Elena
As early as possible before dawn could break.
I picked up myself and hurriedly dashed into the shower to frshen up becasue I knew I had lots of patients to attend to today at the clinic.
I had already picked my outfit for the day a night before today so I didn’tg waste much of my time dressing up.
I dressed up quietly without wanting to make a noise so I won’t call the attention of anyone.
As soon as I was done preparing, I tiptoed carefully and hopped into my car to head straight up to the clinic where my patients were waiting to see me.
I hadn’t even settled down in the clinic when I stumbled across Tyler.
“We need to talk,” he says, unusually serious.
He leads me to his office and closes the door.
“I did some research after dinner at Reuben.” He pulls out a folder.
My stomach drops.
“Why?”
“Because I care about you, Elena.
And because something about how you two interacted bothered me.” He opens the folder.
“Did you know he’s been having you followed?”
“What?” my jaw dropped dead in shock.
How can someone whom I barely care about his name be following me just because he is my step brother.
“For years.
Since you married Dominic.
He has regular reports on your movements, your health, your…” He hesitates.
“Your injuries.”
The room spins slightly.
“How do you….”
“I have connections where he works and someone owes me a favor.” He shows me papers, surveillance reports, medical records somehow obtained, photos of me leaving the Ashford estate.
All compiled by Reubens people.
“Why would he do…” I struggle to finish the sentence.
“I don’t know.
But Elena, he’s not as indifferent as he wants you to believe.”
I stare at the reports.
At years of documentation.
Of him watching from afar, never reaching out, never speaking to me, but never quite letting go either.
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.
But I thought you should know.” Tyler closes the folder.
“Be careful around him.
Whatever his game is, you’re still a piece in it.”
I take the folder.
“Thank you.”
That night, alone in my now-quiet penthouse, I spread out the surveillance reports.
There are hundreds of them.
Including one from the night I fell down the stairs.
Detailed medical assessment.
Photos of my injuries.
And a handwritten note in the margin, in handwriting I’d recognize anywhere:
Find out who did this.
Reuben.
Someone who abandoned me.
Who hasn’t spoken to me in three years.
Has been watching me all along.
I don’t know what to do with this information.
Don’t know if it changes anything.
But as I fall asleep, I dream of being seven years old again.
Of a thirteen-year-old boy standing between me and the old woman’s rage.
“Since you don’t like her, she can move to my place from now on.”
In my dream, he didn’t leave, he kept staying there with a disdainful expression.
I woke up swiftly out of panic and found out that my pillow was wet due to tears.
Watching the clock tick slowly and as I turned to the calendar being placed on my size tool I could clearly see that It’s remaining three days until Dominic’s birthday.
Three days until everything changes.
I’m at the clinic when Sage call came in.
“Elena, dear.
We need to talk about your arrangement with me.”
My heart pounds.
“Has something changed?”
“Not changed.
Accelerated.” Her voice is crisp, businesslike.
“I’ve found a suitable candidate for Dominic.
She’s from the Riverside Pack, good bloodlines, good temperament.
We’ll announce the match two weeks after the divorce is finalized.”
Two weeks.
So fast.
“I see.”
“The divorce certificate will be delivered to you tomorrow morning.
My lawyers have handled everything.
As far as the courts are concerned, you and Dominic have been legally separated for months.
The paperwork is just a formality.”
“And Dominic doesn’t know?”
“He will.
On his birthday, when the pack council reviews the dissolution in their monthly meeting.” A pause.
“You’ve kept your end of the bargain admirably, Elena.
The second property and the funds have been transferred.”
“Thank you.”
After we hang up, I sit in my office, staring at nothing.
It’s really happening.
Tomorrow, I’ll have the certificate.
In three days, it’ll be public.
I should feel relieved.
Victorious.
Instead, I feel…
hollow.
My phone buzzes.
Damien.
Heard from my contacts.
Tomorrow’s the day.
Do you need anything?
Just moral support.
You’ve got it, little wolf.
Always.
I smile despite everything.
Whatever else happens, I have my brother back.
That’s worth something.