Chapter 65 Chapter 65
Adele
I adjusted my coat, stalling as I stood outside the building, half-hoping I wouldn’t have to step inside. But I didn’t have a choice. My boss had insisted I see the project through especially since Rafe had made it clear he wanted to work with me. Walking away wasn’t an option, my promotion depended on this.
By the time I reached his floor, my chest felt tight. I lingered outside his office, taking a moment to steady myself before finally pushing the door open.
Rafe’s head snapped up the instant I walked in, his eyes lighting up in a way that made my stomach twist. I ignored it and took the seat across from his desk.
“Good morning, Mr. Blackthorn,” I said coolly, reaching for my tablet and the files in my bag. I slid them toward him. “I’d like you to review these and let me know if there’s anything you want adjusted.”
“Can we talk about work later?” he asked, his voice soft, almost pleading. “I want us to talk. Please.”
I pretended I hadn’t heard him. I scrolled through my tablet, then pushed it toward him as well. “This design too,” I said evenly. “I’m a bit conflicted about it, but it’s your call.”
I had no intention of talking to him about anything. He could go to hell for all I cared.
Every gift he sent, I returned or threw away without a second thought. I wanted nothing from him anymore.
“I know you are angry with me,” he said quietly, “But I won’t work on this until you give me your attention. Your boss won’t be happy if you go back to the office empty-handed.”
I stared at him in disbelief, my fingers tightening around my tablet. “So you are trying to manipulate me into talking to you?” I snapped. “Go fuck yourself. Nothing you say is going to change my decision, and I’m not wasting my time here.”
“I’m sorry if it came out that way,” he said quickly. He stood up and walked around the desk toward me. Instinctively, I started to rise from my chair, my body tense, but he stopped a few feet away. I hesitated, then slowly sat back down, my jaw clenched.
“For fuck’s sake,” I said, my voice rising despite my effort to stay calm. “Can we just focus on work? That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to talk to you.”
The words came out sharper than I intended, loud and angry, and his expression shifted. He looked startled, almost hurt, as if he hadn’t expected my outburst.
“I deserve whatever way you choose to treat me,” he said after a moment. “But you should know this—I really do love you.”
A short, bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Of course you do,” I said mockingly. “And my dad is the president.”
I shook my head, anger burning in my chest. “Your bullshit, your lies, none of it works on me anymore. I blame myself for thinking this could be something real.” My voice hardened. “But thank God this disaster ended before it even had the chance to begin.”He let out a long sigh, running a hand down his face.
“You were clearly covering for your brother,” i said. “Then you decided to take advantage of it. How long were you both planning to keep playing with me? If your brother hadn’t confessed, I probably would have slept with both of you without even knowing.”The more I think about it, the more anger burned in my chest.
“Please, listen to me,” he said calmly, as if calm alone could fix this. “My brother met you five years ago. When he asked me to talk to you, I hadn’t even met you yet. But the moment I saw you, I fell for you immediately.”
He paused, watching my face, then continued. “That same night, I ended things with Jenna because I saw a future with you. I forgot about my brother’s instructions. I started talking to you because I wanted to, because of how I felt.”
“When Rowan came back,” he went on, “he was furious when he realized I wasn’t speaking to you on his behalf. He threatened to tell you everything but I begged him not to. He insisted on going on that dinner date with you, said that if he didn’t find you interesting, he’d walk away and leave you alone.”
He shook his head slowly. “That was the only reason I allowed that dinner. I hoped stupidly that nothing about you would interest him. But the opposite happened.”
My hands clenched into fists. “You are so selfish,” I snapped. “Not once did you think about how I felt.” My voice trembled with rage. “I kissed your brother that night. And things could have gone much further if my boss’s call hadn’t interrupted us.” My skin burned with anger.
He swallowed. “I had Alvin call your boss,” he admitted quietly. “I asked him to make it about the meeting, just so it would end early.”
I stared at him, stunned. “I was going to tell you the truth that night at your place,” he continued. “But I left in a hurry, I wanted us to start clean, without lies. I didn’t know Rowan would show up and ruin everything.”
He looked at me. “Please,” he said softly. “Forgive me.”
“I forgive you,” I said quietly, forcing the words out. “But nothing is bringing us back together. I don’t want anything to do with you or your brother.” I paused, hoping that would be the end of it, hoping he would finally let it go so we could focus on work.
Instead, he took another step toward me. “You are still angry, and I understand that,” he said. “I will give you time. But we are not done.” His voice lowered, intense. “I am completely in love with you, and I have no intention of letting you go. I will fight anyone to have you, my brother included. Even if I have to fight you, I will fight for your heart until it’s mine.”
I turned my face away as tears threatened to spill. I hated that he always knew the right words to say, the exact ones that made my heart race despite everything. But I couldn’t give him another chance,I would never.
Just then, the door to his office swung open. A woman walked in, her heels clicking confidently against the floor, his PA trailing behind her in a panic. She was stunning, brunette hair cascading over her shoulders, dressed in a skimpy gown that did nothing to protect her from the cold weather.
Before I could react, she rushed straight into his arms and pressed her lips against his.
He pushed her away gently but firmly, shock written all over his face. “Jenna, what are you doing here?” This is the ex he hasn’t gotten over, she looked stunning.
“I told her you were busy with a guest,” his PA said quickly from behind her, breathless. “But she wouldn’t listen.”
“You can leave, Alvin,” he said. Albin nodded and hurried out, closing the door behind him.
Jenna smiled, completely unbothered. “I brought good news, babe,” she said brightly. “I’m pregnant.”
The room spun, Without a word, I reached for my tablet on his desk and grabbed my bag. My hands were steady even though my chest ached.
“We should reschedule this meeting for another time,” I said flatly. He opened his mouth to protest, but Jenna had already stepped between us, her hand slipping possessively around his arm.
I didn’t wait to hear another word, I stood up, turned around, and walked out of his office without looking back.