Chapter 29: You still have feelings for me.

Later than night...

Elowen finally finished preparing the presentation. She leaned back in her chair and looked through the slides one last time.

Everything was in place. The designs were polished, the details were clear, and she was satisfied with the result.

’I hope the boss will like it.’

She had a good feeling about tomorrow. If everything went well, she believed she had a chance of getting the position of chief designer.

A small smile touched her lips.

"What are you smiling at?" Soren’s voice broke the quietness of the room. "You look happy."

Elowen turned and saw him walking in. Her smile waned gradually.

"It’s nothing." She closed her laptop. "I was just checking tomorrow’s presentation."

"Hm..." He hummed shortly as he sat on the sofa across from her. "My offer is still open. Join my company. I swear you will not regret it."

Elowen chuckled softly. "You are quite desperate to hire me. What is it, Soren? You couldn’t find qualified architects?"

Those words were meant to humiliate him. His smile slipped from his face for a heartbeat. But his expression eased the next moment.

"It’s not that I don’t have qualified people. But I want you to join me."

Soren leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and interlacing his fingers. "You said you don’t want to leave your current job because your company has started a big project. I am starting something big too—bigger than the Eden District development project."

Elowen narrowed her eyes. "What project?"

"I am transforming the private island I own into a luxurious destination." His eyes held confidence and pride.

"It’ll be a massive development. Luxury resorts, private villas, shopping malls, restaurants, spas, and facilities for weddings and major events will be built. I’m also planning to establish a private medical center."

He gave her a meaningful look. "Join my company and become a part of this project. Compared to this, Eden District is nothing."

Elowen didn’t answer. She listened to him, truly considering.

"Once you join the project, you will become the chief designer. Besides, you will work closely with the top-level architects and designers at Vale Corporation. Don’t miss this opportunity, Elowen."

His offer was tempting. This island project was ambitious, and being appointed chief designer would give her the opportunity she had been looking for.

She really considered accepting it. But then she reminded herself of how Soren had treated her all those years.

She had been ignored and left alone. For the past seven years, she had always felt like she was nothing more than a wife he was forced to keep.

Soren had never loved her. This change wouldn’t last. He would return to Tahlia sooner or later.

Elowen didn’t want to put herself into that heartbreak again. She didn’t want to accept his kindness only to be discarded later.

"Thanks for your offer, but I need time to consider. Let me try for the Eden District project first. If I don’t get selected, I’ll think of joining your island project."

The light in his expression dimmed suddenly. "So you considered that project more important than mine?"

Elowen let out a weary sigh. She was already exhausted. She had no energy left to argue.

"It’s not about which one is more important. I’m still working at Aurevia Design and Development. It looks bad if I resign when the company is launching such a big project."

Soren smiled thoughtfully. ’That project can’t even start without the suppliers,’ he murmured to himself confidently. ’Let’s see what Theron will do. Will he beg me or quit?’

He stood. "Alright. Try for that project first if you want." He walked toward the bed. "Don’t stay up too late."

He clambered onto the bed and stretched himself.

Elowen looked at him, hesitant.

She had slept with him on the same bed countless nights. Yet tonight felt different.

Maybe it was because of his recent change in behavior toward her. Maybe it was because his closeness stirred the emotions she had been trying to ignore. Or maybe she was starting to think that things between them could get better.

She chewed the inside of her cheek.

"What are you doing sitting there?" he asked, snapping her out of her thoughts. "It’s almost midnight. Come and sleep."

Elowen hurriedly got onto the bed. She lay down on her side, with her back facing him. Her heart was beating faster than it should have. She tried to calm herself.

Then she felt the mattress shift.

Soren was moving in closer.

Elowen grew tense. She could feel his presence behind her. She had a feeling that he was watching her with those deep eyes, constantly, steadily.

Her back seemed to burn. She couldn’t stay still any longer.

"Soren..." She turned, only to find him lying closer than she had expected. Her body almost collided with his.

Her heart skipped.

"I-I..."

Elowen tried to move back.

Before she could, he slipped an arm around her.

Air stalled somewhere between her lungs and lips. Every muscle of her body coiled rigidly.

"Why are you so tense?" he drawled. "This is not the first time I’ve touched you?"

She blinked at him frequently. "I-I wasn’t tense..." She pushed against him, trying to create some distance. "I’m tired."

She moved aside and pulled the blanket over her, turning her back to him again. But she couldn’t slow her heartbeat down.

Heat spread across her face and neck. She felt as though her entire body had caught fire.

Behind her, Soren smiled. He could feel the tension in her body, the nervousness she was trying so hard to hide.

’You still have feelings for me. I can feel it. But you buried those feelings to protect yourself from further heartbreak.’

He let out a quiet sigh. ’No worries. I’ll make you feel safe enough to stop hiding them.’

He shifted closer.

Elowen clasped the blanket, sensing his closeness. She squeezed her eyes shut.

She anticipated him pulling her to his chest, holding her, and kissing her. But none of them happened.

Instead, he whispered, "Good night."

He moved away.

Elowen’s eyes flew open. She stared at the opposite wall blankly. Her heart was still pounding like a war drum.

’He didn’t touch me. He didn’t kiss me.’

A sense of disappointment curled inside her.

’Why am I feeling like this?’ she muttered, frustrated with herself.

She pulled the blanket over her head, embarrassed by her own thoughts.

’What’s wrong with me? I actually want him to touch me?’

She closed her eyes forcefully, trying to fall asleep as quickly as possible.