Tyler Morgan stood in front of his mirror, the silence of his mansion pressing in around him.
The space that once felt at least a lil bit welcoming now felt cold, empty.
He was buttoning up his shirt, the crisp fabric smooth under his fingers, but his mind was somewhere else.. lost in the echo of a voice he couldn’t shake.
Ann’s voice. The way she had looked at him, the edge in her tone when she said it. "She's left the country, I'm not sure when she'll return”
Was it really that bad? Bad enough to make her leave the country?
His fingers paused mid-button.
He could still hear it, the disbelief, the judgment in her words.
And what could he say to that? Yes, it was bad.
He’d been bad.. very bad to her. He knew that now, too late.
She was just a poor young lady struggling to survive, she just lost her mum, her dad.. she isn't even sure if he's dead or alive.. why was he like that?
Because he was forced into the marriage? Because he didn't want to become weak.. because he didn't want to…
Tyler let out a deep long breath.
The thought of the charity gala tonight, the bright lights, the endless faces, didn’t stir any excitement in him.
It used to be different. He used to thrive on nights like this, surrounded by people, the center of attention.
But now… Now, all he could think about was the echoing silence that waited for him when he returned.
The emptiness of this house. The emptiness he’d created.
Damn it, Sam.
He clenched his jaw, his hands moving mechanically again, buttoning the rest of his shirt.
The image of her was still so clear in his mind.. the way she used to stand in this very room, her laughter filling the space, her presence making it feel like a home instead of this hollow shell.
And he’d taken it for granted. Taken ‘her’ for granted.
“How could I have been so blind?”
The last button slipped into place, and he adjusted his cufflinks, his movements sharp, almost angry.
He had everything.. everything except the one thing that mattered. Samantha. And she was gone. Not just from his life, but from the country.
“She actually left the country.”
He hadn’t known it would get this bad.
That she’d leave everything behind. Him behind.
The memory of the last time he saw her flashed through his mind, and he felt that familiar twist in his gut.
Her lying in that hospital bed looking so pale. The argument. The things he said. The things he didn’t say.
He’d thought she’d come back after cooling off, that she’d forgive him… like she always did.
But she didn’t. She was gone.
A bitter laugh escaped his lips. He’d been so focused on his own damn ego that he didn’t see what was right in front of him.
And he’d let her slip through his fingers. How pathetic was that?
“Would she ever come back?”
What if she didn’t? What if she moved on, found someone else?
The thought was a punch to the gut, one he wasn’t prepared for.
But it was his reality now. He had no right to ask her to return, not after what he’d done.
He reached for his jacket, sliding it on as the weight of his choices settled heavily on his shoulders.
His phone rang just as he was about to step out of his bedroom and he picked it almost immediately.
“I have everything ready now,” a voice said through the receiver without waiting for him to greet.
“Good,” Tyler responded, his voice curt, his attention elsewhere. “Forward it to my email.”
He hung up, slipping his phone into his pocket as he made his way out of the mansion.
**********
The ballroom was a symphony of glimmering lights and opulent decor, the walls adorned with gold-trimmed mirrors that reflected the elegant guests in their finest attire.
The air was filled with the scent of expensive perfume and the soft sound of a jazz quartet playing in the corner.
Julie stood at the entrance, her eyes scanning the growing crowd of guests with increasing worry.
The event was about to start and Tyler was still not here.
She drummed her perfectly manicured fingernails against her glass of champagne, a frown marring her usually flawless features.
He’d better come, she thought to herself. My plan tonight cannot fail. It might be months before I get another opportunity like this.
As if on cue, Julie spotted Tyler's car as it pulled up to the entrance of the venue, her heart skipping a beat.
She straightened her already impeccable posture, a mask of serene confidence settling over her features as she waited for him to make his grand entrance.
When he finally stepped through the doors, she could feel the energy in the room shift.
Tyler looked powerful and expensive in his tuxedo and blue tie. His hair was neat and his jaw looked strong. He exuded a quiet power as he made his way across the room.
Julie wasted no time in making her way across the ballroom, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor.
“Tyler!” she called out, a wide smile on her face. “So good to see you here.”
But Tyler’s response was cold, his expression unreadable.
“Julie.” He nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes briefly flicking over her before returning to the people milling about the ballroom. “What’s next on the list?”
Julie’s smile faltered, though she quickly recovered.
She was already getting used to his coldness, his dismissive attitude. After all, she’d been his assistant for long enough to know how he operated.
“Well, I’ve scheduled a meeting with Mr. Shaw,” she began, her voice as smooth and professional as ever. “He’s expressed interest in partnering with us on the new project.”
Tyler nodded curtly, his eyes still scanning the room. “And what about the donors?”
Julie drew in a deep breath, steeling herself for the next part of her report.
“Most of them have already arrived,” she said, glancing around the room to confirm. “And I’ve arranged for you to be seated with the most important ones.”
Tyler nodded again, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Good. And what about the speech?”
“It’s all set,” she replied, though her voice wavered just slightly.
The evening went on as planned. Tyler delivered his speech, shaking hands and making connections with all the right people.
He made it look easy, effortless even.
When the charity event came to a close, the party moved into a smaller room, where the guests mingled over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
And that’s where Julie spotted her chance.
She sidled up to Tyler, a glass of champagne in hand. “You were brilliant out there,” she said, her voice low and sultry. “Everyone was so impressed.”
Tyler took a sip of his drink, his gaze fixed on some distant point over Julie’s shoulder. “I’m always brilliant,” he replied, his voice as dry as the desert sand.
Julie’s lips curved into a coy smile. “Let’s celebrate,” she suggested, her hand gently tugging at the sleeve of Tyler’s tuxedo jacket. “Just one drink. To your success, of course.”
Tyler hesitated for a moment, but eventually nodded.
“Fine,” he said, allowing himself to be pulled along.
Julie’s heart pounded with excitement as she filled two glasses with champagne.
With a sly glance over her shoulder to make sure Tyler wasn’t watching, Julie slipped a small pill from her purse and dropped it into his drink.
The aphrodisiac would ensure that Tyler would be more… sexually aroused.
With the glasses in hand, Julie sauntered back to Tyler, a playful smile on her face.
“Cheers to a successful night,” she purred, clinking her glass against his before taking a sip.
Tyler lifted his glass.. just as he was about to take sip, his phone buzzed signaling a new email.