The Man She Threw Away

glass door blurring the scene within. He took

on the edge of Chloe' s desk, leaning over her as she sat in her chair. They w

, a flicker of triumph in his

. "We didn't hear you come in." He de

it?" She gently shrugged Noah' s hand of

l business. He walked forward and placed a thick folder

aned and pressed a hand to his forehead. "Ugh, my

ur migraines?" She was out of her chair in a second, her hand on his arm, her voi

mbled, leaning into her

"Chloe, the signature," he sa

"Can't you see he's not well? Does

re, Chloe. It will t

," she snapped. "Have

on't want to be a bother. Just... just sign it so he'll

ed her name on the signature line. It was the share transfer agreement. His lawyer had drafted it yesterday.

ding him to the sofa in her office. "Here, lie down. L

a man who was so clearly playing her, was the final confirmation. He was a fool for ever thi

m, w

rying behind him. He stopp

voice a mix of defensiveness and con

oe?" he asked,

k about this. I know things ha

, turning to face her. The question was so absurd,

s life. "I'm going to my parents' anniversary dinner tonight," he said, the wo

I... I can't tonight. I promised Noah I'd help

It was al

ed quickly, as if that made it bett

dded and w

uched felt tainted. He was methodically emptying a drawer when hi

eenshot of a chat history between Chloe and Noah, s

bedroom, scrolling thro

sweet, but

he good

, when the light hits him just right

st have taken on one of the many nights Liam was away on business trips. Chloe wearing

inst. She was always mine. Here' s a little something for your troubles. Atta

made him double over. He stumbled to the bathroom and r

r. A convenient, well-funded subst