Chapter 3: The Unexpected Visitor
666 Words
The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains of Elena's apartment, but its warmth did little to ease the heaviness in her heart.
She had barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, Adrian's cold voice echoed in her mind.
"They're over."
Five years of love had ended with two words.
Elena slowly sat up and looked around the tiny apartment. Dust covered the shelves, and the silence felt almost unfamiliar. It was nothing like the luxurious penthouse she had shared with Adrian, but for the first time in years, everything here truly belonged to her.
She took a deep breath.
"This is my new beginning," she whispered.
After a quick shower, Elena changed into a simple white blouse and black trousers. She tied her long hair into a neat ponytail before checking her bank account on her phone.
The number on the screen made her heart sink.
After paying part of Mason's hospital expenses and renting the apartment, she had barely enough money left for groceries.
Her phone rang.
It was the hospital.
"Miss Hart," the nurse said politely, "your brother had another fever during the night. The doctor would like to begin treatment immediately, but we'll need the deposit by tomorrow."
"I understand," Elena replied, forcing herself to remain calm. "I'll bring the money."
After ending the call, she closed her eyes for a moment.
Tomorrow.
She had less than twenty-four hours.
"I'll find a way," she said firmly.
---
Meanwhile...
At Blackwood International, Adrian walked into the executive boardroom.
The directors immediately stood to greet him.
"Good morning, Mr. Blackwood."
He nodded absentmindedly before taking his seat.
The meeting began.
One executive nervously presented a contract.
"Mr. Blackwood, this agreement still requires final approval."
Adrian frowned.
"Where are Elena's notes?"
The room fell silent.
No one answered.
His assistant cleared his throat.
"Sir... Mrs... I mean, Miss Hart isn't with the company anymore."
Adrian stared at the document.
For years, Elena had reviewed every contract before it reached his desk.
She always noticed the smallest mistakes.
Now the pages looked strangely incomplete.
Annoyed, Adrian tossed the file onto the table.
"We'll discuss it later."
Several executives exchanged uneasy glances.
Without Elena behind the scenes, even routine meetings suddenly felt disorganized.
---
Across town, Elena walked from company to company with a folder containing her résumé.
Each interview ended the same way.
"We're sorry."
"We've already filled the position."
"We'll call you."
No one ever did.
By late afternoon, exhaustion weighed heavily on her shoulders.
She sat alone on a park bench, staring at the city skyline.
Five years ago, she had helped build one of the country's biggest corporations.
Today...
No one was willing to hire her.
A sleek black limousine quietly pulled up nearby.
An elderly gentleman stepped out, dressed in an elegant charcoal suit.
His silver hair and calm expression gave him an air of quiet authority.
He stopped in front of Elena.
"Miss Elena Hart?"
She looked up cautiously.
"Yes?"
"My name is Theodore."
He offered a warm smile.
"I believe we need to talk."
Elena hesitated.
"I'm sorry, but have we met?"
"Not properly."
He handed her a business card.
Her eyes widened.
Theodore Blackwood.
Chairman Emeritus, Blackwood International.
Her fingers tightened around the card.
"What do you want from me?"
The old man sighed.
"I came to apologize."
Elena laughed bitterly.
"On behalf of your family?"
"No."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"On behalf of myself."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Theodore gestured toward the limousine.
"Would you allow an old man to buy you a cup of coffee?"
Elena almost refused.
But something about his sincere expression made her pause.
After a moment, she nodded.
"One cup."
The old man smiled.
"One cup."
Neither of them realized...
Someone across the street had just raised a camera.
The shutter clicked several times.
Within minutes, those photographs would land on Chloe Morgan's phone.
And the misunderstanding they created would change all of their lives.
- Writer
