The morning came too early.
Elena woke to the sound of traffic and people going on with their daily activities the familiar noise of a city that had already been awake for hours. She lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling wondering how today is going to be for her. It was hard to tell.
Her phone screen lit up on the nightstand beside her six fifteen in the morning.
She'd been awake since five, lying in the dark and running through calculations in her head. Rent was due in three weeks. They'd paid the first month plus deposit, which had taken a significant amount of their savings. Then there was food, utilities, transportation, internet the bills kept adding up, piling on top of each other like stones building a wall she'd have to climb.
The money they'd brought with them from their old town wouldn't last forever. Two months, maybe three if they were careful. After that...
Elena pushed the thought away and sat up, running her hands through her tangled blonde hair. Worrying wouldn't change anything. Action would. She needed to find work, and she needed to find it soon.
The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. Lily must still be asleep she thought, taking advantage of the fact that her internship didn't start until Monday. Elena envied her she'd the ability to sleep peacefully without any worries unburdened by the weight of responsibility that seemed to grow heavier every day for her.
She stood, pulled on sweatpants and an old college t-shirt, and a padded barefoot into the kitchen. The tiles were cold against her feet, a reminder that winter wasn't quite finished with them yet despite spring's approach. She filled the ancient coffee maker with water and grounds, pressing the button and listening to it come to life.
While the coffee brewed, Elena pulled out her laptop from where she'd left it charging on the counter. The screen came to life, showing the spreadsheet she'd been working on last night after Lily had gone to bed. A list of companies in Ashford City. Marketing firms, advertising agencies, consulting groups anywhere that might need someone with her degree in communications and three years of experience working for a small-town newspaper.
It wasn't impressive. She knew that. But it was something.
She'd spent weeks looking for the best company that suits her resume even the work of a secretary or an assistant would really help her.
And try not to think about the fact that one of those companies on her list was Carson and Associates.
Her father's company. Or what should have been her father's company.
Elena's fingers hovered over the keyboard, trembling slightly. She forced them still, closing the laptop with more force than necessary. Not yet. She wasn't ready to face that particular demon yet. First, she needed to secure her position in this city. Get a job, establish herself, make sure Lily was safe and settled. Then... then she could start digging into the past.
The coffee maker beeped, pulling her from thoughts that were starting to bring those old memories. She poured herself a cup of black coffee with no sugar, and leaned against the counter while she drank it. The bitter taste helped clear her head, sharpening her focus.
She needed a plan for today. Submit resumes to at least ten companies. Check the job boards for any new postings. Maybe walk around the busy city, see which buildings housed which companies
"Elena?"
She turned to find Lily standing in the doorway to the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel, her face full of frustration.
"There's no water," Lily said, her voice still filled with sleep. "I turned on the shower and nothing came out. Not even a drop."
Elena set down her coffee cup, already moving toward the bathroom to check for herself. Sure enough, when she turned the faucet, nothing happened. Not a trickle or drop of water. Just the hollow sound of empty pipes.
The sink too, Lily added, testing the bathroom sink. And I checked the kitchen. Same thing.
"Perfect." Elena closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming "Just perfect."
Is it the whole building or just us?
I don't know. Let me check.
Elena went back to her bedroom, pulling on jeans and a hoodie before grabbing her phone. The landlord's number was saved in her contacts from when they'd signed the lease last week. She dialed, pressing the phone to her ear while she paced the small living room.
It rang four times before a masculine voice answered. Yeah?
Mr. Torres? This is Elena Carter from apartment 3B. We don't have any water this morning.
There was a long pause, then the sound of something rustling. Papers maybe. "Water? What do you mean no water?"
Elena bit back the sarcastic response that wanted to escape. "I mean when we turn on the faucets, nothing comes out. No water. In any of the sinks or the shower."
"Huh. He acted dumbfounded. Must be the building maintenance. They were supposed to shut off the water for a few hours this morning to fix something in the basement. Guess they didn't start early.
And no one thought to inform the tenants? Elena heard the edge in her own voice and tried to soften it. Mr. Torres, we need to shower. To get ready for work. When will the water be back on?
Few hours. Maybe noon.
"Noon?" She shouted It was barely six thirty now. That's more than five hours.
