Triumph.
She's enjoying this. Enjoying watching my carefully constructed world crumble around me.
"I'm just trying to understand my role here," she continues. "Am I the girlfriend? The prop? The proof that Phoenix Crawford isn't just another soulless tech bro with commitment issues?" She gestures around the table. "Because everyone here seems very invested in the answer. Pun intended."
Ellen Teo lets out a nervous laugh that dies immediately.
Marcus is sweating. Actually sweating. "Phoenix, maybe we should?—"
"Yes." I stand, my chair scraping against the floor. "We should go."
I reach for Jade's arm, but she rises on her own, smoothing down the emerald silk with deliberate slowness.
"It was lovely meeting all of you," she says to the table. "I hope your investments work out. Though I'd suggest some additional due diligence on your partner's honesty."
She walks toward the exit without waiting for me.
I look at Marcus, at his pale face, his panicked eyes, and feel something dark and violent rise in my chest. Later. I'll deal with him later.
Right now, I have to deal withher.
I follow Jade out of the restaurant, into the cool night air. She's already halfway to the car, her heels clicking against the pavement like gunshots.
"Jade. Stop."
She keeps walking.
"Jade."
I catch up to her, my hand closing around her elbow, spinning her to face me. Her dark eyes blaze with fury, her chest heaving beneath the emerald silk.
"Get your hand off me."
"Not until you listen?—"
"Listen to what? More lies?" She laughs bitterly. "I heard enough in that hallway, Phoenix. I know exactly what I am to you now."
"You don't know anything."
"I know I was a business expense." Her voice cracks, just barely, before she steels herself again. "I know everything—the check, the plane ticket, the beautiful house—all of it was just setup for tonight. For your precious investors."
"That's not?—"
"Take me to the airport." She pulls her arm free. "I'm done. I'm going home."
The words hit me like a physical blow.
No.
No.
She's not leaving. Not like this. Not when I've waited so long, worked so hard, finally have her exactly where I want her.
I look at her—this magnificent, infuriating woman in her emerald dress and her diamond earrings, her dark hair wild inthe night breeze, her eyes full of fire and betrayal—and I make a decision.
"Fine," I say calmly. "I'll drive you."
She blinks, surprised by my easy agreement. "You will?"
