The elevator chimed softly as its doors slid open on the 38th floor of Velmore Enterprises — the creative wing of Lucian Velmore's empire. Caliste Winslow stepped out, her polished heels clicking lightly on the marble floor, a thick portfolio tucked beneath her arm. The faint scent of coffee and printer ink filled the air, mingling with the sound of keyboards and muted conversations.
Velmore Innovations: Home of the future of fashion and technology. That was the slogan she herself had created years ago when she was still Mrs. Caliste Velmore. Now, she walked these halls not as the CEO's wife, but as his newly appointed Creative Director — the visionary behind the next rebranding campaign.
It had been nearly three weeks since she started working there again. Rumors had spread like wildfire the moment her name appeared on the official employee list: Caliste Winslow — formerly Velmore — now working under her ex-husband.
Some said it was professional reconciliation; others whispered of a brewing romance. But to Caliste, this was neither. It was survival — a way to stay close, to find out if her son, Lucca, was well. She had not seen him in months. Lucian had made sure of that.
Her days were full, deliberately so. Meetings, design proposals, creative direction shoots — anything that kept her mind busy. Still, every time she heard Lucian's footsteps echo across the marble floors, her heart betrayed her.
This morning was another long day. She had just finished reviewing the layout for the Velmore Legacy Campaign — ironically, the campaign meant to highlight Lucian's commitment to family and heritage.
As she walked toward Lucian's office to present the final concepts, the elevator doors opened again. And out stepped Kyline Rivas — the international model who had been plastered across magazines and gossip columns as Lucian Velmore's rumored girlfriend.
The office energy shifted immediately.
Kyline was breathtaking — tall, all confidence and couture, draped in crimson silk that shimmered under the lights. Cameras might not be flashing here, but she walked as though they were. Employees froze mid-step, eyes darting between her and Caliste.
Caliste paused, her professional calm unshaken. She gave a polite nod, planning to pass without incident. But Kyline, spotting her, stopped dead in her tracks.
"Well, if it isn't her," Kyline said, her voice dripping with condescension.
The corner of Caliste's lips twitched slightly, but she maintained her composure. "Good morning, Miss Rivas."
Kyline's brows arched high. "Oh, you know my name. How sweet." She took a slow, deliberate step forward. "I didn't realize creative directors also double as ex-wives looking for second chances."
A few employees exchanged glances. Someone subtly turned off the office speaker to lessen the noise — but all it did was make Kyline's voice more audible.
Caliste adjusted the portfolio in her hands, her voice calm and measured. "I'm here for work, not gossip. I'd appreciate it if you'd move aside."
"Oh, come now," Kyline sneered, her tone sharp. "You can drop the act. Everyone knows why you're here still chasing Lucian's shadow, still hoping he'll look your way."
Caliste's hands tightened on the folder she had just gathered. "You're mistaken," she said softly. "I work here because I'm qualified to. What Lucian and I had is in the past."
Kyline smirked. "You expect anyone to believe that? You think being in his company gives you a chance to worm your way back in? It's sad, really 9desperate."
Several employees exchanged nervous glances. One of them subtly moved toward the door to inform Lucian's assistant, fearing things might escalate.
But Caliste didn't flinch. Her voice remained calm, though her heart thudded painfully in her chest. "You don't need to worry about me, Miss Rivas. Whatever you believe about my intentions that's your burden to carry, not mine."
That only seemed to enrage Kyline further. Her face twisted, eyes flashing. "Don't act righteous with me! You had your chance with Lucian and you threw it away. You think he'll ever take you back after what you did?"
The words struck deep, like a dagger. Caliste froze. Her throat tightened painfully, but she refused to let the tears fall.
"That's enough," she whispered.
But Kyline wasn't done. "If you have any dignity left, you'll quit this job. Stop following him around like a ghost from the past. He doesn't want you here."
A heavy silence settled between them.
Caliste's fingers trembled slightly, but her voice low, controlled broke through the tension. "I'm not here for his attention or yours. I'm here to work. That's all."
Kyline let out a cold laugh. "Work? In his company? Please." She turned toward the others watching. "Do any of you believe that?"
Several employees looked away, uncomfortable.
Before Caliste could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed sharply across the marble floor.
Lucian Velmore.
The air in the office shifted immediately.
