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.

8:00 PM

Taylor

The bass from the speakers thumped through the floor, echoing in my chest. My palms were clammy against my purse as I stood before the double doors. Behind me, laughter spilled from the cheaper section of the building, the one meant for employees like me who weren't "important" enough for the main event.

And yet, here I was.

The guards at the entrance glanced at my invitation and wordlessly opened the doors. My breath caught.

I muttered to myself," You can do this, Taylor. He's just a puppet of the devil. Not like he has powers or anything..."

Then, one of the guards snapped me back to reality. " Ma'am..."

I nodded and walked in holding the piece of hope left in me.

The room sparkled. Gold chandeliers, velvet curtains, champagne fountains every inch screamed wealth. I instantly regretted my simple gown and soft curls. Everyone dressed so expensive that they could pay my rent.

I was seconds from retreating when I felt a warm breath behind my ear.

"Didn't think I'd see you here looking like that," a voice drawled.

I stiffened. That voice. My heart did that thing again, skipping, stuttering, like it recognized the voice before my head did.

I turned and there he was. Devon stood there. Brown shirt unbuttoned halfway, showing the faint curve of his chest. A glass of whiskey dangled from his fingers, and his mouth tilted in that same crooked smirk that had once made my knees weak.

"Devon," I breathed. His name tasted bitter.

"I...uh.." The words died in my throat.

He smirked. "What? No snarky comment? That's not the Taylor I know."

I folded my arms, trying to seem composed. "I didn't come here to talk to you. I just want to leave before midnight."

"Leave?" His gaze dragged lazily down my dress. "Shame. You finally look like trouble and now you want to disappear?"

My heart gave a traitorous thump. "You're drunk," I muttered.

"Maybe," he said, stepping closer. "But I still know a lie when I hear one. You missed me."

I blinked, heat crawling up my neck. "You have a girlfriend, remember? Or did you forget her name tonight?"

His eyes darkened. "That's rich, coming from the woman who vanished without a word."

He looked me over slowly like he was cataloging every inch he'd once memorized. "You cleaned up nice," he said lazily. "Though you're overdressed for someone who wants to stay invisible."

I knew he was just trying to get on my nerves. How the hell am I overdressed?

"Maybe I would have put on a bikini just for you.." I mocked.

He chuckled, a deep sound that curled in my stomach. "Don't lie, Taylor. You love pretending you don't want to see me."

I rolled my eyes, stepping aside to escape his gaze. "You've had too much to drink."

"Not enough to forget how you used to look at me." His voice dropped low, intimate. "Like I was the only thing keeping you from breathing."

My pulse jumped. "You're imagining things."

He leaned in until his breath brushed my neck. "Then why are you shaking?"

I stepped back quickly, glaring at him. "You're unbelievable. You think you can walk in here, flirt, and I'll just..."

He cut me off with a quiet, dangerous smile. "Think? Babe... oh..I know.."

The silence between us thickened. I hated that he could still pull words right out of my throat, twist my heart, make it forget my words. It was understandable because I felt high over heels for this man and my love for him got to a point where I said I'd die for him. For a moment in the past, I thought of returning to him.

I know I've burned every part of my heart that loves him but even when you burn an object, part of it still remains as ashes. It's never burnt completely.

I tried to sidestep him, but his hand shot out, fingers wrapping around my wrist, not hard, but firm.

"Devon, let go," I said quietly.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "How about a dance? In the..gallery!"

" In the gallery? Really?" I snapped, yanking my wrist back.

My gaze went to his pocket and asked, " What's in your pocket? Huh? "

For the first time, he stuttered, " No .. nothing.."

I knew him. Too well. In the swift of a motion, I put my hands in his pockets and brought out a condom.

I shut my eyes and opened them releasing a sigh, " Please tell me this is for your girlfriend? "

" Yes, you! "

My lips parted, but before I could speak, his breath hit stronger, sharp and I suddenly wanted to gag.

"Devon, please. You reek of whiskey. Just go home before you embarrass yourself."

He froze. His eyes flickered between anger and confusion, and for the first time, he looked... lost.

But I'd had enough.

I spun around and started walking off, my pulse drumming in my ears.

As I moved forward, I spotted someone across the room, the same coworker who'd mocked me in the office yesterday. She shouldn't even be in a VIP event. I blinked once, and she was gone. Just gone.

How did she get here? Was she connected to an upper head?

Weird.

I reached into my purse for my phone to call Lara and check on Ashley. But before I could dial, someone slammed into me.

My phone flew from my hand, clattering across the floor and then came the sound of glass shattering.

I looked up and saw Ivy. Her lips curved in a mocking smile.

"What the hell, Ivy?" I said, my voice shaking.

She crossed her arms. "Oops. Didn't see you there. Or maybe I just didn't care."

My stomach tightened. "You broke my phone!"

Her smirk widened. "Maybe now you'll stop begging him to replace it for you. I know your type, Taylor, always waiting for a man to fix your problems."

The words sliced deeper than I wanted to admit.

"You really think I need Devon for that?" I stepped closer, forcing her to meet my gaze. "You think breaking my phone makes you powerful?"

Her face twitched, but she held her tone steady. "I think it makes me smart. Maybe he'll finally see you for the desperate leech you are."

Rage bubbled inside me. My fists trembled at my sides. I've never talked to her until now and she was still the same brat three years ago.

"You're so insecure it's almost sad," I hissed. "If you think destroying a hundred-dollar phone will make him love you, you're already losing."

Her jaw flexed, but before she could reply, a waiter stumbled past us, and a splash of red wine spilled across my chest.

" You bitch! " I yelled.

And with that, she pushed me into a dinner table.

In an instant, flames of the red candle reached the edge of a curtain where it had tipped. Panic rippled through the hall as people screamed and rushed backward.

"Shit!" someone yelled.

Pain shot into my leg. I looked down, a jagged piece of glass had sliced into my foot.

My breath came in short, panicked bursts.

Then a familiar voice roared, "Taylor!"

Devon appeared out of the chaos, shoving through the crowd. His eyes found mine, and for a second, the world blurred.

He dropped to his knees beside me, his hand brushing the cut on my leg. "You're bleeding. Damn it..."

"It's fine," I whispered, even though my voice trembled.

"No, it's not." His arms slid under me before I could protest.

"Devon..."

"Shut up," he muttered, pulling me against his chest as if I weighed nothing as he scooped me into his hands.

I gasped, clutching his shirt. "Devon...put me down! Everyone's watching.."

"Let them," he said darkly, his breath brushing my ear. "I'm not letting you collapse in front of them."

As he carried me outside into the night air, the fire alarms wailed behind us. My heart hammered against his.

And all I could think was.. no matter how much I hated him, I still felt safe in his arms.