Look, lady, I don't control the maintenance schedule. They gotta fix what's broken or everyone complains. Water'll be back on when it's back on. His tone made it clear the conversation was over. "You got an emergency, there's a gym two blocks west. Pretty sure they got day passes.
The line went dead.
Elena stared at her phone, jaw clenched so tight her teeth ached. She counted to ten, breathing slowly through her nose before she trusted herself to turn around and face Lily.
Her sister stood in the kitchen doorway, watching with cautious eyes. That didn't sound good.
"Building maintenance. Water should be back by noon." Elena set her phone down carefully on the coffee table. Apparently they don't believe in notifying residents ahead of time.
So what do we do?
The landlord suggested a gym two blocks away. Elena managed a smile that felt more like baring teeth. We can get day passes. Shower there.
Lily's face brightened slightly. Actually, that's not a bad idea. I've been meaning to find a gym anyway. And if it's only two blocks away.
Of course Lily would find the positive angle. She always has a way of turning inconvenience into opportunity, to find light even when everything felt dark. Elena both loved and envied that quality in her sister.
"Alright." Elena picked up her coffee, finishing it in three long gulp. You get dressed. Pack your gym stuff. We'll go shower there and then I need to spend the rest of the day submitting resumes.
I can help with that, Lily offered, already heading toward her bedroom. I don't have anything to do until Monday. We can go together, make a day of it. Maybe grab lunch somewhere
"Lily." Elena stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm. I appreciate the offer, but you don't need to spend your last free days helping me go job hunting. Go explore the city. Find your favorite coffee shop. Get familiar with the area and make new friends before your internship starts.
Lily studied her for a long moment, and Elena could see her eyeballs turning behind those expressive eyes. Her sister knew she was being managed, being carefully directed away from Elena's real activities. But she also knew better than to push when Elena used that particular tone.
Okay,Lily said finally. But text me if you need anything. And we should have dinner together tonight. A proper welcome to Ashford City meal. My treat.
You don't have to
I want to. Lily squeezed Elena's hand. "Let me do this one thing. Please."
Elena nodded, not trusting her voice. Sometimes Lily's kindness hit her like a physical blow a reminder of everything she was fighting for, everything she needed to protect.
They separated to their rooms to gather their things. Elena packed her gym bag quickly, efficiently, the way she did everything. Towel, change of clothes, toiletries, her folder of resumes printed on expensive paper that had cost more than she wanted to admit. Professional appearance mattered, especially when you were trying to break into a new market.
Twenty minutes later, they were walking down the street in the cool morning air. The gym turned out to be a modest place called Fitness First, with large windows that showed rows of equipment and a handful of early morning exercisers already working up a sweat.
The woman at the front desk was cheerful despite the early hour, selling them day passes and explaining the layout with enthusiasm that felt genuine. The showers were clean, the water pressure was decent, and for a few minutes Elena let herself simply enjoying under the hot spray without thinking about revenge or money or the past.
By seven forty-five they were back on the street, freshly showered and ready to face the day.
"Where are you starting?" Lily asked, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.
"Downtown. The business district." Elena had memorized the map of the area, knew exactly which streets held which buildings. "You?"
"I thought I'd check out the arts district. Maybe find some galleries, see what the creative scene is like here." Lily smiled. Text me later?
I will.
They hugged briefly, and then Lily was walking away, her dark hair swinging behind he and jumping excitedly. Elena watched until her sister turned a corner and disappeared, then took a deep breath and headed in the opposite direction.
The business district was already alive with activity. People in suits rushed past, coffee cups in hand, phones pressed to their ears. Elena joined the flow, her folder clutched against her chest, her expression carefully neutral.
She had ten companies on her list for today. Ten chances to make an impression, to secure an interview, to start building the life she needed to make her plan work.
Ten steps closer to revenge.
The morning passed in a blur of office lobbies and receptionists and polite smiles. She dropped off resumes, shook hands with HR assistants, left her information with secretaries who promised someone would be in touch. Some buildings were sleek and modern, all glass and steel. Others were older, with marble floors and wood paneling that spoke of established money and long-held power.
By noon, she'd checked off seven companies from her list.
Her feet hurt. Her face hurt from smiling. But she had three more to go.
Elena bought a coffee from a street vendor, leaning against a building while she drank it and checked her phone. A text from Lily a photo of a beautiful mural with heart emojis and the message This city is amazing!
