At any cost necessary

Chance

I

pressed the button of the intercom on my desk, ending the call with my Australian office. They were a day ahead, and their Monday, my Sunday, was always the best day for conducting business meetings.

Leaning back in my chair, I rubbed a hand over the back of my neck, then loosened my tie. This house felt empty. Even when staff buzzed with their chores outside and inside, this home was hollow. It had never felt like that until very recently. And a certain woman with dark brown eyes was to blame.

I had long given up on the notion of a family and love. In my experience, women weren’t dependable. Throw money and social status at them, they’d do anything. Yet, Lilly didn’t seem to operate that way and it intrigued me.

I can’t do emotional detachment. Her words replayed on repeat in my mind.

Until her, emotional detachment was my firm clause; it was never an option to bend that self-imposed rule. Yet, when Lilly’s whispered words penetrated my brain, I knew she’d walk. Unless I ga