[ELENA]

    Elena glanced down at her hand, where her brief touch had lingered on Cole''s shoulder earlier. It was quick, almost meaningless, but she had been ready. A single strand of hair plucked from his suit jacket.

    Perfect.

    Her mind worked quickly, laying out the next steps. With the right incantations and materials, she could ensure that Cole''s thoughts turned to her. She didn''t need his affection willingly—only his attention. Continue reading stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    It might be the twenty-first century, but the ways of bending fate hadn''t been entirely lost to time. Elena smiled to herself, tucking the hair into a hidden compartment in her bag.

    Eve might think she had won, but this game wasn''t over. Not by a long shot.

    And speaking of the devil, Eve arrived, her presence cutting through the air like a sudden gust. She looked slightly frazzled, as if she had rushed over from something important, her usually polished demeanor now tinged with urgency.

    Elena''s sharp eyes caught the subtle way Cole''s face brightened the moment Eve entered the room. It was fleeting yet unmistakable, a warmth that seemed reserved solely for her.

    A pang of jealousy stabbed through Elena''s chest, sharper than she expected. She had to admit—though only to herself—that it stung.

    If she hadn''t left the country back then, things might have been different. Cole and she might have been something.

    The thought gnawed at her, a bitter "what if" that wouldn''t leave her alone. Eve wouldn''t even have had a chance. The realization churned in her, each thought dragging her deeper into a storm of regret and envy.@@@@

    Her mood soured, the unwanted emotions pooling in her chest like poison. Regret, envy, frustration—each one bubbling to the surface in a chaotic dance she couldn''t quite suppress.

    Cole had been hers first, hadn''t he? Back when everything was simpler. Back when he still looked at her like she was the only one in the room.

    "Oh, hello, Eve. You''re not intruding at all," Elena replied, her tone dripping with faux sweetness, the kind that could rot teeth.

    Cole, ever the charmer, grabbed my hand and kissed it tenderly. "We were just wrapping up here. You should''ve waited for me at the apartment."

    What? Wait at home and worry myself into a frenzy while he sat here entertaining her? No thanks. "I had some spare time, so I thought I''d fetch you and say hello to Elena," I said, keeping my smile firmly in place.

    "You have nothing to fear from me," Elena said smoothly, but her eyes betrayed the challenge she was throwing my way. "Cole and I were merely catching up."

    Oh, I knew what that meant. She wanted me to feel jealous. And so what if I did? Was there a problem with protecting what''s mine?

    "Is that so?" I said, keeping my tone light as I pulled out my own bottle of lotion. Slowly, and intentionally, I squeezed out more than necessary, letting the creamy excess pool in my hands. Never taking my eyes off her, I spread it over my hands with exaggerated care.

    "Oops, I seem to have too much," I said, feigning innocence, and turned to Cole. "Want some?"

    Cole blinked, caught off guard, but he offered his hands with a helpless smile. "Sure."

    I massaged the lotion into his hands, taking my time, making sure Elena saw every moment. "You''ve been working too hard," I cooed to Cole, "your hands are rough," and threw a meaningful smile at Elena''s way as if daring her to top this.

    Elena''s sweet smile faltered, just for a second, but it was enough. Satisfaction bloomed in my chest as I caught the faintest flicker of jealousy in her expression. She tried to recover, smacking her lips together like she hadn''t just been bested.

    "Well then," she said, standing abruptly. "Since Eve is here, I suppose our talk is over. I''ll be going ahead now."

    I wiggled my fingers in a sarcastic little wave, my smile as sharp as broken glass.

    "Byeee~."