Natalie slid the wine glass between her fingers, watching Alex with feigned concern. They were in his private office, dimly lit by the soft glow of his desk lamp. Outside, the city roared with nightlife; inside those four walls, only her soft, poisonous voice existed.
—Alex, darling…— she whispered, slowly approaching him. —You can't keep letting Helen have power over you.
Alex frowned, taking a sip of his whiskey.
—What are you talking about? She has nothing anymore.
Natalie let out a soft chuckle and perched herself on the desk, leaning toward him.
—Don't be naïve. She still owns those shares.— Her fingers traced slow circles along his arm. —If she signs them over to you, Helenova…—she corrected herself with a mocking smile, —I mean, it'll be all yours. And she'll be completely irrelevant.
Alex turned his gaze away, knowing she was right. As long as Helen kept those shares, she still had a tie—however small—to the company.
That night, Alex picked up his phone and called his assistant without hesitation. His voice was sharp, laced with impatience.
—I need you to contact Helen. Tell her I want to see her. I won't take no for an answer.
There was a brief pause on the line.
—She's refused to meet with you…
Alex clenched his jaw.
—Then do whatever it takes. Persuade her, pressure her… threaten her if you have to. But I want her in front of me as soon as possible.
He hung up without waiting for a reply. Outside, the night was thick and silent, but inside him burned a dark fire—one only Helen could extinguish.
The next day, Alex sat waiting in a stylish café, stirring his coffee impatiently. When the door opened and Helen walked in, it felt like a punch to his chest.
He was stunned by how different she looked. Her once vibrant figure now seemed fragile, worn. Her hands bore fresh wounds, proof of hard, careless work. But what struck him most was her gaze—empty, missing the spark it had when they first met.
—What do you want?— she asked bluntly as she reached the table.
Alex took a deep breath and placed a stack of documents on the table.
—I need you to sign these and return the shares.
There was a long silence, then a bitter laugh.
—That's what you want? After everything you've done, you still have the nerve to ask me for that?
—Helen…—he tried, but she cut him off.
—No. I won't sign.
Alex shut his eyes in frustration. He knew it wouldn't be easy.
—If you do, we could… we could come to an agreement. You could get what you want most.
—All I want is for you to finally sign the divorce papers you've refused for so long and give me custody of Luke. Only then can we talk.
—Never.
She turned around and walked out.
Later, in his office, he sank into his chair with a scowl. Natalie sat at the desk, watching him with a patient smile.
—I already tried getting her to sign,— he said, annoyed. —She refuses.
Natalie leaned in to whisper in his ear, with that poisoned sweetness that always surrounded him.
—Maybe you haven't given her the right motivation…— she murmured.
Alex tensed.
—The divorce is never going to happen…
Alex refused to sign the divorce. There was something inside him, a feeling he couldn't fully understand. He didn't know if it was selfishness, the need for control, or simply the fear of losing her completely—but whatever it was, he couldn't let go. The thought of seeing her free, out of his reach, unsettled him in ways he didn't want to admit.
Natalie pursed her lips, uncomfortable with his answer. She couldn't understand why he clung to a marriage that clearly no longer existed. She crossed her legs gracefully and studied him cautiously before speaking.
—If you don't want to give her the divorce…— she said in a calculated tone, —maybe you could offer her something else. Something that'll make her cave.
Alex looked away, his jaw tight.
—You want me to give her my son in exchange for some damn shares?
Natalie smiled, gently caressing his shoulder. Deep down, she wanted to eliminate the last obstacle in her way.
—Just for now… Let her think she's winning, that she's getting what she wants. She'll sign without a second thought. And afterward, once things calm down… we'll get him back.
Alex stared at the whiskey glass in his hand, his mind racing. It was a temporary sacrifice. Just that.
He remained silent. A part of him knew it was cruel—he felt a tightness in his chest. He didn't want to part with his son, but the need to regain control of his company was stronger.
When Helen entered Alex's office, her gaze was hard, but her posture betrayed deep exhaustion. She was thinner, with shadows under her eyes, but she still held her dignity.
—What did you want to see me for?— she asked bluntly.
Alex slid a document across the desk.
—I want you to sign. Hand over what's left of your shares.
Helen laughed bitterly.
—And what are you offering in return?
Alex narrowed his eyes.
—Luke.
Helen's world stopped for a moment.
—Are you serious?
—If you sign, I'll give you full custody,— Alex said, faking indifference. —You can take him, leave, do whatever you want.
Helen felt a sharp pain in her chest. She knew this was nothing more than a game—a strategy by Alex to get what he wanted. But she also knew it might be her only chance to get her son back.
She clenched her fists.
—I want a lawyer present. I want this done legally.
Alex smiled smugly.
—Of course.
Helen held his gaze, feeling the weight of a decision that could change everything. She knew she was walking into a trap, but for Luke… it was worth it.
In his obsession to erase every trace of Helen, Alex made the final blow: he changed the company's name. The very company born from both their dreams, built together with sacrifice and effort, once bearing her name as a symbol of love.
Helenova ceased to exist.
One morning, as Helen walked past the building she had once entered with such hope, a cold emptiness spread through her chest. The imposing facade no longer displayed the logo that once told their story. In its place, a new name gleamed boldly: "Acton Advertising."
His surname. Only his.
The message was clear.
There was no trace of her left in his life.
Not in his company.
Not in his heart.