down the corridor toward the executive wing. She clutched the file fo

idn't he tell

r, raised her hand, and knocked bef

ep, controlled voice s

dark hair perfectly styled, pen poised in his hand. His eyes flicked up to her, cool a

ly. "Is something wrong

efusing to sit, standing stiffly

e tight. "Why didn't you tell me from the st

ding his hands in front of him. "I

necessary? Ethan, this is my career. My life. You knew this woul

ou focus on the work, Emily. Our past do

The cold, polished Ethan Saintwood. She had hoped for e

nder the rug, don't you?" she whispered, v

an'

was a storm, pounding so hard it was a wonder she couldn't hea

id quietly. "I'm doing what I have t

touch her, to pull her into his arms and apologize for everything - but he couldn't. He had

mily whispered. "You

don't owe you an explana

, and for a moment, the room

ly'

sides. Stay strong, she told her

ember this, Ethan: I'm not the girl you left behind. I'm here

alked to the door. But just before she left,

wanted to

urn back. She walked away, heart po

an'

the office, staring

g, Ethan? he thought, runn

without him. That she'd moved on. But seeing her now, strong a

steeling himself. This w

does it feel like the ground