CHAPTER 5 – Unexpected Mercy
Elara couldn't concentrate for the rest of the day.
Every time her phone buzzed or someone glanced at her desk, her heart jumped. She kept expecting someone from HR to appear with paperwork.
But nothing happened.
At 6 p.m., she was still sitting there, staring at her screen, pretending to work.
The office was quiet now. Too quiet.
The door behind her opened.
She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"Why are you still here?" Alexander asked.
She stood up quickly. "I wanted to make sure everything was in order."
"You're waiting for punishment," he said calmly.
She froze.
"I just… I wanted to be prepared."
He stepped closer. "You think I spared you out of kindness?"
She hesitated. "I… hoped so."
He looked at her carefully, as if she were a puzzle.
"I spared you because you're honest," he said. "And because you learn."
Her chest tightened. "Thank you."
He nodded once. "Don't mistake this for weakness."
"I won't."
Another silence settled between them. This one felt different—less tense, more fragile.
"Go home, Elara," he said softly. "Rest."
She was surprised by how gently he said her name.
As she walked toward the elevator, she felt lighter than she had all day.
Inside his office, Alexander stood alone.
He told himself it was logic. Efficiency. Talent.
But deep down, he knew the truth.
He had shown mercy not because she deserved it—
—but because losing her already felt wrong.