Chapter 317
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Chapter 317
Madison
The Manhattan Project team meeting stretched into lunch, which I was thankful for. Every minute away from the executive floor was another minute I didn’t have to face Alexander and pretend I hadn’t seen those photos. “We should wrap this up,” I said, glancing at my watch. “I need to prepare for the board presentation.”
As everyone filed out, I lingered in the project office, reluctant to return upstairs. I pulled out my phone, checking for messages out of habit. Nothing from Alexander.
What had I expected? A desperate plea to change my mind about dinner? An explanation about the photos with Katherine?
I scrolled through my emails, answered a few urgent ones, and reorganized my desk three times before finally accepting I couldn’t hide down here forever.
The elevator ride back to the executive floor felt like ascending to my execution. When the doors opened, I took a deep breath and stepped out, chin high.
Alexander’s office door was closed. No sound came from within.
I settled at my desk, diving into the mountain of paperwork that had accumulated during my absence. Every few minutes, my eyes darted to his door, expecting it to open. It remained firmly shut.
At 5:30, I heard movement from within his office. My heart rate spiked as his door swung open.
Alexander emerged, looking every bit as composed as he had this morning.
“Heading out, Ms. Harper?” he asked casually, as if this were any normal day.
“Yes, Mr. Knight. Just finishing up a few things.”
He nodded, his eyes sweeping over me in that assessing way that always made my skin tingle. “Enjoy your movie night.”
And then he was gone, striding toward the elevator without a backward glance.
I stared after him, mouth slightly open. That was it? No mention of the photos, no questions about my sudden plans, no attempt to reschedule?
The elevator doors closed behind him, and I slumped in my chair.
“What the hell?” I muttered to the empty office.
I gathered my things quickly, suddenly desperate to escape the suffocating silence of the executive floor. The workday had officially ended, and I had a legitimate reason to leave. A movie night with my mother that I’d made up on the spot.
The cab ride home was a blur of racing thoughts and unanswered questions. Why hadn’t Alexander confronted me about my obvious lie? Why hadn’t he mentioned the photos with Katherine? Was he really letting me off the
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Chapter 317
hook that easily?
Unless he was glad for the excuse. Maybe he wanted to spend the evening with Katherine instead.
By the time I reached my apartment building, my mood had soured completely. I jabbed the elevator button with unnecessary force.
“Whoa there, killer. What did that button ever do to you?”
I turned to find Mrs. Gonzalez from 4B smiling at me, grocery bags in hand.
“Sorry,” I said, forcing a smile. “Long day.”
“Men problems?” she asked, raising a knowing eyebrow.
I laughed despite myself. “Is it that obvious?”
“Honey, I’ve been married forty–three years. I know that look.”
The elevator arrived, and we stepped in together.
“Any advice?” I asked as the doors closed.
Mrs. Gonzalez considered this for a moment. “Never go to bed angry, and never underestimate the power of good lingerie.‘
I burst out laughing, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
When I reached my floor, I stepped out with a lighter heart. “Thanks, Mrs. Gonzalez.”
“Anytime, dear. Give ‘em hell.”
I unlocked my apartment door, and the smell of something delicious greeted me immediately.
“Mom?” I called, dropping my purse on the entryway table. “Are you cooking again?”
“Just a little something,” she called back from the kitchen. “Nothing strenuous, I promise.”
I found her stirring a pot of what looked like homemade soup, humming to herself.
“You’re supposed to be taking it easy,” I reminded her, kissing her cheek.
“This is easy,” she insisted. “Chopping a few vegetables and throwing them in a pot? Child’s play.”
I peered into the pot. “It smells amazing.”
“Grandma’s recipe,” she said proudly. “Now go change. Dinner in twenty minutes.”
I headed to my bedroom, kicking off my heels with a sigh of relief. After changing into leggings and an oversized sweater, I flopped onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.
No messages from Alexander. No calls. Nothing.
I pulled out my phone and checked the gossip sites again. The photos of Alexander and Katherine were still
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circulating, and there was new speculation about their relationship status.
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“….sources close to Knight Industries confirm that Alexander and Katherine have been in talks about a potential collaboration between their companies…”
I tossed my phone aside, disgust and hurt churning in my stomach. Business collaboration, my ass. The way he looked at her in those photos wasn’t business.
“Madison! Dinner’s ready!”
I pushed myself off the bed, shoving thoughts of Alexander and Katherine to the back of my mind. Tonight was about Mom, not my messy fake relationship.
The soup was delicious, rich, and hearty, which was exactly what I needed after a day like today.
“So,” Mom said, breaking a piece of bread, “how was work?”
“Good,” I replied automatically. “Busy. The Manhattan Project is moving forward nicely.”
“That’s wonderful.” She took a sip of water. “And the team respects you
now?”
“They do. It took some time, but we’re working well together.”
Mom nodded, looking pleased. “I knew you’d win them over.”
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes before she spoke again.
“I was thinking we could watch that new comedy tonight. The one with the woman who pretends to be engaged to her boss?”
I nearly choked on my soup.
“What?”
“You know, that movie that just came out on streaming. The reviews said it was hilarious.”
Of all the movies she could have picked… “Sure, Mom. Sounds great.”
I forced enthusiasm into my voice while mentally screaming. A romantic comedy about fake relationships? The universe was clearly laughing at me today.
Mom beamed, oblivious to my internal crisis. “I read that it’s hilarious. The woman falls for her boss while pretending to be his fiancée. Can you imagine?”
“Sounds relatable,”
“What was that, honey?”
“I said it sounds remarkable. Very creative premise.”
Mom gave me a strange look but didn’t press further. She stood to clear the dishes, but I jumped up first.
“I’ve got this. You cooked, I’ll clean.”
“Such a good daughter,” she said, patting my cheek. “I’ll set up the movie.”
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As I rinsed the dishes, I kept glancing at my phone. There was still nothing from Alexander. The silence was more unsettling than any confrontation would have been. It wasn’t like him to just let things go, especially when it came to our arrangement.
I dried my hands and joined Mom on the couch, where she’d already queued up the movie and arranged a bowl of popcorn between us.
“Before we start,” she said, grabbing the remote, “did you ask Alexander about breakfast?”
My stomach dropped. “I forgot. He was in meetings most of the day.”
“Madison,” she scolded gently. “You promised.”
“I know, I know. I’ll ask him tomorrow for sure. He’s just really busy with work right now.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