Elena smiled to herself, typing back a quick response before pocketing her phone and pushing off from the wall.
Time to finish what she'd started.
Across the city, in a penthouse apartment that occupied the entire top floor of a building overlooking the park, Dylan Carson was having a considerably worse morning.
His phone rang at exactly seven o'clock, pulling him from the restless sleep he'd finally fallen into around three. He knew who it was before he even looked at the screen. Only one person called this early with such perfect timing.
"Mother." His voice came out rougher than he'd intended,irritated from too little sleep.
Dylan, darling. Did I wake you? Victoria Carson's voice dripped with false concern. I thought you'd be up by now. You always were an early riser.
Dylan sat up, running his hand through his hair. His bedroom was still dark, the black curtains doing their job. What do you want?
"Such hostility. And before breakfast too." She laughed, a laugh that made him feel uneasy and annoyed . I'm calling about tonight. The family dinner. Your father wants everyone there by seven sharp.
"Marcus already told me."
"Did he?" She paused, deliberate and sarcastic like she didn'tknow. Well, I wanted to make sure you understood how important this is. Your father has some announcements to make. Business matters. He wants the whole family present.
Dylan's jaw tightened. Business matters that required the whole family usually meant Richard Carson was about to do something that would affect all of them. Expand the company. Merge with another firm. Make a decision that would ripple through their lives whether they wanted it to or not.
"I'll be there," Dylan said flatly.
Wonderful. And Dylan.. Her voice shifted, taking on that particular tone she used when she wanted something. Wear the navy suit your father bought you last Christmas. The one from Milan. He'll appreciate the gesture.
Dylan's face twitched, his jaw tightened. The suit his father had bought him the suit that had appeared in his closet without him asking, without his consent, as if Richard Carson could just insert himself into Dylan's life whenever he chose. As if expensive gifts could buy affection or respect or whatever it was his father thought he deserved.
"I'll wear what I want," Dylan said quietly.
Don't be difficult. The false sweetness dropped from Victoria's voice, leaving something harder beneath. It's one evening. You can play nice for one evening, can't you? For your grandmother if not for us?
Always the same manipulation. Always using his love for his grandparents as leverage but not this time.
Dylan closed his eyes. I said I'll be there. That's all you're getting.
"We'll see." She paused. Oh, and bring flowers for your grandmother. Peonies. They're her favorite and the ones in the garden haven't bloomed yet."
Goodbye, Mother.
Dylan ended the call before she could respond, dropping his phone on the nightstand and falling back against the pillows. He stared at the ceiling, feeling the tension already building in his shoulders, the familiar weight of being apprehended that came with any interaction with his parents.
Seven o'clock was ten hours away.
Ten hours to prepare himself for an evening of careful navigation through family politics and fake smiles.
Dylan forced himself out of bed, through his morning routine. Shower, shave, the careful routine of getting ready that helped clear his mind. By the time he emerged from his bedroom, dressed in charcoal slacks and a white shirt he'd roll the sleeves up later, it was almost eight.
The penthouse was silent except for the soft sounds of someone moving in the kitchen. Dylan followed the smell of coffee and something baking, finding the one person in the world who could always make him feel better.
"Good morning, Mrs. Chen."
The elderly woman looked up from where she was pulling a tray of scones from the oven, her weathered face breaking into a warm smile. .Young master. You're up early."
Mrs. Chen had been with Dylan since he'd bought this place seven years ago. She'd been his grandmother's housekeeper before that, and when Dylan had mentioned needing help managing his own home, his grandmother had practically insisted he hire her. "She'll take care of you," his grandmother had said. "The way you need to be taken care of."
She'd been right.
Mrs. Chen was in her late sixties now, her hair more gray than black, her movements slower than they'd been but still efficient. She kept his home running smoothly, cooked meals he actually ate, and never asked questions he didn't want to answer.
More than that, she loved him. Really loved him, not because of his name or his money or what he could do for her, but simply because he was Dylan.
"My mother called," Dylan said, moving to pour himself coffee from the pot she'd prepared.
Mrs. Chen made a soft sound of disapproval. "Family dinner tonight?"
How did you_
Your grandmother mentioned it when I called her yesterday. Mrs. Chen began plating the scones, adding butter and jam to the side. "She's looking forward to seeing you. Says it's been too long."
