Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tania
The early afternoon sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Levi’s penthouse, but it does little to brighten my mood. My laptop hums softly on the coffee table as I scroll through an endless stream of emails, forcing myself to focus. But even as I try to immerse myself in work, my mind keeps drifting back to the night before.
Levi had been perfect—too perfect. The romantic dinner, his heartfelt words, the way he held me like I was the only thing that mattered. It was intoxicating, but it also left me feeling vulnerable in a way I hadn’t in years. I’ve been trying to rebuild my walls ever since, but they feel weaker with every moment I spend around him.
A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. Jenna, my assistant, walks in, holding a thick folder.
“Sorry to barge in,” she says, setting the folder on the coffee table. “But I thought you’d want to see this. It’s about Levi.”
My stomach tightens. “Levi? What about him?”
She hesitates, her expression uneasy. “There’s been some chatter about him online. It’s mostly from a few years ago, but... it’s not great.”
I frown, flipping open the folder. Inside are printed articles, screenshots, and reports that paint a picture of a scandal I hadn’t known existed.
As I read through the articles, my chest tightens. The story is clear: several years ago, Levi had been embroiled in a high-stakes corporate merger that ended in controversy. Allegations of aggressive tactics, backroom deals, and the apparent ruin of a smaller, family-run business are all laid bare.
One article catches my eye, and I skim it quickly. The words seem to leap off the page: “Levi Nichols’ ruthless ambition leaves no room for compromise.”
My breath catches as I recognize the name of the company Levi had targeted—it’s one I’d referenced during our breakup, one I’d suggested he could’ve handled with more care. I hadn’t known the full extent of the fallout at the time, but now it’s all here in black and white.
I set the folder down, my hands trembling. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me about this.
When we broke up, I thought it was about his priorities—his inability to balance work and our relationship. But now, I can’t help but wonder if this scandal had been part of it, too. Had he kept this from me to protect himself? Or to protect me?
When Levi returns to the penthouse that evening, he seems lighter, more at ease than I’ve seen him in days. But the moment he sees my expression, his smile falters.
“Tania,” he says, his tone cautious. “What’s wrong?”
I hold up the folder, my gaze sharp. “You tell me.”
His eyes flick to the folder, and his jaw tightens. “Where did you get that?”
“Does it matter?” I snap, standing. “Why didn’t you tell me about this, Levi? About the merger? The scandal?”
He exhales slowly, running a hand through his hair. “It was years ago, Tania. It has nothing to do with us.”
“It has everything to do with us!” I say, my voice rising. “This wasn’t just some business deal gone wrong—it’s who you were. It’s the same mindset that drove us apart. And you didn’t think I deserved to know?”
“I didn’t tell you because it’s in the past,” he says firmly. “I’ve moved on from it, and I didn’t want it to affect what we’re trying to build now.”
“But it does affect us, Levi,” I reply, my chest tightening. “Because now I’m wondering if I ever really knew you.”
He flinches at my words, his expression hardening. “That’s not fair. You know me better than anyone, Tania. You always have.”
“Do I?” I ask, shaking my head. “Because this feels like the man who let me go without a fight. The man who chose his career over everything else. And I can’t—” My voice breaks, and I turn away, pressing a hand to my forehead.
“Tania,” he says softly, stepping closer. “Look at me.”
I hesitate, but when I turn to face him, the pain in his eyes makes my chest ache.
“I made mistakes,” he says, his voice quieter now. “Big ones. And I’ve spent every day since trying to be better. But I didn’t tell you because I was afraid. Afraid that if you knew, it would push you further away. And I couldn’t risk that.”
His words hang in the air, heavy with sincerity, but they do little to ease the ache in my chest.
“You can’t protect me from the truth, Levi,” I say, my voice trembling. “If we’re going to have any chance at this, I need to know everything. No more secrets.”
“I swear,” he says, his voice steady. “No more secrets.”
I study him for a long moment, searching his face for any sign of deceit. But all I see is regret—and something that looks a lot like hope.
“This changes things,” I say quietly.
“I know,” he replies. “But it doesn’t change the way I feel about you. And I hope it doesn’t change the way you feel about me.”
The vulnerability in his voice catches me off guard, and for a moment, I don’t know how to respond. Part of me wants to run, to retreat behind the walls I’ve spent so long building. But another part of me—the part that still loves him—wants to stay.
“I need time,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Take all the time you need,” he says softly. “I’ll be here.”
He steps back, giving me space, and I watch as he retreats to the other side of the room. My heart feels heavy, but there’s a flicker of something else, too. Something that feels dangerously close to hope.