Devon's POV

I walked into the building like I owned it, because, technically, I could. The cold air, the glinting glass, the hush of money being made... it should've felt impressive.

But all I felt was her.

Taylor.

There she stood near the reception, arms crossed, every inch of her professional and poised. Her black suit hugged her frame like armor, and her hair was pulled back so tightly I couldn't tell if she was angry, anxious, or simply surviving.

I stopped for just a second. One second too long.

It hit me in the chest, how little she'd changed, and how much it still messed with me. I felt the lingering gaze of her blue eyes send shivers down my spine.

I replayed what had happened last night over and over in my mind, the way her hand jerked away the moment I reached for it. That cold, sharp recoil, like I'd touched a live wire.

It wasn't just a refusal. It was a message.

She didn't want me. Not anymore.

And no matter how much I tried to convince myself I'd get back on track, it just kept reopening old wounds. The truth hit me harder than I wanted to admit.

I'd broken something between us. Maybe more than once.

I remembered the way her eyes flickered, not surprise, not anger, but something colder, like disappointment. Like she was seeing the man I'd become and not liking the view.

It stung. God, it fucking stung.

Because beneath all this bravado, all the games and smirks, I felt a gnawing emptiness-a crack in the armor I'd spent years building.

I wasn't just facing the woman I loved and lost. I was facing myself and the wreckage I'd left behind.

And I didn't know how to fix any of it.

Then our gaze met. Immediately, she averted her gaze and looked back at me.

No reaction, no gasp. Just a brief flicker in her eyes like a shutter opening and slamming closed again. She was numb of emotions, and I could see her dead eyes trying to kill me right on the spot.

"Mr. West," one of the executives said, breaking the tension. "Welcome. We're so excited to have you on board."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Looking forward to seeing how this place runs."

Taylor hadn't moved.

"As discussed," another executive said, "our PR team will handle your onboarding."

PR?

I glanced toward her again. Would I be working with her? What could go wrong?

I smiled anyway and walked toward her. Cameras clicked in the background. They were eating this up.

"Ms. Taylor," I said smoothly, offering my hand. "Congratulations. Looks like we'll be working together again."

She blinked. Just once.

Then her hand touched mine,brief, reluctant, cold.

Before she could respond, one of the bosses chuckled nervously. "Actually, uh, she's not the one assigned..."

I didn't look away from her. "I'm sure that'll change."

She stared up at me, her mouth opening like she wanted to say something real... but didn't.

Everyone muttered under their breath. What connection do we have together? Who is she? But let them wonder-she'd be known as mine soon.

–

Later - Conference Room

I walked into the room with everyone seated. I'd barely sat down when my phone buzzed.

It was Ivy.

I stepped out and answered. "What is it?"

Her voice shook. "I couldn't come today."

"Figured."

"I just... Devon, I don't know what this is. What are you doing?"

"Business," I shot back, emotionless.

"Don't give me that. Is this about her?"

My stomach turned.

"Did you plan this?" she asked, her voice rising. "All of this? Just to get close to Taylor again?"

"Mind your business," I snapped. "You're not even supposed to be part of this."

She laughed bitterly. "Right. Because you cut me out. The moment she came back into your world..."

"Enough." I hung up.

Back in the room, all eyes turned to me.

Taylor stood up as one of the seniors gestured to her. What the hell? Is she a damn puppet?

I spoke before she could. "Sit."

She hesitated. The room froze.

I said it again, firmer. "Sit down, Taylor."

She obeyed. Her boss looked like he'd swallowed something sharp.

"I'd like to say you guys got lucky. I could have been busy, but since..." I paused when I felt someone watching me. I took a glance at Taylor and continued, "...since the former collaborator dropped out at the last minute and I was scheduled to come next week, but look at where we are!"

I smiled, and everyone burst into laughter. Fake. They were all fake.

I looked directly at her. Let the moment drag.

"Unfortunate timing."

A few eyes darted between us. The tension was delicious...I would surely need a bin.

"Um... Mr. West, I'm Henry, the PR head, and I..."

"My father's West, not me. Try again," I said, adjusting my suit.

The PR head, Henry, cleared his throat. "We've assigned Ms. Rivera, one of our best employees, to assist..."

"No," I said flatly.

"What?"

"I want Taylor to be in charge," I replied, and her eyes widened.

"Who? Who's Taylor?" he asked nervously.

Creasing my brows, I glared. "The name you'll remember if you like keeping your job."

