Elara stood by the door, her hand on the cold handle, her resolve trembling but firm. "I'll meet you tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Bureau at 11. Let's end this properly," she said, her voice cracking only slightly before she turned to leave.

She had barely taken a step when a strong hand grabbed her wrist, pulling her back with an unyielding force. She gasped as Caleb spun her around, his dark eyes blazing with a mixture of frustration and something more primal.

"Let me go!" she cried out, her voice thick with anger and exhaustion. She struggled against his grip, her emotions roiling like a storm, but he didn't release her. Instead, he pulled her closer, his voice low and deliberate.

"We're not divorced yet," he said, his breath warm against her neck. "And didn't you just say you sold yourself to me? Then let me make good use of you before you leave."

Elara's heart pounded at his words-words that cut her pride like a blade. She opened her mouth to retort, but the sensation of his lips on her neck silenced her. His kisses were deliberate, hot, and unrelenting, sending a shiver down her spine even as anger surged through her veins.

"Stop it, Caleb!" she hissed, her fists pounding against his chest. But his grip only tightened, and he pushed her back onto the bed with a dominance that left her breathless.

She glared at him, fury and humiliation warring in her eyes. "Is this what you think of me? Just a body to satisfy your needs?"

Caleb didn't answer. Instead, his hands roamed her waist, his touch igniting sparks that made her traitorous body respond despite her mind screaming in protest. Elara gritted her teeth, her nails digging into his shoulders as she fought against the tide of emotions and sensations threatening to drown her.

And then his words came back to her: "Let me make good use of you."

A bitter laugh bubbled up inside her. If this was their last night, why should she let him have the upper hand? Why not take control-just this once?

With that thought, she shifted, surprising him by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down to her. Caleb froze for a moment, his eyes widening as she kissed him fiercely, her actions bolder and more commanding than he had ever known.

"Elara..." he murmured, his voice tinged with astonishment.

But she didn't stop. For once, she let herself act without restraint, her fingers threading through his hair as she pushed him onto his back. She climbed over him, her movements confident and deliberate, her usual hesitance replaced by a fiery determination.

Caleb looked up at her, his expression a mix of surprise and intrigue. He had never seen her like this before-this passionate, this unguarded. The reserved, dutiful woman he had married seemed to vanish, replaced by someone he barely recognized.

"You're stunned?" she asked, her voice low and breathless, a trace of defiance in her tone.

He smirked, recovering quickly from his shock. "I didn't think you had it in you," he admitted, his voice thick with amusement and desire.

Elara didn't answer. She didn't need to. For once, she wasn't thinking about Caleb's judgment, or his cold heart, or the years she had wasted trying to gain his love. Tonight wasn't about him. It was about reclaiming the pieces of herself she had buried for far too long.

And so, they lost themselves in a whirlwind of passion, their emotions clashing as much as their bodies connected. For Elara, it was an act of liberation-a fleeting moment where she could forget the pain and embrace the fire within her.

For Caleb, it was something entirely unexpected. He had seen her as predictable, tame, and even submissive. But tonight, she shattered every preconceived notion he had of her, leaving him both captivated and unsettled.

When it was over, they lay in silence, their breaths mingling in the stillness of the room. Caleb reached out as if to touch her, but she rolled away. The walls she had let down for a brief moment now rebuilt stronger than ever.

Without looking back, Elara rose from the bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool floor. She gathered her robe, wrapping it tightly around her as she stood by the window, staring out into the dark night.

Caleb watched her, his gaze unreadable. For the first time, he wondered if he had truly understood her at all-or if he had been blind to the fire hidden beneath her quiet exterior.

Elara's voice broke the silence, soft but resolute. "I'll see you at 11," she said, her tone distant, as if she had already left him behind.

And with that, she walked out of the room and went in washroom to clean herself, leaving Caleb alone in the shadows of what might have been.

The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the room. Elara stirred awake, her body aching from the events of the previous night. The fatigue weighed heavy on her limbs, and she lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling as fragments of the night replayed in her mind.

She sighed deeply, pushing herself out of bed. Last night, after washing away the remnants of Caleb's touch, she had chosen to sleep in another room. Sharing a bed with him after everything that had transpired was unthinkable.

After a quick shower, Elara dressed simply yet elegantly, donning a pale blue dress that accentuated her quiet dignity. Her face bore traces of her exhaustion, but she brushed on a light layer of makeup to mask it. She needed to look composed-if not for Caleb, then for herself.

She descended the staircase into the dining room, where a silent breakfast awaited her. The usual opulence of the table seemed hollow, the silverware gleaming under the morning light. Elara ate sparingly, her appetite dulled by the heaviness in her heart.

