Page 72 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

I’m not that needy woman who just wanted what everyone else had.

I’m not the woman who’s going to forgive to avoid conflict.

And I sure as shit am not the woman whose going to be with a man just for the sake of it.

I’m strong. I’m capable. I know my worth. I also know that no one is going to drag my name through court because his feelings are hurt. Nope, I’m going to countersue him for a dollar just to say on the record how much of a piece of shit he is.

And I want Nadia to testify on my behalf.

Actually, I want more than that. I wanteveryoneto know what he did. I don’t want to sit back and just let the gossip die down. Why does he get to have the last word and use his status at the firm to win the breakup?

Fuck. That.

Before I can think about what I’m doing, I swing open thedoor of the break room and head into the bullpen of the office. As I march to the middle so everyone can see me, I’m remembering back to the night of the rehearsal dinner when Duncan told me not to cause a scene.

I didn’t then, but I sure as shit am about to cause one now.

“Hey! Everyone!” I yell as everyone turns their eyes on me. I’m surrounded by associates and interns, and even a few of the managing partners are making their way out of their offices.

Good. I thrive on an audience. I’ll even stand on a desk so everyone can see and hear me just fine.

“I’m assuming by now you all know that I left Duncan at the altar,” I begin as more eyes focus on me. “And I’m also going to assume that he, or someone in his circle of law bros, has told you that I’m a bitch. That I hurt him, and he’s the good guy in all this, and no one can fathom why I left.”

I hear low murmurs and see head nods. I also see glares from the law bros I just mentioned. I know they’re trying to intimidate me. Joke’s on them. Their presence is only fueling my fire.

“What I’d like to let you know is that he stole from me. Thousands of dollars. I’d rather not go into more detail than that because I’m sure if my father— you know, the man whose name is on your paychecks—were here he’d tell me to not talk about details of a lawsuit. And not just the bogus suit he’s filed against me for emotional distress. Which is horseshit. Because actual emotional—and visual—damage is the thought and memory of Duncan Hughes getting flogged on a bed by a dominatrix an hour before our wedding in nothing but his tie and dress socks while being called a good boy. Nowthatwill give you nightmares.”

I hear a few gasps as I watch all the eyes turn to Duncan. I take a peek over to him just in time to see the color drain from his face. I want to stare, but I also need to keep going. I’m on a roll.

“So yes, everyone, please know that before you go believingeverything you hear, that there are two sides to a story. One is from a woman who was going to give everything to the man she thought she loved, only to find out she was being lied to and cheated on. The other is coming from a pencil dick who fell for a Ponzi scheme and barely gets hard with his three inches paying a woman to flog him.”

It’s at that moment I see Stanley Carter, the most senior partner of the firm, walk into the room. I know I have about a minute before he says that he needs to see me, but I’m not quite done. I climb down from the desk because I have one more thing I need to make sure that everyone, but especially Duncan, knows.

“I was the best you wereevergoing to fucking do,” I say as I stare at him dead in the eyes. “Goodbye, Duncan. And go fuck yourself.”

I walk toward Stanley with my head held high, not looking directly at anyone as he opens the door to his office. I don’t sit down even though he walks behind his desk and does so himself.

I know what’s coming. So I’m going to do it before he can.

“Stella…”

“I know,” I say. “I’m resigning. Effective immediately.”

He lets out a sigh and hangs his head for a second. “I didn’t want it to be like this. You know how much I think of you. Of your father. You run this office better than anyone we’ve had in thirty years. I wanted to fire him. I know what he did to you—and not just because you announced it. Your dad told me.”

I wince for a second, hating that a man I admire knows about all the shitty things I let happen because I was too…whatever… to see what was right in front of me.

“Stanley…”

He shakes his head for me to stop. “Don’t. Whatever you were going to say, don’t bother. Personally, I’m on Team Stella. But unfortunately, professionally, I have to be neutral. And sinceDuncan didn’t do anything that was in direct reflection of the company or to harm his clients…”

“I know,” I say as the adrenaline crashes around me. “Can you do me a favor?”

“Name it.”

“Don’t call my dad right away,” I say. “Let me tell him.”

He nods in the fatherly way he has about him. “Done. We’re going to miss you around here.”

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