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Chapter TwentySeven

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

“I’m done with the flight bookings. Everything’s all set,” Julie said, placing a folder on Tyler’s desk with an indifferent expression.

She made sure to keep her tone casual, professional even, but Tyler could sense the tension lingering between them..

He glanced at her briefly, his eyes flicking over the folder before returning to his computer screen, trying to keep the conversation strictly business.

The flight to London for the presentation and charity event was important, and Julie had handled the logistics seamlessly, as always.

He needed her expertise, and that was the only reason she was still around. Nothing more.

Tyler kept his face impassive, refusing to let any flicker of emotion slip through, even as the burning anger he had towards her tugged at the back of his mind.

But now, all of that was behind him. Or so he told himself.

Julie stood there, hands closed in front of her, her expression as unreadable as always.

She also looked committed to behaving as though nothing
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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter TwentyNine

    The drive to the venue was silent. A comfortable silence, only interrupted by Caleb’s smooth voice when he complimented me. "You look... stunning," he had said, his words lingering in the air longer than I wanted them to. I could feel his gaze on me from time to time, but I kept my eyes ahead, focusing on the road, the city lights blurring by. My nerves, despite my efforts to remain calm, were starting to build. Tonight was huge. My designs were being showcased for the world to see. For his world to see.Caleb pulled up to the venue, a grand hall befitting his status.. CEO of The Rinders Group. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, each one gleaming under the streetlights, their owners stepping out, dressed in clothes worth more than most people’s rent. Basically, the air was thick with elegance, success, and power. "Here we are," Caleb said, parking the car in an area that appeared virtually set aside for him.People talking, joking, and greeting one another with simpl

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter FiftySix

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    I strolled into Annie’s kitchen, my head still hurting from the blur of last night.She was already at the counter, flipping pancakes with a big grin that only increased when she got sight of me. Her eyes narrowed with mischief, obviously realizing I had a story to tell.“So…” she began, tilting her head in a way that made it apparent she wasn’t allowing me out of this. “Ready to spill, or are you going to keep me guessing?”I let out a deep sigh, collapsing onto one of the stools and grasping the mug of coffee she offered me. The recollection of waking up next to Tyler made my cheeks flush, the mixture of emotions boiling just beneath the surface... anger, nostalgia, a weird comfort I’d forgotten he could provide.“It was him,” I murmured finally, the words sliding off my lips, feeling both bitter and somehow liberated. “The guy from last night was Tyler.”Annie’s spatula landed with a crash. She gazed at me, blinking like she wasn’t sure if she’d heard me right.“Tyler?” she muttere

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter FiftyFour

    That night, after a quick stop at her apartment for me to freshen up and change, we hit the club.It was a buzzing place, the music loud and infectious, the energy electric. I felt a strange sort of freedom as we stepped into the thrumming crowd.Maybe it was the relief of having left London behind, or maybe it was the thrill of being back in New York with my best friend. Either way, I decided to give in to the moment.Annie grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the bar, ordering us both drinks. The bartender slid two brightly colored cocktails our way, and Annie raised hers in a toast.“To new beginnings,” she said, clinking her glass against mine. “And to letting go of complicated billionaire boyfriends.”I laughed, the sound surprised but genuine. “To letting go.”We downed our drinks, and Annie dragged me onto the dance floor. The music pulsed, wrapping around us, and I let it carry me. For the first time in a long time, I felt light.. unburdened, even if just for a while. Annie w

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