⚠️ Trigger Warning ⚠️ The following chapter contains flashbacks of emotional and physical abuse. If you are sensitive to this, please skip the chapter or read at your risk. Mira Don’t you dare cry, Mira. Not here, not the fuck now.No matter what, forever and always, I’ve got you.That was what we promised one another. Unfortunately, Devin King broke that promise and nulled its significance the day he took off without a word and left me behind utterly distraught. Where was he two years ago when I really needed him? Seven thousand miles away, that’s where. In the arms of his girlfriend while I was laid up in a hospital bed nursing my fractured cheekbone and broken ribs. Having your bones shattered hurt, yet the pain is almost next to nothing compared to the betrayal and devastation he has caused me. Bones and bruises heal eventually, but the heart never forgets. I was foolish to believe that my heart wouldn’t miss what it couldn

I follow Devin into the entrance of the building, and through the car park. We swipe our ID cards, and we both attempt to walk through at the same time and get stuck between the door. I wince when the metal frame hits my shoulder. I glare at him. "Oh please, ladies first." I intone sarcastically while gesturing for him to go in front of me."Thanks, Tinks." I groan when he squeezes my cheek affectionally. I swat his hand away and follow him into the building. Devin makes a beeline to the elevator, and out of habit, I go toward the stairs. I gasp when we come crashing back into one another. I wobble in my heels and almost topple over, but Devin catches me before I fall. "Fucking hell, do you need a lesson on how to walk or what?" He questions while I straighten and tug my shirt down before I place my hands at my hips and scowl at him."I can walk perfectly fine, thank you very much. Maybe if you stopped yanking on my arm and moved in the same direction as me, I wouldn't be falling over

I want to ask what she's doing, but it feels like my trap is glued shut. I couldn't form two fucking words together nor think straight."Devin, I think we should get you checked." She tells me fretfully and tilts my head back when I give her a quizzical look in return. "I think you may be a little delirious from when you passed out earlier."I roll my eyes when her lips curl into a bright smile. She's taking the piss. "That's cute, Tinks. Real freaking cute." I utter with a smile and shake my head when she steps away and takes her seat beside mine."I know. I'm just so darn adorable." She retorts with a shrug and fires up her laptop.You have no idea. ***After our squabbling session, we settled down and got some work done. Mira's assistant Molly brought us another two cups of coffee—the right ones this time—with some delicious pastries from the bakery down the street from our office. While she was going thr

MiraI’m dreaming. This has got to be a dream or a very disturbing nightmare. Because I cannot be hiding under Devin’s desk listening to his girlfriend sensually tell him what she wants to do to him in this very office, on this same desk I am pathetically crouched under. This can’t be my life. The Vice-fucking-president of the company is hiding under the CEO’s desk like some tacky little mistress. I am literally sweeping the floor with my dignity at this point. I cover my ears with my hands, not even giving a toss that I am tugging Devin closer. I can feel his fingers brushing against my shoulder, and I have the sudden desire to bite it as hard as I can before I scream in frustration. However, the knock at the door rips me from my deliberations, and I stiffen when I hear footsteps and then my father’s voice.“Devin, my boy. Do you have a moment?” Holy crap, on a cracker. How the fuck am I going to get out of this quandary now?

The rest of the afternoon went by pleasantly for Devin and me. We even managed to get a meeting booked with Wickham. We will find a way to convince her. Her book is great, and with the right marketing, it could be a real hit. I'm not much of an avid fantasy reader. I prefer romance novels to goblins and wizards. Still, nonetheless, her book is genius and could be the next Harry Potter. I mean, isn't it every author's dream to be published traditionally by a well-established, highly respected publishing company? I did hear through the grapevine that seven other smaller publishing houses rejected her book. I do wonder what they said to her to make her want to go down the indie route. All we need to do now is charm the pants off of her and prove to her that publishing with Evans and King is the best way to go for the success of her book. We had till Monday morning to prep for the pitch to sway her. That's still, however, four more days of being handcuffed to Devin, which is absolutely i