Married To My Ex's Ruthless Father

ella

the middle of his fancy Manhattan penthouse office, the one I had helped design with the expensive walnut floors a

. "Engaged?" The word came out weak. "Ethan, we've been together for six years. I gave up every

he glass doors, pretending they weren't listening. "Don't flatter yourself. Yo

those pitch decks that got their first big funding. I had stayed up all night fixing the s

child," I whispered

't. I don't care. But stay the hell away from me and my future. Vanessa's father is

together? Remember last year when the investors pulled out? Who stayed up with you rewri

But things change. Vanessa understands the world I'm in now. She has connections

ted showing how hurt I was. "This is a baby, not some business proble

We had fun. We made a good team for a while. But marriage? A family? T

get through the hard parts together. What about all those nights you promised we'd announce o

sn't the place. Look, I'll even help with some money if you need it to handle... the situ

want your money, Ethan. I wanted you t

mpires. I did what I had to do. Now security

levator and the cab ride, but the second I stepped into the quiet luxury

r booth, trying to disappear into the soft lightin

gh n

d me from my fog. I looked u

es, stormy gray eyes that studied me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve. Damien Blackwood. I knew him from the bus

my cheeks. "You

and signaled the bartender. "Most women crying in hotel

ed me. "Try both. An

erest. He didn't offer fake sympathy. He just watched me with

gging right now," he sai

eeting his gaze even as my heart

uld be calling friends, family, anyone who might listen. Or at least asking for a tissue

id after a pause

e was. "Tell me, Isabella, what exactly happened tonig

e father of my baby just told me I was a mistake. Said he's engaged to someone else

long time to invest in the wrong person.

would make him step up. Instead, he accused me of trying to

A man who runs from responsibility like that doesn't dese

ly. I've been too sick and

nd fruit. Something light." Turning back to me, he added, "Yo

"You don't have to do that. I'm sure you have better

ons more useful than the fake ones at most events I attend. So, wha

mpany. Ideas, strategies. I turned down ot

l the credit, I assume. Sounds familiar. Men like th

ce," I told him. "I used to dream about starting someth

are these days. Wasted on the wrong people, thoug

s back in Chicago, and I don't want to bur

cks and his whiskey. Damien raised