“Believe what you want. It doesn’t matter in the slightest.”
I turn on my heel and walk away, refusing to give her another second of my time. She calls my name, sharp andinsistent, but I don’t slow down. Reaching the door to the office suite, I shove it shut with a satisfying slam—right in her face.
Jolene nods at me as I stop at her desk. “Bastards.”
I shrug. “Gonna pick up my bag.”
She grins. “Okay.”
I frown, puzzled at how happy she looks.
I put my hand on the doorknob of my office and feel my chest tighten at the futility of what I’ve been doing for most of my life. I spent years chasing my father’s approval, killing myself to earn his respect.
But now, I’ve realized something that changes everything.
I don’t respect Nelson Winter. So why should his opinion mean a damn thing?
CHAPTER 33
Mia
Isit in Aiden’s office, waiting for him, legs crossed, nerves tight.
His office is devoid of him. Everything is gone. There are some books on a shelf and his leather bag is sitting on his chair. I know he packed up everything and set it in the home office. He told me. He showed me.
“Maybe you’ll keep the job,” I told him, worried about him, hating that this was happening.
“I don’twantthe job,” he replied simply. He looked at the home office and smiled. “You set this up just perfectly, Mia. I think I’m going to try and work remote when I start a new job. I think I’ll like that.”
I look at my watch. He’s at the board meeting, and I’m seething. They are taking away what he built. I feel terrible, knowing it’s because of me. Jolene told me that this has nothing to do with me, but I can’t help how I feel. If I’d been a good wife….
The door opens.
I shoot to my feet as Aiden walks in.
For a moment, I search his face, afraid to see heartbreak, disappointment. But all I see is peace.
“Mia.” He opens his arms, and I walk into them. “Fuck, but I’m happy you’re here.”
When he holds me, I know I belong…with him.
“I’m free,” he murmurs into my hair. “And I have you. That’s all that matters.”
I close my eyes and hold him tighter, breathing him in. He smells like cedar and clean linen and something solid—something home.
There’s a knock at the door, followed by the click of heels.
Jolene stands behind Diana, poking holes in her back with her eyes. “I told her you were busy but she wouldn’t listen.”
“Aiden, you left before we finished our conversation,” Diana snaps.
She walks in like she owns the place, which technically, she does not. She only works here.
You know whodoes own part of this place?That would be me!
Her hair is perfect, her dress tailored within an inch of its life. But her smile falters when she sees me.
“Ah, Mia.” Her lips flatten. “Didn’t realize you’d be here.”
