Breaking Point

[Waylen Company – Early Afternoon]

Adeline sat at her desk, rifling through papers, her mind heavy with the investigation. She tried to focus—tried to ignore the shifting tension with Elias—but something hung in the air today. Something unspoken, about to break.

The click of heels broke her thoughts. She glanced up just in time to see Hazel walk across the lobby, her curly hair bobbing with each stride. Dressed to perfection, Hazel wore her sweet, innocent little sister persona, the one everyone adored.

But the moment Hazel saw Luke by the doorway, the act shifted. She glided over to him, arms slipping around his waist in an intimate gesture that twisted Adeline's stomach. Hazel whispered something into his ear, mouth brushing his cheek. He smiled—his practiced, charming smile.

Adeline's fingers tightened around the pen in her hand.

"You're such a beautiful woman, Hazel," Luke's voice carried across the room. "You always brighten my day."

Hazel giggled, and Adeline's heart raced. Her throat tightened, but she couldn't tear her eyes away. She should've been used to this—used to seeing them together. But every time, the betrayal stung like a slap.

[Waylen Company – Later]

Adeline walked into the break room, trying to shake off the rage building inside her. She needed to focus on work, not them. But as soon as she stepped inside, she saw Luke by the coffee machine, his face twisted with irritation as he spotted her.

"What's your problem, Adeline?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Adeline froze. "My problem?"

"Yes, your problem!" Luke snapped. "Still acting like a little girl, upset over nothing. Hazel's just being friendly."

Her heartbeat quickened, her chest constricting. "Friendly?" She couldn't suppress a bitter laugh. "You've been sleeping with her behind my back, Luke. Don't pretend you haven't."

Luke's jaw snapped shut. He took a step closer, voice venomous. "You need to stop making everything about you. I don't have time to babysit your pathetic jealousy. You ruined everything, Adeline. You're nothing but a problem."

Her gaze sharpened, his words stinging deeper than they should. He was too close now, the heat of his fury radiating from him.

"You can't speak to me like that, Luke," she said, her voice steady but shaking.

"Or what?" His sneer twisted further. "What are you going to do, huh? You think you can control me still? You think you can fix what you destroyed?"

Adeline's heart pounded, and before she could stop herself, the words tumbled out. "I've destroyed it? You're the one who—"

But she never got to finish.

Luke's hand shot out, gripping her throat in one swift, violent motion, stealing the breath from her lungs.

"You destroyed everything, Adeline," Luke spat. "Everything. And now you want to make a scene? You think you still have control?"

Adeline's vision blurred. Terror constricted in her chest, and she struggled for air. But before she could fight back any longer, the break room door slammed open, and Nathan rushed in, his eyes wide with horror.

"Luke! What the hell are you doing?" Nathan shouted.

Luke didn't even blink. He tightened his grip, eyes wild with rage. Nathan didn't hesitate—his phone was out in an instant, dialing for security.

Adeline's world started to spin, but the adrenaline coursed through her. With one last burst of strength, she shoved Luke off, stumbling back as she sucked in a desperate breath. Her throat burned. Her entire body shook.

Luke staggered back, cheeks flushed with fury, fists clenched at his sides. He didn't move toward her again, though his chest heaved with anger.

Adeline's head swam. She barely noticed the security rushing in to subdue Luke as he fought against their hold. But none of it mattered. The man she'd loved—the one she trusted—was nothing but a monster now.

In a flash of raw emotion, she slapped him hard across the face. The sound rang out in the room, sharp and brutal.

"I never want to see you again," she said, her voice trembling with rage.

Luke didn't respond. His gaze locked with hers—anger, shock, maybe even shame dancing behind his eyes—but he said nothing.

[Waylen Company – Later That Day]

Adeline stormed out of the break room, her hands shaking, her brain spinning with confusion. She couldn't process what had just happened—couldn't understand how close she'd let him get to her again.

As she moved down the hallway, Elias appeared, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. His gaze flicked to her disheveled state, her unsteady steps.

"Adeline," he said, his voice low, cutting through the air. "What happened?"

She didn't answer right away. She couldn't. Her throat still burned from Luke's grip, and she didn't know how to explain the weight in her chest. The heartbreak. The betrayal.

But Elias didn't push her. He just stood there, silent, watching her with something unreadable in his eyes.

"I'm fine," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Elias didn't believe her, but he didn't argue. He simply watched her, his expression hardening with concern—silent, but unwavering.