Elaine smiled politely as she chatted with familiar faces, her tone warm yet composed. There was no tension, no lingering bitterness—just a woman who had moved on.
She could feel his gaze on her, steady and unrelenting. She knew it was Alex. But she didn't look his way. Not even once.
Mary, beaming with excitent, turned to introduce her fiancé. "Elaine, this is Jack Lürssen. He works in shipbuilding."
Jack extended his hand with an easy smile. "Nice to et you."
Elaine shook his hand. "Likewise."
Mary nudged Jack playfully. "Don't be modest. He's with Lürssen Shipyards."
Elaine's brows lifted slightly. "Ah. You build so of the most renowned yachts in the world."
Jack chuckled. "You know about us?"
Elaine nodded. "A little. Your company has quite the reputation."
Jack smiled, then glanced at Mary. "You didn't tell your friend was so well-inford."
Mary grinned. "Elaine knows a lot more than she lets on."
Jack turned back to Elaine. "And what do you do?"
Before Elaine could answer, Mary spoke up. "She runs Phoenix Security."
Jack's expression shifted slightly, recognition flashing in his eyes. "Phoenix? I've heard of them. You provide security to... high-profile clients?"
Elaine gave a small nod. "We work with governnts and a few private clients."
Jack looked genuinely impressed. "That's an interesting field."
Elaine smiled softly. "It keeps busy."
There was no pride in her voice, no need to impress—just a simple statent of fact. But as the conversation continued, she could still feel Alex's gaze. Watching. Listening.
And for the briefest mont, she wondered what he was thinking.
Jack's gaze lowered to the little girl beside Elaine, surprise flickering in his eyes. He crouched slightly to her level and offered a warm smile.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?" he asked gently.
Elaine looked down at her daughter. "Athena, sweetheart, say hello."
Athena hesitated for a mont before shyly extending her tiny hand. "Hello," she said softly.
Jack chuckled as he shook her hand, careful and light. "It's nice to et you, Athena."
He playfully ruffled her hair, then instinctively reached out as if to lift her, but stopped himself. "I'd carry you, but I have a feeling you might be too much of a princess for that."
Athena giggled, while Mary watched the interaction with a tender expression. Elaine could see the love in her friend's eyes as she admired how Jack handled a child with such ease. It was clear—Mary truly loved him. And for that, Elaine was happy.
Just as Jack was about to ask about Athena's father, the little girl suddenly turned, her eyes lighting up with excitent.
"Daddy!"
Heads turned. The murmurs began.
There, making his way into the room, was Ryan. The mont Athena saw him, she wriggled free from Jack and ran straight into his arms. Ryan caught her effortlessly, lifting her up and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
Elaine observed the father-daughter duo, a small, knowing smile on her lips.
The whispers grew louder among the guests. They had expected Adrian, or perhaps soone unknown. But Ryan? That was unexpected.
Who didn't know Ryan Sterling? Owner of luxury hotels and high-end restaurants, a man who had built an empire just as powerful as Elaine's. Together, they were a force—husband and wife, both running multi-billion-dollar businesses.
Mary's gaze lingered on Ryan, unreadable.
With Athena still in his arms, Ryan walked toward them. He greeted Elaine with a hug, one that felt more like a silent exchange than a display of affection. Mary, watching closely, could see the truth. There was no love between them—at least, not the kind people assud.
Ryan turned to Mary, his expression softer, almost lancholic.
"Mary," he said, acknowledging her before shifting his attention to Jack. Extending a hand, he added, "You must be the fiancé."
Jack shook his hand firmly. "Not the fiancé," he corrected with a good-natured laugh. "Husband-to-be."
Ryan let out a small, forced chuckle, though there was sothing distant in his eyes. Elaine noticed it imdiately.
Pain.
Ryan masked it well, but she could see it—just as Mary could.
For a brief mont, there was silence. The weight of unspoken emotions hung in the air.
Then, Athena playfully tapped her father's cheek, breaking the mont. "Daddy, are you staying?"
Ryan smiled at her, his features softening. "Of course, princess."
And just like that, the world around them faded as a father devoted his attention to his daughter.
Alex hadn't expected this.
The daughter he assud belonged to so unknown man was, in fact, Ryan's. That revelation hit him harder than he wanted to admit. He wasn't sure what unsettled him more—the fact that Elaine had a child or that she had seemingly moved on so completely.
Without thinking, he made his way toward them, Olivia clinging to his arm. Her grip was tighter than usual, as if she needed to prove sothing. He barely acknowledged it.
His business partner greeted him with a friendly pat on the back. "Alex! Good to see you, man."
Alex responded with a nod, exchanging brief pleasantries, but his focus remained on Elaine. The air felt different now—thicker. Conversations slowed as people turned their attention toward them.
When their eyes finally t, Alex spoke first. "Elaine," he said, keeping his voice even, "how have you been?"
Elaine smiled, poised and unaffected. "I'm doing well. Very well, actually."
There was no hesitation, no bitterness—just quiet confidence.
Olivia stiffened beside him. She hated that answer. She had expected sothing else, sothing more vulnerable. But Elaine stood there, composed, radiant even.
"You've been busy," Olivia said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Elaine t her gaze without a trace of hostility. "I have. And you?" A pause, then a knowing smile. "You must be proud, Olivia. You got exactly what you wanted."
The words were smooth, almost complintary, but they carried weight. Olivia's expression faltered.
Before she could respond, a small voice interrupted.
Alex's son tugged at his sleeve, looking curiously at Athena. "Daddy, I want a pretty sister like her."
The comnt sent murmurs through the group.
Alex inhaled sharply. "Go with your nanny," he instructed gently but firmly.
Olivia turned to him. "Alex, I—"
One look from him was enough to make her fall silent.
Elaine observed their exchange, and sothing beca clear—Olivia wasn't the sa woman who once sneered at her, who once flaunted her position. Now, she seed... small.
But Elaine didn't care anymore. Not about Olivia, not about whatever regrets she might have.
Alex shifted his attention to Ryan. "I need a word."
Ryan exchanged a glance with Elaine. She gave him a slight nod, letting him decide how to handle it.
Stepping away from the group, Ryan kept his posture relaxed, but his voice held a quiet warning. "What do you want?"
Alex didn't waste ti. "How is she?"
Ryan tilted his head slightly. "You just saw her."
Alex exhaled, frustration evident. "And Adrian?"
Ryan's expression darkened. "That's not your concern."
Alex held his gaze. "I just—"
Ryan cut him off. "You don't get to ask. You made your choice. Now live with it."
Silence stretched between them before Ryan turned and walked back inside.
Alex stayed behind, jaw clenched, watching as Elaine laughed softly at sothing Mary said. She had changed.
And for the first ti, he realized—he didn't know her at all anymore.
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