The Ex Assignment Novels & Stories

“Exactly. Dad and Mom already know. They’re happy for us. You’re the only one holding onto the past. Move on.” With a trembling hand and a heart that felt like it was dying, I took the papers back. The pen felt like lead as I scrawled my signature across the lines. Page after page. Each stroke felt like signing away pieces of my soul. Tears dripped freely, smudging some of the ink, but I kept going. When I finished the last page, I shoved the documents at Rowan’s chest. “There,” I said, my voice hoarse and broken. “It’s done. You’re free. I hope she’s worth destroying me for.”

Weak. Lewis handed the agreement form over to them, one by one. They signed the documents, and he slid their signed copies before me. No coercion. No irrationality. Just correction. I signed on each, before hitting the stamp firmly on each copy. Final. “Done” I exhaled sharply. “Your value will be wired to your bank accounts. Exact market valuation with.” It wasn't triple. Not inflated either. Just fair and exact. The other members shifted in their seats but I didn't care.

When the Maybach knocked me down, my first instinct was to get up fast, pick up the bike, and ride away. I never expected to run into my ex like this after five years. Shawn Lubbard got out of the car and called after me. "After all this time, you're still out here tricking men into supporting you?" He looked me up and down. As he put his hand on mine, it felt like he was belittling and mocking me at the same time.

"Will you give it back now?" Sean, clutching the photo, sauntered over and stopped just a breath away, his gaze piercing me. "You want this?" "Yes, please, please give it back..." I nodded frantically, my hand outstretched for the cherished photo. Sean then smirked. He dropped the photo into a wine glass, tipped it out, and started grinding it under his shoe. I let out a gut-wrenching scream and collapsed at his feet, yanking at his leg in a fury. "Sean, you jerk! I did what you wanted, so why are you still doing this to me? What did they ever do to deserve this?"

I can't deny the thought of my heart fluttering at the thought of there being a gesture behind the thoughtful action. However, in the next second, I remember what happened with my ex-husband, Austin, as well as the fact that he’s with Diane. Immediately, the flutter dies a quick death, and unease takes its place. Austin had also appeared to be the perfect gentleman, and had acted the part when I first met him … until he didn’t. “The flowers for Amanda are to wish her a quick recovery. The ones for you are to praise you for being such a good friend to her, plus they have another meaning as well.” Nathan tells me with a slightly embarrassed smile on his face.

“Here’s the file, sir. These are the reports and highlights of the last meeting Natasha filled up on your behalf; our top investors and shareholders are threatening to withdraw from the company if the exponential growth of their investments doesn't come in handy.” Rex stretched a blue cover file to Damian who was buried in his office chair, rocking it from side to side, running his palm to and fro around his jaw lines, drawing an invisible pattern. “Drop it on the table.” He directed with a calm soothing voice. One could tell he wasn’t fine. But his body language and facial expression had told a different story.

Once more, there was a roar of praise, and I smiled and moved aside to let the models show off my work. Each piece flowed effortlessly, and I could see the approval in the faces of those watching. I couldn’t believe it.. they loved it. I did it. The executive team had just approved my designs. I was dying of happiness, practically floating as I made my way off the stage, my heart soaring. "And now, ladies and gentlemen, we turn to tonight's auction section. Please get ready with your paddles." The MC Said. I made to descend the stage and spotted him. At first, I thought I was imagining it. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes locked on his. Tyler.

I was only too glad all the batches of Exceva had been shipped out to the various ports. I turned to Kelly who lingered behind me in silence. "What is the situation with Exceva?" "As we speak, they're being shipped off exactly as you planned, to thirteen different countries." I nodded. I had been tracking the progress. From the windows, I noticed the sky had begun to lighten. My staff would soon be here. There was only one thing left to do. I turned to Kelly, who almost bumped into me from behind. "Call everyone and inform them there won't be any work today. Get the cleaning crew in here. Savage anything you can and bring it back to the office."

“Wait—seriously?” A small laugh left her through the phone. “Yes, Evelyn. Seriously.” The shock hit me all at once. Not long ago, she had practically told me my career was finished before it even started because of the scandal surrounding Sebastian. The agency didn’t want problems. Nobody wanted their name tied to public drama. And now suddenly—I could work again? “Oh my God,” I gasped, covering my mouth before excitement completely exploded out of me. “Thank you. Thank you so much, Annie. Seriously, thank you!”

Holding a pen, I scrawled my signature on the document right in front of me and handed the divorce papers to the subordinate. “Tuck this sheet in with the recent expense claims.” Dominick had always been generous with me, signing off on my spending without so much as a glance. With his name on the divorce papers, things between us would be over before he knew it. Before strutting out of the restaurant, I dumped the roses and ring into the trash can right in front of the Underboss. The Underboss uttered, “Donna Costa, surely, there’s some sort of mistake—” “Frankie, know your place.” My voice was icy.