OWNED BY THE COLD CEO

a's

trangers in fancy clothes, pretending to smile like I belonged

belong he

s and laughing at something a tall woman in red just whispered to h

uched

n't pu

mach t

uit, while she was in a tight dress that showed

egnant and

more than anything

d had finally named him CEO of his father's company. He was

was in

rough the room as some

for being here. I feel honored to lead

ed for them to settle, then sm

" he said. "Something even more im

ed out h

walked up to hi

ian said. "And she'

followed with soft claps. A few s

dn't

oul

d beating the momen

t a flicker of a look and

" he said. "And I'm final

the room. Congratulations

ed to

r me. I tried to walk away calmly, but

ven tell me

d me in fron

ything I d

s. After the nights I cried in the bathroom over another failed p

place

like

n. I wrapped my arms around myself, tryi

. They were bright, quiet

e that, the

in the

te

ne pin

month of

ing at it like maybe it would

or burst op

snapped, grabbing t

ldn't

? Negative again? Lena, how many ti

ispered. "I'm doin

how this makes me look? I'm a Huntley, and I c

ut deeper t

I refused to let them f

for this," I

is enough in this world? I need a son, Lena. A

strip on the flo

g at the shattered plastic, wonde

-

the garden, arms wrapped around myself. That m

me everything I

't love me

ething I coul

d found someo

?" a familiar voi

urn

way, arms crossed, a c

for him," she said. "He needs a real wo

e," I said, my voi

plied. "But not f

ng I didn't. Confidence, a child

whispered, "You lost,

nto the party, leaving

me, I finally realiz