Chapter 22: The Goodbye “I have meetings all day tomorrow,” Jordan said. Hating how the words sounded. Professional. Distant. Everything they’d moved beyond in Paris. “But I…

Chapter 23: The Resignation Monday morning arrived with rain. The cold, punishing kind that made Manhattan look gray and unforgiving. Jordan stood at his office window, watching…

Chapter 24: The Choice “That’s not fair—” “Maybe not,” she agreed. “But it’s true.” “And Jordan, I can’t build my future on maybe. I can’t risk my…

Chapter 25: The Letting Go “I’m sorry,” he said finally. The words inadequate and too late. “I’m so sorry, Martina. For all of it. For wasting five…

Chapter 26: The Three Months Three months. Ninety-one days since Martina Hayes had walked out of Jordan Blackwell’s office and into a new life that didn’t include…

Chapter 27: The Foundation His office phone buzzed. Janet, his new assistant—a highly competent woman in her fifties who was excellent at her job and absolutely nothing…

Chapter 28: The Realization Martina sat in her office at Ashford Industries. All glass and modern furniture and a view that would have impressed her three months…

Chapter 29: The Truth She Needed “I know,” Martina said quietly. “And I’m grateful, Marcus. Truly. You gave me an opportunity when I desperately needed it. You…

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….