FORTY-EIGHT
Gripping the papers Kross gave me, I walk briskly to Chavonne’s office. Once I show her the proof, we’ll handle Wren and get Iree her job back.
I knock and enter without her response. “Sorry for barging in, but you need to see this.”
She looks at me with a scowl. “What is it?”
“Wren. Chavonne, he’s been doing some dirty shit behind your back.” I place the papers before her on the desk. “An anonymous source sent this to me.” That’s the best way to leave Kross and his tech friend out of it. I’m sure they’ve pulled some illegal strings.
“Oh my god!” she blares at the details. “Is this real?”
“It is,” I confirm.
“My fucking accountant!” she yells, her hands shaking with the papers. She drops them and presses a button on her desk phone. “Wren, come to my office now!” She continues looking through the details until he hurries into the office seconds later.
He appears shaken up while looking from me to Chavonne as if he already knows it’s over for him.
“You son of a bitch!” Chavonne screams.
“You stole my work,” I grit through clenched teeth. “And don’t even bother lying, you asshole. The proof is right there.” I point to the papers on Chavonne’s desk.
“Listen,” he sputters, wringing his hands.
“ You’re behind the attack on my warehouse two years ago,” Chavonne rasps, her voice cracking. “Swindling money to an off-shore account.” She walks around the desk. “My accountant should have caught it, but that scum is in bed with you!” He staggers back when she moves closer. “Sabotaging materials before they reach the warehouse.” She shakes her head. “The list goes on. You’ve been hurting my brand behind my back while acting like a friend in my face.”
Wren draws a nervous breath, his hand trembling as he touches his forehead. “Chavonne, I—I gave everything to La Monte since the day you launched. You gladly accepted my creative assistance but never offered me my line. I deserve that and more for everything I’ve done. So yes, I may have gone a little overboard by sabotaging some things. Can you blame me for losing it?”
“Bastard!” The loud smack across his face ricochets in the office. She jams her finger into his chest, eyes teary and red with hurt. “It’s over, you sleazy fuck.”
“Please,” he sputters while touching his cheek. “I’ll pay back everything. I can’t go to prison.”
“Oh, you will. I’ll make sure my lawyers bury you.” She presses the security button next to the door.
“I’m sorry,” he murmurs and looks at me. “Davia…”
“How could you do that to me?” I finally ask. “You acted like you supported me.”
“It felt like you were starting to take my place,” he says. “I’m sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
The security guard rushes into the office. “Ms. La Monte?”
“Take this trash out of here and watch him until the cops arrive.”
Wren starts to panic. “Chavonne! Don’t do this! I can’t go to prison! Chavonne!”
“Come on,” the security guard grunts, pulling him out of the office.
Once they leave, Chavonne walks back to her chair, drops down, and allows the tears to fall. “I can’t believe it. I trusted him. Wren has been by my side since the beginning. God.”
“He put on a great show to all of us. That asshole.”
She sniffles and looks at me. “I’m sorry he did that to you. Sorry for ever doubting you.” Wiping her face, she slumps back in the chair with a sharp breath. “It’s a relief we’ll be able to turn things around for your launch.”
“Yeah. So, does Iree have her job back?”
She nods. “As long as she wants it. After the way I yelled and fired her, it wouldn’t surprise me if she declined to return.”
At least you didn’t fight her .
Knocking disrupts my focus. I put the pencil down and walk over to check the camera, becoming anxious when I see Jamir. He appears defeated, shoulders hunched.
I open the door halfway, asking, “What are you doing here?”
He lifts his sad gaze to me. “Did you know my dad was seeing your mom?”
“No, Jamir. I found out last Thursday.”
“The night he confessed to my mom and me,” he rasps and runs his hand over his face. “Can I come in, please?”
“Jamir—”
“I’m sorry for scaring you. I’ll stay calm. Please let me in, Davia. I only want to talk.”
I open the door wider, inviting him into my apartment.
