Owned by the CEO

my fingers coiled around my bag's strap. I ought not to have returned. However, I couldn't ignore the message he sent me following the divorce. Return home. Right now. Or I'll com

ea

with a glass of whiskey in one hand and a pocket in the other when I turned to see him. His face could no

here?" I asked, tr

walking toward me. "But that doesn

meaning to. "That's e

cked on mine, unreadable bu

, Alessio. I don't b

a second, then back up at me. "You were mine before

wling up my neck. Why did

s," I whispered. "You can

r let y

His words sounded like a confessi

ou think signing some

e only touched the bag strap on m

id, voice cracking. "You ignored me. You hurt me.

kly. "Every day. I just

I turned away, tears pressi

low behind me. "Leave again

won

lready

much I hated it, a part of me still needed him to see

you going

ere you

airs before I felt his presence behi

here to say, Alessi

were never just a wife to me. You were the onl

. "Then why did

for a second. Pain? R

d quietly. "But I know

I said, heart achin

Maybe. But I never s

breath. "You're

nce. The air felt thick, heavy.

," I said. "But only

rned. "That's

hilly and undisturbed. I leaned against the door and closed it, gasping for air. Nothing was unpacked by me. I wanted to leave quickly. Tonight, perhaps. I secretly feared the game had begun, but only until I co

just walk in,"

back to a man like m

you want,

lked over, slow, quiet, and placed somethin

that?"

en

the lid. Inside was a n

a breath. "Y

st thing I ever bou

u giving it

eed to remembe

, confused. "A

bored i

wi

cking away. "You do

and I

Ale

t he caught my wrist, not hard

ot ready for the world out t

not your

you still he

enced me. I didn'

I was

I was

I still l

e. "You don't get to

kered to my l

appe

rned to fire. He stepped closer, slowly

e said. "But I promise, you

er be you

ll s

out onto the porch. One white envelope was taped to the door. Bold, sloppy ink was used to write my name. Leah. With trembling hands, I pulled it down while scanning m