TARGETED
Elara stepped out of the elevator at Wynn Media Group, surrounded by two security guards.
Even with all the protection, her chest felt tight. Serena's voice still echoed in her head.
You're next.
"Are you okay, ma'am?" one guard asked.
She forced a smile.
"I'm fine."
But she wasn't.
---
The Infiltration
Across the lobby, a woman in a delivery uniform pushed a trolley filled with boxes.
Her head was low. Her cap hid her face.
Security barely glanced at her.
Inside the trolley, beneath the packages…
a wig. Sunglasses. A burner phone.
Serena.
She smirked.
Too easy.
---
Close Encounter
Elara walked toward her office when she suddenly felt… watched.
She turned.
Their eyes met.
Serena froze.
For a split second, the world stopped.
"Elara," Serena whispered under her breath.
Elara gasped.
"SERENA!"
Security reacted instantly.
"Ma'am, step back!"
Serena dropped the trolley and ran.
Chaos erupted.
Employees screamed. Phones fell. Papers scattered.
Lucien burst through the entrance.
"Elara!"
"She was here!" Elara cried.
"She was right there!"
Lucien chased after Serena, but she disappeared into the stairwell.
---
The Collapse
Adrenaline drained from Elara's body all at once.
Her vision blurred.
"Lucien…" she whispered.
Then—
She collapsed.
---
Hospital Panic
Lucien caught her just in time.
"Call an ambulance! NOW!"
Sirens wailed as they rushed her to the hospital.
Lucien held her hand the entire time.
"Stay with me," he begged.
"Please… don't scare me like this."
---
The Diagnosis
Hours later, the doctor finally came out.
"She fainted from stress and exhaustion," he said.
"But… there's something else."
Lucien froze.
"What?"
"She's having early pregnancy complications. Nothing severe yet… but she must avoid stress immediately."
Lucien's heart sank.
"She was attacked today," he said hoarsely.
"By my ex-wife."
The doctor sighed.
"Then she needs protection. Peace. Or this could get worse."
---
Lucien's Vow
Lucien entered the room quietly.
Elara opened her eyes weakly.
"Hey," he whispered.
"You scared me."
Tears slid down her cheeks.
"I'm tired, Lucien. So tired."
He held her face gently.
"I'll end this," he swore.
"No more running. No more fear."
---
Serena's Message
Lucien's phone buzzed.
A text.
Serena: "Round one. You felt that, didn't you?"
His eyes darkened.
"This ends now," he growled.