Smoke & Secrets Chapter 1

When we graduated college, Julian and I had one last hookup—a breakup fling.

Afterward, he skillfully handed me a cigarette, teasing, "In the future, the woman I marry definitely won't be the type to smoke after sex."

My throat tightened. I asked him why.

He exhaled a cloud of smoke and smiled. "Chloe, I like them innocent."

I fell silent. After that night, I cut off all contact.

Five years later, he became my new CEO.

To avoid the awkwardness, I proactively handed in my resignation, only to be cornered by him in his office.

"It's been five years," he murmured, pressing me against the desk. "One more time for old times' sake?"

I lowered my eyes, my voice steady. "No thanks. I have to pick up my kid from school."

* * *

The air in the office instantly solidified.

Julian froze. I tried to push myself off his lap, but his grip on my waist tightened, pinning me in place.

The burning heat in his eyes cooled rapidly, replaced by a crack in his usually composed mask.

He gritted his teeth. "How old is the child?"

I stayed silent for a moment before whispering, "Three."

Three years old. Not four. And we had been broken up for five years.

The math didn't add up. This child had nothing to do with him.

Clearly, Julian realized this too.

I tried to stand up again. This time, the large hand around my waist let go.

As I reached the door, his voice cut through the silence, laced with suspicion.

"I recall your HR file says 'Single.'"

I paused, steadied my breathing, and turned back with a calm expression.

"We just got the marriage license recently."

"Just got the license, but the kid is three?"

I nodded, my face a mask of坦 honesty. "Yes. We had the baby out of wedlock."

Julian didn't respond. His sharp gaze swept over the cheap ring on my finger, and he let out a scoff of disbelief.

I didn't feel embarrassed. I held up my hand, displaying the ring proudly, almost shoving it in his face.

Sensing his temper about to flair, I quickly made my escape.

Back home that night, I let out a heavy sigh.

Sometimes, a lie is the most efficient way to solve a messy problem.

I bought the ring yesterday at a dollar store. Cheap, effective.

I figured it was enough to kill whatever lingering nostalgia Julian might have had for me.

Sure enough, my resignation was approved the very next day. The HR director personally came to notify me.

"Hand over your projects within the week, and you're free to go."

Normally, resignation takes two weeks to a month. Mine took days. It was obvious whose order this was.

I nodded and began transferring my files to the intern.

The new intern, Bella, was sweet and enthusiastic. Or at least, she was when I was buying her coffee and breakfast.

Near the end of the day, Bella looked at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Chloe, can I leave a little early? My boyfriend is taking me out to dinner."

I hesitated. It wasn't that I wanted to be mean, but I also needed to leave early to pick up my daughter.

Seeing my silence, she put her hands together in a pleading gesture.

I laughed, relenting. "Fine, go ahead."

She thanked me profusely and started packing. "My boyfriend is coming up to get me."

"He works in the building?" I asked, surprised.

Bella looked mysterious. "No, he's..."

Before she could finish, a deep, magnetic voice interrupted from the doorway.

"Ready to go?"