Chapter 5
873 Words
ASHLEY
“You think I did it?”
Eliam’s voice cracked through the glass-walled conference room like a slap.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to.
The flash drive sat between us on the table, small but dangerous like a loaded gun in plain sight. Kieran hadn’t said a word since we’d walked in. He leaned against the window, arms folded, staring at the skyline as if the horizon was safer than facing the truth.
“I didn’t touch that file,” Eliam said again, jaw tight. “Yeah, I have the access code. So do three other people in my department. Ever think of that?”
“You also have a history of breaking rules,” Kieran said coldly, finally turning toward him. “And a habit of doing whatever it takes to get attention.”
“That was school”
“This is my business.”
Eliam ran a hand through his hair, frustration bleeding into his smirk. “You want someone to blame? Fine. Blame me. Just know I didn’t take the photo.”
Kieran didn’t blink. “If I find out you’re lying”
“You’ll do what?” Eliam snapped. “Fire me? Again?”
The tension thickened, sharp enough to cut.
“Both of you, stop,” I said, surprising myself with the force in my voice.
They turned toward me, two pairs of eyes different anger, same heat.
“We don’t know if he did it,” I said. “Not yet. The server logs only prove access, not intent.”
“You’re defending him?” Kieran’s tone iced over.
“I’m stating facts,” I replied evenly.
He went back to the window. “Leave us,” he said to Eliam.
Eliam’s face flushed part fury, part insult. He shoved his chair back and stalked out, slamming the door.
Kieran didn’t move.
“So you don’t trust anyone?” I asked softly. “Even your own brother?”
“No.”
I wasn’t surprised. “Not even yourself?”
“Especially not myself.” His eyes found mine. “Not after I made the mistake of falling for you.”
Later, in his private office, the lights were dim, shadows pooling in the corners. The air between us felt alive smoke curling, and waiting to ignite.
I lingered by the coffee bar, pretending to study his collection of overpriced imported teas. His silence followed me like a shadow.
“You think I’m paranoid,” he said at last.
“I think you’re scared.”
He didn’t deny it.
“You didn’t want me working here,” I said quietly. “You wanted me here. Close. So you could watch me fail.”
“I wanted to see if you could still hurt me,” he said.
“And?”
“You can.”
The knock on the door was too hard, too loud, shattering the moment.
Eliana stepped in, file in hand, smile cold enough to freeze glass.
“I thought you’d want to hear this in person,” she said.
Kieran took the folder, opened it and froze.
“What is it?” I asked.
He didn’t answer, just handed it to me.
My fingers shook as I opened it. Photos. Scanned documents. Legal records.
My name.
Clear as day, printed on a marriage license application.
To Gregory Alden Titan Technologies’ CEO.
I hadn’t heard that name in years.
Eliana’s voice cut through the ringing in my ears. “Your assistant didn’t tell you she used to be engaged to our biggest competitor.”
My throat tightened.
“It was a long time ago,” I said quickly. “We didn’t marry. It lasted six months”
“You didn’t think I needed to know that?” Kieran’s voice thundered.
“It has nothing to do with this,” I shot back.
His gaze was cold, blade-sharp. “Did he send you?”
“No!”
“Are you still in contact with him?”
“No!”
How the hell had she found that record?
Eliana crossed her arms, savoring every second. “Well. This certainly complicates things.”
Kieran looked at me like I was a stranger.
“I trusted you,” he said.
“No, you didn’t,” I whispered. “You wanted a version of me you could control.”
He stepped back. “You’re fired.”
The words hit like a gut punch.
“You don’t want an explanation?” I asked.
“So what?” His voice dripped venom. “So you can lie to me again? That’s all you’ve ever been good at lying.”
I stood frozen, then turned toward the door. My voice was quiet, but steady. “There’s a letter. In my desk drawer. I wrote it years ago after I left. You’ll never read it, but it says everything you’d never ask.”
He said nothing. Didn’t even try to stop me.
At the door, I glanced at Eliana. Her victorious smile was almost enough to make me turn back and fight. Almost.
I didn’t. I left BlackWall for the second time in my life.
The first time, it was out of love.
This time, it was for survival.
Both times was hell.
- Writer
