Chapter 2

"Break up?"

Austin squinted his half-drunken eyes, as if he had just heard the funniest joke in the world.

"Chloe, what kind of childish tantrum is this? Are you trying to act like a little girl now, threatening to walk away?"

There it was again. That exact phrase.

In Austin’s eyes, I had no leverage to threaten him with a breakup.

His contempt had been written all over his face for years. How on earth did I miss it?

I guess the ultimate form of deception is the lie you tell yourself.

I let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh. "I'll pack up your things and ship them to your apartment. If you don't want them, let me know and I'll throw them in the trash.”

“Whether we announce the split or keep it private is entirely up to you. Whatever reason you give the press, I’ll play along."

I told the driver to pull over at the curb. When I stepped out, my steps were firm. I didn't look back.

To my surprise, Austin stumbled out of the car and grabbed my arm.

Annoyance flashed across his face. "Are you actually being serious right now?"

I met his gaze calmly. "What do you think?"

In our ten years together, I had never once used the word "breakup" as a weapon.

Because I was terrified that once said, it would be real.

His expression turned icy, his eyes raking over me from head to toe.

"Fine. You want to split? Don't regret it. Even if you get down on your knees and beg me tomorrow, I’m never taking you back."

With that, he slammed the car door shut, and the black town car sped off into the night.

Just as arrogant and reckless as he had always been.

I shrugged, a dull, numbing ache spreading through my chest.

It hurt like hell. But it wasn't fatal.

I took a deep breath and pressed a hand against my chest. It was going to pass. Everything passes eventually.

Back at my penthouse, I tossed all of Austin's belongings into cardboard boxes.

He actually didn't leave much behind. In all the years we were together, he rarely spent the night.

His excuse was always foolproof:

"If the paparazzi snap pictures of me staying over, where does that leave my pride?"

Austin’s production company was climbing to the top of the industry, but as an award-winning screenwriter, I had gained fame long before him.

He was terrified of being branded as a guy riding a successful woman’s coattails. So, he refused to go public with our relationship.

Even when reporters caught us together, he would play dumb and laugh it off:

"Chloe is just a dear friend and mentor. Don't read too much into it, guys."

I dialed his personal assistant and told him he could pick up the boxes tomorrow morning.

The assistant hesitated on the other end. "I'm sorry, Ms. Hayes... I don't think I can make it tomorrow."

I paused, softening my tone. "No worries. Whenever it's convenient for you."

Silence stretched over the line before the assistant whispered, "Are you really doing this? Honestly, Mr. Miller cares about you a lot.”

“Guys talk reckless when they've had a few drinks at the lounge. It was just locker room talk. Please don't take it to heart."

So that was it. Austin had probably checked the club's security footage and knew I had arrived early enough to hear everything.

"There's nothing more to discuss," I cut him off smoothly. "I'll have a courier deliver the boxes to his office. And please, don't call me to patch things up anymore."

I hung up before he could reply.

I wanted a clean break from anyone connected to Austin Miller. If a cord needed cutting, it needed to be severed completely.

For the next three days, I holed up at home outlining a new screenplay. Just as I finished the character bibles, my best friend called.

"Chloe, can you come down to Club SK?"

Her voice sounded strained, completely unnatural.

"A nightclub?" Knowing her, she despised loud club venues.

"Yes, please. You have to come, or else..."

The call abruptly disconnected. When I dialed back, it went straight to voicemail.

Frowning, I threw a tailored wool coat over my casual clothes and headed out without a speck of makeup on my face.

Club SK was Austin’s private playground.

So I wasn't the least bit surprised to see him there. Nor was I surprised to see a gorgeous young girl nestled in his arms.