All Chapters of He was never mine: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Wyatt’s POVThe Winter Design Gala was held at Vanderbilt, the kind of venue that doesn’t need to announce its importance.A building with high ceilings, marble columns and chandeliers that cast bright light instead of warmth.I had come alone. Marcus had offered to join me, but I declined.Security was tighter than previous years, invitations were checked at two separate points before entry. Guests passed through tall decorative arches near the entrance, and it took me a second to realize they weren’t just for show.The metal detectors were built into them so discreetly that most people probably didn’t notice.Inside, Monochrome’s influence was impossible to ignore. The event programs handed out at the door were printed in black and white. The table centerpieces were simple, nothing excessive. Even the staff uniforms had the same style her brand was known for.This wasn’t just her passive presence, she had influence here.I told myself I was here for confirmation, nothing more. Prof

Wyatt’s POV“Have we met before?”Something shifted in me, and not in a good way.The music in the background became softened into a background noise. Conversations around us faded into nothing but moving mouths and drift sounds. The room was still bright, still full but it felt smaller and tighter somehow.Her warm hand was still in mine. She wasn’t pulling away and I didn’t want to let go.But I had to. I released her slowly. She let her hand fall gently beside her.My hand felt cold after, the warmth from hers was gone.I studied her face. Searching for any sign, but nothing. Her eyes were steady on mine. No flicker, no anger and no shake in her expression.Just polite curiosity in her expression.This wasn’t anger, not even revenge.It was empty.She truly didn’t look at me like I meant nothing.Jenkins was still standing there, smiling, completely unaware, oblivious to what was going on.He had no idea this was destroying me.I kept my voice low, afraid it might break.“We were

Wyatt ‘s POVI barely slept for the next two days. My suit jacket hung over the back of the chair and my shirt was wrinkled. Coffee sat on the desk, cold hours ago. The office light was off but the laptop screen cast dull blue light across the dark office.Gala footage, press clips and social media highlights. I’d been watching them for days. The moment she stood at the podium and accepted her award, turned to face the room with that small nod.The confidence in her posture. The way she held the microphone steadily and effortlessly. I rewound and watched again.There.About three minutes into the video, when she said “control.”Her left hand tightened slightly at her side, barely unnoticeable. A habit Avery had before. She used to do that when she was saying something important.No one else would notice but I did. I’d seen it countless times in the past.I paused the video and stared at her frozen face.I called Marcus that night, he would have heard about the gala or seen the n

Wyatt’s POVI sat at my desk that afternoon waiting for the email from Monochrome.Minutes later, a message popped up in my inbox.The subject line was empty, just her company name in the sender field.I clicked it open.“Monochrome will not be proceeding with this proposal.”That was it, clean and short.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the screen.No explanation for the rejection, no apology and no invite to revisit conversation later. It had Avery’s handwriting written all over it and I exhaled quietly.I was not surprised though, but disappointed.I called my phone and called Marcus first to let him know the latest update.“Let me guess,” he said. “She said no.”“Yes.”A long sign came through the line.“Take the hint and walk away, Wyatt.”I didn’t answer.“She clearly doesn’t want the deal,” Marcus continued. “You’re pushing too hard.”“I sent one proposal, maybe I should send another one.”“It was one perfect proposal.” he corrected. “You designed it specifically for her.

Avery’s POVKane Ventures headquarters rose like a fortress in the financial district.Built from steel and glass, a building that speaks for itself. I stepped out of the car and straightened my jacket. Stella walked beside me, still with her tablet in hand.The lobby was quiet. Expensive artwork lined the walls. Simple furniture was perfectly arranged across the polished floor. A security desk was on the left. The elevator was straight ahead.Everything looked pristine as if it had just been finished, a space that cost more to maintain than most people made in a year.A receptionist greeted us with a smile.“Ms. Montreaux, Mr. Kane is expecting you.” Her smile grew wider. “Conference room three, tenth floor.”Warm smile, empty eyes.We stepped into the elevator.Stella glanced at me once but I kept my face blank.The elevator doors opened onto a hallway lined with glass walls overlooking the city. The view stretched across the financial district like a map.Impressive.Everything a