Todos los capítulos de You Chose Her, I Took Your Empire: Capítulo 11 - Capítulo 20

Elena's POVI walked fast inside the elevator, wanting to get out of the building before Julian could catch up.The doors were halfway shut when a hand jammed between them, and they slid back open. Julian stepped inside. He hit the button for the lobby and turned to face me.The doors closed, sealing us in."What was that smile about?" Julian asked. He stepped closer. "You think this thirty-day exit is a joke, Elena?""I was just checking my phone, Julian.""Don't play dumb with me," he said. "I know you. You're trying to act cool, but you're angry. You think you can walk out of here and leave me holding the bag with Marie?""You assigned Marie to co-lead," I said, finally looking at his face. "I am doing exactly what you asked. I am training her.""You're acting distant," Julian snapped. He reached out to grab my elbow, but I pulled my arm back before he could touch me."Do not touch me," I told him. "We are in a professional environment. You are my employer for twenty-nine more days

John's POVThe crosswalk signal pulsed red, counting down thirty seconds that neither of us was paying attention to. She had the brown paper bag cradled against her coat like something precious."I still can't believe you kept that old logistics guide," she said. "Nobody reads paper manuals from ten years ago. It’s practically an artifact.""It has solid foundational principles," I said, keeping my hands shoved in my coat pockets so I wouldn't do something stupid like reach out and fix the stray lock of hair blowing across her cheek. "And if I recall, you were the one who said the chapter on regional distribution hubs was pure art.""I was being dramatic," she countered. "I was twenty-one and thought supply chain efficiency was a personality trait.""It suited you.""Is that a compliment, John?""Is that what you think?" I smiled a little. "It’s an observation, but yeah."She looked away, but I noticed her lips curve upward.Across the intersection, idling at the head of the left-turn

Julian's POV I sat in my chair, staring at the laptop screen until my eyes burned. I zoomed in on the man standing next to Elena in the lobby security footage. He was broad-shouldered, wearing a tailored dark coat that cost more than most people's monthly rent. The way he stood was what really pissed me off. He stood close to Elena, leaning down slightly when she spoke, totally focused on her. "Who the hell are you?" I muttered. My desk was covered in unread reports, but I couldn't concentrate on any of it. Every thirty seconds, I tapped my phone screen to see if a text had come through. Nothing. Just the lock screen clock ticking past 9:00 PM. Usually, if I sent Elena a direct request, she replied within two minutes. She was reliable. She was always there. For four years, if I needed a file at midnight or a coffee at six in the morning, Elena was the person who made it happen. Now, she was ignoring my calls. She was trying to play hardball. She thought that by walking out of th

Julian's POVJulian's POVI leaned back against the seat of the car and hit redial for the fifth time in ten minutes.The line rang three full times before cutting off into that flat, digital beep. Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system. I cut the connection, threw my phone onto the leather seat beside me, and stared out the window.Two seconds passed. I picked the phone back up.I tapped her personal cell number again. Three rings. Voicemail.I cut it and pulled up her work number. The line didn't even ring this time. It went straight to her automated greetingr: This is Elena Miller. I am currently away from my desk...I slammed my thumb against the red icon on the screen.I opened our text thread, my thumb flying across the glass keyboard so hard.Elena. Answer your phone right now.Where are you staying?We have to clear the San Francisco compliance flags before the board summary on Monday morning. I expect you to call me back immediately.Answer me.I

Elena's POVWe walked up the wide stone steps of the St. Regis hotel. A doorman opened the door for us as we passed into the lobby.The lobby smelled of polished wood and warm leather.My feet slowed down on the thick carpet. My stomach tightened up a little. This was Julian’s world. For four years, every venue like this meant I had to check my coat, straighten my dress, and get ready to take notes on my phone. Places like this were for work, corporate dinners, and quiet threats from board members.John stopped beside me. He didn't look at the crystal lights or the marble pillars. He just pulled off his jacket, threw it over one arm, and looked down at me with a calm smile."You okay?" he asked."I am fine," I said. I pulled my shoulders back. "Just used to coming to places like this with a clipboard.""No clipboards tonight," John said. He rested his hand against the small of my back, guiding me gently past the front desk toward the heavy oak doors of the bar. "Just drinks."His hand