The Rancher’s Vengeful Heart (Billionaires of Evergreen, Texas)

Tassy

WHAT KIND OF BOYFRIEND would announce he wanted to break up just as his girlfriend received a promotion?

Her boyfriend, that's who.

Xylan was now staring at her with a mixture of guilt and horror while everyone else in the gleaming glass-walled conference room pretended they hadn't heard anything.

Every second that passed felt like a ticking bomb. The heater was on, and she had her trusty cream cardigan over her knitted sweater. So why did feel like she was about to freeze to death?

Words completely failed her, but one thing was absolutely certain of—-she shouldn't waste other people's time.

As she rose to her feet, a smile somehow found its way to her lips. Her ankle-length floral skirt swished softly against her boots as she moved.

Keep it steady.

Don't walk too slow or fast.

Her dark bangs fell across her eyes, and fought against the urge to tuck them back. Anything that hid her gaze from the world right now was good. Face-saving good, in fact.

Just take it one step at a time.

That had always kept her going, every time felt there was no one to turn to.

One step at a time .

The pity in everyone's gazes burned, and for once, wished she wore her hair long so she could hide behind it.

She was this close to wishing she could melt off the face of the earth. But since knew just enough about God to believe things would get better in time, she forced herself to focus on what she could control.

One step at a time, Tas.

Left foot forward.

Right foot next.

Platitudes came to 's rescue as she reached the VP of Product Development—-the boss of her boss's boss. "Thank you so much." Her voice came out steady, with just the tiniest squeak at the end. "I honestly have no words. This promotion wouldn't have been possible without so many people supporting me."

Samantha squeezed her hand. "You deserve this, dear." Their department VP was in her mid-fifties, her grayish hair even shorter than 's. She had been with Black Carpet International since it first opened its doors, one of the company's pillars of strength for three decades.

"But wait, there's more."

The words helped defuse the tension, and everyone laughed—the sound tinged with unmistakable relief.

The older woman presented with a sealed envelope. "Inside are the details of your first assignment, but you could say it's also a reward since it's for Foxtown's invite-only media conference for their Valentine campaign. The company will be shouldering all traveling expenses for you and your... oh, shit ."

The discomfort inside the room skyrocketed, and mouthed, 'It's okay' when she saw the aghast expression on the VP's face. Not even the pandemic had thrown Samantha off her game like this. Handling simultaneous promotions and breakups was obviously new territory, even for her. mustered another smile to keep the situation from spiraling further.

"This is such an amazing gift, Samantha. It's always been my dream to visit Foxtown. I really can't thank you enough."

The words gave her superior enough time to recover. Samantha's smile no longer seemed forced as she turned to face the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, the newest manager in our department, Bautista."

Clap, clap, clap.

The junior associates and her colleagues rushed forward, and eagerly allowed herself to be swept away by their enthusiasm.

I knew you could do it, Tas!

Youngest to make manager!

Way to go!

By the time moved to shake hands with her superiors, her smile felt more natural, and the awkwardness in the conference room had lessened.

Maybe from 110% awkward, it was now 109.9?

Or wait, maybe 109.8, since she didn't want her first post-breakup day marked with negativity. She refused to be known as the girl who couldn't handle breakups, and oh God, was this truly happening?

It was just yesterday—- yesterday! —-when told Stella she would start taking her faith seriously. And now this?

Would God think she was ungrateful if she wished she wasn't the one being promoted?

Because maybe, if it was someone else, she and her boyfriend since college would still be together?

"I'm sorry, Tas..."

Xylan stood before her now, everyone in their department having filed out without being asked. Sweet of them, really, but suspected it was also because they couldn't bear to watch what came next.

Xylan's Rolex caught the morning light as he ran a hand through his perfectly styled dark hair. That was new, observed absently. It had always been his dream to own a Rolex, and despite everything, she was happy to see him finally wearing one.

"There was obviously a better place and time to do this, but I just couldn't hold it any longer."

only nodded...even though part of her was dying to ask: Really, Xy? You couldn't wait just a few minutes longer? Really?

"And what happened afterward..." Xylan's jaw clenched as he loosened his Italian silk tie in a fit of restlessness.

That's new, too , noted vaguely. Was it possible that while giving his wardrobe a complete overhaul...he'd realized their relationship needed a similar fix? Out with the old, in with the...new?

"You get what I'm saying, right?"

shook her head.

It can't be. It can't be.

"What happened today perfectly illustrates why we're never going to work."

Where was he going with this?

"I just broke up with you," Xylan burst out. "But you didn't say a word!"

Is he really saying what I think he's saying?

"You acted as if you heard nothing."

What else was she supposed to do?

He had just broken up with her... in front of everyone .

If she had stared at him a second longer, she would've broken down and cried.

Was that why he believed they wouldn't work?

"You just got up from your chair like our breakup doesn't matter."

Xylan's accusing tone robbed of words.

Is this for real?

Was he really saying he'd broken up with her because she hadn't burst into tears in their workplace?

"You went straight to the VP and accepted your promotion like it's more important than our relationship." A note of bitterness crept into her ex-boyfriend's tone as he towered over her petite frame. "Then again, that's the truth, isn't it?"

's lips parted in protest, but Xylan wouldn't let her speak.

"Don't bother denying it. Everything in your life takes precedence over our relationship. You never get jealous even when you see me with other girls."

Because he told her jealousy was a sign of distrust! Did he even realize how she would always end up biting her lip bloody every time she saw him with other women?

"You've never kissed me in public either!"

Because he had told her not to when they first started dating. Why was he saying all these things like he'd suffered from amnesia—

"And today, dammit! Today is irrefutable proof—"

"How?" hated interrupting him...because she knew he hated being interrupted. She had learned to hold her tongue to keep the peace, but this...was just too much. "How is today—-" 's voice died at the look of resentment Xylan shot her way.

He hated her, she realized with shock.

They had been together for years, and yet there was no denying it.

Xylan hated her.

How could a person be in love one moment and so full of hatred the next?

"You were promoted, Tas."

Why was he looking at her like that was enough to explain their breakup?

"But if you had really loved me—"

Her eyes began to prick as understanding finally dawned.

"You would have turned it down."

Xylan stormed past her and slammed the door behind him hard enough to make everyone outside the conference room turn—then look away just as quickly when they saw through the glass walls that Xylan had gotten what he wanted.

She was crying for everyone to see.