Elena's POV.
After the death of my father, I was handed over the company and my father's inheritance. But to claim it, I had to get married. I abandoned my betrothed at the altar to marry the love of my life—the one who saved me from dying. But what I didn't expect was what would come soon after.
I stood in front of the mirror, already dressed in my black dress and wearing my gold mask. At least I wouldn't get too much attention because of my scar.
I turned to leave when my husband, Damian Cross, asked, "Don't you think I should sign this alone?"
"No, babe," I replied. "I need to give my assistant the go-ahead order."
He came closer, saying, "Elena dear, you don't have to stress yourself over a little issue."
"Damian, I know you don't like people seeing us together because of the scar on my face, but I still have to be there for my assistant to comply," I said softly.
I was going to hand everything I owned over to Damian. After all, he saved me from dying years back. I loved him so much and didn't mind.
Soon, we drove off to my father's company in our Tesla Model S. Nexora International— the wealthiest and largest company in Velmora, the capital of Cael Bourg.
My father's company deals with tech and biotechnology. It owns jets, data labs, and its own AI research. I know Damian wouldn't disappoint me. That is why I'm putting everything in his hands.
"Babe, you need to stay in the car while I get everything in order in the hall, okay?" he said while I stared at him admiringly.
"Okay, babe, I'll be waiting," I replied.
I was still in the car when my assistant called me in. I went into the hall, taking a glass of wine. I stood in the corner, admiring how attractive my husband was. I loved him so much.
They didn't need me there because I had signed everything I needed to sign. I couldn't help but notice how everyone looked at me like I didn't belong.
Well, my husband would announce me as his wife. No one knew me as the heir to Nexora International or Damian's wife because we had a secret marriage. That was my dad's dying wish—for me to get married.
Damian signed the contract, then gave a speech, concluding with, "I would like to thank the person who made me who I am and the love of my life."
I was so excited, I prepared myself, standing up—only for him to call out, "Amira."
Wait. Amira? That's my best friend.
She kissed Damian and held him with a smile the second she walked to the stage.
I was devastated, speechless and dumbfounded. Without thinking, I found myself walking up to the stage.
This can't be real.
"What's going on, Damian?" I asked calmly but in confusion. My best friend and my husband? That was crazy.
Damian let out coldly, "Sorry, do I know you?"
I took off my mask, and everyone gasped seeing my scar.
Amira chimed in, "Elena, I didn't know he would choose me. I'm surprised just as you are. Please, I'm sorry. Forgive me, Elena," Amira said sarcastically.
Damian said, "How do you think I would love you? Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? You clearly look like a beast. With that scar on your face, no one will ever love you, okay?"
"Damian, what did you just say? So all of that has been a pretense all along?"
I couldn't help but notice the gazes fixed on me like I was some kind of psycho. I could hear them whispering and laughing.
Amira came closer and whispered, "Do you think he loved you all this while? He's mine now. Your company is ours, and there's nothing you can do about it." She tried to push me off the stage without anyone noticing, but someone caught me—and she pretended to fall, only for Damian to catch her.
I didn't get to see the person's face, but strong arms wrapped around my waist, holding me steady.
As I approached them to confront them, Damian slapped me and said, "Leave here, or security will be the ones dragging you out."
I retorted, "This is my father's company; I'm not going anywhere."
Damian took the mic and said, "Sorry, everyone, for this little incident. We promise to handle it."
"Because not everyone is allowed here—especially psychopaths. We are calling security at once."
Security dragged me out without a word. I fell outside my father's company, devastated and helpless. Tears streamed down my face as I cried out in despair.
"I'm worthless, ugly, and foolish," I whispered to myself.
I stood up to head back to the house but just then, I bumped into someone. He was tall, handsome, and masculine. His smell was familiar. He held me back and said, "Why don't we get a drink? You don't seem okay."
"I'm sorry, but I can't just get a drink with a total stranger. You just saw what happened back there. My husband cheated on me with my best friend. I can't just… I'm sorry." I turned to pick up my shoes to leave, but he held me back. And chills flew down my spine. I don't know what he did to me, but his touch made me think otherwise.
"Please, you need a friend right now. Let me be your friend, okay?"
"Okay," I said.
I followed him to his BMW 7 Series. I sat in the passenger seat and cried throughout the ride. We arrived at a luxurious bar—I didn't catch the name.
As we entered, people stared at me like I was some kind of beast, just like Damian had called me.
The hostess approached, asking, "Sir, should I serve your usual?"
"Yeah, sure," he replied.
I turned to him and asked, "What's your name?"
He ignored my question.
"What happened back there?" he asked.
By then, the hostess had brought a Midnight Ember and poured it into a transparent glass. Midnight Ember is a legendary hot cocktail served only by private request—a drink of myth and money.
Clearly, this mystery man was rich. I took a sip, and it was breathtaking. I finished the glass before I knew it.
"Can you explain what happened back there?" he asked again. "That lady almost hurt you when she pushed you, but I caught you."
I realized he was the one who had caught me earlier when Amira pushed me. Already feeling tipsy, I stammered, "Uhmmm… The man you saw back there… he's my husband—or was. I handed over my inheritance to him—all I had left. I trusted him, and he betrayed me." Overwhelmed, I burst into tears.
I continued, "He saved me from an accident where I got this scar. Since then, I've loved him genuinely. I left my betrothed just to be with him. He had nothing, but I made sure he was comfortable. You know, I'm to blame because all this while, he insulted me indirectly and disrespected me. But I was blinded by love, thinking he would adjust. I saw Amira in the room with him, and she lied about helping him. All this time, I've had liars and deceitful people in my life, and I called them my own."
"Hey, everything will be fine," the mystery guy said. "But first, you're tipsy. I'll help you get to a room," he added.
He helped me stand up and guided me upstairs.
When we got to the door of the room, I hugged him and giggled, "Thank you, Mr. Mystery Man."
He smiled. "I needed a friend, and you came through for me."
I didn't even realize when I reached for his tie, pulled him close, and kissed him.
We continued kissing until he gently pulled away.
He said, "You don't even know me. We just met tonight. We don't have to do this. You're tipsy, too."
I opened the hotel room door, acting like nothing had happened, and said, "It's fine. Maybe you don't find me attractive because of the scar on my face."
He pulled me against him and said, "You don't know how attractive I find you. You're very pretty, and I want you to know that."
"Then he kissed my scar passionately, slowly making his way down to my lips."
We made love.
This was nothing like when Damian and I were together. Damian didn't always touch me. He would give excuses, avoid eye contact, and drift away.
But this… this was different.
And just like that, I'd had a one-night stand with a total stranger.