Cassandra Whitfield thought she had put the past behind her - until her ex-fiancé, billionaire CEO Ethan Millbrook, offered her a lucrative job she couldn't refuse. As Ethan's new personal assistant, Cassandra is determined to remain professional and move on from the relationship that once consumed her life. But being in such close proximity to the man she had loved so deeply is reigniting long-buried feelings and unfinished desires. Ethan is haunted by the way things ended between him and Cassandra years ago. Hiring her back into his life is an impulsive attempt to make amends, but he soon finds himself drawn to her beauty, intelligence and the undeniable chemistry they still share. Ethan had always regretted letting Cassandra go, and now she is a tantalizing reminder of what they had and what might have been. As Cassandra and Ethan work in close quarters, the passion they once knew is rekindled like a smoldering flame. Lingering looks, accidental touches, and late nights at the office stir up memories of their once-blissful romance. Try as they might to remain all business, their deepest desires are laid bare. The situation is further complicated when Ethan begins a high-profile relationship with a wealthy socialite, parading his new lover at glamorous social events. Cassandra is tormented watching the man she still loves becoming entangled with someone else. Ethan claims the relationship is merely for show, but Cassandra cannot fully trust his intentions. In the charged atmosphere of a business trip to Paris, Cassandra and Ethan's chemistry finally combusts. They surrender to their long-repressed longing in an impassioned encounter, consumating the fire that never died between them. But in the harsh light of day, Cassandra's fears about Ethan's new girlfriend and her own vulnerability rush back. Ethan is forced to confront the truth about why he really hired Cassandra and what he truly wants. He realizes his love for her has never waned, and that he has one last chance to make things right before he loses her forever. In a bold move, Ethan breaks off his relationship charade and makes a very public romantic grand gesture to declare his feelings for Cassandra. Though still guarded, Cassandra can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Ethan. She takes a leap of faith and fully opens her heart to the only man she has ever truly loved. In the end, Ethan and Cassandra reunite in a blissful new chapter of their romance, leaving behind past mistakes to forge a future together as partners in life and business.
Chapter 1 The Offer
Cassandra Whitfield sat hunched over her small desk in the corner of her modest apartment, the hum of the fluorescent light above the only sound breaking the silence of the late night. Her fingers clicked over the keyboard, the rhythm of her typing a futile attempt to drown out the growing unease in her chest. She'd been working tirelessly for weeks, trying to make ends meet, scraping together freelance gigs that barely covered her bills.
After the way her last job had ended-an unceremonious layoff that had left her humiliated-she had been stuck in limbo, desperately trying to rebuild a career that had crumbled.
Her apartment, though cozy, was a constant reminder of how far she'd fallen. The walls, once a fresh shade of blue, had dulled with age. The windows rattled every time the wind picked up, and the air always seemed to carry a chill, despite the worn-out heater in the corner. It wasn't much, but it was hers, and for that, she had been grateful. But lately, even this small sense of ownership had begun to feel suffocating. She needed something more, something to pull her out of the rut she'd been stuck in for so long.
The low ding of her phone vibrated against the desk, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced down, seeing a notification for a new email. The sender's name caught her attention immediately-Millbrook Industries.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She hadn't heard that name in years. Ethan Millbrook-the man she had once promised herself to, the man she had once believed she would marry. The man who had torn her heart apart when he'd walked away without a word of explanation. The man whose family had built an empire, while she had been left to pick up the pieces of her shattered life.
For a moment, she stared at the screen, the weight of the past settling over her like a dark cloud. Her relationship with Ethan had been everything she'd dreamed of-until it wasn't. They had been inseparable during their college years, their futures intertwined in a perfect vision of success, love, and shared ambition. But when his father's company had begun to take off, Ethan had changed. His priorities had shifted, his time split between the ever-demanding business world and his slowly unraveling relationship with her. The day he had called off their engagement had felt like the ground beneath her had crumbled away.
And yet, despite everything, there was a part of her that had never truly moved on. Her feelings for him-though buried deep-had always lingered, like an old wound that never quite healed.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, she clicked open the email.
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**Dear Cassandra Whitfield,**
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to offer you a unique and exciting opportunity at Millbrook Industries. After reviewing your impressive credentials and background, we believe you would be a great fit for the position of Personal Assistant to our CEO, Ethan Millbrook.
The role comes with a highly competitive salary, generous benefits, and the potential for significant career growth. You would be working directly with Ethan, overseeing his schedule, coordinating meetings, and providing support in both professional and personal matters. Your expertise would be invaluable in ensuring the smooth operation of the CEO's daily activities.
We are confident that you will find the position rewarding and challenging. If you are interested, please let us know at your earliest convenience. We look forward to the possibility of working with you.
Best regards,
**Catherine Greene**
Director of Human Resources, Millbrook Industries
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Cassandra's hand shook slightly as she reread the email. It was as professional as it was impersonal, but the name at the end, Ethan Millbrook, jumped out at her, making her heart race. The offer was everything she could have hoped for: the financial stability she so desperately needed, the kind of career opportunity that could elevate her from the ashes of her former life. But the connection to Ethan was impossible to ignore.
Her mind raced, and the memories began flooding back, each one sharper and more vivid than the last. She remembered how Ethan had held her hand when they first started dating, the way he had whispered promises of a future they'd build together. She remembered the laughter, the late-night conversations, the dreams they'd shared.
But she also remembered the distance that had slowly crept between them-the late nights at the office, the texts that went unanswered, the moments when she had felt more like a shadow than a partner. And then, the final blow. The day he had told her it was over.
Her pulse quickened as she tried to push those memories aside, to focus on the present. It was a job offer. That was all. It didn't matter who the CEO was. She was a professional now, and she had to take this opportunity if she wanted to build something for herself. She didn't need to dwell on the past. She could do this.
Taking a deep breath, Cassandra leaned back in her chair and stared at the email once more. She couldn't afford to be emotional about this. She had to be rational, detached. There was no place for the ghosts of her past in this decision.
And yet, as she imagined the possibility of working alongside Ethan again, a strange mix of excitement and dread coiled in her stomach. Could she really keep her feelings in check? Could she be professional with the man who had once broken her heart?
The sound of the clock ticking in the quiet apartment filled the space between her thoughts. The financial security the job promised was a temptation she couldn't ignore. She had spent too long struggling to make ends meet, too long wondering if she would ever have a real shot at success. This was the opportunity she'd been waiting for.
With a steadying breath, Cassandra reached for her phone and typed a response.
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**Dear Catherine,**
Thank you for your email and the opportunity at Millbrook Industries. I am very interested in the position of Personal Assistant to Ethan Millbrook and would love to discuss the details further. Please let me know when we can arrange an interview or meeting.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
**Cassandra Whitfield**
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She hit send before she could second-guess herself, a knot tightening in her stomach. The decision had been made.
As she sat back in her chair, the weight of the moment settled over her. This was it. She was about to step into a new chapter of her life, one that would require every ounce of strength she had. She would keep things professional. She had to.
And maybe, just maybe, this job would give her the chance to finally put the past to rest.
?