For five years, Elara Vance had been invisible to the most powerful man in Crescentville. She was his personal physician. His shadow. The woman who stitched his wounds at 3 AM and never asked questions. But she was also the woman warming his bed whenever he needed to forget. When Roman Castellano came home bleeding from a gunfight, Elara patched him up. When nightmares clawed at him in the dark, she was the body he reached for. She had foolishly believed that devotion could unlock a frozen heart. Then *she* came back. Vivienne Laurent. The name Roman whispered in his sleep. The ghost who had haunted their bed for five years. The moment Vivienne's plane touched down in Crescentville, Elara became disposable. "Dr. Vance." Roman's voice cut through the morning silence. He didn't look up from his phone. "Vivienne arrives tonight. Prepare the east wing. Her favorite flowers. Her preferred sheets. Everything exactly as it was." Elara's coffee cup trembled in her hand. "Of course, Mr. Castellano." She turned to leave. "One more thing." His voice stopped her at the door. "The engagement party is in three weeks. I'll need you to coordinate with the wedding planner." The words drove into her chest like a blade. *Engagement party.* She forced her voice steady. "Understood." Roman finally looked up. His dark eyes swept over her with the same detachment he showed the furniture. "You've been useful, Elara. I hope that continues." *Useful.* Five years of saving his life, healing his body, giving him everything she had—and she was *useful.* That night, Elara stood on the balcony overlooking the garden she'd planted with her own hands. Roses. His favorite. She'd learned every preference, memorized every habit, molded herself into whatever he needed. And none of it mattered. Her phone buzzed. A text from Roman's head of security: *Mr. Castellano requests your presence in the east wing. Miss Laurent has arrived.* Elara closed her eyes and counted to ten. Then she walked into hell with her head held high. Vivienne Laurent was everything Elara was not. Golden hair cascading over bare shoulders. A designer dress that cost more than Elara's yearly salary. And a smile that could melt glaciers—currently aimed directly at Roman. "Darling." Vivienne stretched up on her toes to kiss Roman's cheek. "I've missed you so terribly." Roman's hand settled on the small of her back. The gesture was possessive. Intimate. He had never touched Elara like that. "Vivienne, this is Dr. Vance." Roman's tone was dismissive. "She handles medical matters for the household." Vivienne's eyes flickered over Elara with barely concealed contempt. "How... practical." Elara smiled. It felt like cracking glass. "Welcome back, Miss Laurent. I hope your flight was comfortable." "It was exhausting, actually." Vivienne leaned into Roman's chest. "Darling, I need a bath and a massage. Perhaps your little doctor could arrange that?" *Little doctor.* Elara's nails dug into her palms. "Of course. I'll send someone up immediately." She turned to leave, but Roman's voice stopped her. "Elara." He said her name like an afterthought. "Make sure everything is perfect. Vivienne is going to be the lady of this house." The words hit like a physical blow. *Lady of this house.* For five years, Elara had run this household. Managed the staff. Organized Roman's schedule. Handled every crisis, every emergency, every 3 AM phone call. And now she was being replaced by a woman who had abandoned him half a decade ago. "Understood, Mr. Castellano." She walked out with her spine straight and her heart shattering. Back in her quarters, Elara sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the wall. She should leave. Pack her bags and disappear before this destroyed her completely. But her feet wouldn't move. Because despite everything—despite the humiliation, the invisibility, the soul-crushing indifference—she still loved him. God help her, she still loved Roman Castellano. Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from an unknown number. *He's going to marry her. He's going to make you watch. Are you really going to stay and let him break you?* Elara's blood ran cold. Who was this? How did they know? Before she could respond, another message appeared. *You have no idea what Vivienne really is. But you will. And by then, it will be too late.* >>>>> Click "Learn More" to Start Reading Without Downloading.
