Make you pay.

ASHTON

“There’s an exclusive fashion preview this afternoon, Ms. Donovan. Bloom Fashion’s proposed collection will be reviewed by several industry buyers, and we’ll be attending.”

She stood a few steps away from my desk, her eyes fixed on me.

“We?”

“It’s connected to the collaboration,” I said firmly. “We’ll leave by 2 p.m.”

It was clear from her expression that she wasn’t thrilled with the idea. She hadn’t been scheduled to attend the event with me.

I’d heard Dexter planning to have lunch with her that afternoon. I decided she could put those plans aside.

Kailee Donovan was there to work. And I’d specifically requested that she transfer here temporarily because I wanted her to feel the heat of what her disappearance caused me.

“And what exactly will I be expected to do?”

“You’ll be presenting Bloom’s proposal,” I added as she turned to leave. “I expect you to be prepared.”

She halted and turned slightly to face me.

“I don’t mean to question you, Mr. Lancaster, but—‘’

My eyes narrowed at her. “You always do.”

“You revoked my access to the internal system. How do you expect me to draft a proposal in one hour?”

“Ms. Donovan.”

“Mr. Lancaster.”

I shoved away the document in front of me and clenched my jaw. She looked like she enjoyed getting me riled up.

“You’ll have everything you need in ten minutes. Review it and make sure you get everything right.”

She nodded subtly, and walked out of the office. I stared at her until she strolled into the designers’ department.

Working with Kailee tested my patience. She’d gotten fiercer, more daring, and far less afraid to speak her mind.

Still, I knew it was only a matter of time before her composure cracked open, and she’d leave on her own accord.

By two twenty-three p.m., Kailee still hadn’t shown up to the parking lot. I waited in my car, constantly checking my wristwatch.

Five minutes later, she arrived, panting hard like she’d run a thousand miles.

“Sorry, Mr. Lancaster,” she whispered. “I almost forgot about the event.”

She got into the backseat beside me, leaving a considerable gap between us.

“You’re late.”

“You said not to slack off,” she retorted. “I was working.”

I took off my sunglasses and stretched my hand to her.

“Give me your phone.”

“What?”

She was holding it, so I snatched it from her and dialed my number on the keypad before handing it back.

“Next time I call, I expect you to answer.”

She glanced at her screen and scoffed when she saw the name I’d saved my contact under.

“My superior boss?”

I ignored her and gave the driver our destination. Kailee kept talking but I took out my AirPods and put them in.

We arrived at the event’s venue and I got down from the car. Kailee followed closely behind me, but she was slow.

When I turned to see why she was lagging behind, I found her clutching her stomach, her face twisted in discomfort. The moment she noticed me watching, she straightened.

I didn’t ask her what was wrong. We entered the building and took our seats in the conference room.

A few minutes into the meeting, Kailee began shifting in her seat. She was unusually quiet, barely contributing to the discussion, and seemed unable to get comfortable.

“It’s time for your proposal, Ms. Donovan.”

Everyone was waiting for her. She shot me a pleading look, her voice cracking softly.

“Mr. Lancaster, I… I can’t.”

I studied her expression, then glanced at the hand pressed against her stomach. I had a pretty good idea what was happening.

Turning to the others, I dismissed the meeting curtly.

“Let’s have a twenty-minute break.”

I waited for everyone to leave before turning to Kailee. She remained sitting, her fingers digging into her dress.

I stood up, took off my jacket, and handed it to her.

“Don’t go anywhere. Wait in the bathroom.”

She reluctantly accepted my jacket, and I walked out of the boardroom.

Fortunately, there was a convenience store nearby. I walked into the store, ignoring the curious glances that followed me.

They became even more obvious when I stopped in front of the ladies’ section.

I returned to the front desk and sought assistance from the blonde, female attendant with the name tag ‘Stella’.

“A period care package?” she whispered. “Your girlfriend is so lucky.”

My jaw tightened, but I chose to ignore her words.

“Make sure the chocolates have no nuts in them. She’s allergic.”

I waited patiently for her while pretending to be busy on my phone. I’d never done this. Not even when Lavinia begged me to get sanitary pads for her.

I’d seen Kailee suffer through cramps twice before. She’d spent hours curled up in pain, crying and throwing up. It hadn’t been pleasant to witness.

I couldn’t risk having that happen again. Not when we were at an event. My employees were expected to work hard, but also needed rest when things like this happened.

“Here you go, sir,” Stella said, handing out a shopping bag. “Your total is twelve hundred and—‘’

I pulled out some cash and placed it on the counter.

“Here.”

She was still counting the money when I walked away. Her voice called out behind me.

“You paid more than the amount, sir.”

I pushed the door open, my voice barely audible.

“Keep it.”

I knocked quietly on the bathroom door, hoping to avoid drawing attention to myself.

Kailee opened it halfway, then slowly walked out. She had my jacket tied around her waist.

“Mr. Lancaster.”

I turned my eyes away and stretched out the bag to her.

“Everything you need is in there.”

“Thank you,” she whispered after hesitating for a second. You don’t have to wait here. I’ll be fine on my own.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea, Ms. Donovan. I’d do the same for any employee. You have ten minutes.”

“I… I’ll be out soon.”

I returned to the boardroom and extended the meeting to the next day. Kailee returned and met the space empty.

“I’m ready for my proposal, Mr. Lancaster.”

“There’ll be no need for that,” I said, leading the way to the car. “Take the rest of the day off.”

“I’m fine now, sir.”

I opened the car and gestured at her to get in. She got in without another word.

“Give the driver your address.”

She hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting like she was thinking about something difficult.

“Fourth street,” she murmured. “Suite 304.”

The driver turned on the car and I kept my gaze out of the window. The silence between us was thick and heavy. Until she broke it.

“Thank you for today. I’ll work overnight tomorrow.”

“No.”

“We’re already behind on the designs. It’s the first week and only three have been approved.”

“And whose fault was that, Ms. Donovan?”

“That’s why I want to work overnight. So I’ll be able to make up for the leaked designs.”

I leaned back in my seat, then glanced at her with narrowed eyes.

“Why is he still part of your life after five years?”

She swallowed hard. “Like I said before, it’s a private matter.”

“You always find your way back to him, don’t you?”

“Stop making assumptions about me.”

“Tell me something, Kailee,” I leaned forward, lowering my voice. “Was it worth it?”

“What?”

“Betraying me for him. Giving him access to my vault and secretly meeting him after everything you told me about wanting your freedom.”

“I didn’t betray you, Ashton.”

“Then explain what happened.”

“You had five years to ask me that question. You made your decision before I could even explain myself.”

“Yet you still left.” My jaw tightened. “If you were innocent, why didn’t you stay and prove it?”

“Because…” her voice faltered, and she looked away. “Just drop me here.”

I let out a bitter laugh. Five years of wanting to ask that question, and she couldn’t even give me an answer.

“Stop driving,” she told the driver. “I’ll take a cab from here.”

I shifted my attention to the driver, my voice stern and commanding.

“Keep driving.”

“I said stop.”

“Don’t you dare listen to her, Darius.”

She turned to me, her eyes red and tired.

“What on earth do you want from me?”

I caught her wrist before she could unlock the door. Five years of anger and unanswered questions came rushing back as I stared at her.

“You.”

“Me?”

“I want you to pay for what you did, Lovie.”