2026-06-20 16:16:13
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Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen: DinnerPOV: SophiaI came dangerously close to calling off dinner three times.The first was when, at nine in the morning, my father called to ask if I had finally resolved the issue—not how are you sleeping orhow are you holding up, but whether the issue had been resolved, in the same manner that you would inquire about a leaky pipe or a quarterly goal that had been missed. The second was when Garrett sent three articles about divorce settlements via text before noon, along with the message, "Start thinking strategically." On the third, I stood in front of my closet an hour before everyone arrived and realized that I was dressing for people I no longer wanted to impress. I couldn't recall when I had stopped.Nevertheless, I set the table, light the candles, and arrange the delicious dishes.I was already worn out when they got there.Garrett sat across from me with his phone face-up next to his plate, and my father sat at the head of the table as if the house were hi
Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen: RivalsPOV: AlexPeople stopped referring to me as the new guy a few weeks after the Harrison deal. They began referring to me as the person who had closed Harrison. The distinction was more important than it should have been, but that was the nature of this place's economy: reputation was money, and mine had recently increased.I gained respect as a result. I also got Derek Ashton with it.At the quarterly review, I saw him clearly for the first time. It wasn't because he was boisterous, but rather because he was the exact opposite of boisterous in the way that powerful men tend to be when they're calculating. He was the kind of man who, without his knowledge, caused a room to organize itself around him. He was well-built, always dressed as though he had been expecting cameras, and exuded the easy confidence of someone who had never been told he didn't belong anywhere in his professional life. seven years at the company. He had built a network with the perseverance
Chapter 13
Chapter 13: The BoardroomPOV: AlexBefore dawn, I reached Elena's penthouse.Outside, the city remained dark, the nearby skyscrapers were largely dark, and the river below captured what little light there was and dispersed it into nothing. I made one knock. She was already dressed when she opened the door; she had a dark suit on, her hair pulled back, a tablet in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other. Her entire appearance was set up as if she had never needed to warm up.She said, "You're three minutes early," and moved aside to let me in."I figured that was safer than being late."Her mouth's corner shifted. Without taking her eyes off the tablet, she pushed an empty cup across the kitchen counter. I poured myself coffee and waited for her to finish reading. Over the weeks, the silence between us had evolved and was no longer something to be filled. Silence only arises when two people have ceased to perform for one another; it simply existed, cozy and undemanding.She eventua
Chapter 12
Chapter 12: StakesPOV: AlexThe flight home felt shorter than the one out—maybe because everything had changed, or maybe because for the first time in years, I actually knew where I was going.Elena and I were dropped off by the airport car in front of a contemporary skyscraper with a view of the river. It wasn't her penthouse, nor was it the office. Perplexed, I glanced up at the structure."What is this?"Without immediately responding, Elena moved to the sidewalk and gave the doorman her bags. "Come with me," she said. That was all.She was unreadable the whole time we took the elevator to the twenty-third floor. She proceeded down a silent hallway, paused in front of a dark wooden door, and extended a key when the doors opened.I stared at it. "What's this?""Your apartment."For a moment, I assumed she was joking. She was not. I looked from the key to her face. "My apartment?""You needed a place.""Elena—""Ms. Voss," she corrected, raising an eyebrow. "Rule changes do not stop
Chapter 11
Chapter 11: CracksPOV: SophiaThe Ashbourne was the kind of hotel that made you feel like you had no business falling apart inside it.The ceilings were high and cream-colored, crown molding curving into the corners like something from an old painting. Pale marble floors caught the light and threw it back from every angle. White lilies stood arranged at the center of the lobby in a tall glass vase, the kind of arrangement that looked effortless because someone had spent an hour making it look that way. The air smelled of fresh flowers, polished wood, and money that had never needed to announce itself.I grew up near places like this. I knew how to walk into a room like this — shoulders back, chin level, eyes forward. My mother never taught me that through words. She just did it and expected me to follow, which I did. My father reinforced it the same way. You did not allow anyone in the room to see you fall apart. You chose your appearance before walking through any door.I walked in
Chapter 10
Chapter 10: TripPOV: AlexI read the email at my desk Friday morning. Mandatory weekend trip to seal the Harrison deal. Elena had put my name on the travel list without asking. Same hotel, rooms on the same floor. The team would fly out that afternoon and spend Saturday in meetings. Sunday we closed or we lost the client. I packed a bag at home and told Sophia I had work. She did not answer when I said goodbye.We landed in the city by evening. Elena kept everything professional on the plane and in the cab. She sat across from me in the hotel lobby while we checked in. Her eyes never left her phone. Once we reached the tenth floor she handed me my key card in the hallway."Room 1028," she said. "Mine is 1029. Door stays unlocked."I nodded and went inside. The room looked standard. I set my bag down and checked my phone. Three messages from Sophia already."Where are you?""Answer me.""I know this is not just work."I put the phone on silent. A knock came on the connecting door. Ele
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