Chapter 9 Shadows From The Past

Elena stood in front of the mirror, brushing out the waves of her hair, still stunned by how fast everything had shifted. Her life had once been a puzzle in pieces-now, the edges were starting to come together, though the center remained unclear.

Lucien had defended her publicly. He had stood in front of the media and staked his own name to protect hers. And it wasn't just for appearances. She had seen it in his eyes in the way his hand held hers tighter than ever before

But what did it all mean? Could someone like Lucien Holt, who had built a life out of control and cold walls, truly fall in love? Or was she simply another business move that he'd convinced himself was temporary?

She walked out of the room and found Lucien in the kitchen, wearing a plain white shirt and gray joggers-comfortably dressed, but still alarmingly attractive. He looked up from his coffee.

"You're up early"

"I didn't sleep much," she said, pouring herself a glass of juice. "Too many questions running through my head."

He nodded slowly. "Want to talk about it?"

"Do you?"

He set his cup down. "Yes."

They sat across from each other in the cozy breakfast nook, a space in the massive penthouse that always felt more real than the rest of the house. Maybe because it was the only room where they talked without any pretense.

"I need to know something," Elena said softly. "If this is still just business or if it's becoming something else."

Lucien looked down at his hands, then back at her. "At first, it was just business. A deal to fix a mess, save a reputation, But now I don't know how to keep pretending.

She held his gaze "Then don't."

He reached across the table and laced his fingers through hers. "I've never done this before. Never let anyone in."

"I know. And I'm not asking you to change overnight. But I can't keep walking this line without knowing where we're heading

He squeezed her hand. "Then let's find out together."

A knock on the front door interrupted them. Lucien rose with a frown and disappeared down the hallway.

Moments later, voices camed into the room tense and unfamiliar.

Elena followed and found Lucien speaking with a sharply dressed man holding a leather folder.

"What's going on?" she asked.

Lucien turned to her "This is Mr. Hargrove. He's from the board."

The man gave her a polite but stiff nod. "Mrs. Holt."

"What does the board want now?" Lucien asked, jaw tight.

"We received an anonymous tip this morning." Hargrove replied, opening the folder. "That your marriage is still being questioned. And that the company's stability is in jeopardy"

Lucien's expression darkened. "We already addressed this."

They want more proof. Personal proof. A public interview. With both of you."

Elena's heart sank. "A live interview?"

"Yes," Hargrove confirmed. "National. Prime time."

Lucien's eyes met hers. "Then well do it."

The studio lights were blinding. Elena sat beside Lucien on a cream-colored couch, her palms damp with sweat. Across from them sat the host-Melissa Grant, known for her probing interviews and icy poise.

"Mr. and Mrs. Holt," she began, her smile barely there. "Many say your marriage happened too suddenly. Some believe it's purely strategic. What would you say to those critics?"

Lucien's hand found Elena's on her lap. "They're wrong."

Melissa tumed to Elena. "You were fired from Holt Enterprises not long before your marriage. Can you explain how you went from employee to wife in a matter of weeks?"

Elena sat taller. "I was falsely accused and dismissed without due process. Lucien later discovered the truth and apologized. Our relationship grew from that second chance.

"And what about love?" Melissa asked, leaning forward. "Is it real?"

Lucien looked at Elena, and the room seemed to freeze. "Yes. It is."

He leaned in, gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, and kissed her in front of millions of viewers. The worght still dought them. But in that moment, the lie have become a truth neither of them could deny.

The following morning, the internet was ablaze

Clips of the interview had gone viral. Headlines ranged from skeptical to supportive, but one thing was clear-the kiss had changed public perception. Elena's inbox was flooded with both praise and curiosity. People wanted to know her. To know them.

Yet, not everyone was happy.

Lucien received a private email from Harper Donovan, one of the most influential board members-and a man with his own ambitions. The message was short and clear.

> "You're losing focus, Holt. A wife doesn't make you a leader. If she becomes a liability, you know what to do."

Lucien clenched his fists as he read it in his office. Harper had always played the long game, always looked for leverage. Elena was now in the crosshairs.

He called Elena to his study.

"What's wrong?" she asked, sensing the tension in his voice.

"We may be facing more than just gossip. Someone on the board is trying to dismantle my credibility-starting with our marriage."

"Then we fight back," she said without hesitation.

He raised an eyebrow. "You're not scared?"

"Of Harper Donovan? No. Of losing you? Maybe."

Lucien stepped forward. "You're not going to lose me. Not now"

She reached into her pocket and handed him a flash drive. "I've been doing my own digging. Those emails that got me fired? I traced the metadata. They originated from an IP address linked to Harper's assistant"

Lucien blinked. "You're serious?"

She nodded. "If we expose him, we not only clear my name again-we protect you."

Lucien stared at her, admiration in his eyes. "You amaze me"

"Good" she whispered. "Then let's burn him down."

A week later, Lucien invited the board to a surprise meeting at Holt Tower

Elena sat beside him, dressed in a sleek navy dress, her hair swept into a low bun. Calm. Controlled. Powerful.

Harper walked in, all smiles, but his eyes narrowed the moment he saw Elena.

"What's this about, Holt?" Harper asked, sitting across the table.

Lucien stood. "Clarification. About recent events and internal betrayal."

Elena pressed a button on the small remote in front of her. The screen lit up, displaying email headers, IP addresses, and timestamps.

"This is proof," she said, "that I was framed by someone in this room. These falsified emails came from Harper's assistant's computer."

Gasps rippled through the room.

Harper stood up. "This is absurd!"

Lucien stepped forward. "No, Harper. What's absurd is thinking you could threaten me and the woman I love without consequences.

A stunned silence fell.

"I've already sent copies to the legal team and HR," Lucien continued. "Your shares will be frozen pending investigation. Effective immediately, you are suspended from the board."

Security guards entered. Harper's face turned pale.

"You'll regret this," he hissed.

"Not as much as you will," Lucien replied.

That night, back at the penthouse, Elena stood in the living room, overwhelmed. by the events of the day.

Lucien entered with two glasses of wine and handed her one.

"To justice," he said.

L

"To partnership," she corrected.

They clinked glasses.

"I couldn't have done any of this without you," he admitted..

"Yes, you could have. But I'm glad you didn't."

He set the glass down and pulled her close. "I've spent so much of my life building walls. But you're the first person who ever made me want to tear them down."

Elena rested her head against his chest. "Then let's keep building. Together."

He tilted her chin up. "No more pretending"

"No more contracts"

"No more lies."

And when he kissed her again, there was no audience, no cameras, no expectations-only the beginning of something honest and unstoppable.

Whatever the world threw at them next, they would face it side by side.

Together.

For real this time.