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1191 Words
Elena didn’t sleep that night.
After the hospital call, she sat on her bed until morning came, staring at nothing. The words from the nurse kept repeating in her head like a drum she couldn’t escape.
Her brother needed surgery.
Immediately.
And it cost a lot of money.
Money she didn’t have.
Her parents were gone. A car accident had taken them years ago, leaving her and her younger brother Daniel alone in the world. Since then, Elena had been the one holding everything together. She worked endlessly just to keep him alive, just to pay hospital bills, just to buy time.
But now, even time was running out.
She opened her banking app again. The balance was still painfully small.
Not enough.
Not even close.
Her hands trembled as she dropped her phone onto the bed.
“I can’t lose him too,” she whispered.
And for the first time that night, she cried without holding anything back.
—
Morning came too quickly.
At work, everything felt normal.
Too normal.
People were laughing in groups. Talking about the new CEO who would be introduced today. Excitement filled the air like nothing serious existed in the world.
But Elena felt like she was moving through water.
Heavy.
Slow.
Broken.
She walked into the office building with tired eyes and a pale face. Her mind was not on work. It was in a hospital room far away, with her brother fighting for his life.
As she entered the office floor, she noticed Liv waving at her.
“Elena!”
Liv hurried over immediately, stopping in front of her.
“Oh my God, what happened?” Liv frowned. “You look terrible. Did you even sleep?”
“I’m fine,” Elena said quickly.
But her voice was weak.
Liv didn’t believe her.
“Talk to me,” she said softly. “What’s going on?”
Elena hesitated. Her throat tightened.
For a second, she tried to hold it in.
But then it all came out.
“My brother,” she said quietly.
Liv’s expression changed instantly. “Daniel?”
Elena nodded.
“He needs surgery,” she continued, voice shaking. “Urgently. The hospital called me last night.”
Liv’s eyes widened. “Surgery? What happened?”
Elena swallowed hard. “His heart condition… it got worse. They said if he doesn’t get the surgery soon…” She stopped, unable to finish.
Liv grabbed her hand immediately.
“We’ll figure something out,” she said quickly.
Elena shook her head. “It’s too expensive, Liv. I checked everything. I can’t afford it. I don’t even know what to do anymore.”
Her voice cracked at the end.
People nearby started noticing, but Elena didn’t care anymore.
Liv pulled her closer gently. “Okay. Okay, breathe. Just breathe.”
Elena tried.
But it didn’t help.
After a moment, Liv spoke again. “Have you told anyone at work? Maybe HR can help.”
That reminded Elena of something.
“Yes,” she said quickly. “I tried. I went to the manager this morning.”
—
Earlier that morning, Elena had stood in the HR manager’s office with shaking hands.
The room was quiet, filled with files and the smell of coffee.
“I need a loan,” Elena had said. Her voice was desperate but controlled. “Please. It’s for my brother’s surgery. I’ll pay it back. I promise.”
The manager looked at her with sympathy but shook her head slowly.
“Elena, you know company policy. We can’t approve loans directly.”
Elena’s heart dropped.
“I’ll work extra hours. I’ll take anything. Please.”
“It’s not that simple,” the manager replied gently.
Elena stepped forward slightly. “He’s my only family. I don’t have anyone else.”
The room went quiet for a moment.
Then the manager sighed.
“There is one option,” she said.
Elena looked up immediately.
“The new CEO is being introduced today. After the meeting, you can submit a formal request. If he approves it, the company may assist you.”
Elena held onto that hope instantly.
“So I just need his approval?”
“Yes,” the manager said. “But it’s entirely his decision.”
—
Back in the present, Liv squeezed Elena’s hand tighter.
“So the CEO has to approve it?” Liv asked.
Elena nodded slowly.
“That’s my only chance,” she whispered.
Liv looked worried. “Then we’ll go together. You don’t have to face this alone.”
Elena gave a small, tired nod.
But deep down, she wasn’t even thinking about the CEO yet.
She was thinking about Daniel.
About how much time he had left.
—
The announcement came shortly after.
“ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED IN THE MAIN AUDITORIUM FOR THE NEW CEO INTRODUCTION.”
The entire office buzzed instantly with excitement.
People stood, adjusting clothes, whispering guesses.
Elena barely moved.
Liv nudged her gently. “Come on.”
“I don’t care,” Elena said quietly.
But Liv didn’t let her stay behind.
“Just come. Please.”
So Elena went.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she had no choice.
—
The auditorium was full.
Hundreds of employees filled every seat, talking softly, waiting.
Elena sat near the back with Liv beside her.
Her hands were cold.
Her mind was far away.
Liv leaned closer. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
Elena shook her head slightly.
“No,” she admitted quietly.
Liv hesitated, then asked carefully, “Is it Ryan again?”
Elena’s chest tightened instantly.
She turned her face slightly away.
“I caught him,” she said suddenly.
Liv froze. “What?”
Elena swallowed hard.
“At the gala,” she continued. “With Tessa.”
Liv’s eyes widened. “Tessa? Your best friend?”
Elena nodded, tears forming again.
“I walked in and saw them,” she said quietly. “Kissing.”
Liv covered her mouth in shock. “Oh my God…”
Elena gave a bitter laugh through tears. “I trusted both of them. I defended them so many times. And they… they did that to me.”
Liv immediately hugged her.
“They’re disgusting,” she said firmly. “Both of them. And they don’t deserve you.”
Elena didn’t respond.
She just stared at the stage like she was numb.
—
Then the lights dimmed.
The room slowly went silent.
The announcement came through the speakers.
“Please welcome the new Chief Executive Officer of Hartwell Corporation.”
Applause erupted.
Elena didn’t clap.
She didn’t even look interested.
Until she heard footsteps.
Confident.
Slow.
Heavy with authority.
A man walked onto the stage.
Tall.
Dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit.
Every movement controlled.
Every step powerful.
The room slowly went silent.
Elena lifted her eyes slowly.
And her body went cold.
Because the man standing there—
Was Alexander.
The same man she had insulted the previous morning.
The same man she had accused that morning.
The same man she had slept with while drunk.
And now—
He was the CEO of her company now.
- Writer