Lucian strode in, crisp in a tailored black suit, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes swept across the gathered employees, then landed on Kyline standing with arms crossed and finally on Caliste, who stood motionless by the scattered papers.
"What's going on here?" His voice was low but carried authority that silenced everyone.
Kyline was the first to speak. "Lucian, I came to see you, but" She pointed at Caliste. "She..she started acting defensive when I asked her to stop interfering in your life. You should talk to her, Lucian, this.."
Lucian's eyes hardened. "Enough."
Kyline blinked. "But.."
"I said enough."
His voice was like steel.
Kyline's confidence faltered for the first time. "Lucian, she.."
Lucian didn't even glance at her. Instead, he turned slightly toward Caliste. "Are you hurt?"
The question caught Caliste off guard. For a brief second, their eyes met and in that fleeting gaze, Caliste saw something she hadn't in years. Concern. Genuine, restrained concern hidden behind his walls.
"I'm fine," she murmured.
Lucian nodded curtly, then shifted his attention back to Kyline. "Miss Rivas," he said formally, "this is a corporate office. Not a runway. You've caused a scene that disrupted the work of my employees. I'd appreciate it if you left immediately."
Kyline's mouth fell open. "Lucian, are you serious? You're defending her?"
"I'm maintaining professionalism," he replied flatly. "Something you've failed to do."
The sting of his words was visible. Kyline's face turned crimson, her voice rising an octave. "You can't just throw me out"
"I can," he said simply, "and I am."
The security guard at the end of the hall took a cautious step forward. Kyline noticed and realized he meant it.
Her eyes flicked toward Caliste full of venom. "This isn't over," she hissed. "You'll regret crawling back into his world."
Then she stormed off, her heels echoing angrily through the corridor.
The tension lingered even after she disappeared from sight. Employees busied themselves with their screens, pretending to type, though everyone's heart was still racing.
Lucian's voice broke the silence. "Everyone, back to work."
The crowd dispersed instantly.
Caliste bent down to gather her papers again, her cheeks burning with humiliation. Lucian approached, his presence still commanding, though his expression softened ever so slightly.
"She shouldn't have said those things," he said quietly.
Caliste didn't look at him. "She was just… emotional. People say things when they're threatened."
Lucian's brow furrowed. "Threatened?"
She glanced up, offering a small, humorless smile. "I think she sees me as competition. But she's wrong. There's nothing left between us, Lucian. You made that clear."
Her tone was calm, but it cut like ice.
Lucian hesitated, as though there was something he wanted to say but the wall between them was too high, too solid. Instead, he simply said, "You should take the rest of the morning off."
"I'd rather not," Caliste replied. "I still have work to finish."
He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Always stubborn."
"Always responsible," she corrected softly.
For a moment, their eyes locked again and time seemed to still. The weight of years, of love lost and pain unspoken, hung heavy between them.
Finally, Lucian stepped back. "Very well," he said. "Carry on."
He turned to leave, but before he could, Caliste spoke again barely above a whisper. "Lucian."
He paused.
"She's wrong," Caliste said quietly. "I didn't come back to interfere. I came back because… I owe something to the past."
Lucian's shoulders tensed, but he didn't turn. "Then pay your debts and move on, Caliste."
And with that, he walked away.
Caliste stood alone amid the whispers that would surely follow this incident. But she didn't care. Her dignity remained intact, and her reason stayed clear: she would endure anything — even humiliation if it meant inching closer to her son again.
Yet what she didn't know was that, in the shadows of the city, another pair of eyes had already fixed their gaze upon her.
Miles away, in a dimly lit prison cell, Desmund Winslow leaned back against the wall, a wicked smile curling his lips.
"So, the little bird returns to the nest," he murmured. "How touching."
His spy knelt before him, whispering every detail Caliste Winslow, working directly under Lucian Velmore.
Desmund's laughter echoed through the cold cell. "Lucian still can't let her go. Good. That makes him vulnerable."
He toyed with the iron ring on his finger, his voice turning dark and venomous. "His son is too guarded. But Caliste? She's within reach. If I can't destroy Lucian through the boy… I'll do it through her."
His laughter grew, sharp and manic, bouncing off the stone walls.
"Prepare the plan," he ordered. "It's time Lucian Velmore learns what it means to lose everything."