The CEO'S Rejected Heir

me, I love

ears from behind the closed, mahogany double doo

Unmist

ollowed by a sharp, breathless cry that I instantly recognized as belonging to Stephanie. It was

inner invitation feeling ridiculously flimsy in my hand. I was supposed to knock, present the invitation, and wait for Jason to grace us with his presence at the dining tab

take of breath. As I peeked, the sight before me shattered my heart as I saw the man I supposedly loved sliding his dick-one I had never once to

ed with soul-crushing jealousy, pierced my soul. I wish t

ce of family property, that made the sounds so unbearable. The crush was stupid. It was weak.

at I was nothing more than an adopted stray brought in by his overly sentimental mother, Anna Thorne. He never fail

quired to be a true Thorne. I didn't have the killer instinct; I didn't naturally crave power or the blood of a co

aightened my clothes and adjusted the expression

fact that she had just been sharing a bed-or maybe the floor, given the enthusiasm-with Jason. Her eyes, usually col

syrupy malice. "Don't bother. Whatever deal you're trying to pitch is

tion-the charitable wing of the corporation, the place Jason scornfully referred to as the 'pi

didn't have the energy to fight a battle I was doomed to lose. But Stephanie wasn't finish

ite to show. Then, with a speed and fury that belied her polished exterior, she grab

nk wearing those tailored suits makes you one of us? You're nothing. Just a placeholder until Jason k

uggling, fury beginning to simmer beneath my neutral f

go, Ste

so

dn't wasted much time in the activity before returning to work. He wasn't looking at Stephanie, or even at me. He was staring out the panorami

the malicious snarl instantly replaced by a soft, obedient smile as she turned to Jason. His command

ofile, turning the sharp angles of his face into chiseled bronze. Handsome? Yes. A jerk? A very big one. A snub? Absolutely. But h

nd low. I extended the white envelope.

fly meeting mine. There was no warmth, no flicker of recognition, just a cold assessment.

o argument. He turned his back on us both and walked back into the luxury suite. The heavy door clicked

nly long enough to lean in and murmur, "You know he's going to announce our engag

ard the master elevato

air. Tonight was no different. Dad-Robert Thorne-sat oppos

he turned to Mom. "She's so young, and I can't believe she's finally thinking about

ome. But Mom, Anna, was the original matriarchal force-a silent, sharp observe

n he married me, darling," Mom said, her eyes fixed

ape that cut through the polite silence. "I'll be in my study. I have a nine

Handsome? Yes. Avoidant?

of all-his emotions. He certainly hated any mention of marriage, even if it was to Steph

elf-a sharp, painful pang in my chest. Why did I still a

st, the seating arrangements, the immense pressure of securing a multi-billion-dollar deal that evening. It

ason's name, scrawled repeatedly during the interminable conversation. Th

and my long, irrational dream w