It was Monday morning, and EC Games was buzzing again, but this time with a particular kind of energy.
"Did you see it?"
"I knew it! I knew they were something! CEO and Elena, a family?"
"Wait—didn't Ethan just adopt Alex?"
"Look at that photo! They're a perfect family!"
Zoya was having the time of her life, listening to the gossip spread like wildfire. She casually leaned against Elena's desk, knowing she was about to strike.
"Do you have a minute?" she asked innocently.
Elena was typing away, trying to keep her cool. She didn't want to give away anything that might make the rumors worse.
"What's up?" Elena replied, trying to sound calm, though she could already feel the tension in the air.
Zoya didn't even pretend to be subtle. "The photo. You know the one? The one you took with Ethan and Alex at the amusement park?"
Elena froze, her hands pausing over the keyboard. "How do you know about that?"
Zoya grinned mischievously. "I'm not blind, Elena. The entire office saw it. It's up on Ethan's desk now. Didn't you know?"
Elena stood up and walked toward Ethan's office, trying to stay casual, but her heart was pounding. When she peered inside through the glass door, she saw it—there, on the corner of his desk. The photo. The one from the amusement park.
She couldn't deny it. They looked happy. Too happy. Almost… like a real family.
Elena's hand tightened around the doorknob. Was this what people thought? That the contract marriage, the fake family, had somehow turned into something real?
She turned to Zoya, who was now watching her like a hawk. "Does everyone know?"
"Not everyone. But soon enough," Zoya said, eyes sparkling with mischief. "How long are you going to keep up the act?"
Elena sighed. "It's not an act. It's just… complicated."
Zoya raised an eyebrow. "Complicated or not, you're looking way too comfortable in this fake family setup. And I'm not the only one who's noticing."
Elena didn't know how to respond. What was she supposed to say? That the fake marriage, which was meant to be a temporary arrangement, was starting to feel like it wasn't so fake anymore? That she might actually be falling for Ethan?
"Don't worry, Zoya. It's fine," Elena said, trying to sound convincing. "It's just… for Alex. Nothing else."
Zoya crossed her arms, a small smirk on her lips. "Sure. But the heart has a way of making its own rules, doesn't it?"
Elena didn't have an answer for that.