Page 21 of Executive Decision

“You care about me, Cal. You enjoy this. Please don’t say?—”

“Daphne, that is a respectable man who loves you,” I said. “And what we have? It’s the thrill of the chase. I want you because I shouldn’t have you. It was fun. That’s all it was.”

She reached for me again, tears welling in green eyes, “Don’t cheapen this.”

“Daphne, it was nothing. And if you ever cared about me, you’ll let me get off this god damn elevator in one piece.”

“Cal, there is a way?—”

“There is no way, Daphne! You’re David’s daughter and we’re about to go into business together. You’re gorgeous and you… you’re smart. Don’t let any man tell you otherwise, but this isn’t real. This was just a bit of fun. I cannot let it jeopardize my career. Run back to your boyfriend.”

The doors opened and I stepped off, leaving her behind in tears. I was an ass, but I couldn’t let a vacation hookup end it all. It was either Daphne or my career and I didn’t love her. I made the best choice for both of us. She’d marry well. I’d grow a business. We’d both be happier like this.

8A DEAL

Daphne

I dipped into the bathroom,setting a two-minute timer—the time allotted for a good cry. When the timer sounded, I left the stall and wiped my tears. I tried to cover up how badly all of this affected me—how Cal’s words hurt.

I didn’t believe him, but couldn’t ask him to put his career at risk over what? What evenwasthis?It was all a dream. I tried to shake it off as I once more took my seat across from Chandler, my loving boyfriend.

“You alright?”

I wasn’t. I was confused and bothered by everything that just happened.

“Did you hear me?” Chandler asked, brow furrowed.

“I think so,” I lied.

“Daphne, I just want to get to the next part—why I’m here, you live under your father’s shadow. Here you will always just be a Delphine. In London, you could run yourownempire. We could build our own dynasty.” Chandler’s face lit up.

I turned back to what I had left. “And right now, I’m building a career.”

“But you could do that in London. James has a position open. We’re talking partner track, acquisitions out the nose, and it’s yours if you want it, Daphne.”

I couldn’t breathe. It sounded perfect. I held my breath for the attached “but”.

“You could do great things, Daphne. And you will.” Chandler squeezed my hands. “Come home.”

“I… I want to be my own person. I love you. I don’t want to throw away three years of happiness, but I need to be myself,” I said. “Your ultimatum… it felt unfair.”

“I realize it was.” He took my hands again. “And for that, I am sorry. What you said you wanted was a chance to build a career. Youcanandwilldo that. Here, you will always have to chase your brother and fix his messes. In the UK, you can just be the attorney you want to be.”

“I want to say yes. I want to be that woman,” I said. “But I don’t want to have babies right away. I cannot stomach that idea. That’s what I’m worried about.”

“I thought you wanted children, Daphne?”

“I do,” I said. “I want nothing more than to be a mother someday. I also want to have a career settled by that point. Can you give me a few more years to build something?”

“Fine,” Chandler said. “Let’s table the children issue until when?”

“Thirty,” I said. “Give me a few years, alright?”

“I can handle that. Is that all you wanted? Because I’m fine with everything, my love. I want you back in my life. I need you. You make everything so wonderful. The house is too quiet without you. I miss this every morning—just us.”

He reached for my hand across the table and squeezed. This time, I didn’t pull back.

Relationships are hard, Daphne. This could be everything you ever wanted. Don’t turn your back!

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