Our eyes locked again. She knew what I was doing. She also knew she couldn't stop it.

One of the executives exhaled like he'd been holding it in for minutes, like he'd had enough of my shit. "Actually... your mother... She asked us to give this project full support."

My jaw clenched. "Did she?"

"You're testing her company, right?" another exec said carefully. "And next week... your father's hotel."

I didn't respond.

They thought I was just choosing between companies. But this was never about business. It was about getting revenge.

My mother always said I had her instincts, cold, strategic, forward-thinking. She built her empire with glass smiles and sealed doors. Growing up, I watched her control entire rooms with a single look... and silence me with even less.

My father, on the other hand, ruled with charm. Hotels, hospitality, handshakes that smelled like cologne and old money. He smiled too much, talked too loud, and loved too little. But he knew how to win people..how to make them need him.

They both thought they'd raised a successor. What they didn't realize was they'd raised a revengeful son.

So now, I tested them, company by company. And the company I chose would win over the stock market. My billionaire friends and collaborators would be rampaging over the winning company.

My mother thought she'd already won. And my father... he was waiting, watching. Ready to welcome me with open arms when I rejected her. As if he hadn't walked out on everything years ago. As if love was something you could rebrand.

"I just want to confirm," the man continued. "Whoever you choose between them will get your backing, your network, your investors."

"Yes," I said. "That's correct." You could hear the scramble starting behind everyone's eyes.

Taylor glanced at me, something flickering across her face. Fear? Anger?

I didn't care. Not now.

Henry forced a smile. "Well then, Taylor, would you mind getting Mr. Devon some coffee?"

I didn't miss the insult hidden in that.

So I shot back, "No. I'd like you to get it for me."

Everyone gasped in the room.

Taylor blinked like she'd been slapped.

I looked around, mocking. "What? Did I stutter?"

"Everyone, get out! Henry, get my coffee, and you..." I stopped, and she also stopped in her tracks like she knew I'd called her.

After everyone had left, she turned around and forced a smile.

"Shall we start?" I said, standing up.

She didn't speak. Just turned to the window, arms crossed.

But I've had enough silence for one day.

"Are you going to pretend that never happened?" I said.

She didn't look at me. "You're a child."

"No," I said, stepping closer. "I'm a man who remembers exactly how this ended."

She turned sharply. "You mean how you ended it."

"You signed the divorce papers. You left. What's left?" she continued.

"Do you know what I hate? When you jump to conclusions so quickly! You didn't give me a chance to explain!"

She scoffed and replied, "A chance? When I left, what stopped you from coming to explain? Not one year, not two, but three years, Devon."

"I had no... choice!" I stuttered, trying to touch her shoulders, but she flinched.

"You had a choice. You always had a choice. And you chose silence."

"But you're getting revenge on me by staying away?"

Her eyes were wet, but her voice was steel. "You think this is revenge?"

I smiled. "Not yet."

"You walk in here with your camera-ready charm and your billionaire family name, and what? You think you can just shake everything, and I'll collapse?"

"No," I said. "I think you're already crumbling."

She stared at me like she hated me. Like she wanted to run. But then she'd had enough of my shit and started to walk away.

"Six months!" I said, my voice cracking.

I pulled a folder from my bag and dropped it on the table.

"You have to sign this. Just six months."

Slowly, she turned around and walked to the table, looking at the papers like they were poison.

"Why are you showing me this?" she asked.

I stepped closer. My voice dropped.

"I want you back. I need you in my life. Agree to this marriage contract, Taylor."

Biting her lip, she glared at me. "And why the fuck would you think I would accept this stupid agreement?"

"Because I know you're pregnant. And I know exactly why you will accept this? But first, who's the father? "

The blood drained from her face.

And for the first time that day-she didn't have a comeback.

Taylor

"Who's the father?"

For a second, I thought I'd misheard him.

My brain froze, my heart stuttered.

"What?" My voice cracked, thin as glass. "What are you talking about?"

A smirk curved his lips,lazy, dangerous. Those green eyes, the ones I used to drown in, looked at me like they were dissecting every secret I had ever tried to bury.

"Don't act like you didn't hear me, Tay." His tone was sharp, quiet, and lethal. "Who's the father of the baby you're carrying?"

My breath caught. The air turned heavier, thicker. His gaze darkened with every heartbeat I refused to answer. That darkness, it was the same one I saw the night he smashed a mirror and whispered, "You made me this way".

