You Want Her? I'll Have Her

Elena's POV

The next morning, I was packing the last essentials of my things at my mother’s house when the door slammed open.

Nathan stood in the doorway, his expression stormy, unhinged.

I exhaled sharply. I should have expected this.

“What are you doing here? I told you we’re done.” I said, my voice even.

Nathan didn’t move, his sharp gaze sweeping over the packed boxes. “So it’s true,” he murmured.

I crossed my arms. “That I’m leaving? Yes.”

His jaw flexed. “You’re not going anywhere.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Let me guess,” I said. “You finally realized what you lost?”

Nathan didn’t smile but he looked desperate.

“Elena,” he said slowly, composing himself. “This isn’t a good idea. Paris? A new name? Running away won’t fix anything.”

“I’m not running,” I said. “I’m starting over.”

His eyes darkened. “You belong here.”

Something snapped inside me.

I took a step closer, my voice sharp.

“Where, Nathan?” I demanded. “In your penthouse, waiting for you to come home from another trip? Hidden in the background while you parade Sophia around in public? Where exactly do I belong?”

His expression flickered.

For the first time, he didn’t have an answer.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

I shook my head, stepping back. “You don’t get to decide for me.”

Nathan exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair.

And then—he made his biggest mistake.

His hand knocked over the small wooden urn on the table.

Time slowed.

My breath caught as the ashes spilled across the floor.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then, I dropped to my knees, frantically trying to gather the remains.

No, no, no—

My father’s ashes. The only thing I had left of him.

Nathan took a step forward, his voice tight. “Elena, I didn’t mean—”

I lifted my head, my hands shaking.

I had given this man everything.

My love.

My loyalty.

My patience.

And in the end, he had taken everything from me.

Including this.

I rose to my feet slowly, my pulse roaring in my ears.

Nathan reached for me, but I jerked away.

“Don’t touch me.” My voice was calm. Too calm.

Nathan flinched. “Elena—”

I let out a breath.

Then, I did what I should have done a long time ago.

I walked away.

Feeling lightheaded.

I absentmindedly arrived at the airport which was quiet.

I tightened my grip on my passport, my hands still covered in ash.

I should have washed them.

But I didn’t want to.

This way, I would remember.

Remember why I was leaving.

Remember what I was never coming back to.

I reached into my bag for my ticket when my passport slipped from my fingers, fluttering to the ground.

I muttered a curse, bending down—

Only for a hand to reach it first.

“Careful,” a smooth voice said, handing it to me. “You wouldn’t want to lose this.”

I looked up—and froze.

Killian Hayes.

I had seen him countless times in business magazines, standing at the helm of his growing empire, always listed as one of the few men who could challenge Nathan’s position in the industry.

Nathan had always hated him.

Now, he was standing right in front of me.

His sharp blue eyes studied me with quiet curiosity, but his expression remained polite. Non-threatening.

“I—” I cleared my throat, feeling strangely self-conscious. “Thank you.”

He nodded, handing it back to me.

Then, to my mild surprise, he stepped forward in line—right ahead of me.

Killian Hayes was on my flight.

I exhaled slowly, trying to regain my focus.

It doesn’t mean anything, I told myself. Just a coincidence.

I pulled out my phone, about to turn it off—

26 missed calls.

Nathan Sterling.

My chest tightened.

A new text came through.

Nathan: Elena, where are you? Let’s talk. Please.

Another.

Nathan: I need to see you. I need to fix this.

And another.

Nathan: Don’t leave like this. You belong with me.

I stared at the screen, my pulse steady.

Then, without hesitation, I blocked his number.

I was done.

The final boarding call echoed through the airport.

I stepped forward, I didn’t hesitate.

Because I had already made my choice.

I handed my ticket to the flight attendant, exhaling as she scanned it.

“Safe travels, Miss Moreau,” she said with a smile.

I walked forward.

Towards the jet bridge and towards my future.

And I never looked back.