"Hand me the keys before you get out," he orders, stretching out his hand. Once the blond guy leaves us alone, I instinctively lean closer to the window, avoiding Nathan's gaze by staring off in any other direction."Very good, sweetheart. At least you realize what you did was wrong," he murmurs, inching toward me."I didn’t think you’d get so upset over a simple slap," I protest, pouting slightly."And how could I not be upset over a blow worthy of a professional boxer?" he counters."It was the only thing I could think of in the moment. It would've been worse if I’d jumped on Sarah and yanked her hair.""Believe it or not, that would’ve been better."I gape at him, unable to believe what I just heard. I stare at him like he's lost his mind."You know what was worse? Besides you humiliating me in front of my employees?""No, what?""Telling them how great our nights together are—and the worst part? I don’t even remember how I make love to you.""It was just a little lie! Besides, you
The days have flown by so quickly—Giselle has already been working at the company for over three weeks. Like every night, I wait for her in the underground garage after her shift to drive her home."How was your day?" I ask, taking her hand and helping her into the car."Really good. Pierre and I improved one of my old formulas—one I hadn’t touched in years. We might be ready to show you a first sample in a few days.""That’s great. Pierre’s really impressed with you, by the way. Every time I talk to him, he keeps praising you. Says you’re the first person he’s ever worked so well with.""It’s my first time working at a company, and honestly, I feel amazing.""Then how did you work with Oliver?" I ask, genuinely curious."From home. Oliver would bring me chemical formulas from his lab and my job was to improve them. He never let me step foot in the company as anything more than his wife... though even then, most days I wasn’t allowed in at all," she answers, her voice dipping into tha
“I’m so glad you’re here, boss,” Scarlett mutters with clear relief when she spots me walking down the hallway next to Kalet, whom she throws a venomous look. “The board members are already in the conference room. They’ve been asking for you,” she informs me, handing me some documents.“I was only a few minutes late,” I grumble as I scan the report detailing the losses we suffered thanks to that idiot Lefebvre.“You’re always so punctual, it threw them off a bit that you weren’t here yet,” she explains with a shrug.“Go to my office and bring the new perfume. Do it while those old foxes start their usual round of arguing,” I tell her. She rushes off without a word, and I turn to Kalet.“Head to the production floor and tell them to start on the new perfume. Pierre should’ve already delivered the sample by now.”“Here it is, boss,” Scarlett interrupts, handing me a small black-and-red briefcase.“Scarlett, you’re coming to the meeting with me. Kalet, handle what I asked. And at six, go
Once I think she’s finally drifted off to sleep, I gently stroke her cheek and press a kiss to her forehead, letting out a deep sigh."I really am sorry," I whisper. "I know I was a jerk, and I hurt you with my words. But trusting people—it’s never come easy to me. Especially with you... being Lefebvre’s ex-wife just makes it worse.""If I forgive you, will you let me sleep?" she mutters without opening her eyes."What the hell?! You weren’t asleep? You were faking it?""I wasn’t faking, I just closed my eyes and hoped you'd stop talking. Obviously, that didn’t work.""Now that you've heard what I needed to say... will you forgive me?"She stays quiet for a few seconds, then sighs softly and opens her eyes."I don’t have anywhere else to go. Right now, you’re the only family I’ve got... at least until our marriage ends." Her voice is low, serious.Her words hit me hard—blunt, honest, and painfully true. And it hurts, knowing that if she had even one other option, she wouldn’t be here.
Nathan “I can’t believe how insensitive you are,” Kalet says sharply when he sees I haven’t gotten up to follow Giselle.“Stop scolding me. She’ll get over it later. I’m sure it’s just some whim of hers, wanting to work here—just like it was for Iris back then.”“I doubt that,” he says coldly, contradicting me.“You doubt it? Why? Do you think you know my wife better than I do?”“No, I don’t know her better. But I can tell you didn’t even notice the way her brow furrowed when you brought up the car or her monthly allowance. And I bet you haven’t realized how much happier she’s been since she started coming here with you.”“Every night when you two leave, she talks nonstop about how amazing Pierre is, how much she’s learning, and the progress they’re making creating new perfumes—perfumes she’s handed to you, and you’ve accepted without a second thought.”“I don’t even recognize the desperate woman who got into your car months ago to make you that deal. She’s not the same—she’s stronge
As the elevator doors slide shut, I hear Kalet clear his throat dramatically. Pretending not to notice, I fix my eyes on the screen displaying the floor numbers."Is it just the executive suite on your floor?" I ask Nathan as we rise toward the fifty-second."No, a few other directors work there too. That floor’s just as hectic as any other most days."A few seconds later, the doors open. Nathan, still gripping my hand, leads me straight into his office."Good morning, boss!" chirps Scarlett, holding a stack of folders to her chest. "About the new—oh! Sorry, I thought you were alone. I’ll come back later with the report." She flashes me a quick smile."You can explain it in front of Giselle. She’ll be with me all day—maybe even for the next month, so get used to seeing her."Nathan pushes open the door to his office. If I thought his house was elegant, this place is on a whole other level. Polished wooden floors, a massive desk with marble finishes, and sleek black walls—it all scream