Chapter 3

ELEANOR'S POV

When I arrived at the Thorne Group, Dominic hadn't come in yet.

I went to my desk first and sorted out all the work that would need handing over after I left. Then I slipped my printed resignation letter. between the pages of the folder that needed his signature and I waited.

At 9:30, half an hour late, he finally strolled into the office.

I lowered my lashes, looked down at the blue folder in my arms, took a slow breath, and walked over.

"Mr. Thorne, these are the documents that need your signature this morning."

My lips pressed together. I bowed slightly, set the folder on his desk, and, as I always did, turned each page for him to the signature line.

"Fine."

Dominic trusted me absolutely. I had built half of this company, after all. He picked up his pen and signed quickly. But halfway through he paused and looked up, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Ellie, you look different today. What made you change your style?"

I wasn't wearing my usual stiff black suit. I had put on a long, white gauze skirt that fell to my ankles and, for the first time in years, flat shoes.

Dominic's thick eyebrows rose, and he turned his head slightly. "You were always the one who cared most about appearances. All these years you've worn black suits and heels. Why suddenly today? Did you get tired of it?"

My fingers curled around the contract.

"Yes," I said. "I'm tired."

So I'm not going to keep pretending.

The truth was, my favorite clothes were sweatpants and sneakers. For Dominic, I had put on the heels I hated most and worn them for years. Now I was finally putting them down and being myself again.

"Actually, I think you'd look good in something different now and then."

If the Ellie of yesterday, in her sharp uniform, had been a delicate red rose. Then today's Ellie in white was a small flower just beginning to bloom. Adam's apple bobbed, and his voice went husky. "Ellie, you really are beautiful today."

He looked at me as if he wanted to pin me against the desk right then.

"Is that so?" I said without any emotion.

My eyes were fixed on the black pen in his hand. The moment he signed the last page, my pounding heart finally fell back into my chest.

It was done.

I licked my dry lips and gathered up the folders quickly, hugging them to my chest. I knew he trusted me and would never read the pages in front of him. But I still couldn't stop the nerves that strangled me while I watched him sign.

On the day I joined the Thorne Group, Dominic had declared that I would be his personal secretary. And I will be answering directly to him alone. If I ever wished to resign, I would need his signature.

Back then, I had thought it was the most ridiculous thing I'd ever heard. Leave? Never. I would stay beside him until this company became the biggest in the world.

Who would have thought that a few short years later, I would use that very rule to walk out the door?

"Now that work is finished," Dominic said, "can we talk about personal matters?"

I said nothing.

"I want to apologize for last night. I should have warned you. But Vivi called and it was too urgent, so I had to take her and the boy in. I know you'll mind about her. But you have to believe me, there's nothing between us. She's in trouble and begged me for help. I helped out of common decency. You understand, don't you? My Ellie is always so thoughtful."

He stood and went to the cabinet along the wall.

"To make it up to you, I went to line up at the bakery in Red Hook this morning and bought you that walnut coffee cake you love. Come on, try some."

He pulled up a chair beside me, a gentle smile on his face, and held out the box.

I looked down at the cake and something inside me went very quiet. Then the corners of my lips curled into a smile that held no warmth at all.

He had gone to line up for it. For me?

How laughable.

This man could lie without blinking now.

I had seen Vivian's I*******m story on my way to work. The walnut coffee cake in her photo was identical to the one in his hands.

My fingertips whitened on the folders. A chill crept over me, spreading through my limbs, and my head began to pound. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead, layer upon layer.

"Ellie, what's wrong? You look terrible."

"I explained everything, didn't I? Are you still angry?"

Dominic frowned at my stony face. He took a breath, swallowing his irritation, and reached to pull me into his arms as he always did.

But the moment his hand touched my arm, he jerked back in alarm.

"Ellie, you're burning up. You still have a fever?"

He stood quickly and pressed his palm to my forehead. His dark eyes turned anxious. "No. This isn't right. You have to go to the hospital. Now."

"I don't need to. I'll take some medicine. I have work to do." I pulled my hand out of his and forced myself to stand. I wanted out. I didn't need his concern. I only wanted to leave this company as quickly as I could.

"Medicine won't help in this state. You're coming with me."

"I said I don't..." The room spun. My clothes were soaked with cold sweat. I clutched the folders against my chest.

"And I say you do!" he barked. "You're going to listen to me for once!"

I was obviously too stubborn for him. He scooped me off my feet by the waist.

"Put me down!"

I struggled with everything I had, but I was no match for him now. Dominic had fully recovered, and all his old wolf strength had returned. In the end, I had no choice but to let him carry me out to the car. My stomach turned at his touch.

…

Twenty minutes later, I sat outside the emergency room with a thermometer in my mouth.

Dominic sat beside me with a paper cup of hot water he had just brought back.

"Ellie, you're badly dehydrated. Drink some water. Didn't you take fever medicine last night? Why is it back today? It's all my fault. I should have watched you take your pills this morning..."

I leaned against the cold wall with my eyes shut and listened to him murmur. My brows drew tighter and tighter.

"Uncle Thorne!"

A child's voice, choked with sobs, broke in beside us.

"Henry?"

Dominic stared. The boy stood in front of him in a little black suit and blue tie, his eyes red, his face streaked with tears.

"Why are you here? Where's your mother?"

His heart seemed to clench. He looked around behind the child at once.