Elena’s pov
I grabbed the pen tightly, staring at the contract that could rip Damien’s life off everything he has built and I was the one who wrote it.
By 7 AM on Tuesday morning, the city felt so big and large.
I stood in my office, by the glass window staring down at the cars as sped by.
Everyone looked so small from up here.
It was already 30 minutes into my work day as I sipped my coffee.
Today was the day Damien would sign away everything to me.
His company.
His pride.
Everything.
And I would watch.
“This is what you wanted,” I whispered.
I’d lost count of the amount of times I’ve said that to myself.
“Miss Sterling?” My assistant walked in, interrupting my thoughts.
“Mr Blackwell is here for the meeting.”
My stomach dropped just like that, with no warning.
Just pure dread mixing with something else I didn’t want to name.
“Give me five minutes. Send him to Conference Room B.”
She nodded at me and walked away.
My hands were already shaking.
I told myself to stop it, I’ve been preparing for this all week.
I’m Elena Sterling.
I don’t shake because my ex husband is in the same building, breathing the same air.
Except I did.
I took a deep breath, and checked myself in the window one last time.
Hair okay, makeup good, face set.
Ready to go.
I grabbed the contract and walked out of my office, straight into the conference Room B.
When I opened the door, Damien was already there.
He stood up when I entered.
Basic manners he probably should have shown me over the years, but never did.
He looked terrible.
His eyes were dark, suit was loose, and his hair was messy.
I noticed he lost a lot of weight.
I didn’t care though.
“Mr. Blackwell.” My voice came out cold.
Perfect.
“Miss Sterling.” His voice was quiet, he sounded defeated.
His lawyer, an older man in an expensive suit, stood up as well.
“Miss Sterling, pleasure to meet you. I’m Robert Chen, representing Mr. Blackwell.”
I nodded at him.
“Shall we begin?”
Robert cleared his throat, glancing at Damien who hasn’t looked away from me since I walked in.
Not once.
I didn’t sit.
Instead, I placed the contract on the table and remained standing while they sat down.
I’d learned that from my father.
“The terms are outlined clearly,” I said, flipping through pages.
“Blackwell Industries becomes a subsidiary of Sterling Global. You retain the title of department head but report directly to my brother, Adrian.”
I locked eyes with Damien.
“Your salary will be reduced to $120,000 annually. No executive decisions without board approval, and all company assets will be transferred to Sterling Global.”
Damien’s lawyer looked pained.
“Miss Sterling, these terms are quite harsh. Perhaps we could negotiate…”
”There’s nothing to negotiate,” I cut in, still holding Demian’s gaze.
“You have two options. Sign this contract or file for bankruptcy by the end of the week. Your choice.”
Damien remained silent for a few seconds, staring up at me.
Finally, he spoke up.
“I’ll sign.”
His lawyer frowned.
“Are you sure? We can still…”
”I’ll sign,” Damien repeated, not looking away from me.
“She’s right. These are my only options.”
For a moment, I saw something flash through his eyes.
I couldn’t quite place what it was.
“Then let’s proceed.” I finally sat down.
The lawyer kept on talking, but Damien’s face was tight, and his hands shook as he took the pen I’d placed on the table.
When he signed the contract, I felt a sting.
I honestly thought it’d feel good watching him give away everything.
With each page he signed, he gave up more of himself.
Finally, he got to the last page, and he hesitated for a second, but then signed it.
“It’s done,” his lawyer said quietly.
“Almost,” I said, pulling out another document.
“This is your employment contract with Sterling Global. The start date is next Monday 8 AM sharp, report to Adrian Sterling for orientation.”
Damien took the paper, and read it quickly.
Then he signed without hesitation.
“Anything else?” He asked, looking back up at me.
His voice was almost gone. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
“That’s all, Mr. Blackwell. Welcome to Sterling Global.”
I stood up, ready to leave the conference room.
The lawyer hurried out as soon as I took back the papers, but Damien just sat there.
He didn’t move.
I ignored him and headed for the door.
“Elena.” I froze for a second when he said my name.
“Miss Sterling,” I corrected coldly, looking back at him.
“In this building, you will address me as Miss Sterling.”
”Right.
Sorry.” He stood up slowly.
“I just wanted to… Can we please talk? Just for a minute and not as CEO and employee but as…”
”As what?” I said coldly.
“What exactly do you think we are?”
”Elena, we were married.
We are married.
We shared so much together and…”
”We have nothing left to discuss, Mr. Blackwell,” I said, each word carefully worded.
“Our business here is concluded, I’ll see you Monday morning.”
I turned to leave, my hand already on the door handle.
“I know you hate me,” his voice stopped me in my track.
“I deserve it, I deserve all of this, but Elena…Miss Sterling, I just need you to know that I’m sorry.”
I don’t turn around.
I couldn’t let him see my face right now.
“Sorry for what exactly?”
”For not appreciating you,” his voice cracked.
“For being too weak to defend you from my family, for all of it. I’m so sorry.”
My hand tightened on the door handle, my knuckles going white.
“It’s a little too late for apologies, Mr. Blackwell,” I said without turning.
“See you Monday.”
Then I walked out.
I made it to my office and closed the door behind me.
I sank into my chair, staring at the signed contracts spread across my desk like evidence of a crime.
I won.
I took his company, reduced him to an employee who’d work for me, who’ll spend every day being reminded of what he lost.
This should feel amazing.
It should feel like I’d finally gotten justice.
I’d gotten everything I’ve been working toward.
So why were my hands shaking?
Why did I feel like I just lost something instead of won?
I stood up and stared out my window at the city below.
“This is what you wanted,” I whispered again to the empty room.
But for the first time since I’ve been telling myself that, I wasn’t sure if it was true anymore.