I forced out a nervous laugh, my voice trembling. "What are you even saying? Do I look pregnant to you? Even if I was, I'd never tell your corpse!"

He reached for my hair, fingertips grazing a strand, and I flinched as if burned.

"Devon, it's none of your business. If you're that stuck in the past, go buy a time machine and relive your glory days!"

His steps were unhurried as he closed the distance between us, his presence swallowing the room. "It is my business," he said, his voice low, dark, dangerous, "because you became my employee."

My pulse roared in my ears. His nearness was suffocating. I wanted him far away from me as soon as possible. I couldn't stand being next to him.

I forced a smirk. "Seeing you this desperate about my life choices is hilarious. Stop playing detective and sit your perfect billionaire ass down, Mr. CEO."

A flash of irritation crossed his face. "Who is he? Is he a billionaire like me?"

"Even if he was, he'd still be twice the man you'll ever be."

His jaw flexed. "Who is he, Taylor?"

"You don't get to ask me that," I shot back, voice shaking despite myself.

"Then who does?" he pressed, closing in until his breath brushed my skin. "The man who replaced me?"

"This isn't about you."

"It's always about me," he snapped, then lowered his voice again, voice dripping with that familiar arrogance. "Because you and I never ended. We just... paused."

Paused? What does he take me for? For a minute, I thought he had lost his memory. He cheated on me and now he's acting like I threw the divorce papers on his face for nothing.

"That's delusional."

"Maybe." His eyes searched mine, softer now. "But you're shaking. Why?"

I pressed a hand to my stomach, trying to steady my voice. "Because every time you open your mouth, I remember why I left."

He smiled faintly, the kind that hurt to look at. "Is that why you went for a man who..."

"Shut up!" My voice cracked. "He keeps his dick in his pants, for one! He's not an alcoholic, and definitely not an obsessive loser!"

He clutched his chest, feigning offense. "Wow. I just realized something..you must have really thought of me when you had sex with him."

That did it.

"God, you're pathetic!" My rage boiled over.

That's when I shoved him hard. My palms hit his chest, the thud echoing. He stumbled half a step and looked more surprised than hurt. I expected it.

"Stay out of my life, Devon."

"Tell me whose child it is and I will."

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you."

"Try me."

"Like I said..it's none of your concern."

He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "You always did know how to drive me insane."

"Then maybe you should've let me go when you had the chance."

He stepped closer again. "Does he know you still cry in your sleep?"

I froze, fingers trembling on the edge of the desk. "Don't."

He kept going, softer now, crueler because of it. "Does he know you still hate thunderstorms? That you twist your ring finger when you're lying?"

My throat burned. "You don't get to remember me like that. So, shut the fuck up!"

"Then stop giving me reasons to."

When I turned, he was suddenly right there..so close our breaths mingled. His eyes weren't just angry anymore. They were aching.

What does he think? That I'd fall in love with eyes and kiss him. Of course not! He cheated on me and now he won't let go. It's not my fault he couldn't keep it in his pants.

"Was any of it real?" he asked quietly. "Or were you already planning your exit while I was planning forever?"

"Don't do this," I whispered.

"I just need to know."

"You want the truth?" My voice broke. "You were everything I wanted. And you ruined it."

The words shattered something between us. His eyes flickered, pain, guilt, longing, all hidden behind that stubborn pride. I knew Devon, he was once a sweet and nice person that a woman would fall high over heels for. How did he change? It was a mystery.

"Then congratulations, Taylor," he said, voice low. "You finally learned how to hurt first."

"Better than waiting to be destroyed."

He leaned in, breath hot against my ear. "And I bet you'll name him Devon."

My hand moved before my mind could stop it, I slapped him. The sound cracked through the room.

"I don't have time for your bullshit," I hissed. "Mess with me here and I'll bury your reputation so deep, not even your billions will dig it up."

My palm throbbed, but he didn't flinch and looked unfazed. He only smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that sent shivers down my spine.

"Call me whatever you want, Tay," he murmured. "Obsessive, foolish, broken. But in two months..." He tilted his head, voice dropping to a whisper. "You'll be begging to remember what my name feels like on your tongue."

My breath hitched. "You're pitifully disgusting."

He laughed softly, like the devil amused. Then his gaze sharpened, voice dipping to something almost tender but laced with threat.

When I turn, he's closer again, too close. His expression softens just a fraction, enough to make breathing harder.

