Julian's POV
I sat in my office, staring out the window, lost in thought. Thinking about Elena. I turned to my assistant, Daniel.
"Daniel, I want you to find out everything about a woman named Elena Marlowe. She lives here in Caelbourg."
Daniel nodded without asking questions. "Yes, sir. I will get on it right away."
Later that evening, Daniel walked into my office again.
"Sir, I found something. Elena... She was in a terrible accident five years ago. The reports say a stranger pulled her out of a burning car and called an emergency. There was no name mentioned back then. But when I checked the call records and first responders' log... it was your number, sir."
I froze. "I… saved her?" I asked, surprised.
"Yes, sir. You saved her five years ago," Daniel replied.
I sat back slowly, my mind racing as everything started to make sense. "All this time... it was her."
But then Vanessa interrupted my thoughts when she walked in.
"What do you want, Vanessa?" I asked.
"Do I need a reason to come see my fiancé?" Vanessa mocked. "By the way, I had a word with your slut—the one with the scar on her face."
My face hardened. "You... what? What did you do to Elena?"
Vanessa nonchalantly waved it off, a prideful smile on her face. "I just warned her. Do you love her, Julian? Because I have never seen you act this way for anyone else."
I stood there, silent for a moment.
Vanessa continued, her voice harsh with disdain. "Why can't you see the way I love you? Why won't you love me in return? For years, I've tried to make you see me. But no, just because of our parents' stupid arrangement, I've fallen for you. Don't you see how much I love you, Julian? Give me a chance to make it right. You won't regret it, I promise."
I cut her off. "Vanessa, please. We will talk about this later. And let me warn you—stay out of my business with Elena. Do you understand? I have a meeting in five minutes."
"That's what you always do—cut me off!" Vanessa snapped. "Do you know how many men are chasing me? I will leave. Bye, Julian," she added rudely and stormed out.
I took a deep breath. I remember asking my assistant to do a background check on Elena. I grabbed the file immediately and dialled her number.
"Hey," I said. "It's Julian, Elena."
Her voice came through, surprised. "Julian? You called? How did you get my number?"
"I have my ways," I replied, offering a small smile to the receiver.
She giggled softly. Good—she hadn't lost her spark.
"Elena, can we hang out? Please, I want to talk to you," I asked, trying to keep my tone gentle.
There was a pause. "Uhm... I don't think I can make it, Julian," she stammered.
I leaned against my desk. "Is it about Vanessa? I'm sorry for everything she did."
Her voice grew stronger. "Do you even know what she did to me? She disgraced me. And you didn't tell me you had a fiancée. I looked like a fool in public. They humiliated me."
My chest tightened. "I'm so sorry, Elena. I didn't know it got that bad. Let's meet somewhere—please, let me make it up to you."
Another pause. Her voice wavered. "Julian, I'm sorry, but I think you should go to your fiancée."
I ran a hand through my hair. "We're not engaged or in a relationship. Our parents are forcing us together, and she just won't let go. Please, Elena..."
Her breath hitched. "Please, Julian, I have to go now. I will call you back." Then the line clicked dead.
I stared at the phone in my hand, heart pounding. The conversation replayed in my mind—her hesitation, her pain. I needed to see her, to fix this.
I got to her house in the morning. I knocked on the door after calling several times with no answer. I was getting worried. She finally opened the door, and there she was—hoodie on, hair in a scattered ponytail, clearly just out of bed.
"I called, but you didn't pick up," I said, keeping my voice calm. "So I decided to come check on you. And… what happened to your face? Why the plaster?"
She looked embarrassed. Tried to act like she wasn't.
"You should have told me you were coming," she said, shyly.
"I called, remember?" I raised a brow, teasing.
"Are you embarrassed?" I asked. "You look cute. But seriously, what's with the plaster?"
"Can I come in?"
"Sure," she said quickly, stepping aside.
I walked in slowly, glancing around. The place looked cozy, like her. She shut the door gently and just stood there.
"You haven't answered my question," I said, turning to face her. "What happened to your face?"
She sighed. "I had surgery to fix my scar."
I nodded slowly. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't think it mattered… or maybe I didn't want to explain," she said, eyes dropping to the floor.
I stepped closer. "It matters to me."
She looked up, surprised. "Elena, you are beautiful— with or without a scar."
She smiled. That smile could undo anyone. I moved closer—couldn't help it—until her back hit the wall. I held her chin and kissed her softly. Her legs shook. I noticed.
"Hey, Elena," I said in a low voice. "I have nothing to do with Vanessa. It's you that I want."
She nodded. No hesitation.
I smiled. She smiled back. Then I left.
And damn—my heart was still racing. I could still feel that kiss.
I couldn't stop thinking about her, about the way she'd looked at me just now, as though for the first time, she saw me differently.
But I had to be careful. She was fragile and vulnerable, and I wasn't sure if I could be the one to fix it all. She deserved more than I could offer, yet every part of me wanted to be the one to give it.
But damn, I wanted to hold her again. Tell her everything she needs to hear. But for now, I'd give her space.
I just hoped she wouldn't push me away.
I paced around my apartment like a madman. My mind wouldn't slow down. Her voice, her touch, that damn kiss—I couldn't shake it off. I tried working, reading, and even pouring myself a drink. Nothing helped. I just kept seeing her face, the way her eyes softened when I said she was beautiful.
She didn't know how much I meant it.
I wasn't just saying that. I meant every word. The scar, the pain, the silence—none of it changed how I saw her. If anything, it only made her more real. More human. And somehow, even more beautiful. Even more unforgettable.
But I had to play this smart. I couldn't lose her. Not when I just found out she was the girl I saved all those years ago. Fate didn't work like this for everyone. I had to believe that meant something.
I picked up my phone. Thought about texting her. But I didn't. She needed space. Time.
Still, I remembered our last call.
Please, Julian, I have to go now.
That voice. That hesitation.
I closed my eyes.
"Elena," I whispered to no one.
You're not getting away from me this time. Not again. Not ever.