprise, though no one could see her.
"That's awful, Ethan."
He exhaled sharply.
"I don't know who would do this."
She almost smiled.
Neither do I, she thought.
At least not yet.
"You'll figure it out," she said softly. "You always do."
After a few more minutes of carefully chosen sympathy, she ended the call.
Almost immediately, another message appeared.
Aria: Poor Ethan is devastated. We should go see him together.
Selena leaned back in her chair.
Even now, Aria was trying to push her closer to Ethan.
Just like before.
Only this time, Selena could see every move before it happened.
Selena: I'm busy today. Maybe another time.
Three dots appeared and disappeared several times before Aria finally replied.
Aria: You've changed lately.
Selena's fingers hovered over the keyboard.
I've finally opened my eyes.
Instead, she typed:
Selena: People grow, Aria.
She set her phone down when another notification appeared.
Lucien Dregor: Coffee? Same place as last time.
A genuine smile tugged at her lips.
Unlike the messages from Ethan and Aria, Lucien's presence no longer made her cautious—it made her curious.
Ever since the gala, their friendship had developed naturally. They exchanged messages almost daily, met for coffee when their schedules allowed, and somehow, Lucien always seemed to understand what she wasn't saying.
Sometimes, it felt as though he knew her too well.
As though he had known her long before this life.
Her suspicion grew stronger every time she looked into his eyes.
Selena: I'll be there in thirty minutes.
---
Lucien was already waiting when she arrived at the café.
He looked up from his laptop and smiled.
"You're late."
"By three minutes."
He closed the laptop.
"I counted."
Selena rolled her eyes as she took the seat across from him.
Their easy banter felt surprisingly natural.
Comfortable.
Dangerously comfortable.
Lucien studied her quietly for a moment.
"Ethan called, didn't he?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"How did you know?"
A faint smile crossed his face.
"Just a guess."
No, she thought.
Not a guess.
Never a guess with him.
She leaned forward.
"Lucien, can I ask you something?"
His expression softened.
"You can ask me anything."
Selena held his gaze.
"Do you ever feel like you've lived through certain moments before?"
For the first time since she'd met him, Lucien went completely still.
His eyes darkened with emotions she couldn't quite name.
Recognition.
Relief.
And something that looked a lot like pain.
When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet.
"Every single day."
Selena's heartbeat quickened.
Maybe she wasn't carrying this burden alone after all.
- Writer
