Page 46 of If He Hadn't Cheated
A headline in bold letters:
CEO KNOX CAIN’S SECRET AFFAIR WITH EMPLOYEE EXPOSED.
My breath catches. The photos beneath it make my blood run cold. The stormy night. The images are grainy but unmistakable. My hand on his chest. His face angled toward mine. The mirror behind us reflecting everything we thought was private. My chest tightens until it’s hard to breathe.
The door to Knox’s office opens. He stands there, his expression unreadable, phone in hand. His jaw is set, eyes darker than I’ve ever seen them.
“Inside,” he says quietly.
I follow him, every step heavier than the last. The blinds close behind us with a soft click, shutting out the world.
“Where did they get them?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“Security footage from the first night.” His tone is sharp, controlled. “Leaked through a private account.”
I swallow hard. “Sebastian.”
His eyes lift to mine. “I already traced the source. It goes back to him. He had us followed.”
The thought makes my stomach twist. “He did this to ruin you.”
Knox’s jaw flexes. “He’s not the first to try.”
“And me?”
He looks at me for a long time. “He wanted to hurt you too. He knew I’d protect you.”
The words hit like a bruise. “And will you?”
“Always.”
Something in his voice cracks, just slightly. It’s enough to undo me.
“Knox, this could destroy you.The board.”
“I don’t care about that.”
“You should,” I say, tears burning the edges of my eyes. “You built everything for this company. You don’t deserve to lose it because of me.”
He crosses the space between us in two strides, his hand closing gently around mine. “You didn’t ruin anything. I made the choice.”
“I shouldn’t have let you.”
He shakes his head. “Don’t take my sins as your own.”
The room spins, the walls closing in. “They’re going to fire me. The board will demand it.”
“Let them.”
“Knox,” I say, my voice breaking. “You can’t protect me from this. This is your life that needs protecting”
He pulls me closer until my forehead rests against his chest. His heartbeat is steady, but his voice isn’t. “I can try.”
The door opens suddenly. His secretary Lila stands in the doorway, her face pale. “They’re calling an emergency meeting.”
He nods once, his hand tightening briefly on my arm before letting go. “I’ll be there in five.”
When she leaves, I step back. “You should go.”
