"She's been in love with you for a decade," Brian said, his voice sharp. "From middle school to college, then as your secretary, your mate—she loved you openly, without holding back."
"And you? You kept her hidden by your side, never even giving her a proper title."
Derek's chest tightened, his throat dry, but he couldn't muster a single word.
Brian's lips curled into a cold smirk. "You know why she got your signature so easily? Because she knows you too well. She knew you'd never bother to read what she handed you."
"She didn't even have to trick you. She just did what she always did—passed you the papers. And you signed without a glance."
Derek's breath hitched, his heart squeezed in a vice. It was true—he'd never paid attention to what she gave him. He thought she'd never leave, so
