Chapter 4

That afternoon, Michael called while I was checking inventory.

Then Christy snatched the phone.

"Eunice Emerton, are you seriously still pretending you don't want his attention?" Her voice was pure smugness. "Michael told me everything. He said you used to follow him around like some pathetic stalker, and he only tolerated you because you knew each other back then.

"You really think keeping the books for this dump of a flower shop gives you any power over him now?"

My keys dug into my palm as rage flared in my chest.

In the background, Michael scrambled for the phone.

"Christy, stop. Give it back—"

"Shut up."

Then she turned on me again. "Eunice, I don't care how much of Michael's old junk you still have. I know when your lease is up.

"One word from me, and no landlord on this street will rent to you. So take the hint and crawl back to whatever tiny town you came from.

"Keep pushing me, and you won't even find a sidewalk to sell flowers on in this city."

Michael didn't say a word to defend me.

Five years.

I'd raised a stray dog, and now it was biting the hand that fed it.

Worse, it had found a new owner.

And together, they were coming for my throat.

I took a slow breath.

My eyes landed on the encrypted folder hidden on my desktop.

Inside were files that had accumulated over the years while I drafted contracts for Michael's company.

Kickbacks.

Shady vendor deals.

Loopholes he'd exploited in Christy's father's company.

Off-the-books contracts hiding all of it.

I stared at the screen, tapping my fingers against the desk.

"Fine," I said, my voice cold. "Since you're so desperate to keep what I threw away, I've got a gift for you.

"Check your messages tonight. Hope you enjoy it.

"And you two? Stay together forever. You deserve each other."

I hung up.

At eight that night, I sent Christy the files.

***

Third-Person POV

Over at the Howell estate, dinner was already in full swing.

Michael stood there in a custom suit, red wine in hand, confidently toasting Christy's father.

It was his first official family dinner since making director.

In his head, this was it.

His ticket into the upper class.

Then Christy's phone lit up on the table.

Message after message.

She glanced down.

Her smile disappeared.

Her face went storm-dark.