Chapter 30: The Return

Jordan was in a board meeting when Janet interrupted.

Something she’d been explicitly instructed never to do unless the building was on fire.

“Mr. Blackwell, I’m so sorry, but there’s someone here to see you. She says it’s urgent.”

Jordan’s heart stopped.

“Who?”

“Martina Hayes.”

The boardroom went silent.

Everyone knew the story by now. Jordan Blackwell had lost his legendary assistant to his biggest rival. And he’d been a different man ever since.

Quieter. More contemplative. Less ruthlessly ambitious.

Some said better. Some said broken.

“Gentlemen, we’ll reconvene tomorrow,” Jordan said, standing abruptly.

“David, you’re in charge. Finish the presentation.”

He walked out, his heart hammering against his ribs.

And found her standing in his office.

She was wearing crimson.

Not the same dress from the gala or Paris. But crimson nonetheless. A simple sheath dress that made her skin glow. Paired with heels that gave her confidence.

And an expression that was nervous, hopeful, terrified, and determined all at once.

“Hi,” she said softly.

“Hi,” Jordan managed, not trusting himself to say more.

“I got offered a position with the Cornerstone Foundation,” Martina said, not bothering with preamble.

“Running their new educational literacy initiative. It’s perfect. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Elena told me it came from an anonymous donor who specifically recommended me.”

“Congratulations,” Jordan said carefully, maintaining the distance between them that she’d asked for three months ago.

“You’ll be brilliant at it.”

“It was you, wasn’t it? You recommended me. You donated the money. You gave me this opportunity even though it means you’ll never see me again.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Her voice cracked on the question.

“Because I love you,” Jordan said simply.

“Because loving you means wanting your happiness more than my own. Because you deserve to do work that fulfills you. To use your brilliance for something meaningful. To be valued and respected and seen.”

“Even if that means losing you. Especially if that means losing you.”

“Because letting you go is the most unselfish thing I’ve ever done. And maybe that makes me worthy of you. Or maybe it just makes me less of the selfish bastard I used to be.”

Tears were streaming down Martina’s face.

“You kept your promise. Three months. No contact. No flowers. No grand gestures. You let me go.”

“I did.”

“Do you know how hard that was?” she asked, her voice breaking.

“Do you know how many times I wanted to call you? To text you? To show up here and tell you I made a mistake? That I was running because I was scared?”

“That I’ve been miserable without you?”

Jordan’s breath caught.

“Martina—”

“Marcus is wonderful,” she continued, the words tumbling out in a rush.

“He respects me. Values me. Treats me like an equal. But Jordan, when I’m with him, I feel appreciated. When I was with you—when we had those thirty-six hours in Paris—I felt alive.”

“When Marcus looks at me, he sees what I can do. When you looked at me in Paris, you saw who I am.”

“And I know you were blind for five years. I know you took me for granted and made me invisible and broke my heart without even knowing you were doing it.”

She took a shaky breath, wiping tears from her cheeks.

“But you learned. You changed. You went to therapy. Yes, Elena told me. She heard from your mother, who’s thrilled you’re finally talking to someone.”

“You’re different now. Softer. More open. More human.”

“And you let me go even though it was killing you because that’s what I asked you to do. You put my needs ahead of your pride.”

“And Jordan, that’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done.”

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