Elena's POV
I slipped through Imperial Media House's back entrance, exhales escaping once I made it inside undetected. First time in ages I'd shown up late—all because of one captivating evening with a man I couldn't shake from my thoughts.
My face flushed as memories of his hands, his lips flooded back, sending heat coursing through me.
"Just a hookup," I muttered, rushing toward the bustling newsroom floor.
Right when I thought I'd escaped notice, I crashed into someone.
"Look what we have here—the almost-news editor."
My blood turned cold. Janelle.
I straightened, plastering on a fake smile. "Morning, Janelle."
"That's Editor Janelle," she corrected, moving closer with eyes gleaming wickedly.
The words stung, but I wouldn't let her see it. "Right," I said, stepping back. "I need to get to work."
I headed for the journalists' section, but dread filled my chest the second I walked in. The usual buzz of conversation and keyboard clicks died instantly.
My cheeks burned, yet I kept my composure. Even if everyone knew about last night, I wouldn't give them the show they wanted.
"Hey everyone," I said, navigating toward my desk.
Before I could sit, Janelle's voice cut through the silence. "How dare you walk away from your boss?"
I spun around, panic squeezing my ribs. "Janelle..."
Our coworkers had already gathered, eyes bright with anticipation for drama. I searched frantically for Minnie but came up empty, so I faced Janelle instead.
"Let's not make a scene," I whispered.
Janelle seemed to taste my fear and savored it. "I asked you a damn question and you show me disrespect?"
"I wasn't being disrespectful," my voice trembled. "I said I had work to do."
"If you were half as dedicated as you pretend, you wouldn't be rolling in late," Janelle snapped. "Or are you still bitter about not getting the editor position?"
"No, I—"
"Then get down on your knees and say you're sorry."
Shocked gasps filled the room. I blinked hard.
Before I could respond, Minnie appeared beside us. "Janelle, stop this. You can't seriously—"
"If you want to keep your job, back off," Janelle cut her off icily, then turned to me. "Well?"
"You don't have authority over hiring and firing," Minnie shot back protectively.
Janelle scowled, crossing her arms. "Want to test that theory?"
I knew Minnie could handle Janelle, but neither of us could risk unemployment. And I wasn't willing to gamble on whether Janelle was bluffing.
With a heavy sigh, I sank to my knees.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
Janelle's smile stretched wider. "Sorry what?"
Humiliation scorched my skin. "I'm sorry, Editor Janelle."
Janelle circled me like a hunter stalking prey. "Boss works fine."
The malice in Janelle's gaze cut through me, but I'd already surrendered to the degradation.
"I'm sorry... boss," I choked out.
"Perfect," Janelle clapped, delight flashing across her features as she nudged Minnie smugly.
Before I could stand, Cal and Marcus walked in.
"What the hell is happening here?" Cal demanded.
Heat crept up my neck.
"She showed up late," Janelle said, her tone suddenly innocent. "When I questioned her about it, she shoved me and stormed off. Now she's acting like the victim."
Marcus stepped forward, fury blazing in his eyes. "How dare you lay hands on my fiancée?"
My eyes went wide with shock. "Your what?"
Janelle smirked. "Fiancée. And the future mother of his baby."
My stomach plummeted. "Marcus... tell me you're joking. You didn't just cheat—you got her pregnant?"
Marcus's mouth twisted nastily. "Maybe you should take a good look in the mirror to see who the real cheater is." He addressed the room. "I dumped her because she was unfaithful!"
I stared in disbelief. "No! That's not true. I never—"
"What about that guy you ran off with yesterday?"
My heart lurched as thoughts of the stranger surfaced. I should feel ashamed, but instead desire stirred within me, followed by guilt for abandoning him.
"This woman cheated on me," Marcus continued, pulling Janelle closer. "But my angel was there to mend my broken heart."
What was this madness? Was Marcus only marrying Janelle because of the pregnancy?
"Why... Marcus?" I managed to ask.
Marcus stepped closer, his gaze sharp with contempt. "Because you're nothing but a worthless orphan. Just look at yourself, then look at Janelle." He gestured toward her. "I'm CEO of my mother's company now, and I can't let some nobody like you destroy my image."
Each word hit like a blade through my heart. Janelle's laughter made tears spring to my eyes.
Minnie rushed to my side, but Cal's voice interrupted. "You've disrespected your supervisor, Elena. That's completely unacceptable, so gather your belongings. You're terminated."
"But I didn't—" I gasped. "I—"
"Pack your things!" Cal barked.
"You're fired," Marcus taunted.
"Miss Vane has been sacked," Janelle added with a cackle, and the entire room erupted in laughter.
