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Chapter 110
Madison
I spent Friday night buried in real estate books instead of buried under Alexander Knight. Progress, I
suppose
“Understanding Commercial Property Development” stared back at me from my coffee table, mocking me with its heft and academic tone. I’d made it through twenty pages before my eyes glazed over. The stack of books Alexander had given me loomed like a paper Tower of Babel.
“Okay, Madison,” I muttered, cracking open the book again. “You can memorize marketing strategies and quarterly projections. You can handle a little real estate jargon p>
Three hours and one cup of coffee later, I’d filled half a notebook with terms I needed to G e: cap rates, NOI calculations, and tenant improvement allowances. My brain felt like it was trying to learn Mandarin overnight.
I fell asleep with “Commercial Real Estate Finance Fundamentals” open on my chest, dreaming of buildings that kept changing shape every time I tried to appraise them.
Saturday morning arrived with sunshine streaming through my blinds and a crick in my neck from falling asleep on the couch. I showered quickly, threw on jeans and a sweater, and headed to Hallmark Hospital.
When I arrived, Mom was sitting up, looking better than she had in weeks. Her cheeks had a bit of color, and she was watching TV–some romance drama that I knew she loved. Seeing her like this gave me a flicker of hope, even as my own life felt like it was spiraling out of control.
“There’s my girl!” She beamed, patting the side of her bed. “Come sit and tell me how you’ve been spending your nights that you look so tired p>
I kissed her cheek. “Just work, Mom. Lots and lots of work p>
“ Mmm – hmm.” She gave me that look, the one that said she didn’t believe me but would let it slide for now.
“Dr. Williams says I’m making remarkable progress.” She squeezed my hand. “He mentioned 1 might be able to go home in a few weeks if things continue this way p>
My heart leaped. “That’s amazing news p>
“He’s coming by later for rounds if you want to talk to him.” She adjusted her blanket. “Now, tell me about this promotion. You’ve been so vague about it p>
I carefully crafted my explanation, highlighting the project management aspects while completely
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omitting the “sleeping with the CEO” part of my job description.
“It’s challenging,” I admitted. “I’m learning real estate development from scratch p>
“My brilliant girl.” She patted my cheek. “I always knew you’d do great things p>
Guilt twisted in my stomach. If she knew how I’d secured this opportunity…
Dr. Williams arrived around noon, clipboard in hand and that reassuring smile on his face.
“Ms. Harper,” he nodded to me before turning to my mother. “Mrs. Harper, your numbers are looking excellent today. The new medication protocol is working beautifully p>
“When can I go home, Doctor?” Mom asked, cutting straight to the chase.
He chuckled. “Always my most direct patient. We need at least three more weeks of observation. You are stronger now, but we need to ensure that everything is fully controlled before discharge p>
I nodded, taking mental notes. “And after discharge? What kind of care will she need p>
“Home nursing visits twice weekly for the first month, then we’ll reassess.” He made a note in his chart. “The good news is that the outlook is very positive p>
After Dr. Williams left, I spent the rest of the afternoon with Mom, watching cooking shows and helping her walk the hospital corridor three times, a new record.
“Don’t worry about coming tomorrow,” she insisted as I gathered my things to leave. “I know you have that big project. Your career matters too, sweetheart p>
I kissed her goodbye, promising to call instead.
Sunday dawned gray and rainy, perfect weather for becoming a real estate expert. I spread my materials across my dining table: books, laptop, notepad, and enough coffee to fuel a small army.
I dove into YouTube tutorials on commercial real estate assessments, joined a Reddit forum for commercial property managers, and downloaded three podcasts recommended for beginners.
My phone remained stubbornly silent all day. There were no texts, calls, or Alexander Knight demanding my presence or my body.
I should have been relieved. This was what I wanted–space to focus, learn, and prepare myself for this role. I was determined to excel in it regardless of how I’d gotten it.
Instead, I found myself checking my phone every twenty minutes, wondering what he was doing, who he was with, and if he was thinking about me at all.
“Stop it,” I scolded myself, slapping my hand away from my phone for the dozenth time. “You are
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not a lovesick teenager. You are a professional woman with a career to build p>
The evening arrived with no word from him. I ordered Thai food, spread more books across my coffee table, and tried to ignore the strange emptiness I felt.
My phone finally buzzed at 7:13 PM. I definitely didn’t lunge for it like a starving person offered bread.
But it wasn’t him. Just a weather alert about potential flooding downtown.
I tossed my phone aside and returned to my books, telling myself the sinking feeling in my stomach was just hunger, not disappointment.
The words on the page blurred together as my focus drifted. Property valuation methods weren’t exactly riveting Sunday night entertainment.
I rubbed my eyes and reached for my coffee mug, only to find it empty. Again. This was my third cup today, and still, the information wasn’t sticking. Maybe I needed a break. Or food. Or sleep.
My phone buzzed again, vibrating against the couch cushion where I’d tossed it. It was probably another weather alert, or maybe my mother was calling to check–in.
Or maybe…
No. I wasn’t going to let my mind go there.
The phone buzzed again, more insistently this time.
With a sigh, I reached for it, expecting nothing but prepared for anything except for what I actually
saw.
Hazel’s name flashed on my screen with a message that stopped my heart: “Have you seen this p>
OMG”
Below her message was a link to what appeared to be a news article. The preview headline read: “TOP
CEO SECRETLY DATING PERSONAL ASSISTANT: OFFICE ROMANCE EXPOSED”
My stomach dropped to my feet. I nearly threw the phone across the room in panic. This couldn’t be happening. How had anyone found out? We’d been so careful–well, mostly careful if you didn’t count the elevator incident, or the car, or his office, or…
With trembling fingers, I tapped the link, bracing myself for disaster.
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G Gregory Ellington Author
Hey there, wonderful readers! First off, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for taking the time to dive into my work. Your support means the world to me! If you enjoyed what you read, please consider leaving a comment or a review~
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Sara Lili
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.