"I'm going to get you, Taylor," he said. " Even if it means burning the whole world."

I steadied myself, masking the shake in my voice with a smile. "Good luck with that. He will sue the hell out of you for digging into my records." I stepped closer, eyes daring him. "And no one will ever know who the father is... or who I'm with."

His smirk faltered for a moment, then returned, lazy, confident, dangerous.

"Keep your secrets," he murmured. "But remember, secrets don't stay buried forever. Especially not with me."

" And finally, why invite you for a marriage contract that'd end when I can finally have you for myself in the next two months! "

Irritation burned in me as I stood one more second. His words were deafening and I couldn't listen any longer.

Then he added stopping me in my tracks, " You know..if you tell me now. I'll spare him but once I find him myself, I'll bring his head to you..with his torso dickless"

He brushed past me as he left, his cologne burning itself into my memory, and for the first time in years... I couldn't tell if my heart was breaking or catching fire all over again.

Taylor

After finally leaving his office, I pushed my head back against the door and breathed in deep, shaky breaths.

My heart hammered so loudly I felt it in my throat. I couldn't stop replaying his words, "I'll get you soon."

Some part of me knew that wasn't an empty threat. Devon was the kind of man who got what he wanted even if it meant hurting people to do it. Yes, I thought it aloud. There had been times I suspected him of ordering hits. So far, though, it was all just whispers and ugly suspicions.

Right now, I had to keep Ashley far away from him. If he wanted me back, dragging Ash into it would only make things worse.

A ridiculous thought jerked through my brain: what if he could hear my thoughts?

I walked slowly to my desk, one hand pressed against my chest as if to steady the thudding inside. Devon was up to something, and I couldn't prove a thing. Why return after three years? And why was he still with Ivy if he wanted me back?

As I reached my office, heads turned. For a moment I missed being invisible; it had been nicer. Now I could feel everyone's eyes slicing through me.

Just as I'd feared, three women drifted over as I adjusted my documents.

"So..." one began, her voice coated with fake sugar, "how exactly do you know Mr. Devon?"

I creased my brows and hesitated before answering. "Know him? I don't. It's my first time meeting him. I mean, come on.. an intern like me? If I knew him, I'd probably own this place."

The second one chipped in. " That's why I've been seeing him at the hotel lately. Um...he has a girlfriend, you know?" she said with a wink like it was some big inside joke.

Oh no. I knew where this was going.

"It's not like that," I said quickly. "I'd never go near someone who's taken. I've been on the other end of that, and trust me, it's not something I'd do to anyone," I replied, forcing a laugh that felt brittle.

"Whoa! Chill! Why are you so defensive?" she blinked, exaggerated.

Before I could reply, a voice cut through the small storm. "Would you stop?"

It belonged to a woman I knew only by sight, quiet, punctual, five years at the company with no promotion. She never caused trouble. For a moment, I thought she was going to save me.

She poked her head out from behind a stack of files and said, flat and stern, "She's right. Do you think Mr. Devon possibly has anything to do with her? I mean... look at her."

She glanced at me once and slid back to her seat. The crooked smile I had been clinging to vanished. For a brief second I thought she might defend me then I remembered who I was dealing with. They were all the same. I felt like shoving her face in the document she stared at all day.

"She's right. His girlfriend's on a whole different level," one of them added.

I wanted to scream that I had married him once, to sting them with the truth. But the thought of his cheating being said across the office made my chest tighten. Better them thinking I was connected to him than knowing what he'd done. Fuck it, let them believe whatever they wanted.

Still, something about their words made me pause. They kept saying girlfriend. I'd assumed he'd married Ivy. So... he left me for someone he never even put a ring on? What a pathetic man.

"I bet she looks stupid at tomorrow's party," they murmured under their breath.

Party?Party for what?

Suddenly, a woman in a smart suit walked in carrying a present. The click of her heels cut through the chatter.

"Miss Taylor," she said, calm, stepping forward.

I looked around, hoping another Taylor might magically appear. No luck. My stomach dropped.

"Miss Taylor, Mr. Devon asked that this be given to you," she said, placing a box and a glossy envelope on my desk.

I froze as a dozen pairs of eyes bored into me. I reached out, then stopped.

"Um...maybe there's another Taylor, right? It's not for me," I blurted.

The woman sighed and set the present down.

