Chapter 1

All because I pointed out a mistake in an intern's proposal during a meeting—a mistake that could have cost the company over a million dollars—she felt humiliated and ran crying to my fiancé, the CEO, threatening to quit.

Without even hearing my side, Callum stormed into my office.

"Couldn't you have told her privately? Briar's young and sensitive. Did you really have to embarrass her in front of everyone? And don't forget, her father is one of our largest shareholders."

He gave me two choices.

"One, I promote Briar, give her a raise, and make you her assistant. In return, I'll finally make our engagement public."

"Two, you keep acting like you're above everyone else, and we're done."

When I didn't respond, he gave a smug little smile.

"I knew you wouldn't pass up the chance to finally go public with me."

"Now clear out your office so Briar can—"

"Sorry, I'll take option two," I interrupted calmly.

"And I quit. Congratulations, Callum. You and Briar deserve each other."

...

"Maren Whitlock, do you have any idea what you're saying?"

Callum Voss came around my desk so fast I thought he might knock over the chair.

I'd never seen him lose his composure like this. He was usually so careful about maintaining that cool, untouchable CEO image.

I looked up at him.

"I said I'm quitting. And we're over."

Then I went back to packing.

I'd been with Voss & Co. since the beginning. This office had been mine for years, and I'd accumulated more things than I realized.

I turned to the project files on my desk.

Most of the accounts I managed were clients I'd brought in myself. Some had been with us for years, trusting me personally to oversee their projects.

It bothered me that I wouldn't get to see them through.

But I'd already made my decision.

Callum stood there watching me, his expression growing colder.

"Maren, you're twenty-eight. Do you have any idea how many people would kill to be a vice president at your age?"

I ignored him.

"Have you seen the job market lately? You're seriously going to throw away everything you've worked for over something this petty?"

I opened my laptop and typed up my resignation letter.

The printer hummed a moment later.

I signed the letter and placed it on my desk.

Callum stared at it, his brows drawn together.

Before he could say anything, Briar appeared in the doorway carrying two coffees.

She glanced at my half-packed box, then quickly lowered her eyes.

"Callum, is Maren doing this because of me?"

Her voice trembled.

"I never wanted her to leave. I know she's been here since the company started. If she's trying to make you choose between us, then I'll go."

Her eyes filled with tears.

"Really, Callum. I don't want to make things harder for you."

I almost rolled my eyes.

She had a remarkable talent for making herself the victim, even when she was getting exactly what she wanted.

Callum's expression softened immediately.

Then he turned to me, and the warmth disappeared.

"See? I've practically handed you a way out, and you're still refusing to take it." He shook his head. "You honestly think this company will fall apart without you?"

He snatched my resignation letter from the desk.

"Fine. You want to quit? Consider it done."

He signed the letter with an angry flourish and threw it back at me.

"You're no longer an employee here. Take your things and get out."

I looked at the man standing before me.

For one painful second, I remembered the boy he'd once been.

We met in college.

I came from a family that barely made ends meet. Between scholarships, part-time jobs, and classes, I had little time for anything else.

Some of my classmates made sure I knew I didn't belong.

Callum was different.

He defended me when people made cruel jokes. He saved me seats in lectures and brought me dinner when I worked late.

He asked me out for months before I finally said yes.

Throughout college, he was patient, thoughtful, and kind.

After graduation, we started our company together.

Those first years were brutal. We worked weekends, skipped vacations, and lived on cheap foods while trying to land our first major clients.

Callum promised we'd get married once the business was stable.

I believed him.

And for a long time, I never questioned that belief.

Then Graham Kessler became a major shareholder and brought his daughter into the company.

Briar treated deadlines like suggestions. She made careless mistakes and spent more time complaining about her workload than doing it.

Whenever I corrected her, she ran to Callum.

And every time, he accused me of bullying her.

I'd defended my decisions, explained the risks, and reminded him that we had a business to protect.

He never listened.

Now, all because I'd pointed out one mistake during a meeting, he'd threatened to end our engagement unless I handed my position to her.

He'd even offered to announce our relationship as if marrying me were some grand favor he was doing me.

I looked at the man standing beside Briar.

The same man who'd once protected me from everyone else was now the one hurting me most.

And I'd spent far too long making excuses for him.

I should have walked away a long time ago.