The doorbell rang. Then rang again, louder.
“Ahrrrr!” I cried out. Who could it be this early? It's the weekend and I needed my rest. I dragged myself out of bed and shuffled to the door.
“Miss Elena?” A man in a security uniform stood there.
“Yes?” I asked sleepily.
“I’m Officer Ken. I have an order from Mr. Dalton. You are to vacate this property immediately.”
I laughed nervously. “This must be a prank, right?”
“It’s no prank, Miss.” He pulled out a paper and flashed it before my eyes. A written order, signed by Mark Dalton himself. I froze.
“What… what is this?” I mumbled. “Why would he want me out? Did he provide another place for me to go?”
“No, Miss. He said your employment with Thompson Crest Enterprise has been terminated.”
My jaw dropped. “What? For what reason?”
The officer didn’t answer. I stood rooted to the floor, glaring at him.
“There must be a mistake!” I blurted. “I have to call Mark.” I rushed into the bedroom, grabbed my phone, and dialed him. His number was switched off.
I returned to the door, panic rising. “I must talk to Mr. Dalton! He can’t just kick me out like this. Where am I supposed to go?”
Officer Ken glanced at his watch. “You have ten minutes, Miss.”
“You must be kidding!” I snapped. “Where is he? I must speak to him!”
“Mr. Dalton… is unavailable today,” he said quietly. Then, dropping the words like a bomb, he added, “He’s… getting married.”
My heart stopped.
He quickly pulled a shiny invitation card from his pocket and handed it to me.
I read it with trembling hands. Mark Dalton…my boyfriend and boss, was marrying another woman today.
***
The estate stood tall in front of me. Big towers, shiny windows, and gardens that looked like paradise. A golden plate on the gate read: The Silver Crown Manor.
My chest tightened. I'd heard about this property. It was obviously clear that Mark was joining the Thompson family, the wealthiest in Silver Crest and beyond.
Determined, I pulled my old leather box and approached the guards who stood at the gate, watching me carefully.
“Hello, miss. Are you a guest?” one asked.
“Not really…” I stuttered. “I… I’m here for the wedding.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Then we need to see your invitation.”
Panic gripped me. “I… I left it in my cab. Please, let me in. I’m a friend of the groom.”
The guard shook his head. “I’m sorry, miss. No invitation and proper ID, no access.”
Before I could say anything else, the big gate closed in my face.
I stood there, frozen. Then anger hit me and I cursed under my breath.
After everything… I couldn’t just walk away. I had to see him. I needed answers and I had nowhere to go.
I was still wondering how to climb over the high walls when a catering big van rolled up to the gate. While it waited for clearance, I didn’t think twice before slipping inside it through the slightly parted door. I kept low and no one saw me.
I jumped out of the van the moment it stopped in front of a massive building. For a second, I just stood there, confused and out of breath. Then I followed the caterers inside, keeping my head down.
The moment I stepped into the hall, I stopped dead.
The wedding hall looked stunning; decorated with white roses, gold drapes and crystal lights. A perfect fairytale wedding scene. My chest tightened as the truth hit me again; Mark was really getting married to Bella Thompson, the sister of the richest Alpha in Silver Crest, after whispering love in my ears just two nights ago.
“Excuse me, you can’t just stand there,” a sharp voice cut into my thoughts.
I blinked up at the woman. Her name tag read, Event Planner.
“Sorry…” I wiped my eyes quickly. “I’m… I’m the groom’s relation. I came from far away. Where can I find him?”
She didn’t question me. She just pointed across the courtyard. “Opposite building. Suite 25.”
“Thank you,” I murmured.
I started walking, dragging my box behind, my mind spinning. Where the hell would I find a gun?
Two muscular looking bodyguards stood in front of Suite 25.
I frowned. Since when did Mark start keeping thugs?
“I need to see Mr Dalton,” I said, not caring who heard me.
One of them lifted a brow. “And you are?”
“Tell him Elena is here. It’s important.”
One guard stepped inside. He came back after a few seconds. “Sorry. Mr Dalton won’t see you. He says you should get lost.”
My throat burned. “Really? I’m not going anywhere until he comes out and tells me where to go himself.”
The bigger guard stepped forward. “Miss Elena, don’t make me rough-handle you. Leave quietly.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t.” I shook my head, my voice breaking. “Mark!” I shouted. “Mark! Come out! Or let me in or I’ll cause a scene right here!”
The door swung open.
Mark stepped out in a perfect black tuxedo; clean, polished and glowing like the groom he was. He leaned against the doorframe and looked down at me… like I was dirt on his shoe.
“What the hell are you doing here, Elena?” he asked coldly.
“Where else should I be?” I snapped. “You fired me. And you threw me out of the apartment. Why, Mark? What did I do wrong?”
He smirked, his eyes hard. “You’re not needed anymore.”
“I’m not needed anymore?” My voice cracked. “After four years… after everything? I’ve been your woman, Mark. You promised you would…would marry me. And now you’re getting married to someone else?”
He smirked. “Marry you?” he scoffed. “Do you even hear yourself? How could I marry you? You’re wretched, Elena. Classless. And honestly… useless.”
A sharp pain tore through my chest and my knees gave out. I slumped to the floor and burst into tears. Mark didn’t move. He just leaned on the doorframe, crossed his arms, and laughed.
“I kept you out of pity,” he said, his voice cold. “And nothing more. And now that I’m getting married…and as the new MD of Thompson Crest Enterprise, I’m cleaning out trash.”
He bent slightly, his eyes cold. “You’re fired, Elena. I'm getting married to Bella Thompson. Now get out of here before I have these men throw you out. I have a wedding to attend.”
I crawled toward him, still kneeling and grabbed his leg.
“Mark, please… I need my job. Please…I have bills to pay.”
He kicked my hands off like I would stain him. “Get lost, Elena. You’re incompetent.”
His words cut my heart into pieces. I cried harder, my voice shaking. “O-okay… I’ll go. But I need my pay. You owe me two months’ salary. I have bills…my family…please!”
“I don’t owe you a dime,” he snapped. “All your pay has been deducted from the mess and errors you made at the office. We’re done here. Leave!”
“What?” My chest tightened. “Mark, please… I need my pay. I don’t even have anywhere to stay.”
He studied me for a moment, then smirked. “Fine. Let’s make a new deal.”
I get to my feet, expecting something good.
“I can’t keep you in the company. My new wife won’t tolerate seeing you. But…” His eyes dragged over me. “I can let you stay in the apartment and pay you money, for as long as you like.” He paused, voice dropping. “As long as you attend to my sexual needs whenever I want.”
I stared at him, shocked and mad. “You bastard!” I gave him a hot slap across his face.
Mark only laughed. “Get her out!” He barked.
One of the guards grabbed my arm. The other seized my luggage. I kicked and screamed as they dragged me down the hall and shoved me and my box into the elevator.
The doors slammed shut, leaving me shaking, broken… and furious.
I sat on the cold elevator floor, hugging my leather box while tears ran down my face. Everything hurt; my pride, my heart and my whole life. I didn’t even try to stand. What was the point?
The elevator door opened with a soft ding. I didn’t look up at first… not until a pair of polished black shoes stepped into my blurry view.
“Elena Grey?”
My breath caught. I slowly lifted my head.
Standing above me was the most handsome man I've ever seen. Alpha Eric Thompson, the CEO of Thompson Crest Enterprise. The man on every magazine cover. The multi billionaire everyone feared. And the most powerful Alpha in Silver Crest.
And he was staring right at me with the sexiest and most intense eyes I had ever seen.
My heart skipped. Of all the people to find me like this… why him?
