Chapter 46
“What is wrong with you?” he asked, voice low. “You’ve been giving me attitude for a week.
I raised an eyebrow and looked at him flatly, “you’re pinning me to a wall because I’ve been giving you attitude?”
“I haven’t seen you, you won’t look at me, you leave every room the second I walk in.”
“Sounds like your dream scenario”
His jaw flexed.
I shook
my
head. “You won’t end the contract, right? You don’t need me to play wife anymore, so why are you still giving me rules?”
He didn’t move,
I kept my voice steady. “From now on. I’d prefer we don’t speak to each other physically unless there’s a reason to. Something professional, something that actually requires me.”
His eyes didn’t leave my face.
“If that’s all I said, then I take my leave, Mr. Lever.”
I walked away from him without looking back
His hand dropped from the wall, but I didn’t turn around. I kept my steps even all the way down the hall, pushed through the doors, and followed Kent silently to the car.
The drive home was quiet. The radio was low. I stared out the window, watching streetlights blur past.
When we got to the mansion, I stepped out and waited at the front door until Kent joined me.
I didn’t go inside right away.
I turned to him. “I’m sorry,” I said. “For always beeping you by my side lately. I know it’s not your job to babysit me.
He looked surprised, then shook his head once. “Karl ordered me to stay close to you.”
I blinked. He did?”
Kent nodded. “He didn’t want you. alone.”
I didn’t say anything for a second. I looked down at the stone steps, then back at him.
“What should I pack for the retreat?“.
He adjusted his the slightly, like the question caught him off guard. “It’s just overnight. Pack what you’d usually need for one night, comfortable clothes. Jacket, they usually do some kind of outdoor challenge.”
I raised an eyebrow. “This happens more than once?”
“Couple times a year. HR started it after that team merger disaster. Apparently hiking together builds trust.”
Right, of course.
He paused, then added, “Karl will be there. He’s the CEO
I looked away, Jow tightening. I nodded once and walked inside
Thated every part of this.
But within the next hour, I was packed.
Simple duffel bag. One change of clothes, hoodie, sneakers and a travel–sized shampoo I didn’t care about. I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair back into a low bun. I looked fine. Empty, but fine.
All that was left was to leave.
The bus was bigger than I expected. One of those sleek, tinted models with leather seats and air conditioning that actually worked. The
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Chapter 46
kind you’d rent for a business retreat if you wanted it to look more expensive than it needed to be.
Most of the staff had already boarded. I climbed in with my duffel bag slung over my shoulder and walked halfway down the aisle before picking a window seat.
I sat alone.
I pulled my hoodie lighter around me and leaned against the window. My eyes drifted outside, scanning the parking lot without thinking. I didn’t see his car. Or him.
The door hissed open again.
Footsteps clicked down the aisle.
A second later, someone dropped into the seat next to me.
Gypsy.
“I’ve not seen you around in a while,” she said.
1 didn’t answer. I kept looking out the window.
She crossed her legs and smoothed down her skirt like we were about to start a casual chat,
My eyes flicked back to the parking lot. Still no black town car. No familiar frame in a suit stepping out.
“He’s not coming.” Gypsy said, leaning slightly toward me. “At least not like this. Obviously he’s not going to ride on a public bus with the rest of us.”
I stayed quiet.
“He has his driver,” she added. “Private route. Always does.”
I didn’t respond. I just turned my face more toward the window, pretending I was too interested in the clouds to carr
But I did car.
He hadn’t even offered. Not even for show
And if he hadn’t offered it to her either, what did that mean? That we were both just company staff to him now? No special treatment for anyone?
The driver finally started the engine. The bus rumbled to life. People were laughing, scrolling their phones, tossing bags into the overhead bins. I sat still, arms folded across my chest, staring out the glass.
The forest was hours away,
And now I was stuck next to his ex-
Perfect.
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