Chapter 12
The trash folder was full of emails from partners–exactly the ones he’d missed last night while he wasn’t checking his phone.”
And the only person who’d touched his phone last night was Ava.
Frustration bubbled up inside him. Ava knew nothing about his work, yet she’d decided on her own to delete his business emails. If he lost that deal, his company would be out at least ten percent of its profits.”
And today’s big meeting–Christine hadn’t even told him about it. Normally, even if she’d already sent an email, Christine would have everything ready for him in the morning. If she hadn’t been acting up, how could they have lost such an important client so easily?”
He called Christine, ready to demand an answer, but no one picked up.
No matter how many times he dialed, it was always the same robotic voicemail.
A sudden wave of anxiety swept through him. He opened the trash folder again and scrolled–there it was, a message from Christine sent just last night.
He hit “Restore.” The message popped up and the words burned into his eyes:
Eight years crushing in silence, four years of reckless loyalty–this is where it ends.
Mr. Tate, from now on, I’m no longer your secretary, and I no longer love you. We’ll go our separate ways. In this life, there’s no reason for us to meet again.§
He should feel relieved reading that. Christine finally didn’t love him anymore. Just like he’d always told her–not to pin all her hopes on him.§
But now, faced with her goodbye, something inside him clenched tight. It was hard to breathe, like he’d just lost something he never realized mattered.
Memories of Christine came flooding back.
Four years ago, a twist of fate had landed them in bed together. At the time, all he cared about was Ava. He’d just wanted to give his little sister’s best friend some money so she’d disappear–he never planned to start anything with Christine.}]
But Christine’s eyes had been so bright, so cautious, a little like a startled animal. He couldn’t bring himself to push her away, so he let it happen.
They’d been reckless, leaving pieces of themselves everywhere they went. For four years, she was his best assistant and his best lover. She never asked for anything–just quietly put up with his moods and demands. Even without a title, even nameless, she’d stayed by his side and seemed happy.”
Brad had always thought Christine was foolish–how could someone give everything just for a little bit of kindness?”
He’d told her not to imagine a future with him. He would only ever belong to Ava.”
Now, free of her at last, why didn’t he feel happy? Why did he just feel empty?”
He stared at her message for a long time, then finally set his phone aside.
Christine was gone. Maybe that was how it was meant to be.”
He put down his phone, ignored it, and pulled Ava into his arms, trying to fall back asleep.
But that uncomfortable feeling wouldn’t go away. To distract himself, he pushed off work for a few more days and took Ava out shopping and sightseeing.%
Whatever Ava wanted–jewelry, designer dresses–he bought it all.
But the more he tried to spoil her, the more unsettled he felt. A sour mood hung over him, no matter how hard he tried to shake it.
Ava didn’t notice, caught up in all the fun and luxury.
When he was waiting for her, Brad would pull out his phone without thinking, opening his chat with Christine. Their last conversation was from a month ago. Since Ava had come back, he hadn’t messaged Christine at all.
Out of nowhere, he got the urge to reach out. He started typing, slow and hesitant.”
You can come back as my secretary anytime.X
He fet send, but all he got back was a glaring red exclamation point. Message blocked. For the first time ever, Christine had blocked him. Brad’s hand shook as he stared at the screen, unable to look away–until Ava returned &
“Brad, thanks for waiting. Let’s go see the Northern Lights tomorrow, okay?” She spun in her new dress, hugging his arm, her voice playful and sweet.&
He turned off his phone, masking any hint of unease, but he couldn’t bring himself to appreciate her beauty !!
Chapter 12
“I need to go back to the office tomorrow,” he said, voice even. “I’ve been away too long. Work’s piling up. Let me handle things, and I’ll take you out again, okay?”
As CEO, there was always a mountain of decisions and meetings waiting for him. Even these past few days away had set his company back. Ever since he started focusing only on Ava, the company had been bleeding money.”
Ava’s smile faltered. She pouted, clearly disappointed. “Okay, but I want to go with you! I’ll help you, Brad.“}
Her bright smile softened him a little, and for now, he pushed thoughts of Christine to the back of his mind.”