Guilt twisted in Dylan's chest. "I've been busy."
"You're always busy." Mrs. Chen set the plate in front of him at the breakfast bar. Eat. You'll need your strength for tonight.
Dylan picked up a scone, still warm from the oven, and bit into it. Blueberry. His favorite. Of course she'd made his favorite.
"What kind of coffee would you like? Mrs. Chen asked, already moving toward the expensive coffee machine Dylan had bought and never learned to use properly. Something strong, I think. You look tired.
I didn't sleep well.
"Thinking too much again." She shook her head, beginning to work the machine with practiced ease. "That mind of yours never stops, does it?"
Someone once told me that thinking was important.Dylan managed a small smile. That I should use the brain God gave me. They said use it, not abuse it. Mrs. Chen prepared his drink a macchiato with an extra shot, the way he liked when he needed the caffeine to actually work. There's thinking and then there's torturing yourself. You spend too much time doing the second.
She wasn't wrong.
The coffee she handed him was perfect, as always. Dylan inhaled the rich aroma before taking a sip, feeling the warmth spread through his chest.
"Thank you, Mrs. Chen. For everything."
She patted his hand, her touch gentle. That's what family does. We take care of each other.
The word hung in the air between them. Family. Not the one he'd been born into, but the one he'd chosen.
Dylan finished his coffee and breakfast while Mrs. Chen moved around the kitchen, tidying and preparing. They talked about small things the weather, a book she was reading, plans for repainting the guest bathroom. Normal, comfortable conversation that required nothing from him except presence.
By eight forty-five, Dylan was gathering his things for the office. Jacket, briefcase, phone, keys. The usual stuff.
"Don't forget the flowers," Mrs. Chen called from the kitchen. "Peonies for your grandmother."
How did you know
I know your mother Mrs. Chen appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a towel. She always tells you to bring flowers. And your grandmother really does love peonies."
Dylan nodded, making a mental note to stop by a florist on his way to his grandparents' house tonight. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Be good tonight," Mrs. Chen said, and there was something in her voice that made him pause. "Whatever happens, remember who you are. Not what they want you to be. Who you actually are.
Dylan met her eyes, seeing wisdom and concern and that steady love that never wavered. "I'll try." After he left, Mrs Chen could only pray in her heart that he finds someone who loves him for who he is not because of the name and all the benefits that come. Just genuine love.
The drive to Sterling Tower took twenty minutes through morning traffic. Dylan used the time to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Meetings with department heads, conference calls with potential clients, a lunch appointment he couldn't cancel. The usual routine that kept him busy from morning until night.
And then tonight... the family dinner he was already dreading.
He parked in his reserved spot in the underground garage, taking the private elevator up to his office on the thirty-second floor. The building was alive with activity, people moving through the corridors with purpose, the sound of ringing phones, when they all saw their they stood up and greeted him.
Dylan's assistant looked up as he approached, her expression professional but warm. Good morning, Mr. Carson. You have messages waiting and your nine o'clock is already here.
Dylan paused, his hand on his office door. My nine o'clock? I don't have anything scheduled until nine-thirty.
I know.His assistant Patricia, in her mid-forties said a little bit of fear. But someone is waiting in your office They arrived about twenty minutes ago she said it was important and that you'd want to see them.
"Who?"
Patricia hesitated, and that small pause sent warning bells ringing in Dylan's mind. His assistant didn't hesitate. She was never uncertain.
"They didn't give a name," Patricia said carefully. "Just said to tell you an old friend was waiting."
Dylan's entire body went still.
An old friend.
He had very few friends. And none of them would show up unannounced at his office at eight in the morning and who are They?
"Did they say anything else?"
No. But…Patricia lowered her voice. They were very rude and commanding. And there was something about them i can't quite explain it. Something that made me think you would actually want to be interrupted.
Dylan's mind raced through possibilities, none of them good.
Thank you, Patricia. He straightened his jacket, his expression sliding into the neutral mask he wore for business. Hold my calls and meeting for now.
Of course.
Dylan pushed open his office door, stepping into the space he'd left dark last night and finding it filled with morning light.
And there, he entered and found someone sitting on his chair once the person turned around, Dylan's face changed his face full of anger as if he could explode any moment from now
You..