Complete humiliation consumed me. Minnie grabbed my hand as tears blurred my vision. But the stares, the mockery, the betrayal—it was all too much to endure, so I fled.
——
Weeks crawled by as I holed up in my apartment, screening every call.
One morning, just as I was about to dive into another pint of ice cream and marathon my comfort show, the door flew open.
"Jesus, what's that stench?" Minnie said, scrunching her nose as she entered.
I stayed silent.
Minnie marched over and clicked off the TV. "That's it, Elena. I gave you space, but this has gone too far."
"Get out of the way," I said flatly. "My program's about to start."
Instead, Minnie settled beside me, her expression softening. "I'm sorry you lost your job. I'm sorry about everything that happened, but you can't exist like this. Please."
I finally met Minnie's gaze. Worry lines creased her forehead, filling me with guilt. "I have nothing left, Min."
Minnie wrapped me in her arms. "Don't say that. You have me, and we'll face this together. Don't let them win by keeping you down. You're tougher than this. You're a fighter—prove it."
For the first time in weeks, something hopeful stirred in my chest.
"Yeah."
Minnie's face brightened. "But first, we're cleaning up this disaster."
We spent hours tidying up. Afterward, Minnie whipped up mac and cheese with bacon. We giggled over dinner and watched TV, and for the first time in weeks, I felt somewhat alive again.
"I'm crashing here tonight," Minnie declared while washing dishes. "No debate."
That night, as Minnie slept soundly, I bolted to the bathroom, retching violently.
Must be the cheese, I thought.
But when the nausea persisted through the morning, fear crept in. The next day, I visited a doctor.
——
"Congratulations, you're two weeks pregnant," the doctor said kindly. "At this early stage, it's crucial to..."
I zoned out, panic paralyzing me.
Pregnant? I wanted to scream.
My mind flashed to the stranger who haunted my dreams. He was the last man I'd been with, and he'd definitely used protection—I was certain of it.
So how could I be pregnant?
I shot to my feet. "Excuse me, doctor." I headed for the exit.
"You'll need to begin prenatal care immediately," the doctor called after me.
Once I got outside, nausea hit me like a freight train, making me vomit until my throat was raw.
Shaking, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
What was I supposed to do now?
I was still jobless with barely any savings left.
Minnie had been covering my expenses. And now, a baby?
My hand drifted instinctively to my stomach. If only I could locate him... the scarred stranger.
Then it struck me.
The hotel.
He'd mentioned staying there regularly. Hope pushed aside my panic as I hurried there.
At the front desk, I tapped the counter. "Hi. I need to see one of your guests."
"Guest name, please?" The redheaded clerk smiled professionally.
My face heated up. "I... don't know his name."
The clerk's smile disappeared. "Then I'm afraid I can't assist you."
Finding a nameless stranger seemed ridiculous, but I wasn't giving up that easily.
"He has a scar running across his face," I gestured.
For a second, the clerk's eyes lit up, and my heart jumped.
"You know him," I pressed eagerly.
Then the clerk's expression turned cold. "Sorry, ma'am. I can't help you."
"Please. This is really important." I pleaded.
"Don't make me call security," the clerk warned.
"Please—"
"Security!" the clerk shouted.
Before I knew it, burly guards escorted me out.
Shame flooded every inch of my body as I walked home. Even if I did track him down... then what?
Tell him I was pregnant after one night together? He might not even remember me.
That evening, I broke down crying.
Having grown up in an orphanage, bounced between foster homes until sixteen when the Vane finally adopted me, I'd always been on my own.
The loneliness hit me harder than ever. I couldn't call the Vane. The last thing I needed was a reminder that their surname was the greatest and only gift they'd ever given me.
I placed my hand protectively over my stomach, and unexpected joy bloomed in my heart.
I had a child, and for the first time ever, I wasn't truly alone.
That gave me strength, and right then I promised to protect my baby, whatever it took.
Two days later, when Minnie visited complaining about how tough things had become, I knew it was time.
From under my bed where I stored old belongings, I pulled out a worn notebook and searched for a number. When I found it, I dialed.
"Hello? Sister Beatrice. Did you mean it when you said I'd always have a home with the sisters?"
"Elena?" Beatrice's voice lifted with surprise and instant recognition. "Yes, child. Always."
Relief flooded through me and tears filled my eyes. "Thank you," I whispered. "I'll call you tomorrow."
After hanging up, I secretly packed my bag and wrote a lengthy goodbye letter to Minnie.
At dawn, I took the cheapest bus to Los Angeles, leaving New York and my shattered dreams behind.