Chapter 8.

My steps quickened. Fury and dread pooled inside me in equal measure. Fuck!

I shoved open the polished double doors of the conference room and I was met with a room full of anxious looking, suit-cladded men and women.

My father sat at the head of the long table, radiating authority. Beside him was Vivian's pride and joy — James. He looked smug and eyed me up to down in a demeaning manner.

The room was stiff and uneasy but my father seemed to bask in environments like this. I remained standing at the other end of the table, opposite the chairman.

“Father,” I started staring directly at him even though I quaked in my leather stilettos.

“What is this meeting for and why wasn't I aware beforehand?”

“Ah, Hazel. Back from your honeymoon I see,” my father looks at me with raised brows and a hint of amusement lacing his speech. “I believe your secretary informed you that it was an impromptu meeting I decided to hold a few hours ago.”

I didn't even let Freya finish speaking before I rushed here. Damnit, the more I try to fix things, the more slip ups I create.

I squared my shoulders even when my pulse hammered aggressively.  “What is this about?”

He leans back in his seat, steepling his fingers. “This meeting is about the position of CEO and who I deem fit to lead the company.”

At the mention of the position, my heart flew from my chest. Please let this not be what I think it is…

Regardless, I kept my chin high “That position was promised to me by you, father. I earned it. I spent years handling projects no one else could handle just to get here.”

And it was true. Jones enterprise was doing well before I ever started, but I was the one who gave it the position it has today. I made it one of America's top three leading businesses. I put in the work no one else did. Nobody could match me, not even that lowlife James.

“I've spent years proving myself over and over again, we'd like to believe that the chairman is a man of his words now.” I almost seethe out.

“And yet,” his eyes narrowed into slits, “when faced with a simple task of securing the De Lucas as business partners — you faced scandals, whispers of you being an infidel,  and nearly jeopardizing the deal entirely!”

The ground literally shifted beneath me. “That wasn't my fault. I was framed and that entire—”

He cuts me off with a raised hand. “Those are pointless excuses, Marie. The company cannot afford to have a weak CEO that cannot handle hurdles, and constantly shows signs of weakness.”

“If you cannot handle one simple arrangement,  then you are not fit to run the empire I've built” he says sharply.

“But what could I expect from a woman? To think I almost let a woman run MY company? I must've been out of my mind!”

“This is the third time,” I whispered bitterly.  “The third time you're snatching the position from me heartlessly after watching me bleed to get here!” The board shifted under my tone but I didn't care. Rage surged hotter inside of me and I'm going to let it spill over cause I'm so fucking tired!!

“You know the saying sister, third time's the charm, but I guess it doesn't apply to you.” James pouts mockingly, and I swear this whole thing is a fucking stage play.

My father pins me down with his sharp glare. “Consider it a test of endurance, Marie,” he places his elbows on the table, his eyes flickering between the board.“ James has proven himself ready and he will resume the role of CEO immediately, if anyone opposes this, raise your hand.”

Everyone averts his question by staring down or clearing their throats. No one dared to oppose Dominic Jones, and they know it.

I wanted to scream and rip that smug look off James’ face, but the look my father gave me, had me paralyzed. 

I forced myself to breathe despite my nails digging crescents into my palm. “This isn't over. I'll prove you wrong.” My breath was hot and every word was a piercing promise to my sadist father.

“I'd like to see you try.” James said.

I turned around, not giving a fuck to follow protocols of letting the chairman leave first — I dashed out the door in anger.

¤¤¤¤¤

Days had passed since my father humiliated me in front of the board, stripping me of everything I had worked for and handing it to James. I busied myself at work and drowned in paperwork and files.

Every time my pen scratched across the paper, every time I signed off on another project, I told myself I was still valuable. Still worthy. Still Hazel Marie Jones, even if my father coldly refuses to acknowledge that.

All I wanted from my father was a little recognition, a little push. I've tried so hard. So fucking hard…

I strolled into the kitchen late that evening, hair loose around my shoulders, still dressed in my work outfit that had wrinkled from hours hunched over my desk. I just needed a cup of coffee and some peace.

Instead, I found him.

Alex stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, pouring himself a drink. His side profile was immaculate, I don't think my own side profile can beat his. My heart gave a traitorous jolt at the sight of him. Stupid heart. 

He didn’t even glance at me before saying, “You’ve been hiding.”

I stiffened. “I’ve been working.”

He turned then, his green orbs locking onto mine. The weight of his stare was unbearable, but I refused to look away.

“Working,” he echoed, taking a slow sip from his glass of water. “Funny, for someone who claims to work so hard, you don’t seem to have much to show for it.”

My chest tightened. “Excuse me?” What on earth is this man getting onto? I really don't want to have a conversation with him right now.

He set the glass down with a soft clink. “I was at the office the other day. Your father’s announcement was… interesting.” His lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “James as CEO. Good call, don’t you think?”

My nails dug into my palm. “That position was mine. Everyone knows it. I earned it.”

Alex leaned against the counter, arms folding across his broad chest. “Then why didn’t you get it?”

The question hung in the air as I clenched my teeth, fury building under my skin.

“Because my father loves to fuck with my head, he absolutely loves to plays games,” I hissed. “Because he would rather humiliate me than admit I’m capable. Don’t stand there and pretend you know shit about me.”

Something flickered in his eyes — something sharp, dangerous. But his voice remained calm in an unsettling way.

“Maybe he played games,” Alex said slowly. “Or maybe…” He pushed off the counter, closing the space between us until his breath brushed against my cheek. “…maybe he was right.”

I blinked, heat crawling up my face. “Right? What do you mean by right?”

His gaze burned into mine, his voice low and cruel.

“I mean, if this is really how you handle loyalty in a marriage,  I can’t begin to imagine the games you’ve played in business. No wonder your father keeps you on a leash.”

The words sliced through me, sharper than any blade. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. My throat tightened, my chest constricted, and I felt the room tilt beneath my feet.

I know he hates me. I know he thinks I'm unfaithful, but did he have to always go this far? And does my heart have to break every time for a stranger I barely know?

Alex’s stare lingered a heartbeat longer before he brushed past me, his shoulder grazing mine to really punctuate his insult. The sound of his retreating footsteps echoed down the hall, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I gripped the counter to steady myself, fingers digging into the counter. I had survived my father’s cruelty for years, but somehow Alex’s words had its way of cutting deeper.

And that night, for the first time since the wedding, I truly hated him. I hated him with every fiber of my being.