The Decision He Couldn't Avoid
Rain hit the glass windows of Sterling Corporation in sharp, uneven rhythms.
Inside…
Everything remained controlled.
Silent.
Perfect.
---
But not him.
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Ethan
Ethan stood near the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, his hands resting in his pockets, his gaze fixed on the city below.
But he wasn't seeing the city.
He was seeing her.
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The way she stood there.
Frozen.
Broken.
The way her eyes filled with tears—
Right in front of him.
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His jaw tightened.
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Ten years.
Ten years… and still—
She had that effect on him.
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Annoying.
Unacceptable.
Dangerous.
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He exhaled sharply, trying to push the thoughts away.
"She hasn't changed," he muttered.
But that wasn't true.
She had changed.
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She looked stronger.
Colder.
More distant.
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And yet…
Still fragile enough to break in seconds.
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His mind replayed the moment again.
That tear.
That silence.
That look in her eyes—
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As if he had hurt her.
---
Again.
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His expression darkened.
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"Acting," he said under his breath.
"It's just acting."
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Because that's what he had believed for ten years.
That everything she ever showed him—
Every smile.
Every promise.
Every "I love you"—
---
Was a lie.
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Liana Enters
The door clicked open.
Liana walked in without hesitation.
Confident. Composed.
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"She left," she said casually, crossing her arms.
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Ethan didn't turn.
"I know."
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Liana watched him closely.
Something unreadable flickered in her eyes.
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"You didn't have to come personally for an interview," she said, her tone light.
"Or was there a special reason?"
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Silence.
---
Ethan finally turned.
Slowly.
His gaze cold.
---
"Do I need a reason to enter my own company?"
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Liana smiled faintly.
"Of course not."
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But she stepped closer.
Careful.
Testing.
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"Still…" she said softly,
"It's interesting how you didn't react at all when you saw her."
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A pause.
---
"Or maybe… you did."
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Ethan's expression hardened instantly.
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"Be careful, Liana."
His voice dropped.
Low.
Sharp.
---
"I don't repeat myself."
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For a second—
Even Liana felt it.
That dangerous edge.
---
But she recovered quickly.
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"Relax," she said, shrugging lightly.
"I was just curious."
---
She turned toward the table, picking up Ella's file.
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"This candidate is clearly not suitable," she said.
"No elite background. No strong references. No reason to hire her."
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She placed the file down.
Decisively.
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"I'll reject her."
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Silence. A sharp voice echoed
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Then—
Ethan spoke.
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"Hire her."
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Liana froze.
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"…What?"
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Ethan walked past her.
Slow.
Controlled.
---
"I said," he repeated,
"hire her."
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Liana turned sharply.
"That doesn't make sense," she said, her tone tightening.
"She's not even close to our hiring standards."
---
Ethan stopped.
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Then turned his head slightly.
Just enough.
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"And since when," he said calmly,
"did Sterling start making decisions based on your personal opinions?"
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That hit.
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Liana clenched her jaw.
---
"This isn't personal—"
---
"It is."
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The interruption was instant.
Precise.
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Ethan's eyes met hers.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
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"And I don't like mixing personal issues with business," he added.
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A pause.
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"Do you?"
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Liana didn't respond.
Because she understood.
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This wasn't a suggestion.
This was an order.
---
She forced a smile.
---
"Of course not," she said smoothly.
"If you want her… she'll be hired."
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Ethan didn't reply.
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But the moment she turned away—
His expression changed.
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Slightly.
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Something darker.
Something conflicted.
---
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Meanwhile – Ella
The rain hadn't stopped.
---
Ella sat on a quiet bench under a half-broken shelter, her clothes still damp, her hair clinging to her face.
Her phone rested in her lap.
The call with her mother had ended minutes ago.
---
She had lied.
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"I'm fine, mom."
"I reached safely."
"The interview went well."
---
Every word—
A lie.
---
Her fingers tightened slightly.
---
Why did it still hurt?
---
After everything.
After a decade
After convincing herself she had moved on.
---
Why did one look from him…
Destroy everything?
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Her eyes closed slowly.
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And memories came rushing back.
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His smile.
His voice.
The way he used to look at her—
Like she was his whole world.
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A tear slipped out again.
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"He's mine now…"
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Liana's words echoed.
Relentless.
Cruel.
---
Ella's chest tightened painfully.
---
"So it's true…" she whispered.
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Of course it was.
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Why wouldn't it be?
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Someone like him—
Powerful. Rich. Untouchable—
Would never stay alone.
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And someone like her…
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She let out a hollow laugh.
---
"Why did I even come back…" she murmured.
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Just then—
Her phone vibrated.
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She frowned slightly.
Another call?
---
She picked it up.
Unknown number.
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For a second, she hesitated.
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Then answered.
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"…Hello?"
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A formal voice responded.
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"Miss Ella, this is Sterling Corporation HR department."
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Her breath stopped.
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"We're calling to inform you…"
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A pause.
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"You've been selected."
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Silence.
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Ella didn't speak.
Didn't react.
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Because her mind—
Couldn't process it.
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"Your joining date will be shared shortly," the voice continued.
"Welcome to Sterling Corporation."
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The call ended.
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And Ella just sat there.
Frozen.
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In the rain.
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In shock.
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In confusion.
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"…Why?" she whispered.
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Because deep down—
She already knew.
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This wasn't fate.
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This was something else.
Something far more dangerous.
And this time—
She wasn't sure she would survive it