The Man I Never Forgot

Part 2: The Truth He Never Knew

The elevator doors closed, leaving Julian’s furious voice behind.

Christian stood beside me, waiting for an answer.

“Why did you leave me seven years ago, Elena?”

I stared at the floor.

“Because your father threatened me.”

His expression changed.

“What?”

“Three weeks before you were supposed to leave for London, your father came to see me. He told me your family had already arranged a future for you. He said I was distracting you from your responsibilities.”

Christian’s jaw tightened.

“My father?”

I nodded.

“He showed me documents proving that your family’s company was struggling. He said if you refused the overseas position, several employees would lose their jobs. Then he offered me money to disappear.”

“Did you take it?”

“No.”

“Then why did you leave?”

My eyes filled with tears.

“Because he told me he would destroy your career if I stayed. He had connections everywhere, Christian. I was twenty-two, terrified, and I believed him.”

Christian looked away.

For several seconds, the only sound was the elevator moving downward.

“You could have told me.”

“I know.”

“You could have trusted me.”

“I know.”

His voice became colder.

“Seven years, Elena. Seven years of believing you never loved me.”

I reached for his hand, but he stepped back.

“I never stopped loving you,” I whispered.

He closed his eyes briefly.

When he opened them, his expression was controlled again.

“Where are you going tonight?”

“I haven’t decided.”

“My penthouse has several guest rooms. You can stay there until you figure things out.”

“I don’t want you to feel obligated.”

“I’m not doing this because I feel obligated.”

He looked directly at me.

“But don’t misunderstand. I haven’t forgiven you yet.”

I nodded.

“I don’t expect you to.”

Christian’s penthouse overlooked Central Park.

It was beautiful, quiet, and almost painfully familiar. Seven years ago, he had promised to take me there someday, when he could finally afford a place of his own.

Now he owned the entire top three floors.

A housekeeper prepared a guest bedroom while Christian arranged for someone to collect my belongings from the hotel.

I was standing near the windows when my phone began vibrating.

Julian.

I rejected the call.

Then another message appeared.

Julian: You’re making a huge mistake. Come back before our families find out.

A second message followed.

Julian: Camila is upset. You embarrassed her tonight.

I almost laughed.

Even after everything, he was worried about Camila.

Then my phone rang again.

This time, it was his mother.

I answered.

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“Elena Bennett! What have you done?”

“Good evening, Mrs. Rossi.”

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that! The wedding is tomorrow. There are hundreds of guests arriving. The flowers, the venue, the arrangements—do you understand how much money we’ve spent?”

“I understand perfectly.”

“You will return to the hotel immediately and apologize to Julian.”

“No.”

Silence.

“What did you say?”

“I said the wedding is canceled.”

“You ungrateful girl!”

I ended the call.

For the first time in three years, I didn’t feel the need to explain myself.

The following morning, Christian was already in his office when I came downstairs.

He was reading a document, his coffee untouched.

“Did you sleep?” he asked.

“A little.”

He nodded toward the chair opposite him.

“There’s something else you should know.”

He slid a folder across the desk.

Inside were documents about my former research company, Bennett Biotech.

I frowned.

“Why are you showing me this?”

“Because your name appeared in an investment proposal my company received last month.”

I turned another page.

My eyes widened.

The company I had founded with my university research had been acquired through a complicated chain of investments.

And the final investor was Rossi Global.

Julian’s company.

“He bought my company?”

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“Not exactly. His investment group acquired controlling interests through several subsidiaries.”

I felt sick.

“That research belonged to me.”

Christian studied my face.

“Did you sign away the intellectual property?”

“No. I licensed the initial technology, but the core research was never included in the agreement.”

He leaned back.

“Then someone may have committed fraud.”

I stared at the documents.

Suddenly, the last three years made sense.

Julian had always encouraged me to stop working. He said my research was a hobby and that I should focus on becoming his wife.

I had believed he simply wanted me to enjoy life.

But perhaps he had wanted me out of the way.

Christian picked up his phone.

“I’m having my legal team investigate.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because if someone stole your work, I want to know who.”

He paused.

“And because I don’t like seeing people take advantage of you.”

My eyes stung.

For the first time in years, someone was taking my dreams seriously.

And that person was the man I had once abandoned.