The Stranger My Heart Belonged To

SADIE’S POVBecause of my past—because of Angelica and the people I once called family—I learned to look for the good in everything. I had to. It was survival.Casey Anne was one of those rare, good things. In the middle of this glass-and-steel world full of fake smiles and shallow alliances, she was real. Genuine. Loyal.While most of our coworkers gravitated toward Angelica’s syrupy charm, Casey stood by me. She saw right through the glitter and gloss, and when Angelica struck—whether it was a passive-aggressive jab or an outright insult—Casey never hesitated to fire back. She understood. She knew that sometimes, for me, fighting back wasn’t worth the aftermath. Not when it would follow me home.Angelica’s taunts were never new. Outdated outfit. Pale complexion. “You look like a washed-out nerd,” she’d whisper just loud enough for others to hear. Same script, different day. I told myself I was used to it. But the truth? It chipped away at me, little by little.Still, if I didn’t love

SADIE’S POVI followed him.More like… trailed behind him, trying to keep my nerves from spiraling.The hallway felt darker than before. Or maybe that was just me, finally realizing I was walking toward the lion’s den.Each step I took was met with the coldness of the floor and silent steps from my bare foot.I should’ve just wear my flat shoes instead of following him right away instead of clutching my half-pair heel like a ridiculous trophy in my hand.He didn’t speak.Didn’t look back.Just walked with a calm, unhurried authority that made my skin crawl. Like he knew I would follow. Like he didn’t need to ask—he expected it. Expected obedience. Deference.At the end of the corridor, he pushed open a black door, sleek and expensive, with a silver plate that gleamed under the dim overhead light: Damon Prince – CEOHe held it open just enough, but didn’t wait for me to pass. He simply stepped inside and left me to follow. As if I was invisible.I swallowed hard and entered.The office

DAMON’S POVI decided to leave her just then—because even with a desk, a dozen steps, and the weight of my restraint between us, she still felt too close.I didn’t look at her. Not really. But I felt her eyes on me, clinging to the back of my neck like heat.She breathed differently when I was near—tight, careful, like she didn’t want me to hear the way I affected her.This girl.Wrong type. Too soft, too sweet. The kind of woman who brought muffins to the office and smiled like the world hadn’t tried to eat her alive. But her eyes—those sharp, curious eyes—made it impossible to ignore her.I shouldn’t have noticed the way her sweater clung to the dip of her waist. Or how she chewed on her lip when she was nervous, like her mouth didn’t know it was driving me insane.I shouldn’t have let my eyes flick to her thighs when she crossed her legs, or how the hem of her skirt lifted just enough to tempt.But I did.And the worst part?She looked at me like she felt it too. Like something pas

SADIE’S POV – 10th Floor Office, Late MorningThe office was humming with whispers by noon.Not emails. Not meetings. Whispers.I heard my name first in passing, followed by Angelica’s—never a good combination. I barely had time to turn my head when Casey leaned over the low divider between our desks, eyes wide like she was sitting on live gossip.“Did you hear?” she whispered. “Angelica’s out. Fired. CEO did it himself. In person.”I blinked. “What? When?”“This morning. Apparently she tried flirting again instead of filing those schedules table. Real subtle too. Lip gloss, high heels, and a neckline that screamed promotional offer.” Casey wrinkled her nose. “Word is, he didn’t even blink. Just said, ‘You’re dismissed.’ And walked away.”It was hard to imagine anyone being that cold. Then again… I had seen him last night.My stomach twisted. He’d looked straight through me like I was glass. But now, suddenly, he was cleaning house?“I thought she was untouchable,” I said under my bre

SADIE'S POV – Office, Next day.After checking on my hand and accepting 4 stitches– which thankfully the office covered the expenses– I focused on my job that needed to be proven.I didn’t want to be seen.Not in the “shy girl hides behind her computer” kind of way—but the kind where I moved with silent precision. I didn’t speak unless spoken to. I didn’t linger.I didn’t ask unnecessary questions.I learned quickly that the less Damon Prince noticed me, the better.And yet, he noticed everything.So I adapted.I wasn’t just determined to keep my job—I was determined to perfect it.My second chance felt like it was being held by a thread woven from glass.One wrong move, and I’d cut myself.Damon didn’t like coffee unless it was jet black and served before 9:00 a.m.He preferred two breakfast options presented via email at exactly 7:30.He hated lateness, and small talk irritated him like a buzzing fly.His meetings were always efficient, sharp, and quiet.I figured all that out befor