A smirk tugged at my lips. I dialed a familiar number. "You were trying to poach me last month? Twenty percent discount on my salary if we sign today."
——
Three months later.
I had thrown myself into work at the Gilbert family's corporation, securing a massive partnership with the city's richest man. The relentless schedule had exacted its toll—my old stomach condition flared up, a dull, gnawing ache that refused to fade no matter how many antacids I swallowed.
I stood in front of the Simmons villa, punching in the familiar code.
The gate didn't budge.
Frowning, I knocked.
Minutes crawled by before the lock finally clicked. Ava, the nanny, opened the door, her expression shifting from surprise to awkward evasion. She stepped aside without a word.
A stranger sat on the sofa, sobbing as if her heart were breaking.
Logan and Katherine flanked her, murmuring soothing words. Even Peter—usually cold as marble—crouched beside her, looking utterly helpless.
The moment Summer Simmons spotted me, her wails intensified.