Chapter 2

Blackwell's company was one of the station's biggest partners. Every year, it poured a fortune into our ad budget.

Vanessa hadn't only landed his interview. She'd been put in charge of every Blackwell account we had.

She'd walked in with money and connections behind her, and my promotion had been put on hold. That was when I first met her, and when I first understood how close she and Ethan really were.

The staff group chat was already buzzing.

[What's the deal with Vanessa and Blackwell? I heard she got his company's exclusive ad deal.]

[Who is she to him? That's serious pull.]

[Apparently she's his first love.]

[So he's backing his girl. Doesn't that put Claire's shot at the anchor job in danger?]

Someone had even posted a photo of Ethan and Vanessa from college. His arm was around her waist. She was smiling at the camera, and he was looking down at her.

I couldn't look away from his face. Six years together, and I didn't have a single photo of the two of us.

The station manager called me into his office.

"Claire, you've still got a lot to learn," he said with a smile. "Vanessa brought us Blackwell's exclusive advertising deal."

"They're our biggest sponsor, and every rival station has been trying to steal that account. We should all be thanking her."

Then his tone softened. "You've put in six years here, and I see how hard you work. Don't worry. The station won't forget it."

I nodded, forced a smile, and walked out of his office.

So Ethan was the one standing behind her. I was sick of hearing about the two of them from everyone else. That night, I was going to ask him myself.

He got home late from a business dinner.

"Did you arrange for Vanessa to work at the station?" I asked.

He raised an eyebrow, his face as cool as ever. "Yes."

I needed to hear it from his own mouth.

"Is she your ex?" My voice shook. I was afraid he'd say yes.

Ethan looked down at me. His dark eyes gave nothing away, and he smiled faintly. "Does it matter?"

"You're the one I'm with now."

I nodded. "It matters to me."

"She's my ex."

I thought of the promotion I'd lost, and I couldn't stop myself.

"Ethan, I'm your girlfriend. She's your ex. Why would you get her a job at my station and let her go after the same position I'm going after?"

He let out a low, mocking laugh. "Claire, are we boyfriend and girlfriend?"

I froze.