Chapter 1

Elena carefully adjusted the books on the display shelf, letting the rustle of pages and faint whispers from customers calm her. The bookstore wasn’t her dream job, but it offered something she desperately needed—peace. She stepped back to examine her work when the low, smooth hum of a luxury car engine broke her focus. Frowning, she brushed her hands on her apron and walked toward the window. A sleek black sedan, polished to perfection, came to a halt just outside. The sight of it sent a chill down her spine. “No,” she muttered under her breath, her chest tightening. The car door opened and out stepped a sharply dressed man in a tailored charcoal-gray suit. He held a bouquet of white lilies in one hand. Despite his silver hair and the fine lines around his eyes, his confident presence turned heads on the small, unassuming street. The bell above the shop door jingled, and Elena hurried toward him, her voice sharp and hushed. “Dad? What are you doing here?” He smiled warmly, ignoring her tense demeanor. “Visiting my daughter, of course.” He extended the bouquet to her, his tone casual, as though this were completely normal. Elena glanced nervously at her coworker Vanessa, who stood behind the counter with a raised brow. Then she snatched the flowers from him, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “You shouldn’t be here. I told you, I don’t want this kind of attention.” “Elena,” her father began, his tone soft but firm, “how long are you planning to live like this? You belong at home, not hiding away in some bookstore.” Her eyes flashed with anger as she folded her arms tightly across her chest. “I’m not hiding. I like it here. I’ve told you that I don’t want to go to business school or take over your company. That’s not the kind of life I want Dad.” He sighed, glancing around the small shop, his expression quietly disapproving. “This isn’t a life for someone like you. You’ve had your little escape, but it’s time to come back to reality.” “Reality?” she echoed, her voice rising slightly. “Do you even hear yourself? This is my reality. I’ve made a life for myself here, and I’m happy with it.” “You’re being stubborn,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “You’re my only child. You’re supposed to take over the company—our family’s legacy. I gave you time to figure things out, but now it’s time to come home, Elena.” “I don’t want to run the company,” she snapped. “I don’t want any of it!” His gaze softened as he reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’re young. You don’t understand the opportunities you’re throwing away. I’m just trying to protect you from making a mistake you’ll regret later.” Elena let out a frustrated sigh, gripping the edge of the counter for support. “Dad, please. We’ve had this conversation a hundred times. Why can’t you just accept that this is my choice?” Before he could respond, the bell jingled again, signaling another customer who Elena didn’t take note of. Derek froze immediately he entered, he wasn’t expecting to see his dear Elena in a corner with an elderly man whispering God knows what. Derek was holding a single red rose in one hand and a small velvet box in the other. His neatly pressed white shirt and dark jeans gave him an understated yet thoughtful appearance. He had spent the entire morning rehearsing the words he wanted to say to Elena, and his heart pounded with nervous anticipation. But There she was, standing close to an older man who exuded wealth and power. Derek’s eyes zeroed in on the way the man leaned in, speaking to Elena in a low, familiar tone. And then he noticed something that made his chest tighten even more—she was smiling. Not her usual shy, reserved smile, but something warm, even affectionate. His grip on the rose tightened. “Who the hell is that?” he muttered under his breath. Vanessa, who had been watching the interaction with growing interest, smirked as she made her way over to him. Her heels clicked against the wooden floor, her expression sharp and curious. “Derek,” she said in a sing-song tone, her head tilting slightly. “What brings you here today?” He didn’t answer her question. Instead, he gestured toward Elena and the older man, his voice low and tense. “Who’s that guy?” Vanessa raised an eyebrow, following his gaze. “No idea. But judging by the car and the suit? He’s not just a casual friend.” Derek’s jaw tightened. “She never mentioned him before. Not once.” Vanessa let out a soft laugh. “Are you surprised? Elena’s not exactly an open book. She’s always been secretive, hasn’t she?” “She tells me things,” Derek argued, though there was doubt creeping into his voice. “Does she?” Vanessa asked, stepping closer to him. Her voice softened, but her words were deliberately cut. “I mean, think about it, Derek. Do you know her? Or just the version she wants you to see?” He looked away, watching as Elena laughed softly at something the man said. The sound of it felt like a punch to his stomach. Vanessa leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Let me ask you this—why hasn’t she told you about him? Rich guys like that don’t just hang out with people for no reason. Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious?” “She’s not like that,” Derek muttered, shaking his head. “Then why is she keeping him a secret?” Vanessa pressed. “I mean, come on, Derek. Look at them. They’re close. Maybe too close. He can even be her sugar daddy.” Derek's eyes twitched with anger but he didn’t respond to Vanessa. His mind was racing with a mix of jealousy and anger as he watched the older man place a hand on Elena’s back, guiding her toward the door. Vanessa smirked, sensing his inner turmoil. “If I were you, I’d start asking questions. Like, who is he? And what does he mean to her?” Derek’s shoulders stiffened as he watched Elena climb into the sleek black sedan without even glancing in his direction. The door shut with a quiet click, and the car glided away, leaving him standing in the middle of the shop, feeling like a fool. “She didn’t even see me, maybe I’m now invisible as I’m not driving an expensive car or dressed in expensive suits,” Derek said in a tone that shows how badly he’s hurt. Vanessa placed a hand on his arm, her touch light but deliberate. “She didn’t care enough to look and believe me you’re perfect just the way you’re, you don’t need expensive cars or suits to show that you’re perfect for anyone.” “I hate to say it, Derek, but you deserve better. Someone who appreciates you.” Derek looked down at the rose and the velvet box in his hands. He had spent weeks planning this moment—saving up for the ring, rehearsing his speech, picturing the way her face would light up when he proposed. But now, all of it felt meaningless. “She betrayed me,” he said, his voice heavy with bitterness. Vanessa’s smile widened, though she kept her tone sympathetic. “It’s better to know now than later. You don’t need someone who treats you like that.” Without another word, Derek stormed toward the trash can by the door. He tossed the rose and the box inside, the sound of the lid slamming shut echoing through the shop. Vanessa’s eyes gleamed as she watched him leave, his steps quick and heavy with anger. Once the door swung shut behind him, she leaned casually against the counter, a self-satisfied smile playing on her lips. “Well,” she murmured to herself, “that was easier than I thought.” Outside, the sleek black sedan had disappeared down the street, taking Elena and her father far away from the mess she had unknowingly left behind.