TWO MEN, ONE WOMAN
Elara felt it the moment she stepped out of the elevator.
Tension.
The kind that prickled your skin before disaster struck.
Evan stood by the reception area, dressed sharply, hair perfectly styled—trying too hard. Across the room, Lucien exited his office at the same time.
Their eyes met.
And the air shifted.
"Elara," Evan called, walking toward her. "We need to talk."
Lucien's jaw tightened instantly.
"At work?" Lucien asked coldly. "Interesting timing."
Evan smiled. "I didn't know talking to my ex was illegal."
Elara sighed. "Not here, Evan."
"Why?" he pressed. "Afraid of your boss?"
Lucien stepped closer.
"Choose your words carefully," he warned.
Evan scoffed. "You're just her employer. You don't own her."
Lucien's eyes darkened.
"You have no idea what you're talking about."
Elara stepped between them.
"Stop it. Both of you."
She turned to Evan. "I told you to stay away."
"I'm trying to fix my mistake," he said. "You deserve better than being controlled."
Lucien laughed coldly. "You abandoned her."
Evan clenched his fists. "And you're using her."
Silence exploded.
Elara's chest tightened.
"You both need to stop," she snapped. "I'm not a prize to fight over."
Lucien stared at her.
"You're right."
Evan smirked. "Finally, some sense."
Lucien continued, eyes sharp.
"You're not a prize. You're a responsibility."
Elara stiffened.
"That's not better," she muttered.
Lucien faced Evan.
"Leave. Before security does it for you."
Evan hesitated, then looked at Elara.
"I won't give up," he said quietly. "Not again."
He walked away.
Elara exhaled slowly.
"You didn't have to do that," she said to Lucien.
"Yes, I did," he replied. "He thinks he can walk back into your life."
"And maybe he can," she said.
Lucien's expression darkened.
"You'd go back to him?"
She met his eyes.
"I don't belong to you."
Something cracked in his gaze.
"Then why does it bother me?" he asked quietly.
Her heart skipped.
Before she could answer, Serena appeared from nowhere.
"Wow," she clapped sarcastically. "A love triangle at the office."
Elara rolled her eyes. "You're obsessed."
Serena smirked. "I'm protective."
"Of what?" Elara asked. "A man who doesn't want you?"
Lucien froze.
Serena's smile slipped.
"You think you're special?"
Elara stepped closer.
"I think I'm honest."
Serena raised her hand.
Lucien caught her wrist mid-air.
"Enough," he said coldly.
Everyone watching gasped.
Serena's eyes burned.
"You'll regret this."
She stormed off.
Lucien released her slowly.
Elara stared at him.
"You didn't have to defend me again."
"Yes," he said. "I did."
Their eyes locked.
The world faded.
"You're crossing lines," she whispered.
"So are you," he replied.
And for the first time…
Neither of them stepped away.