Chapter 20

My alarm blared at 6:00 AM, jolting me awake. I fumbled for my phone, silencing it with a groan. Sunlight streamed through my thin curtains, casting a golden glow across my bedroom.

In the shower, hot water cascaded over my shoulders, casing the tension I’d been carrying. I lathered shampoo into my hair, trying to focus on the day ahead rather than Alexander’s proposition.

Standing before my closet, I rifled through my work clothes. I pulled out a navy pencil skirt and cream blouse, then hesitated. My hands drifted to a more form-fitting burgundy dress I rarely wore.

“What am I doing?” I muttered, pushing the dress aside and returning to my original choice.

I selected a matching set of black lace underwear, then paused. “Why am I even thinking about this? It’s just a normal workday.”

I slipped into the clothes quickly, applied minimal makeup, and headed to the kitchen. Instead of my usual granola bar on the go, I made a proper breakfast-scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced fruit. I even brewed coffee instead of buy- ing my usual overpriced latte.

“Look at me, being a responsible adult,” I said to my empty apartment, raising my coffee mug in a mock toast.

The cab ride to Carter Enterprises was uneventful. I spent it scrolling through emails, mentally preparing for the day ahead. The marketing department had a campaign launch for athletic wear next week, and we were behind schedule.

At the office, I dove straight into work.

I spent the morning reviewing mockups for the campaign. The colors were off, and the tagline needed work.

By lunchtime, I had a revised concept that actually excited me.

At 2:30 PM, my phone buzzed with a message.

Alexander: My office. Now.

as if everyone could somehow

I whispered,

I still hadn’t decided about his proposal. Part of me wanted to tell him to shove his contract

executive floor was quiet, all glass and chrome and hushed voices. Alexander’s secretary, a stylish

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16:44

Chapter 20

She gestured toward

a deep breath, knocked once, and entered the

turned as I entered, and my traitor heart skipped a beat. In a charcoal suit that fit him like it was molded to his body, he looked every inch the

eyes tracking me as I stepped into his office. “You

did I say that? He

have a seat.” He gestured toward the sleek leather couch in the corner of his

perched on the edge of the couch, my back straight, hands folded in my

casually, as

you made your decision?” He

deep breath. The contract had been on my mind all night, those impossible terms dancing through my

His gray eyes locked on mine, intense and

carefully. “But I have concerns about certain aspects of

an

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