Severing Ties: Escaping My Billionaire Ex

ick soles of her black pumps crunched against t

her duffel bag, the nylon digging painfully into her collarbone. The mandatory

? The open bar's already pouring." Chloe forced a tight smile. "In a minute." He shrugged and hurried inside. They hurried toward the grand

on counter. She pulled out her corporate ID

njoy your stay, Ms. Hayes. The mixer starts in an hour." Chloe's h

n the left, the familiar blue crest of Harrison Properties. On the rig

olently. Acid burned t

rning white. She leaned in and quietly asked the clerk if the

ont himself is here." Chloe's heart dropped. "Of course he is," she murmured. She pointed

She turned toward the hallway leading to the guest r

clamped down

t, steering Chloe physically toward the grand hall. Diane insisted loudly that Chl

don't feel well-" "You can feel well later," Diane cut her off. "This is non-negotiab

ogne and stale champagne. The clinking of glasses and loud chatter bounced off the v

hissed. Chloe shook her head. "I'll be in the corner. Don't worry about me." She kept her

ryone's drinking whiskey." Chloe gripped the glass tighter. "Just soda. Thanks." She gripp

er the crowded room. The loud c

he turned her head toward

ed. Julian Beaumont IV w

red charcoal suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly.

caught in her throat. He

light caught his attention. He noticed a familiar, slender silhouette reflected in the polished mirrored surface of the secondary bar. His breath hitched for a fraction of a second, an imperceptible break

et. His stare pinned her in place. His eyes

th him?" Another answered, "His new girlfriend. Poppy

ocating eye contact, a petite wom

ling slipped her slender arm intimately through Julian's. She s

ooked down at Poppy. He gently patted her hand resting on

st. The visual confirmation of her replaceme

asked Julian, loud enough for Chloe to hear. Julian's jaw tightened. "Don't," he said quietly. But Poppy was

Her spine hit the hard wooden edge of the

voice as the new intern at Beaumont Corporation, and Julian's girlfriend. "I've heard so mu

er face. Her facial muscles ached with the effort. She of

an inch closer. His voice dropped to a low, t

m her," he warned, the

ven't gone near her." "Ke

hatred burned away her panic. She met his gaze coldly. She

second. She walked fast, escaping through the side patio doors onto the outdoor

s it something I said?" Julian's reply was too