Chapter 4
“Morning, Ms. Miller.”
Nadine turned around. She was wearing a V-neck shirt, and with the same calm expression, she tugged the neckline just enough to show the hickeys on her chest.
A wave of nausea hit Elena, and she quickly turned away.
Justin stepped out of the kitchen with a plate of sunny-side-up eggs. Noticing her reaction, he hurriedly said, “Lena, let’s head to the office together in a bit.”
Without looking back, Elena said, “I’m not going to the office. I’m going to the hospital.”
“The hospital? Are you feeling sick?” Justin set the plate on the table. “I’ll come with you.”
He stepped toward her, but Nadine caught his arm. Her voice was soft and wounded. “Jus, did you
forget? You promised you’d be with me today…”
Just as Elena expected, Justin hesitated and stopped in his tracks. She didn’t have time for his hollow
act. She left without him.
Justin watched her walk off, and for a moment, a strange knot of unease tightened in his chest. But he
shook it off.
He wasn’t going with her to the hospital, but that didn’t make it the end of the world. She loved him, and
even if she might be upset, it wasn’t worth stressing over.
At the hospital, after Elena’s check-up, the doctor went over her results. “Your stomach condition has gotten worse. I’ll prescribe some medication. Take it exactly as directed.”
Elena let out a relieved sigh. Thank God she wasn’t pregnant.
The doctor looked serious. “Ms. Miller, have you been overworking again? Staying up late, eating
irregularly? You’re young, but if you don’t take care of your stomach now, it could lead to serious issues
later.”
Elena gave a wry smile. She had thrown herself into that project while neglecting her health. But now that it was wrapping up, she didn’t need to push herself so hard anymore.
“Thanks, doctor. I’ll be more careful.”
“Make sure you look after yourself, not just for now, but in the long run.
Elena hummed in response and said softly, “I won’t let it happen again.”
After picking up the medication, she made her way to the office.
As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, a soft, friendly voice reached her. “We’re all colleagues now. Just a little treat. Please, help yourselves.”
“Wow, pastries from Winterberry! Those are expensive!”
“That’s really generous of you, Ms. Riggs.”
“I’m glad you like them.”
Everyone in the CEO’s office crowded around Nadine like she was the main attraction, and she passed out the pastries one at a time.
A colleague spotted Elena and called out, “Ms. Miller, you’re here! Come meet our new team member, Ms.
Riggs.”
Nadine looked up. Her lips curved into a smile that was sharp, teasing, and almost triumphant.
Elena’s brow furrowed, but she let it pass, moving straight to her desk without a word.
Her assistant, Naomi Watson, sidled up with frustration and hurt written across her face. “This isn’t fair,
Ms. Miller.”
“What’s wrong?” Elena asked, already turning on her computer to adjust the project schedule.
“You’ve poured so much effort into this project. Why should someone else get to reap the rewards?”
Elena froze. “What are you saying?”
Naomi bristled. “Mr. Riggs just announced that the project you’ve been managing all this time is being handed over to Ms. Riggs, starting today!”
Elena felt heat rise up to her temples.
No wonder Nadine had given her that look earlier. Nadine had swooped in and claimed months of her work without lifting a finger.
Elena pushed herself up and strode into Justin’s office. “You’re putting Nadine in charge of my project?”
As if he’d seen her question coming, he stayed calm and answered gently, “You’ve been working way too hard. You even went to the hospital today. I’m worried about you. It’s best to let Nadi take over the project.
Elena sneered. “The project’s almost done. The hardest part’s behind us. Who’ll be listed as project lead when it’s finished? Who’s going to get the credit?”
She’d been running herself ragged for this project, and Justin, with one careless remark, expected Nadine to reap all the rewards.
His expression darkened slightly. “Lena! I want Nadi involved in our future deals with the Millers. If she gets some credit here, it’ll make things smoother later. Don’t you get that?”
