THE SABOTAGE
579 Words
The kiss haunted her.
Elena could still feel it days later, the burn of his lips, the desperate edge in his voice. She told herself not to read into it, not to hope but her heart betrayed her every time he walked into the room.
Adrian, as always, acted as though nothing had happened. He buried himself in work, his face a mask of cool indifference. But every now and then, when their eyes met across the breakfast table, she swore she saw a flicker—heat, longing, regret.
It was enough to unravel her.
But outside the walls of the mansion, storms were brewing.
It began with a photo.
At first, Elena didn’t believe it. She had woken to dozens of missed calls from friends she hadn’t spoken to in months, her phone buzzing nonstop with messages.
She finally opened one. And froze.
It was a grainy but unmistakable image splashed across every gossip site: her and Adrian, locked in their kiss.
But it wasn’t the truth.
The photo had been altered. Cropped, timed, angled to look like something far more scandalous.
Blackthorn Heir Caught in Compromising Embrace.
Adrian’s Bride or Blackmail Queen?
And then the worst headline of all:
Sources Claim Elena Trapped Billionaire Into Marriage With Leaked Photos.
Her stomach twisted violently. Her hands shook as she dropped the phone.
Someone had planted this. Someone wanted to destroy her.
And she already knew who.
Victoria.
By the time she found Adrian in his office, the air was already electric. He stood at the window, phone in hand, his posture rigid with fury.
“Adrian—” she began, her voice trembling.
He turned, his eyes stormy gray. “You’ve seen it?”
Her throat tightened. “It’s not true. I would never!
“I know,” he cut in sharply.
She blinked. “You… believe me?”
His jaw worked as though he hated the words he was about to say. “Of course I do. You don’t have the cunning for something like this.”
It wasn’t the most flattering belief, but relief washed over her all the same.
Still, his gaze was grim. “The board is already demanding answers. They think this will compromise deals. Our stock dropped this morning.”
Elena’s heart sank. “Because of me?”
“Because of them,” he snapped. “This isn’t about you, Elena. This is about power. Someone wants to weaken me.”
She swallowed. “Victoria.”
His silence was confirmation enough.
That evening, they attended another business dinner. The whispers were worse now, the stares sharper.
Victoria arrived late, draped in crimson silk, her smile wicked as she sauntered straight toward them.
“My, my,” she purred. “Looks like you two have been busy. Or should I say, careless?”
Elena stiffened, but Adrian’s hand found hers under the table. His grip was firm, grounding.
“Careful, Victoria,” he said coolly. “Your desperation is showing.”
Her smile faltered for just a second. Then she leaned closer to Elena, her perfume cloying.
“Enjoy your fairytale while it lasts,” she whispered. “Because soon, he’ll remember who he truly belongs to.”
Elena’s skin prickled, but she forced herself not to flinch. Not to show fear.
For the first time, she squeezed Adrian’s hand back.
And though his expression remained carved from stone, his thumb brushed over hers in a silent promise.
They would fight this. Together.
- Writer
