"Fine," I heard myself say.
His eyes widened. "Fine?"
"I'll be your fake girlfriend again." I held up a hand before he could celebrate. "But the flowers stay here. I don't have room for them. Put them in your office or donate them to a hospital or whatever rich people do with excessive floral arrangements."
"Done." He was grinning now, that ridiculous sunshine grin that made him look like a boy who'd gotten away with something. "Thank you, Kim. I promise I won't let you down again."
"We'll see."
A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. He looked so earnest, so determined. Like he was filing away every word for future reference.
We walked back to the elevator together, leaving the flowers behind. Xavier was still smiling, and I was still wary, but something had shifted. The anger was fading, replaced by something more complicated.
Something that felt dangerously like fondness.
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly. I had work to do—real work, important work. The Titan Ventures contract signingwas scheduled for this afternoon, and everything had to be perfect.
I'd started preparing weeks ago, back when this deal was just another item on my to-do list. Before Zoe got sick. Before everything got complicated. Organizing documents, confirming details, and making sure every piece was in place.
I set up the large conference room with meticulous care. Water glasses at each seat, perfectly aligned. Documents in neat stacks, tabbed and organized. The projector was tested and ready. Everything exactly as it should be.
Xavier emerged from his office just before three.
"The investors are almost here," he said.
"Everything's ready," I assured him. "You've got this."
He met my eyes. Held them for a moment. "Thanks, Kim."
I stood beside my desk, straightening my blouse, preparing to greet the visitors with professional warmth. The elevator dinged. The doors opened.
Three men stepped out.
The first was older, silver-haired, distinguished. I'd seen him on the video call weeks ago. The second was younger, eager-looking, and carrying a briefcase.
The third…
The world stopped. Then tilted sideways, like someone had pulled the floor out from under me.
He was tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair with threads of gray at the temples that hadn't been there before. A strong jaw I'd once traced with my fingertips in a hotel room that smelled like his cologne. Blue eyes, I'd once been stupid enough to believe held love.
Six years older. More polished. But unmistakable. Unforgettable.
The man who'd promised me forever and left before Zoe took her first breath.
He was talking to Xavier, shaking his hand, saying something about being pleased to finally close this deal. His voice was the same. Deeper, maybe. More confident. But the same voice that had whispered promises in my ear, that had told me we'd figure it out together, that had sworn he'd never leave.
His eyes swept the room casually. Passed over me. Moved on.
Then snapped back.
Recognition flickered across his face. His brow furrowed slightly, like he was trying to place me.
He didn't remember. Or he wasn't sure. I was just a face from another life, a woman he'd left behind without a second thought.
But I remembered.
I remembered everything.
