Chapter 43 – Rising Again
She must not know why I truly allowed her into this house. If she learns, everything might crumble before it is time.
Ma'am Albright leaned back in her chair, her lips pressed thin. “Elara Landon… I hope the day comes when you’ll heal Edward and save him from himself.”
The candle flickered, its light dancing across her hardened face as silence wrapped around the room.
The sun streamed gently through Edward’s large bedroom window, spreading a soft glow across the room. He sat on his bed, his eyes open but fixed on nothing in particular.
For days, he had woken up feeling like a shadow of himself–tied to a chair, tied to weakness, tied to pity. But this morning felt different. Something inside him stirred, like a flame trying to fight its way out of darkness.
He sat up straighter, inhaled deeply, and whispered to himself.
“I am Edward Thorne… Alpha of this city. The one who carries the moonstone. The man people look up to. Not this chair, not my weakness, not my fears.”
He glanced at the wheelchair waiting for him by the side of his bed. For a moment, the sight of it brought the usual sting of shame. But instead of lowering his gaze, Edward kept staring at it–his jaw tightening, his chest rising with determination.
“No more self-pity,” he muttered. “I am more than this.”
His mind flashed back to the ride from the NGO with Elara. Her soft voice echoed in his memory.
“You did something remarkable today. The way you support those children and women. It’s… it’s beautiful. You may not realize it, but your generosity keeps them alive. You’re giving them a chance, a future. Thank you, sir. For them. For giving them what I never had.”
Her words had been simple, but they sank deep, wrapping around the wounded parts of him and giving him strength. He clenched his fists.
“Yes! She’s right. I won’t keep hiding.” Edward whispered.
He reached for his phone and dialed his secretary’s number. It didn’t take long before Quinn’s cheerful voice answered.
“Good morning, sir!” Quinn sounded bright, as always.
“Quinn,” Edward said, his tone steady. “I’m resuming work today. Make the necessary arrangements. Inform everyone at the office. I don’t want to walk in quietly. I want everyone to know their CEO is back.”
There was silence for a second, as though Quinn was holding her breath in disbelief. Then her voice rushed back, excited.
“Sir… truly? You’re coming in today?”
“Yes,” Edward replied firmly. “I’ve wasted enough time. Tell them to be ready. We start today.”
“Yes, sir!” Quinn exclaimed. “I’ll make all the arrangements immediately. This is wonderful news.”
Edward ended the call, his lips curling into the faintest smile. For the first time in weeks, he felt like himself again.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Edward said.
Elara entered, carrying a tray of breakfast. The aroma of freshly baked bread, eggs, and tea filled the room. She set the tray carefully on the table beside him, her movements neat and graceful.
“Good morning, sir,” she said softly.
“Good morning, Elara,” Edward replied, his voice warmer than usual.
She adjusted the plates on the table. “I brought your breakfast. Should I serve it here, or would you like me to move the table closer?”
“Here is fine,” Edward said. Then he looked at her, his expression thoughtful. “Sit with me for a while. I have something to tell you.”
Elara blinked, surprised. Edward’s tone held a calm authority that made her obey without question. She pulled a chair closer and sat, folding her hands neatly in her lap.
Edward picked up his cup of tea, his eyes still on her. “I’m going back to work today.”
Elara’s lips parted. “Truly? That’s… that’s wonderful, sir!” Her face lit up, and Edward noticed the sparkle in her eyes.
“Yes,” Edward continued. “I’ve been hiding behind excuses, but I have responsibilities. People depend on me–not just my staff, but this city, organizations I support, charities I fund. I can’t let them down.”
Her chest warmed at his words. He spoke with conviction, the Alpha in him shining through. She admired the strength in his tone, even though his body was trapped in the chair.
“That’s the Edward I like,” she said in her mind. “Strong, determined… someone people look up to.”
Edward’s eyes softened, and for a fleeting second, he wished he could tell her more–that he wasn’t just a CEO, but an Alpha of a pack, a leader bound to the moonstone. But he swallowed the thought. To him, Elara was human. She wouldn’t understand.
He ate slowly as Elara sat with him, watching. There was a silence between them, not uncomfortable but heavy with unspoken feelings. Edward felt it. The way she cared, the way her presence calmed him–it stirred something deep inside, something that made him happy.
When he was done, Elara stood to clear the table. “I’m so happy for you, sir. Everyone will be glad to see you back.”
Edward gave her a faint smile.
Their eyes met briefly before Elara carried the tray out, leaving Edward to prepare for his return.
By mid-morning, Titan wheeled Edward out of the mansion and into the sleek black car waiting for him. He was dressed sharply in a navy-blue suit, his hair combed neatly, his aura restored. Elara stood by the door, watching as he left.
“Good luck today, sir.” She whispered, though he couldn’t hear her.
At the office, Quinn had done exactly as asked. The lobby buzzed with excitement as staff gathered. Whispers filled the air.
“Is it true? The CEO is back?”
“I heard he called Quinn this morning.”
“It’ll be good to see him again. The place hasn’t been the same.”
Even Damien and Kian stood among the waiting staff, their expressions carefully neutral.
Kian leaned slightly toward Damien. “You don’t look pleased.”
Damien smirked. “That’s not true”
Damien’s mind burned with another thought. Elara. I wonder if he will bring her to work as well. That girl. Who is she really? He clenched his jaw. Soon, he would know.
The sound of car tires rolling into the parking lot brought everyone to attention. The main doors opened, and Titan wheeled Edward into the lobby.
The room erupted in applause. Staff clapped, some even cheered. Edward sat tall in his chair, his face calm but proud. His eyes swept across the crowd, acknowledging them.
Quinn stepped forward, her smile wide. “Welcome back, sir.”
“Thank you,” Edward replied. He raised his voice so all could hear. “I am back. I expect the best from all of you, and in return, I will give my best.”
The staff clapped louder. Elara’s words whispered in Edward’s mind again: You inspire people. Yes. This was who he was.
While everyone cheered, Damien’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He stepped back, pulling it out quickly.
“Alaric,” he said quietly.
Damien’s lips curved into a dark smile. His eyes flicked toward the crowd, while Elara’s name echoed in his thoughts.
Finally… I will know exactly who she is.