He Chose His Ex, So I Chose My Empire novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Not Here

The lobby was filling up behind me.

It was ten past five, and half the building was heading for the trains.

People slowed down when they saw Hugh Stratton holding roses.

People slowed down more when they saw who he was holding them for.

Jo and my three others stood behind me with their boxes.

"Hi," Jo said to my husband. "We've just quit. It's been a big day."

Hugh barely looked at her.

"Laurel. The car's outside."

"I heard."

He held out the roses.

I didn't take them.

He lowered them a little, which I'd never seen him do with anything.

"I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I know how much that plan meant to you."

"Do you?"

"I do. So listen to me. Whatever you want to build next, I'll fund it. Your own foundation. Your own name on the door. Twenty million to start."

Somebody behind me actually gasped.

Twenty million was twice what he'd just given Sabrina.

I let it sit there in the marble lobby for everyone to hear.

"You're offering to buy me a consolation prize," I said.

"I'm offering you a start."

"I don't want your start. I had one. You gave it to her."

His jaw went tight.

"I didn't give anybody anything. The board voted."

"Then say it here."

"Say what?"

"That the money was never meant for Sabrina. Right now. Out loud. There are about forty people from the 31st floor standing behind me pretending to check their phones."

The lobby got very quiet.

Hugh's eyes went up past my shoulder.

I turned.

The mezzanine ran along the back of the lobby above the security desk.

Sabrina was standing at its glass rail with a paper cup still in her hand.

She was watching us.

Hugh looked at her.

Then he looked back at me.

"Not here," he said.

Just that.

That was all it took.

I'd wondered for a month what the moment would feel like.

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