Chapter 3 of You Want Her? I'll Have Her

Elena's POV

The moment I walked out of his penthouse, I felt lighter. Like I had finally cut the chain that had kept me bound to him for years.

But Nathan wasn’t the type to let go easily.

The next morning, he came looking for me.

I was packing my things at my mother’s house when my phone started vibrating nonstop.

Nathan Sterling: 12 Missed Calls.

I ignored them.

Then, a knock sounded at the door.

I already knew who it was.

I took a slow breath before opening it, and there he was—Nathan, looking completely wrecked. His usually polished suit was slightly wrinkled, his tie loosened, his hair not perfectly styled for once.

“Elena,” he said, his voice tight. “What the hell is going on?”

I leaned against the doorframe, unimpressed. “I told you. I’m leaving.”

His jaw clenched. “You’re not serious.”

“Think what you want to think.”

Nathan exhaled sharply, stepping closer. Too close.

“Look, I get that you’re mad, but you need to stop overreacting.” His voice dropped into that calm, persuasive tone he always used when trying to manipulate me. “We need to sit down and talk about this.”

I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Now you want to talk? Nathan, I gave you three years to be honest with me.”

His grip tightened around his car keys. “So what? You’re just going to throw everything away?”

“No,” I said calmly. “You did.”

Nathan’s gaze flickered with frustration. He took a step closer, his voice softening.

“Elena, I love you. You know that.”

I stiffened.

He always said the right words—the ones that made me second-guess everything.

But not this time.

“Nathan,” I said coldly. “I saw the engagement contract.”

His entire body went rigid.

For the first time, he looked caught.

I tilted my head. “Go on. Lie to me again.”

He exhaled harshly, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”

I laughed. He really thought this was about my reaction?

“You didn’t tell me,” I said slowly, “because you knew what you were doing was wrong.”

Nathan sighed, his voice dipping into that familiar, condescending tone.

“It was just a business move, Elena. It doesn’t mean anything. Sophia’s father—”

“I don’t care about Sophia’s father,” I snapped. “I care that you planned to marry her while keeping me as your secret.”

Nathan looked irritated now. “I was going to fix it, Elena.”

I crossed my arms. “When?”

His lips parted, but nothing came out.

I let out a slow, bitter breath. That was all the answer I needed.

I stepped back, gripping the door handle. “We’re done, Nathan. You can marry Sophia and keep playing your little power games.”

I moved to shut the door, but Nathan slammed his hand against it, stopping me.

“Elena, don’t do this,” he growled.

I lifted my chin. “It’s already done.”

Then, a voice called from behind him.

“Well, this is awkward.”

I stiffened.

Nathan turned around, his expression shifting as Sophia Laurent stepped out of a sleek black car, smirking.

She was perfectly put together, her designer heels clicking against the pavement as she approached.

“I didn’t expect you to come running to your little girlfriend so soon,” she mused, glancing at Nathan before turning to me with a mocking tilt of her head.

“Elena, darling. You should’ve at least let me break the news to you properly.”

My fingers curled into fists. “What news?”

Sophia’s smirk widened.

“That Nathan spent the night in my bed after you walked out.”

The world tilted for a second.

I forced myself to stand still, to show nothing.

Nathan stiffened beside me. “Sophia, shut up.”

“Why?” she said, amused. “She should know, shouldn’t she? After all, you were so… eager that night.”

My chest tightened.

Nathan turned back to me, shaking his head. “Elena, it’s not—”

“Not what?” I cut him off. “Not true? Or not something you wanted me to find out?”

Sophia laughed lightly. “Oh, Nathan,” she said, linking her arm through his. “You should’ve been more careful. She might have stayed clueless a little longer.”

Nathan yanked his arm away, glaring at her. “Sophia, I swear to—”

I held up a hand.

I was done.

“Nathan,” I said, my voice calm. “I don’t care.”

His gaze snapped back to mine. “Elena—”

“Really,” I said, my lips curling into something close to a smile. “You two deserve each other.”

Sophia grinned like she had just won, as Nathan looked like he was losing control of everything.

I smiled as I stepped back inside, my fingers tightening around the door.

Then I looked Nathan dead in the eyes and said the last words I would ever say to him.

“I hope she was worth it.”

And then, I shut the door in his face.