Chapter 5
I glanced down at the lab slip. Rising progesterone. Pregnancy confirmed.
I blocked his number. Immediately, voice messages started flooding in.
[Baby, why the hell can’t I reach you? Why did Sterling Group pull the investment? All that work-down the fucking drain!]
[I’m heading to Sterling Group right now. You better have answers. My whole team’s screwed because of this!]
My phone rang again-different number this time. My realtor, Kevin. I’d listed the condo online.
I swiped to answer. “Ms. Sterling, the Lee family finished the walkthrough. When can you swing by to sign?”
“Right now works. If they want to move in today, that’s fine. Gimme like ten minutes.”
I swung by my doctor’s office first to get the official word-baby’s healthy, come back in two weeks for an ultrasound. Then I drove back to the condo. Kevin and the Lees were camped out in the living room waiting.
The second I walked in, Kevin jumped up. “Ms. Sterling! Contract’s ready, just like you wanted. The Smith are good with the price. If you’re cool with it, we can sign and get the ball rolling on the transfer.”
Mrs. Smith looked confused. “Ms. Sterling, this place is in amazing shape and the layout’s perfect. You’re really okay selling it this cheap?”
I glanced around. I’d barely lived here a few months. I grabbed the contract from Kevin, signed both copies, and handed one to Mrs. Smith. She finally smiled.
Mr. Smith was no-nonsense. He wired the money on the spot. I pulled a stack of cash from my purse-ten grand-and handed it to Kevin as his cut.
Kevin was grinning ear to ear, calling me “sis” every other word.
“I’ll handle the paperwork. You guys can move in today.” I turned to leave.
Kevin called after me, “Don’t worry, sis! I’ll knock this out fast.”
I’d barely walked through the door at the Sterling estate when Asshole’s voice messages started pouring in again.
[What the hell are you playing at?! Why can’t I get through? I went to Sterling Group-front desk wouldn’t let me up!]
[I went to the condo and some random dude answered the door!! Security threw me out of the building!!! What the fuck did you do while I was gone?! Why’s he saying that’s his place now?!]
The only reason I hadn’t blocked him everywhere yet? I wanted front-row seats to his meltdown when he found out I’d sold the place.
When I didn’t answer, his tone shifted-trying to sound reasonable.
Kristine, you know how huge the Sterling deal was for me. You’re a marketing director-you can’t possibly not get it.]
was sipping the bird’s nest soup Mrs. Lee had just made when he video-called. I answered.
On screen, there I was-sitting pretty in the Sterling estate, casually eating soup. Doria’s face looked like a thundercloud. “You finally picked up. Where the hell
are you?”
‘Why’d Sterling Group pull the plug? Do you have any idea what kind of shitstorm this is for me? My whole team’s out of work because the funding fell through! And now the company’s coming after me for losses!”
I kept eating. Doria’s mask finally cracked, showing his true colors. “Did you shack up with some rich guy while I was gone?!”
I swallowed my last spoonful and looked up. “You’ve been running your mouth nonstop. Which question do you actually want answered?”
He shut up. Waited.
Doria. Were you really on a business trip this past month?”
He visibly relaxed. “Kristine, how can you even ask that? I told you-overseas branch had problems. I had to deal with it.”
“If it was really work, then how come you didn’t know Sterling pulled out for an entire month? What, you ghosted your own company? So how exactly were
you handling anything?”
Doria clearly hadn’t prepped for this curveball. The investment he’d thought was a sure thing had just blown up in his face.
He scrambled. “So you tanked it on purpose, didn’t you? Why?! I’m your husband! My career goes down, how’s that help you?”
I held up a hand. “Whoa, whoa. Pump the brakes. We had a wedding-sure. But we never met each other’s parents. Never got a license. So really, all I did was waste a few months dating your sorry ass.”
Doria’s jaw clenched so hard I thought his teeth might crack. “Kristine, you think killing this deal means I’m done? My project got Sterling’s attention once-someone else will bite. I heard their new CEO starts tomorrow. I don’t need you. I’ll land another investor.”
I nodded slowly, almost bored. “Well then… good luck with that.”
ended the call and deleted his contact for good.

Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.

 
	 
 
		 
		 
		 
		 
		