Chapter 78
Chloe's POV:
I woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a truck.
Every muscle in my body ached. My bones felt like they didn't belong to me anymore. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow.
Fuck.
Last night had been... intense.
I dragged myself out of bed, wrapping the sheet around my naked body. The apartment was quiet, but I could smell something cooking. Something that actually smelled good.
I stumbled toward the kitchen, one hand braced against the wall for support.
Parker stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing just his jeans slung low on his hips. He was stirring something in a pot, steam rising up around him.
Holy shit.
The smell hit me—rich, savory, with a hint of something herbal. My stomach growled.
He glanced over his shoulder, grinning when he saw me. "Morning, Miss Chloe."
I leaned against the doorframe, watching him. "What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast." He turned back to the pot, ladling out a spoonful to taste. "Checking the—"
I walked up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist.
He froze mid-motion.
"Ma'am," he said slowly, his voice dropping an octave. "Getting frisky this early in the morning?"
I pinched his side, making him jump. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just hugging you."
Even if he wanted round two, I sure as hell didn't. I had to get to work.
I let go and turned away, heading toward the bathroom. "I need to shower."
"Breakfast will be ready when you get out," he called after me.
---
Twenty minutes later, I emerged in a black pencil skirt and silk blouse, my hair still damp but pulled into a sleek ponytail. Parker had set the small dining table with two bowls of steaming bone broth, plus scrambled eggs, toast, and fresh fruit.
I sat down, eyeing the spread. "You made all this?"
"Yep." He slid into the chair across from me, looking ridiculously proud of himself. "Went out early this morning to grab grass-fed beef bones and organic vegetables from Whole Foods. Let it simmer for two hours."
I picked up my spoon, taking a cautious sip.
Oh my God.
"Wow." I closed my eyes, savoring it. "This is actually really good."
He grinned. "Glad you like it."
This kid is a fucking treasure.
Good in bed. Good in the kitchen. I'd hit the jackpot.
"You need to drink more," he said, pushing the bowl closer to me. "Replenish what you lost last night."
I nearly choked on my broth.
He laughed, low and smug.
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. I ladled out another bowl of broth and slid it across the table to him. "You too. You weren't exactly lying around doing nothing."
He raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "No, I wasn't."
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Shit. I was going to be late.
I wolfed down the rest of my eggs, grabbed my purse from the counter, and headed for the door.
"Miss Chloe," Parker called from the table. "You want me to drive you?"
"No need, baby boy," I said over my shoulder. "I have a car."
He looked like he wanted to say something else, but I was already out the door.
---
Claire's POV:
I arrived at the office at eight-thirty, and was immediately called to HR.
The woman behind the desk didn't waste time with pleasantries.
"Effective immediately, you're being reassigned to our Rochester office in the Finger Lakes region."
I stared at her. "What?"
"This directive came directly from Mr. Sterling," she said. "The transfer is non-negotiable."
Adam.
---
I took the elevator to the twenty-sixth floor, my heart pounding in my chest.
The doors slid open, and I stepped out into the executive suite.
Before I could take three steps, a tall man appeared in front of me.
"Ms. Ashford." His voice was cold. "You can't be here."
I recognized him—one of Adam's assistants.
"Get out of my way," I snapped. "I need to see Adam."
"Mr. Sterling doesn't wish to see you."
I tried to push past him, but he sidestepped, blocking my path.
"Let me through!" My voice cracked. "You have no right to stop me!"
"Actually, I do." The voice came from behind me.
I turned.
James Cooper stood there, his expression unreadable.
"James." I softened my tone. "Please. I just need five minutes with him. Please."
"Mr. Sterling won't see you, Ms. Ashford," James said flatly. "And you need to leave. Now."
"Adam!" I screamed, my voice echoing down the hallway. "Adam! I know you can hear me! Come out here!"
Heads turned. Assistants peeked out of their cubicles.
"I saved your life!" I shouted, my voice breaking. "You can't do this to me! You can't send me to Rochester—you can't—"
James pulled out his phone, his expression hardening. "Security to the twenty-sixth floor. Immediately."
"No—wait—"
"You're only being transferred because Mr. Sterling is being generous," James said coldly. "If it were up to me, you'd be fired. Consider yourself lucky."
My vision blurred with tears.
"I don't believe you," I whispered. "He wouldn't—he can't—"
Two security guards appeared at the end of the hall.
James nodded at them. "Escort Ms. Ashford out of the building. Confiscate her badge."
---
They dumped me on the sidewalk outside Sterling Global like I was trash.
One of the guards held out his hand. "Your badge, ma'am."
I ripped it off my neck and threw it at him.
He caught it without flinching.
I stood there on the street, trembling with rage, humiliation burning through every nerve in my body.
My phone buzzed in my purse.
Mom.
I answered, my voice sharp. "What?"
"Well, that's a nice way to greet your mother," she snapped. "I need money."
"I don't have time for this—"
"Excuse me?" Her voice rose. "After everything we did for you? We raised you, Claire. You owe us."
"I owe you?" I laughed bitterly. "I've been sending you money for years. Every paycheck. Every bonus. And it's never enough, is it?"
"Don't you dare talk to me like that—"
"Why don't you get a job?" I shouted. "Why don't Dad get a job? You're not disabled. You're not dying. You're just lazy."
She gasped. "How dare you—"
"I'm done," I said, my voice shaking. "I'm done being your ATM. Don't call me again."
I hung up.
Then I blocked her number.
And Dad's.
---
I stared at my phone for a long moment.
Then I pulled up Adam's contact and hit call.
It rang once.
Then went straight to voicemail.
He blocked me.
I tried again.
Same result.
I let out a scream, yanking at my hair, stomping my heel against the pavement.
He thinks he can just get rid of me?
Maya thinks she can waltz in and take my place?
Not a fucking chance.
"Hello?" a man's voice answered.
"Hi," I said, forcing my voice to sound calm. "I have a story for you. A big one."