Chapter 6
I have no idea when Daniel left that day.
All I know is he stopped bothering me after that.
A week later, a colleague mentioned that Mr. Anderson’s company had their partnership terminated. Something about regulatory violations.
[ knew immediately-Daniel’s handiwork.
He was smart enough to know how to get revenge while covering his ass legally.
I didn’t dwell on it. I had a new life to focus on.
Over Labor Day weekend, I flew back to Boston to visit family.
Sophie was waiting outside my mom’s house.
She’d been lurking there specifically for me.
When our eyes met, all that smug satisfaction was gone. Now there was just pure hatred and resentment.
‘Emily, congratulations. You won. Daniel won’t let me anywhere near him anymore.”
Her voice was bitter. “I honestly don’t get it. What the hell does he see in you?”
‘Are you prettier than me? Younger? Better in bed?”
She stepped closer, staring me down. “You’re nothing special. You just got there first.”
was already annoyed. “Are you done? Venmo me twenty grand.”
Sophie blinked, then smirked. “Enjoy your victory lap. Too bad you’re stuck in Miami while I’m still here,
right in his department.”
‘Love doesn’t survive long distance. Two thousand miles leaves plenty of room for someone else to slip in.
Game’s not over yet.”
She was declaring war.
I was so fucking tired of her drama.
I turned to walk away. “He’s all yours. Go rent a hotel room-I’ll pay for it.”
Sophie looked stunned.
From the shadows around the corner, a figure emerged.
Daniel looked like hell-unshaven, hollow-eyed, nothing like the polished executive he used to be.
I stopped and looked at him calmly.
Sophie panicked, frantically smoothing her hair and forcing a smile. “Daniel! Hi! I was just… I was in the neighborhood…”
“Get lost.”
His voice was low and raw.
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears as she tried to hug him. “Daniel, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have come here without asking, but I couldn’t help it… Why isn’t she good enough? Why her and not me?”
“I said get the fuck out of here.”
Sophie fled, sobbing.
Daniel stared at me for a long time without speaking.
I started toward the house when he finally found his voice. “Emily, I’m quitting. Moving to Miami. I’m going
to win you back.”
I said nothing.
Daniel forced a smile. “I know I screwed up. Badly. So I’m going to make it right. Wait for me in Miami-I’m
coming for you.”
He sounded so earnest, so determined.
But I didn’t need his grand gestures anymore.
I stayed silent.
Daniel’s desperation was showing. “Emily, just give me one chance. I can’t do this without you. Let me come to Miami and we’ll start over. Please?”
No.
I felt absolutely nothing about that prospect.
For years, I’d dreamed about building a life with Daniel, fighting battles side by side.
Ch
Now I just wanted him to leave me alone.
I sighed quietly. “Daniel, don’t you think this is getting pathetic?”
He looked like I’d physically struck him. All those words he’d prepared just died in his throat.
He stumbled away into the darkness.
I went inside, gave Mom her gifts, and slept better than I had in months.
After the holiday, I flew back to Miami.
Mom was sad to see me go.
I promised her three years max, then I’d come home.
She said she’d support whatever decision I made, as long as I was happy.
So I threw myself back into work.
I’d always been pretty lazy, never had big ambitions. With Daniel leading the way, I’d never really had to think for myself.
Now, flying solo, I discovered I actually had some drive.
Branch manager? I was going to nail it.
Two years later, I got the promotion and set my sights even higher.
I went home for visits but rarely saw Daniel.
Rachel told me he’d given up on quitting. He was still at the old company, working himself to death and ignoring everything else.
Plenty of women were interested-he was still good-looking and successful.
As for Sophie, she kept chasing Daniel until she became the office joke.
Her unprofessional behavior got so bad they finally fired her ass.
See? Keep business and personal separate. Basic professionalism.
I never dated anyone else. Couldn’t work up any interest.
Sometimes late at night, I’d remember that focused look on Daniel’s face when he brought me coffee five
years ago.
But then I’d just smile and let it go. Ancient history.
