Too Late, Mr. Billionaire: You're Nothing Now

ed a woman in a slate-grey Carolina Herrera gown, the silk perfectly draped over a body that had been disciplined by yoga and stress. Jess

gne and aggressive energy, already fastening a platinum cufflink. He didn't look at her. His eyes went straight to th

voice flat. "The car has been

iting for you to finish

finally selected a watch, snapping it onto his wrist. He walke

abit kicking in. She reached out to fix

eyes narrowing in the glass reflection. "

ulated over three years, but tonight it stung differently. Perhaps it was the silence of the ro

" she w

smile tonight. Last time you looked like you were attending a fu

ter armrest down like a border wall. The blue light of his phone illuminated his face, casting harsh shadows under his cheekbones. He was typing furiously. Je

ke a lightning storm. The noise was a physical wall-shouting photogr

aneous. The scowl vanished. The distraction evaporated. In its place was the dazzl

. She smoothed her dress, wai

did

ss that clung to every curve stepped out. It was Karly Everett. Her dress was a deliberate

tt! Over here!" the p

with a nod that was professional yet intimately familiar, leaning in to whisper something that made her laugh, while keeping his hands respec

exhaust warming her ankles. She was invisible. A security guard, a

Talent only o

d, her voice barely audible over the di

w laughing at something Karly had whispered. Adam didn't look back. Not once. He

," the guard grunte

the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and massive floral arrangements. Waiters circula

Adam was in his element, holding court with a Senator and two tech moguls. Karly stood beside him, laughin

she s

through the crowd. He was supposed to be with the nanny, but they often b

Her heart lifted. She too

ded on her. For a split second, Jessye expected a smile. She expected him

cowl. It was a mirror image of Adam

aby," she said, cro

rted past her, lighting up with

ropped to her knees-disregarding her expensive gown-and opened

vement brushed her dress. He launched himself i

d. The rejection was absolute. It was visceral.

ring had always been acute, a trait from h

ed by Karly's shoulder but loud enough to carry.

itched. Embarrass

p, meeting Jessye's gaze. There was no sympathy in them. There

ce dripping with fake sweetness. "Be n

imate insult, delivered with the t

nteraction. He didn't see the devastation on J

"Hold this. I have a private meeting with the investors

y and Joshua. "Ready f

bing Adam's hand with one han

e perfect family. The father, the son, and

six-digit pin. Adam relied on standard encryption, arrogant enough to believe the 'housewife' standing by the pillar wouldn't know a backdoor from a baking rec

raced the residual heat path h

n pinged. The

y (Karly): Audio

told her to put it down, to turn away, to maintain the blissful ignoranc

. She held the device to her ear, pressi

arly. You know I can't divorce her yet. The board is skittish. She's

disaster. Josh needs a real mother. Someone who under

s a merger requirement. Once the patent renewal is signed nex

ilence that followed w

other hand slipped, shattering on the marble floor. The sound was sharp, fina

strange sensation spreading through her

. Cold, crysta

t felt like a shackle. She gripped the ring. It was tight, but she pulled. She twisted.

ooking at the broken glass

ay. Then, she placed the diamond

s the voice of Dr. Jessye Haley, the voice that had once command

dn't know existed. She walked toward the exit, her heels clicking a rhythm

ang

" a sharp female

air of Manhattan. The rain had started to fall, but she