"He's in a meeting, Mia," the receptionist, Clara, said, staring firmly at her keyboard.
"He's been in a meeting every time I've come by this week," I said, placing the wrapped anniversary box on the reception desk. "Just tell him I'm here."
"I really shouldn't."
The glass doors to the executive suite swung open. Jax walked out, a genuine smile lighting up his face. Vanessa Thorne walked right beside him. She held a tablet, her shoulder pressing firmly against his bicep as she leaned in to show him the screen.
"Jax," I called out.
His smile vanished instantly. "What are you doing here?"
"We had lunch plans. For our anniversary."
Vanessa glanced up, her expression a mask of polite surprise. "Oh, Jax, you didn't tell me you had a schedule conflict. We have the board presentation in twenty minutes."
"We still have the presentation," Jax told her, his eyes cold as they finally met mine.
"Jax, I booked the restaurant a month ago," I said.
"Cancel the reservation."
"I bought you a gift." I held out the small velvet box.
He didn't move his hands. "I don't have time for this right now. Leave it on the desk."
Vanessa stepped closer to him. She reached out and adjusted the lapel of his suit. "We should get going, partner. The car is waiting downstairs."
He didn't pull away from her touch. He stood perfectly still, letting her smooth his jacket in front of the entire office. Whispers erupted from the nearby cubicles.
"You're letting her do that?" I asked, my voice rising.
"She's fixing a fold, Mia. Stop being hysterical."
"I'm not hysterical. I'm your girlfriend."
"Right now, you're an interruption," he snapped. "Let's go, Vanessa."
They walked past me. He didn't even look at the gift box left sitting next to Clara's phone.
The cold treatment didn't stop at the office. It followed us home.
I sat on the living room sofa, glaring at the glowing screen of my phone. The local business blogs were having a field day. *A New Power Couple in Tech? Jax Galloway and Vanessa Thorne spotted at the Plaza.* The attached photo showed them sharing a single umbrella, her hand resting flat against his chest.
The front door opened at one in the morning.
"You're late," I said from the dark.
Jax flicked on the hallway light, ignored my presence, and walked straight into the kitchen.
I followed him. "Did you see the article?"
"I don't read gossip columns." He poured a glass of ice water.
"Everyone else does. They're calling you two a couple."
"It's PR. It builds investor confidence."
"So you're not going to issue a denial?"
"I don't owe the internet an explanation."
"You owe me one!" I stepped directly into his path. "You haven't spoken more than two sentences to me in a week. You rejected my anniversary gift. You pretend I don't exist."
"I'm working," he stated flatly, sidestepping me.
"You're freezing me out."
"I'm going to sleep. In the guest room."
"Jax, stop walking away from me!"
He paused at the bottom of the stairs. "Then stop demanding my attention. Give me space."
"Space? You spend fourteen hours a day with her!"
"Because she understands the business. She doesn't nag."
He went up the stairs. The guest room door shut with a solid thud. The lock clicked.
I stood alone in the kitchen, the silence ringing in my ears.
Three days later, the silence broke, but not the way I wanted.
I attended the annual Founders Charity Gala. I was still listed on the company board, a remnant of the early days when I funded his dream.
"Did you see them?" a woman whispered near the champagne fountain.
"I heard he's moving her into the corner office next to his."
I set my glass down hard on the table.
Jax and Vanessa stood by the terrace doors. She was wearing his suit jacket draped over her bare shoulders. She laughed at something he said, tilting her head back, exposing her neck.
I marched across the ballroom.
"Take it off," I told her.
Vanessa blinked, feigning innocence. "Excuse me?"
"My boyfriend's jacket. Take it off."
"I was cold, Mia. Jax offered."
I shifted my gaze to him. "Tell her to take it off."
Jax glared at me, his jaw tight. "Stop causing a scene."
"I'm causing a scene? You're parading her around like she's your wife!"
"She is my business partner."
"And what am I?"
"Right now? A massive headache."
Vanessa sighed dramatically. "I'll just give it back, Jax. I don't want to upset her further."
"Keep it," Jax commanded, his eyes locked on mine in a silent challenge. "Mia is leaving."
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Then I am." He turned to Vanessa. "Let's grab a cab. We can finish reviewing the portfolio at my hotel."
"Your hotel?" I asked, the floor seeming to tilt beneath my feet. "You haven't been staying in the guest room?"
"I need a quiet place to work. Without constant interrogations."
He walked away. Vanessa followed, shooting me a triumphant grin over her shoulder.
I stood there, fully abandoned, as the room watched me break.
I didn't stay at the gala. I went straight back to our penthouse.
If he was staying at a hotel, I was done. I needed to pack my things. I needed my passport from his home office.
I yanked open his bottom desk drawer.
My passport wasn't there.
Instead, a small, black velvet ring box sat tucked in the corner.
My heart skipped a violent beat. A proposal? After all the coldness, the pushing away? Was this some twisted way of surprising me?
I pulled the box out and popped the lid open.
A massive, flawless diamond caught the desk lamp's light.
But underneath the velvet cushion, a small jeweler's receipt stuck out.
I pulled the slip of paper free and read the printed text.
*Purchased by: Jax Galloway.*
*Custom Engraving Requested: Forever yours, V.*