He briefly looks around before facing me. “You were right. Things hadn’t felt good between us for a while. And you should know that… I’ve cheated on you. I lied about my uncle’s sixtieth and spent the weekend with someone.”
“Wow.” I fold my arms, feeling like a fool.
“It was only one woman. On and off for the past two years. She doesn’t mean anything.”
“You got so angry at me. Meanwhile, you—”
“Davia, you connected with him emotionally,” he rasps. “I never thought I’d lose you despite what I did. Despite my mom not accepting you, I always thought you were perfect at my side. I wanted to propose this summer. Buy a house, marry you, and take care of you.”
“You wanted me in your shadow as a pretty trophy. I have my own light, Jamir. I won’t dim it for you.”
He pats the air. “No, I never wanted that.”
“But it’s how being with you made me feel,” I admit. “I’m not giving up my dreams. I want a partner who’ll respect that and support me. You never did. That’s why we fell apart.”
He lowers his head, blowing a sharp breath before looking at me again. “Davia, I do support you. I’ve rooted for your career throughout our relationship.”
“Oh really?” I shift to one side. “If I ask you to tell me one significant moment in my career, I bet you can’t. When was the first time Chavonne allowed my design into a season’s launch? Do you know what I won that award for on the shelf behind you? How many looks did I complete for my first solo line?”
He twists his mouth and splays his hands. “I don’t know any of that. How could I?”
“A supportive partner would. The way I remember all your achievements and celebrate them.”
He runs his hand over his head. “Davia… you’re being too hard on me.”
“All I asked for was your time and care. With Kross, I don’t even have to ask. He’s attentive. He cares about my interests and passion. He showed me how it really should be in a relationship.”
He frowns. “Despite finding out about my dad and your mom, I came here hoping we could fix this. Forget about that man and start over with me.”
“What?” I shake my head. “You weren’t even faithful this whole time. We’re over. I’ve moved on. I’m happy with Kross. So please don’t mess with his business because it won’t get me back.”
Hurt twists his face, and he shifts in the spot. “Davia, come on. I’m never seeing her again. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
I motion to the box by the door. “Please take that and leave. It’s some clothes and jewelry you gave me. There’s nothing left between us. I’m sorry I hurt you. I should have discussed my feelings sooner. But it’s over now. So let’s move on.”
Anger replaces the hurt as he clenches his jaw. “Move on? I love you, Davia. How can you say that to me so easily?”
“Jamir, please . I’ll always care about you. But there’s nothing that I want to hang on to. It was over before Kross came. Go be with that other woman.”
“Don’t say that.” He steps forward and grips my arms. “I can make you fall back in love with me if you give me the chance.”
“You’re squeezing me,” I seethe, trying to pull away.
His grip tightens. “Tell me you still want me. Tell me! Let’s go make love.”
“Jamir, stop!”
The door flies open. Kross dashes inside, shoving Jamir to the floor. Eyes wide with fury and concern, he regards my appearance and then refocuses on my ex. “The fuck you doing?”
Jamir glares at him, pushes up, and fixes his shirt. “Davia, listen—”
“Don’t you say her name.” He steps up to Jamir with his fists clenched.
“Baby, don’t.” I reach for his arm to stop him from fighting. “Jamir, leave .”
He looks at us and scoffs. “You know what? My mom was right. You’re dead to me, Davia.”
“She already erased you from her life. Get the hell out before I give you another ass-whupping.”
“Fuck you!”
“What you say?” I hold Kross back from charging, allowing Jamir to storm out of the apartment and slam the door, leaving the box with his things.
Kross turns to me and touches my face gently. “You all right?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Davi, tell me the truth. Has he ever hit you?”
I shake my head. “No, never. That’s the truth, so don’t go after him. Please. I don’t want you to end up in jail.”
“Okay,” he breathes out and tows me into his arms.
“It’s over,” I whisper into his chest. “I’m finally closing that chapter of my life.”
“Ours will be epic.” He eases me back, treating me to a peaceful kiss.