Chapter 5

Phoenix POV.

“If you need anything from the mini-grocery downstairs, just dial 121 on that phone,” I said, pointing to the wall-mounted device. “It’ll connect you to the front desk, and they’ll deliver it straight to your door. No need to go out. While I’m gone, either rest or clean up.” My gaze lingered on her face. “You have dark circles under your eyes. You should get some sleep.”

She nodded quickly, offering an awkward smile. “Take care, Sir—I mean, Phoenix.”

I watched her for a moment, memorizing her face, before turning and walking out of the penthouse. As the door clicked shut behind me, I felt my composure slip. Every step away from her seemed to grow heavier, but I forced myself to keep moving. Atticus. Of all the people I thought I had left behind, it had to be her.

Later, I sat in Lee’s barn, a place more suited for private meetings and casual hangouts than livestock. The usual laughter and banter from my friends filled the room, but I was miles away, lost in my own thoughts.

“Lost in thought, are we?” Lee teased, breaking into a mocking tune, “Looking far away~.”

I ignored him at first, but when Andrew joined in, I sighed and finally glanced up at them. “What is it?”

Lee’s grin faded. This time, his tone was more serious. “Are you okay? You’ve been spaced out since you got here. Want to talk about what’s going on?”

Thorn dropped onto the floor in front of me, crossing his arms. “Spill it, Phoenix.”

Andrew handed me a bottle of Phoenix—the signature drink we all loved. “Here, this might help.”

I shook my head but accepted the bottle. “What do you want me to say? I’m fine. Perfectly fine,” I said, my voice firm.

Lee raised an eyebrow. “Physically, maybe,” he muttered.

“Mentally? Debatable,” Andrew added.

Thorn pointed at his chest. “But here? In your heart? Definitely not.”

I clenched my jaw, pushing their words down. “I know what she did to me. You don’t need to remind me,” I said through gritted teeth.

“We’re not trying to hurt you,” Lee said softly. “We’re just reminding you so you don’t make the same mistake again. Don’t forget how she left you—how she destroyed you.”

Andrew leaned back on the couch, his eyes studying me. “You were a wreck, man. We had to put you back together. She’s not good for you, and if Vienna were here, she’d agree with us.”

I exhaled sharply, rubbing my face. “Atticus is staying in my penthouse.”

The room fell into stunned silence, and then they erupted in disbelief.

“What the hell, Phoenix?!” Lee shouted. “Have you completely lost it?”

“Are you even thinking straight?” Andrew groaned.

“She doesn’t remember me—or at least, I don’t think she does,” I admitted, finishing the bottle in one gulp. “Or maybe she’s pretending. I don’t know. But I need to find out. She’s not staying with me to play house. I hired her as an assistant. I need to keep an eye on her, figure out her motives. One wrong move, and I’ll file a case against her.”

Thorn shook his head, concern etched on his face. “You’re playing with fire. You still love her, and now she’s in your space—”

“I don’t love her anymore!” I snapped, my voice cutting through the room. “When she left me, she took everything. I erased her from my heart. I don’t love her. I will never love her again.”

Lee sighed, lifting his drink. “I just hope your plan doesn’t blow up in your face.”

Andrew stretched out on the couch, staring at me. “So, this is your genius plan?”

I nodded firmly. “Yes.”

Andrew shrugged. “Well, we can’t stop you. Just know we’re here if it all goes to hell. You know how tricky she played you before.”

I smirked. “You see, she’s different now. She’s gained weight, her face looks the same, but her reactions—those aren’t the same as the Atticus I knew. This time, I’ll let her suffer in my hands.”

Lee raised his bottle. “And if it blows up in your face, we’ll drink to that.”

I shook my head at their antics, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite myself. These idiots had been there for me when I was at my lowest, picking me up when I couldn’t stand on my own. They’d seen me shattered, broken beyond repair, and somehow helped me piece myself back together.

I swore to myself that no matter what, I wouldn’t let Atticus destroy me again. She wouldn’t get the chance.

“That damn bastard of a woman. I still can’t walk without this cane,” I muttered under my breath.

Lee glanced at me curiously. “How did that happen? You never told me why.”

My blood boiled. “She got the maneuver out of my hands, causing the accident. I woke up with my feet elevated, and the doctor said I couldn’t walk without therapy because of the fractures. But I’m not buying into that damn therapy. To this day, I still can’t walk without support. And that woman? The doctor said she left the hospital after a few weeks.”

“Damn, that’s rough,” Lee said, his voice sympathetic. “I didn’t know how much Atticus had your life turned upside down before. Good thing you’re free of her.”

“Nothing good about it,” I snapped. “I’m still suffering from the past. Now that I’ve found her, I’m going to make her pay for what she did.”