Hey! Ex-husband, You are the loser after all

hanging in the air. The walls were peeling, the carpet felt damp under her fee

round. This place had seen better day

nd, where people hung onto her every word. Now? Now she was here, signi

he view didn't help. Just a narrow alley, overflowing trash cans, and

everything-a thriving business, power, respect. Then came the whispers,

teps in the hallway. A moment later, the landlord,

Mr. Jenkins said, stepping into the ro

tle too much whiskey. He didn't bother with small talk-just got straight to business

might fall apart if he wasn't careful. "Take your time, look it over, make sure everyt

her fingers brushing against

usual legal jargon that made her eyes gla

entire career. This? This was different. It was small. Insignificant in the grand scheme

on the gnawing uncertainty in her gut. Could she really start ov

ze. He was watching her with the patien

hat threatened to creep in. She straightened her shoulde

red eyes. "Good choice," he said, tucking his

hat. But regret was something

ds, half on the risk she was about to take. Could she really start ove

gaze. "It's fine," she said, straigh

small smile. "Good choi

e. Because right now, all she had was a lease, a mountain

ad. It wasn't a luxury suite with floor-to-c

t was

at was

r

t the contract in front of her. Th

the fir

ere her rev

up the pen

ave Her-So She

trying to break ba

. Meetings th

ed her. Others la

woman who got played. Th

usiness with someone

e man gave h

s Ca

ntial before the world did. He wasn't the biggest name in t

we'll talk," he had

all she nee

m James in an upscale restaurant, the

d to think

th sharp curiosity. He was testing her, wa

di

able confidence. The research, the

e finished, he

is drink down. "I thought you'd be just

d a brow.

ing. "I like that." He leaned back. "W

ss, the weight of v

rst re

me alone would ge

uld hear

he

atches

his penthouse office, sc

Marketing-First

w tigh

as do

ding.

she wasn't capable-she was brilliant-but because

ere sh

figh

e even relieved that she was pro

ething ugly sett

? Regret? So

sn't

ear-he had bigger pr

m was

sure Ava cou

at n

office late that night

: Stay away fr

omach

, unlocking

kind of deals he's in. If you eve

ulse ki

Lucas we

has better t

ied her pas

n't

ted before

Who i

nse came

who doesn't want to see

ightened o

ecrets. She

th

felt

dange

it. She should foc

hing nagg

as in t

e even

hone in her bag

er things to

she th

out of her apartment, alread

she s

as parked acr

mo

wai

lse ha

oor o

an who st

e from Luc

r thought sh

omach

if he wa

was caught up in-was abo