Chapter 1
Damian Cross didn't even glance at the document.
He leaned back in his oversized chair, brows drawn tight, radiating impatience.
"Vivienne, what is it this time? It's a contract. I told you, Chloe needs this account to secure her full-time offer. Why are you picking fights with a fresh graduate?"
I stood there, studying the man in front of me.
Tailored suit, full of swagger. Nothing left of the broke kid who used to count every dollar before we hailed a cab.
"Why?"
My voice came out hoarse and raw. "Damian, I landed that seven-figure contract by putting myself in a hospital bed for three days. You handed it to her like a gift. Did you once think to ask me?"
His gaze flickered. Just for a moment. Then the defensiveness surged right back.
"That hospital trip was an accident. Nobody told you to keep drinking like that. And besides, Chloe's brother suffered a life-changing injury saving me. I made a promise to look after her for good. You used to be so understanding. When did you turn into this?"
The words dragged across my chest like a dull blade.
I didn't yell. I just slid the buyout agreement another inch toward him.
"Sign. Cash out my shares. I'm done with this company."
Damian finally looked down at the paperwork.
His face darkened. His palm slammed against the desk.
"Vivienne. Don't push it. You really think a buyout threat works on me? We're mid-growth. You pull your money now, you're trying to bury us. Is that it?"
The door swung open.
Chloe Sinclair stepped in, carrying two coffees, all hesitation and wide eyes.
"Damian, Vivienne, please don't fight."
Designer outfit, perfectly put together. Her eyes were rimmed red, the picture of wounded innocence.
"Vivienne, I'm so sorry. I didn't know this contract mattered that much to you. I'll go talk to HR right now and give the credit back."
She set the coffees down as she spoke.
My gaze locked onto her hand.
Between her index and middle fingers, she held a black Montblanc pen.
The one I had given Damian when we started this company. Our initials were engraved on it.
I stared.
Damian followed my eyes. His expression flickered, just barely.
He recovered fast, reaching out to pull Chloe behind him.
"Chloe, this isn't on you. Don't apologize."
He turned back to me, voice thick with irritation.
"Vivienne, look at Chloe. Then look at yourself. She needed something decent to sign with for the company image. I let her borrow the pen. So what? You're really going to make a scene in front of the whole office over this?"
I looked at his face, full of accusation, and felt my stomach turn.
A sharp spasm hit, but I kept my spine straight.
"Borrow?" I let out a cold laugh. "Damian, you make me sick."
That did it.
He snatched the buyout agreement off the desk and tore it in half, right in front of me.
Shreds of white paper scattered across the floor.
"Let me be clear, Vivienne Hale. You are not cashing out. You walk out that door today, don't bother ever walking back in."
He thought this would break me.
Thought I was still the same foolish woman who couldn't survive without him.
I didn't waste another word. I turned toward the door.
Chloe's syrupy voice floated after me. "Vivienne, don't be mad at Damian..."
I didn't look back. I pushed through the door and stepped into the corridor.
The air hit cool against my skin. I pulled out my phone, opened the pinned conversation, and typed.
Vivienne: Mr. Thornton. The withdrawal clause. Let's proceed.
The reply came almost instantly.
William Thornton: Understood, Ms. Hale. At your service.
I pocketed my phone and stepped into the elevator without a single glance behind me.
