Chapter 1 - Seat 7C
Julian knew he was safe.
At least, that's what he believed when he settled into seat 7B.
The airplane doors were still open, but boarding was almost finished. Outside the windows, the runway shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.
Julian adjusted his dark navy tie and glanced at Chloe.
She sat comfortably in seat 7A beside the window, her pink blazer suit perfectly arranged.
She smiled nervously.
“Are you sure she won't come?”
Julian didn't look at her.
“I told you. Elena thinks I'm in Chicago.”
Chloe lowered her voice.
“And we're going to New York.”
“Exactly.”
He opened his tablet.
The plan was simple.
A private weekend away.
A new apartment waiting in Manhattan.
And, according to Julian, a marriage that was already finished emotionally.
He had even told Chloe that Elena would eventually accept the divorce.
He hadn't told Chloe one thing.
The divorce papers had never been filed.
Before Julian could say anything else, someone stopped beside their row.
A shadow fell across his tablet.
He looked up.
His face changed.
Elena stood there.
Dark designer sunglasses.
Brunette hair perfectly styled.
White tweed corset mini-dress with gold buttons.
Matching blazer resting elegantly over her shoulders.
A diamond necklace caught the cabin light.
In one hand, she held a dark blue U.S. passport.
In the other was an airplane boarding pass.
Julian stared.
“...Elena?”
She didn't answer.
She looked at seat 7C.
Then calmly sat down.
Julian's mouth opened.
“What... what are you doing here?”
Elena lowered her sunglasses slightly.
“Traveling.”
She placed her passport and boarding pass on her lap.
Seat 7C.
Julian stared at it.
His breathing changed.
“You can't be on this flight.”
Elena smiled faintly.
“Why?”
Chloe looked between them.
“Julian...”
He ignored her.
He leaned toward Elena.
“We need to talk.”
“No.”
“Elena—”
She turned her face toward him.
“You've already talked enough.”
Julian reached for her hand.
He shouldn't have.
The slap cracked through the quiet cabin.
His head snapped sideways.
Several passengers turned.
Chloe pressed herself against the window.
Julian stared at Elena in disbelief.
“You're crazy.”
Elena calmly adjusted one gold button on her blazer.
“No.”
She looked at him.
“I've simply stopped being surprised.”
Then she opened her luxury bag.
Julian watched her pull out a brown leather folder.
She placed it on the tray table.
The first page was visible.
A corporate agreement.
His company logo.
Julian's face went pale.
Elena leaned closer.
“You didn't buy ticket 7A for Chloe.”
She paused.
“I bought it for your new CEO.”
Julian froze.
May you like
Because he knew exactly what that meant.
👉 Julian had thought the flight was the beginning of his new life, but Elena had boarded carrying documents that could decide who owned his company when they landed.