By 10:30, she was at the Civil Affairs Bureau, seated in a quiet corner of the waiting area. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one amplifying the knot of tension in her stomach. She glanced at her phone. 11:05. 11:20.

By 11:30, her patience wore thin. She dialed Caleb's number, her fingers trembling slightly. He picked up on the second ring, his voice cold and distant.

"Speak"

She straightened in her chair, trying to keep her voice steady. "Caleb, I've been waiting here at the Civil Affairs Bureau. It's 11:30. How long will it take you to get here?"

There was a pause before he spoke, his tone clipped. "I'm out of the city."

Elara's grip tightened on her phone, her anger flaring. "What do you mean you're out of the city? We agreed to meet here at 11. This is important!"

"There's an issue with one of the projects. I had to personally handle it," he replied, his voice devoid of any remorse or acknowledgment of her frustration.

Her anger bubbled to the surface. "You couldn't even inform me beforehand? Do you think my time is worthless?"

Caleb's tone turned even colder. "Elara, I don't have time for this. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up."

Before she could respond, the line went dead.

Elara stared at her phone, her chest heaving as she struggled to control her rising anger. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Caleb's dismissiveness felt like a slap in the face, a cruel reminder of how little she mattered to him.

As she gathered her thoughts, her phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Isla Thompson, her best friend and one of the few people she could rely on.

"Elara! Are you free? Let's meet," Isla said cheerfully, her voice a balm to Elara's frayed nerves.

Elara hesitated for a moment, then made her decision. "Sure, Isla. Where should we meet?"

After agreeing on a café nearby, Elara left the bureau, her heart heavy but grateful for Isla's timely call. She needed the comfort of a friend, someone who could remind her that there was still kindness and warmth in the world.

The luxurious private room in the posh hotel exuded sophistication, with its velvet-upholstered chairs and crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow. Isla Thompson, the epitome of glamour and grace, sat poised on a plush armchair, her dazzling smile lighting up the room as she sipped on her latte. Isla was a well-known celebrity, a star adored by millions, and Elara's closest confidante.

When Elara arrived, Isla rose gracefully and enveloped her in a warm hug, her perfume a mix of expensive florals and confidence. "Elara!" Isla exclaimed, her voice effervescent. "You're here! And might I say, congratulations are in order-soon, you'll be free from the shackles of that lifeless marriage!"

Elara pulled back slightly, her lips curving into a faint, polite smile, but her eyes betrayed her exhaustion. She sank into the chair across from Isla and picked up the glass of water waiting for her. Her hands trembled slightly, and she tightened her grip to steady herself.

"I knew you were never a fan of that marriage," Isla continued, oblivious to Elara's silence. "Honestly, I've been waiting for this day. Caleb Morgan might be powerful, but he's also the coldest man I've ever met."

Elara's gaze drifted to the window, where the city skyline loomed, her expression blank. She knew Isla was right, but the weight of everything-the years spent trying to make her marriage work, the constant rejection, the humiliation-still pressed heavily on her chest.

Isla, sensing the tension, decided to change the subject. Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned forward, her tone enthusiastic. "Alright, enough about him! Now that you're moving on, let me introduce you to some young, handsome men from my world. I know a few actors and businessmen who would kill for a chance with someone like you!"

Elara let out a soft, humorless laugh and shook her head. "Isla, thank you, but I'm not interested."

"Not interested?" Isla's perfectly arched brows lifted in surprise. "Elara, darling, you deserve someone better. Someone who will cherish you, adore you-someone who-"

Elara cut her off gently, her voice steady but tinged with determination. "Right now, I just want to focus on myself. On my business. I want to stand on my own two feet, Isla."

Isla blinked, taken aback by the resolve in Elara's tone. "You've always been capable, Elara, but-"

"No 'buts,' Isla." Elara straightened in her seat, her fingers clasped around the cool glass. "For four years, I've lived under Caleb's shadow. I tried to win his love, tried to make things work, and what did I get in return? Mockery. Rejection. I don't need a man to prove my worth-not Caleb, not anyone."

Isla studied her friend for a moment, then nodded, her expression softening. "I get it. And you're right. You don't need anyone to support you-you're brilliant, and you'll prove it to the world."

A faint smile tugged at Elara's lips, the first genuine one she'd worn all day. "Thank you, Isla. That means a lot."

"Always," Isla replied, raising her coffee cup in a mock toast. "Here's to Elara Morgan-soon to be just Elara, the unstoppable force."

They both laughed softly, the sound a small reprieve from the storm Elara was weathering. Though her heart still ached, she felt a flicker of hope. She would rebuild her life-on her terms, and with no one to dictate her worth.