Reckoning
Elara’s footsteps echoed in the empty lobby of her former firm, the polished marble floors gleaming under the harsh fluorescent lights. As she rode the elevator to the top floor, her heart pounded in her chest–a mix of trepidation and determination coursing through her veins.
This was it–the moment she had both dreaded and anticipated. After weeks of careful planning and strategizing with Damian, the time had come to confront Charles Montgomery, the man she had once trusted with her very future. The same man who ruined her life.
The elevator doors slid open, and she strode down the familiar hallway, her heels clicking with purpose. She paused briefly outside the ornate double doors of Charles‘ office, taking a deep, steadying breath before pushing them open.
Charles looked up from his desk, his eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected visitor. “Elara! What a…” his voice trailed off as he took in her deadly expression. “What can I do for you?”
“Save it, Charles,” she said, her voice low and controlled. “We both know why I’m here.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Charles replied. “What are you talking about?”
She moved closer, her gaze never leaving his face. “How long? How long have you been betraying me, selling me out to Daniel Regars?”
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, his expression changing from surprise to resignation. “Elara, I… I didn’t have a choice. They threatened me, threatened my family. I…” He paused, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry.”
Her eyes narrowed, the apology doing little to extinguish the fury burning within her. “Sorry? You’re sorry?” She slammed her palm on the desk, the sound echoing in the silent room. “You ruined me, Charles! You destroyed everything I worked for, all because you were too weak to stand up to them!”
Charles flinched, guilt and fear etched across his features. “I never meant for it to go this far,” he stated, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… I thought I could control it, keep them at bay. But they just kept pushing, demanding more.”
Elara shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. “And you went along with it. Every time, you chose them over me–over the woman you claimed to care about, to mentor.” She leaned in, her eyes blazing. “You betrayed me, Charles. And for that, I will never forgive you.”
“You know Daniel,” he began. “You understand the consequences if I don’t help him. You’re well acquainted with him.”
“I’m not acquainted with him,” she yelled. “I have no business with him.”
“Was he not your boyfriend back in school?” he asked.
Elara laughed. “My boyfriend?” She scoffed. “Did he tell you that???
“Never mind. I was threatened by him. I had no choice.”
“You choose to destroy me because of his threat?” she demanded. “Tell me?”
“Do I have a choice? I have to do this to protect my family,” he responded. “I sacrifice you to protect my loved ones.”
Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the sound of Elara’s ragged breathing. She watched as Ch… weight of her condemnation, his facade of composure crumbling.
wilted under the
“What do you want from me, Elara?” he asked, his voice tinged with desperation. “Tell me, and I’ll do it. Anything, just please…”
Elara straightened, her expression hardening. “I want you to turn yourself in. Cooperate fully with the investigation, and maybe just maybe you’ll avoid the same fate as the Regars.” She paused, her lips curling into a sardonic smile. “Of course, that’s assuming the press and public don’t tear you apart first.”
Charles opened his mouth to protest, but Elara cut him off with a sharp gesture. “Save it. I’m done listening to your excuses.‘
1/2
Reckoning
+25 BONUS
She turned to leave, her hand pausing on the doorknob. “Oh, and Charles?” She looked back, her eyes cold. “If you so much as think of running, I’ll hunt you down myself.”
“You don’t have to do this, Elara,” Charles said, standing to his feet. “To ruin me.”
She chuckled at his word, “ruin.” Fury laced her voice as her body trembled. She approached him, her eyes narrowing as she struck him across the face. “How dare you say that? How dare you accuse me of ruining you when you ruined my life–my career, everything.”
“You have to understand me, Elara. You have to. I have a family,” he pleaded, desperation thick in his tone. “I have a son. A son who looks up to me as a good father. I don’t want to destroy that image.”
“Haha.” She let out a dry, hollow laugh. He had a family?
“What about me, Charles?” she hissed, gripping the hem of her clothes. “What about my family? My sick mother?”
He hurried toward her, grabbing her shoulders. “I’ll pay for her medical bills. I’ll do whatever you want from me–just don’t expose me. It would ruin my life, my career. My wife would divorce me, and my son… He paused, locking his gaze with hers…” He will be bullied at school for having a father like me.”
“Enough!” she yelled, shoving his hands away. “You should have thought about that before you decided to ruin my life, my reputation. You knew about my family, about my mother and how I struggled to climb to the top. You knew everything, yet you chose to betray me–while smiling in my face.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “It’s all in the past. The media has already forgotten. They’re all talking about the Regars now.”
“So?” she snapped.
“You should forget about this,” he replied. “After all, you’re married to a billionaire now. You’ll live your life in luxury, while I- I could be ruined forever if I turn myself in.”
“Never. I must clear my reputation,” she insisted. “I will never forgive you.”
“Ha!” he breathed out, running his hand through his hair. “You’re being selfish, Elara.” His voice suddenly turned cold. “If I were you, I’d turn a blind eye and stop being so selfish.”
