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BOOK 4 - Chapter 16: Picking Sides
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2026-02-21 01:35:14
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I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 23: The Guilt Trip (Continued)
“What? Yes, before you got here. Why?”He examines the cup like it might contain poison. “How do I know you didn’t put something in this too?”“Because I’m trying to help you! I agreed to meet you when everyone else thinks I’m crazy for even considering it.” I let tears fill my eyes. “I’m risking everything to give you this chance. And you’re accusing me of trying to drug you again?”“I didn’t say it again. I said too.” He sets the cup down. “Because I don’t think you drugged me the first time, Sophie. I think someone else did. And I think you know who.”“I don’t know anything.” My voice rises. “I’m as much a victim here as you are.”“Are you? Because you’re the one who benefits most from this situation.” He steps closer. “Maya cuts me out. Turn to you for support. You get her all to yourself. Everything you’ve always wanted.”The accusation hangs in the air.“You think I did this on purpose? You think I destroyed my own life, my reputation, my peace of mind, just to have Maya to myse
I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 22: The Guilt Trip
The coffee shop on Market Street is crowded enough to feel public, empty enough for privacy.I arrive fifteen minutes early, positioning myself at a corner table where I can see the door. My heart pounds against my ribs, and I’ve rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in my head.Make him believe I’m struggling with my memories. Plant seeds of doubt about what really happened. Keep him focused on proving his innocence rather than investigating me.At exactly three p.m., Ethan walks in.He looks terrible. Dark circles under his eyes. Unshaven. His clothes rumpled like he slept in them. This is what few days of separation from Maya has done to him.Good. Let him suffer.No. That’s not right. I don’t want him to suffer. I just want him to understand that Maya chose me. That she’ll always choose me.He spots me and crosses the café, sitting down carefully like I might bolt.“Sophie. Thank you for meeting me.” His voice is hoarse. “I know this must be hard for you.”“It is.” I wrap my
I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 21: Sophie’s Pursuit Begins
{SOPHIE POV}Lin Sterling-Chen doesn’t trust me.I can feel it in the way she watches me. The careful way she phrases her questions. The pauses that last just a beat too long.We’ve been at her Pacific Heights house for three days, and every moment feels like a test I’m failing.“More tea, Sophie?” Lin asks from across the breakfast table.“No, thank you.” I keep my voice small, wounded. The role I’ve been playing since that night.Maya’s still asleep upstairs. She’s been sleeping late, staying up until three or four in the morning, staring at her phone like she’s waiting for something. Or someone.Ethan, probably. Even though she’s blocked him on everything.“How are you feeling today?” Lin’s question sounds innocent, but her eyes are sharp.“Better. A little.” I wrap my hands around my mug. “Thank you for letting me stay here. I know it’s an imposition.”“Nonsense. Any friend of Maya’s is family.” She sips her own tea. “Though I have to say, I’m surprised you haven’t wanted to go ba
I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 20: Doubt
“Sophie and me. She can’t go back to her apartment. Not when Ethan knows where she lives.”A pause. “Of course. Bring Sophie. You’re both welcome.”After I hang up, Sophie is already packing her overnight bag. “You don’t have to do this. I can find somewhere else to stay.”“You’re coming with me.” I start throwing clothes into a suitcase. “My mom has plenty of room. And honestly, I need you there. I can’t do this alone.”“Okay.” She hesitates. “Maya, what about work? The company?”“I’ll work remotely for a few days. You should take some time off. Paid leave. However long you need to recover.”“I don’t need time off. I need to feel normal.” Her voice cracks. “I need to pretend that my life isn’t falling apart.”I hug her, and we stand there in my apartment, two broken women holding each other up.An hour later, we’re in my car, driving through San Francisco toward Pacific Heights. Sophie dozes in the passenger seat, exhausted from crying and stress and sleepless nights.My phone buzzes
I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 19: Moving Out
Detective Chen’s call comes at nine a.m. the next morning.“Ms. Sterling, I need you and Ms. Monroe to come back to the station. We have some updates on the case.”The way she says it, flat and professional, tells me everything I need to know.Sophie and I arrive an hour later. The detective doesn’t waste time with pleasantries.“We reviewed the security footage from your building,” she says, pulling up a laptop. “The cameras show Mr. Moore arriving at eight-fifteen p.m. He appears normal, coherent. You can see him greeting the security guard, signing in, heading to the elevators.”“Okay?” I don’t understand where this is going.“The problem is what we don’t see.” She fast-forwards through the footage. “The third floor, where your offices are located, the cameras malfunctioned that night. We have nothing from eight-thirty until ten p.m. when you arrived, Ms. Sterling.”“That’s convenient,” Sophie says quietly.“Very. Too convenient.” Detective Chen closes the laptop. “We also ran the
I’m Back, Mr. CEO BOOK 4 - Chapter 18: Please! Believe Me
“Is it?” Her eyes search mine. “Maya, what if this ruins everything? Your relationship with your family, with Derek, with everyone connected to Ethan?”“Then they’re not worth having in my life.” The conviction in my voice surprises even me. “You’re my family, Sophie. You’ve been my family since the day we met. I chose you then, and I’m choosing you now.”She hugs me, and I feel her shaking. “Thank you. Thank you for believing me when no one else will.”We drove back to my apartment in silence. When we pull into my parking garage, I see him.Ethan.Sitting on the ground outside my door, head in his hands. He looks like he hasn’t slept. Like he’s been crying.Good. He should cry.Sophie gasps. “Maya, he’s here. What do we do?”“Stay in the car. Lock the doors.” I’m already getting out.“Maya, don’t—”But I’m already walking toward him. Rage propelling me forward.He sees me and scrambles to his feet. “Maya. Thank God. Please, I need to talk to you.”“You need to leave. Now. Before I ca
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