WHERE OUR HEARTS MEET

th her fingers trembling as she refreshed her inbox

email appeared. Calloway Corp

scape she had been waiting for. A real job, f

w was scheduled for 10:00 AM tomorr

rt of a corporate empire

e'd even get the opportunity. She exhaled shak

was her t

black car idled. Behind its ti

is seat, fingers steepled, lips

had taken

*

glass skyscraper of Calloway Corporat

from the decaying mansion she had spent her childhood in, the

ted navy-blue blazer and modest pencil skirt,

overhead. Employees in tailored suits hurried pas

her to escape the life she had been born i

she'd be out the door before sh

e. No one knew. No one had to know. She was just a

tepped forward, pushing t

and polished, glance

ed and smi

way will s

ersonally conduct interviews. But she pushed the thought away.

re a private elevator hummed softly as it carried h

*

the city, Ethan Calloway watched the sec

d the figure of the woman

a Bl

k. He had expected this moment for years, b

ad ruined his life, stepping

list and recognized it instantly. Th

e? That the world had forgo

did, he wou

irk curle

he hadn't anticipated. A

ton. "Cancel the rest of my

way," his assis

air, the leather creaking u

ot-three frame radiating authority. His jet-black hair was neatly styled, his tail

tor doors open

a Bl

The daughter of Vincent Blake, the ma

, cautious but determined.

over her shoulders, green

saw the hesitation in the slight twitch of her f

nervou

liberate expression,

er hands folded neatly in her lap. The air s

oor o

oway stepp

to avoid in the business world. Billionaire. Ruthless. Th

in p

ating than any phot

effortlessly. His chiseled jaw was clean-shaven, his features sharp, commandin

e smooth, almost amused. He ext

so she hesitated for a fraction of a second before shaking it. His grip

ay," she said, forcing he

moved with confidence, a man

his chair. "Impressive. You have a background in finan

eutral. "I was self-employe

something close to

no

" He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows

orcing herself t

represents stability, and I want to be part o

resting choice of words, con

very detail about her life, but he let her

t limited experience in corporate settings." He tappe

ned. "Because I won't

t would make the gam

ued, tapping a pen against his desk

slightly. "S

readable. "You'd be surprised how many

Was that a coincidence? Or did h

ed forward. "The job is yours, Mi

. "You're offerin

as smooth, almost teasing. But beneath it

le. "I accept. Tha

She had no idea what s

She quickly and happ

d for a fleeting second, somethin

e bur

she'd just walke

*

. She'd done it. She had a job. A r

nd live a life of her own o

had been too e

reet, she had the unsettlin

the busy sidewalk, lost in thought. She barely

*

tood by his office

glass of scotch. She thoug

she had just wal

the one hol

irk re

me had

ways play