Prologue

Susan

I adjusted my blazer and took a deep breath before walking into the boardroom. This was the opportunity I'd been waiting for...no room for nerves, no room for mistakes.

But the moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.

Ten years. It had been ten long years since I last saw him, and yet, there he was...Elliot Prescott, sitting at the head of the boardroom table like a king on his throne.

The universe had a twisted sense of humor, throwing me into his world when I was at my lowest. Jobless, desperate, and hanging onto the last thread of my self-respect, I'd walked into this meeting thinking it was just another pitch. But then his eyes...those same piercing green eyes...met mine, and for a moment, I couldn't breathe.

His piercing green eyes meeting mine the second I walked in. Time hadn't touched him, if anything, it had made him sharper, more composed. The air in the room suddenly felt too heavy.

"Ms. Hart," a man sitting beside him said, oblivious to the jolt of recognition between us. "This is Elliot Prescott, our CEO."

CEO. Of course, he was. Elliot had always been destined for greatness, even back in college when he was just a guy with big dreams and a devil-may-care attitude. And me? I was the girl who thought I could be a part of those dreams. Until he chose a different path...a path that didn't include me..

My fingers tightened on the portfolio I was carrying, but I forced myself to nod. "It's a pleasure to meet you," I said smoothly, as if I hadn't known him in every way that mattered years ago.

He didn't flinch, didn't falter, just studied me with the same calm, detached demeanor he'd perfected years ago. "It's been a while," he said, his tone infuriatingly casual.

I wanted to laugh, scream, cry...anything to release the knot tightening in my chest. But I didn't. I wouldn't.

"It has," I replied simply, refusing to let him see how much his presence shook me.

He gestured to the chair across the table. "Please, take a seat."

I walked over, my heels clicking against the polished floor, and sat down. The man beside him...a senior executive, perhaps...cleared his throat.

"We've reviewed your initial proposal, and we're impressed," the executive began. "However, we'd like to hear more about your approach and execution plans."

I opened my portfolio, flipping to the relevant pages. "Of course. My approach focuses on streamlining operations to reduce inefficiencies while enhancing productivity. Within the first three months, we'll see measurable results."

I slid the document across the table. Elliot picked it up, his expression unreadable as he skimmed through it.

"And your team?" he asked, finally looking up. "Will you be handling this alone, or do you have additional support?"

"I have a network of consultants I can bring in as needed, but I'll personally oversee the entire project," I said firmly. "I've managed similar projects independently before and have no doubts about my ability to deliver."

Elliot nodded, his face giving nothing away. "Confidence is important. But setbacks happen. How do you handle them?"

"By seeing them for what they are...opportunities to reassess and refine the plan. I prioritize clear communication and quick decision-making to keep things on track."

The executive beside him smiled in approval. "That's a solid approach."

Elliot's gaze lingered on me for a moment longer than necessary. "We'll need a week to finalize our decision. Be available for any follow-up questions."

I nodded briskly. "Thank you for your time and consideration."

As I left the room, my heart raced, but I didn't let it show. I'd gotten through the meeting without letting him see how much his presence shook me. One thing was clear...

This wasn't about him. This was about me...getting this project, rebuilding my life, and proving to myself that I could stand on my own. But as the meeting unfolded, I realized something: This wasn't just business anymore.

****

Elliot

The moment she walked into the room, the air changed.

Susan Hart.

I hadn't heard that name in a decade, hadn't thought I'd see her again. But there she was, standing in my boardroom, her head held high and her gaze sharp as ever. She'd always been good at hiding her emotions, but I knew her too well. That flicker of hesitation when her eyes met mine? It was there, just for a second.

Ten years. Ten damn years, and she looked the same...stunning, confident, and utterly poised, like she owned the room the second she stepped in. The only thing that gave her away was the slight pause in her step when her eyes landed on me.

"Ms. Hart," Gerald, my COO, said as if the air hadn't just shifted. "This is Elliot Prescott, our CEO."

Her eyes didn't waver. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Her tone was calm, professional, almost dismissive.

Of course it was. Susan always had a way of keeping her cool, even when she wanted to scream.

"It's been a while," I said evenly, watching her for the slightest crack.

"It has," she replied, her voice steady, matching mine.

I gestured toward the chair across from me. "Please, take a seat."

She didn't hesitate, striding over like she had everything under control. I leaned back, letting Gerald take the lead.

"We've reviewed your proposal, and we're impressed," he started. "But we'd like to hear more about your execution strategy."

She opened her portfolio, flipping through it with practiced ease. "Of course. My approach focuses on reducing inefficiencies and enhancing productivity. Within the first three months, we'll see measurable results."

She slid a document across the table. I picked it up, keeping my expression neutral as I read through her plan. It was solid, no question about it. But Susan wasn't just competing for a project. She was standing here, in my world now, and I wasn't sure how to feel about it.

"And your team?" I asked, looking up. "Will you be handling this alone, or do you have support?"

Her voice didn't waver. "I have a network of consultants I can bring in as needed, but I'll oversee everything personally. I've managed similar projects independently before and delivered results."

That confidence. It was one of the things I'd admired about her...and one of the things that had driven me crazy.

"Confidence is important," I said, keeping my tone businesslike. "But setbacks happen. How do you handle them?"

She leaned forward slightly, clasping her hands. "Setbacks are opportunities to reassess and refine the plan. I prioritize clear communication and quick decision-making to keep things on track."

Gerald nodded, clearly impressed. "That's a solid approach."

I didn't respond immediately, letting my gaze linger on her. She didn't flinch, meeting my eyes as if daring me to say more. Finally, I set the document down.

"We'll need a week to finalize our decision. Be available for follow-up questions."

She nodded. "Thank you for the opportunity."

I watched her gather her things and leave the room without a single backward glance. As the door clicked shut, Gerald turned to me.

"She's sharp. I think she's the right fit for this."

I didn't reply. All I could think about was how Susan Hart had just walked back into my life like a storm I wasn't ready to face.

I should've been focused on the proposal she was presenting, on the business at hand. But all I could think about was how Susan had walked out of my life ten years ago, and now, without warning, she was back.

And she was still stunning.

I hated how easily my mind went there. This was just business, nothing more. But as she spoke...her voice confident, her answers sharp...I found myself wondering:

What the hell was she doing here?