Novels by benedethchinasa37

The next morning, Chloe arrives at Sterling Enterprises at eight-thirty with her signed contract in hand. Simone, Lucas's executive assistant, greets her with a smile that's too knowing."Mr. Sterling said you'd be early,he's in a meeting but asked you to wait in the conference room" She leads Chloe down a hallway lined with modern art,"Your team will arrive soon for the official kickoff"she said before leaving Chloe sets down her bag and walks to the windows. Six months ago, she was sitting in her downtown apartment discovering her husband's affair. Now she's standing in a billionaire's office about to lead a twenty-five-million-dollar campaign.The door opens behind her. She turns, expecting Lucas.It was Isabella Romano,Lucas's girlfriend.“Hi Chloe, nice to meet you again “she greets plastering a smile that doesn't reach her eyes "Lucas mentioned you'd be working together. He's very impressed with you" Isabella sets down her camera bag and begins unpacking equipment, "I'm docume

As they left a message notification popped up on her phone “come to the office immediately, Richard”The drive to her office takes thirty minutes. By the time she arrives, Richard is waiting in her office looking both excited and nervous."Sterling Enterprises" he says before she even sits down. "Lucas Sterling himself called,He wants us to develop their entire Q4 marketing strategy,product launches, rebranding, media buys…everything. It's a fifteen-million-dollar contract"he explained in one single breath Chloe sets down her bag slowly. "And he requested me specifically?"she asked with curiosity showing all over her face."He requested your team specifically,said he was impressed by your work." Richard grins. "This is huge, Chloe, this could make your career"he said excitedly Chloe didn't speak….she opens her laptop and pulls up Sterling Enterprises. The company has divisions in tech, real estate, and venture capital. Annual revenue in the billions. Lucas Sterling, founder and CEO.

Four months feels like four years.Chloe watches the judge sign the final divorce decree from her seat beside Julia Morrison. Chris sits across the courtroom with his attorney, looking smaller than she remembers. The proceedings took sixteen weeks of depositions, financial disclosures, and arguments over furniture that neither of them really wanted."Congratulations" Julia says as they leave the courthouse, "you're officially free"Chloe doesn't feel free, she feels hollow, betrayed and hurting.That night, she finishes packing the last boxes from the downtown apartment,her father helped her move everything to her new apartment in Santa Monica. The Santa Monica apartment is smaller but has ocean views. One bedroom, one bathroom, an open kitchen and living area. It's quiet. No memories of Chris here. No ghosts, just her and her broken heart.Her father helps her unpack the essentials. "Your mother wants you to come for dinner this weekend”he said, almost like he's asking her,"I can't

Chris leaves with his suitcases, and Chloe locks the door behind him. She didn't cry. She forced back every tears that was threatening to come down from her eyes and pulls out her phone and calls her father.This isn't the time to cry, but to take the right steps He answers on the second ring "Chloe? It's almost eleven, What's wrong?" He asked from the other end of the phone "Chris has been having an affair with Molly for eight months" Her voice doesn't shake. "I need the name of your best divorce attorney."There was 5 seconds silence in the other end of the line, "I'm coming over."he said "No, I need a lawyer, Someone ruthless"Chloe said "Julia Morrison" His voice sharpens with anger “I'll text her number now. I'll call her first thing in the morning.""Thank you""Chloe" He pauses, "Are you okay?""I will be”she responded immediately Chloe walks to her laptop and opens a new spreadsheet, column by column for Assets, value and ownership statusShe works through the night, docum

Chloe's phone buzzed again on the conference table, Another missed call from her husband chris…as she closed the door behind her after the meeting, she texted him “the meeting ran longer than expected, will be back in a bit love love”Before she could put back her phone in her bag,it buzzed again,it was a reply from Chris “working late tonight, don't wait up”Her face twitch as she replaced her phone in her bag This has been his routine lately,he has been preparing for the major merger case, in his law firm.making him work longer than usual.The downtown Los Angeles traffic was lighter than usual as she drove silently to her apartment, the migraine that's has been giving some signal earlier kicked in in full force,she reaches for her pills and swallowed two The apartment was dark and quiet.She drew the blackout curtains and lay on the bed fully clothed. The medication took thirty minutes to work. She waited in the darkness, listening to the hum of the air conditioning and the dista