Chapter 31 Violet
Chapter thirty-one
Violet
My plan for today was simple.
Walk through the door with my head held high.
Smile politely until Nexora gets what they need from this deal.
Stick a middle finger up at everyone at Knightwell who ever doubted me.
Ignore Chase, as if my life depends on it.
And definitely, under no circumstances, fantasize about being taken against an elevator wall.
I was doing so well, right up until Chase walked into the room.
Until those dark eyes found mine—fire and temptation smoldering in their depths.
I’d almost forgotten how irresistible he is. The effortless charm. The razor-sharp mind. The dangerous kind of charisma that fills a room without even trying.
My heartbroken ass could’ve done without that reminder.
But the real sucker punch—the one I didn’t see coming—was the truth that hit me square in the chest:
I can’t deny it. His love is real.
It poured out of him like the brightest light, bleeding into every corner of the room. I sensed it in the way he touched me. In the desperate pull of his brow. In the way his eyes drank me in like he was drowning.
But most of all, I saw it in the heartbreak carved into his gaze as he walked away.
I’ve spent the last few months trying—and spectacularly failing—to forget him. God, that seems laughable now. Perhaps if I moved to Antarctica and a giant iceberg dropped on my head, I’d stand a chance. But then he had to pull that elevator confession out of his sleeve.
Ugh, he’s officially ruined elevators for me... and any pathetic illusions I had about being over him.
My hand hovers over the button for the ground floor. Half of me tempted to chase after him. The other telling me that would be madness. I’m about to press when my phone vibrates with a new text.
MILLIE
Hey Violet, I know things are complicated, but I heard you’re in town, and I really think we need to talk. I’m not asking for much, just five minutes of your time. There’s a lot I regret, and I need you to hear me out. Please, come by my apartment at 6:30?
Groaning, I lean back, squinting up at the harsh elevator lights.
Even though I’m still mad as hell at Millie, part of me would kill for an explanation—even if it just meant closure.
Caught in a dilemma, I let the elevator drift aimlessly between floors, lost in thought, until one of my favorite voices yanks me back to earth.
“Vi?”
My eyes snap open to find Seb holding the elevator door, an amused smirk tugging at his mouth.
“Sorry to interrupt your quality time in the elevator, but mind if I join?”
“Seb!” I squeal, launching at him like a tree monkey, nearly knocking him off balance.
He chuckles, steadying us both. “Whoa, easy tiger,” he says, nudging his glasses back up his nose as he steps in and hits the button for the ground floor.
“Hey, do you want to grab a coffee?” I ask. “We’ve got a ton of gossip to catch up on.”
Seb winces dramatically, holding up his phone like it’s a court summons.
“I’d love to, but I’ve got a meeting in five minutes. Some poor soul needs hand-holding through a spreadsheet crisis.”
I laugh. “Classic Seb. Saving the day with Excel and charm.”
“Exactly. I’m basically a corporate superhero,” he says dryly. “But I’ll be at the dinner tonight. We can catch up properly, then.”
“Perfect,” I smile, secretly thrilled I’ll have a distraction from Chase’s infuriating presence.
As we step out of the elevator, I hesitate, biting my nails. “Oh—by the way. I got a text from Millie. She wants to meet today at her apartment.”
Seb stops mid-stride and turns to me, frowning. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Wants to explain herself.” I shrug. “I think I’ll go.”
He studies me for a second, skeptical.
“Vi... are you sure that’s a good idea?”
I shrug again, trying to play it casual. “Aren’t you even a little curious why she did it?”
“Nope,” he says, without hesitation. “Lost all interest after she screwed you over. If I want to watch someone betray their best friend, I’ll rewatch The Lion King.”
I snort out a very unladylike laugh, but as I wave him off, I consider giving it a miss. Common sense tells me it’s better to leave it in the past where it belongs.
But then, common sense and me don’t really vibe that well, so before I change my mind, I clutch my phone and type…
ME
Okay, I’ll see you at six-thirty.
I hit send and stare at the screen, taking a long, deep breath to steady my nerves.
It feels like everything I ran from when I left for London is finally catching up to me today.
But whatever Millie has to say, I need to hear it.
Even if it changes nothing.