"He said you'd do this," she started, then pulled a folded note from her pocket. My pulse thudded in my ears as she read aloud, "This present is for Taylor..the woman I met at the entrance, the woman I talked to in my office. And lastly, she is my ex..."

"Yes, I'm the one," I cried, the admission tearing out of me before I could stop it.

" Example of a hardworking person! " she continued.

Oh fuck!

The woman smiled the smallest, most polite smile, dropped the note, and gave me a little bow. "Enjoy your day, Miss Taylor."

My eyes darted to the back of the card. There was a handwriting I knew too well, where the words: "You'd better open it or else."

What a prick! How dare he command me like a puppet?

The envelope contained an invitation to his welcoming party, VIP. VIP? How could a welcoming party be divided like that?

I stared at the box, not noticing the stares anymore.

"I can't believe she got VIP. Who is she, anyway?" someone whispered.

I let out a shaky laugh. "I'm sure it's a mistake. I'm not going, anyway."

A voice I did not want to hear cut through the room: "Oh, you're going, Miss Taylor."

Henry, my PR manager, stood behind me like with his face still bruised up. If I had to admit, I laughed in my mind each time I saw him.

"What? I don't understand."

"Oh, you're going. I've been here for years without direct contact with upper management. You, Taylor, will get me up there. You're going."

He nodded and repeated, " You are going! "

What does he mean? First, he tried to rape me and now he's commanding me. I can decide to ignore him but I was afraid of what he could do. Because, why hasn't he been fired?

Something was fishy.

____

9:00 PM

I stepped out of the taxi into the humid night, the present heavy in my hands. Anger fluttered low in my head that I could barely contain. Each time I started at the box, I felt a pang of irritation ... .I could have thrown the box and watched it shatter.

Today has been a very humiliating day. Henry had held me back at the office "for discipline," which I knew was just his way of staying bitter about Devon humiliating him. Why was Devon acting like nothing had happened? Why was he so quiet after punching Henry days before?

I reminded myself. I'm not his responsibility anymore. We're not together, and he doesn't owe me protection.

I set the box down at the porch and reached for my keys, every creak of the door making me tense. What if Devon was already inside?

Slowly, I turned the doorknob and opened the door. But, Lara stood in the room, frozen, and my heart skipped. "Lara, what's wrong?" I asked, breathless.

"Boo!" Ashley yelled.

I screamed and dropped the present. Ashley, small, fierce, full of mischief had leapt out to scare me, laughing hysterically. It was nearly Halloween and she was practicing.

"Oh my God, Ashley!" I gasped, clutching my chest. She ran up and planted a messy kiss on my cheek, grinning like an angel of chaos.

"Stop being scary!" I huffed, crouching to her level.

She laughed, that bright, fearless sound. Then her attention snapped to the box. "Wow! A box!"

Lara came toward me, worry written across her face. "I thought you were pale when I saw you. What was that?"

Ashley tried to cut the ribbon. "No...don't. There's a big... angry goat in there!" I announced solemnly. She hated goats and would flee from one on sight.

I sank down onto the sofa. "Devon," I said to no one and everyone. "He's playing his game again. I'm scared he'll try to take Ashley from me. I can't..I'm just so tired."

Lara put a hand on my shoulder. "That prick is an idiot," she said, and then laughed. "How can someone who cheated be so obsessed? He wants you back because of sex, Tay. He's just a man walking around with his dick out looking for trouble."

Her eyes flicked to the invitation in her hand. "Wow. He's really intentional about eating your pussy. Ten bucks says it'll just be you and him in a room."

Panic pricked at me. What if that's exactly his plan?

She noticed my face fall. "Hey, relax. He's not that stupid... okay, maybe he is, but still. Are you going?"

"I don't know," I admitted softly. "Everyone at work hates me now because of him. I don't even know what's in that damn box. I'm just scared he'll find another way in."

A smirk ghosted across Lara's lips. "You know," she said, squeezing my hand until my knuckles whitened, "I've been waiting for this. And no, I haven't been dreaming about killing him with a tractor since he hurt you... but I do have a plan."

"Why a tractor?" I asked, because it felt right to be ridiculous for a second. " Really? " I added.

She winked. "Trust me. Tomorrow night, he won't expect what's coming. You're going!"

Though, she started ranting about a revenge plan. My mind couldn't help but think about Devon and threats. Is it just a matter of time before he finds out about Ashley?

But if she's very taken away from me, I swear I'd kill myself. She's my everything.