chapter 10
He hated that I had made something of myself without needing the Sullivan name as a crutch. And now he wanted to burn it all down, just to prove I didn’t belong.
But he underestimated me.
I smiled. “Thanks, Matthew. That’s all I needed.”
He froze. “What?”
I stepped aside and opened the door.
Michael stood there.
Behind him, two legal advisors and a member of our cyber forensics team.
All recording.
Matthew’s eyes widened as he realized he’d just confessed on record.
“I suggest you call a lawyer,” I said coolly. “Because we’ll be filing for corporate sabotage, breach of contract, and leaking of classified IP.”
Michael didn’t even look at Matthew. His hand slid naturally into mine as we walked out.
That night, the storm broke.
The press got wind of the betrayal. The Sullivan family issued a public statement cutting ties with Matthew. The stock took a brief dip, then surged again after we announced a tighter, more secure partnership with our foreign investors. Damage control moved swiftly. The board applauded our response.
But for me, the celebration felt hollow.
Because betrayal from outside was expected.
From inside?
That left bruises.
Michael found me later that evening in the rooftop garden of our main headquarters, sitting on a cold bench, staring out over the lights of the city.
He didn’t say anything at first. Just sat beside me, silent.
She looks tired. Not just from today. From everything. From always having to fight. I wish I could take it all from her. Give her peace. She deserves that. Not war.
“I’m fine,” I said softly, even though I wasn’t.
“No, you’re not.”
I looked at him.
“I let Matthew get close. I should have seen it sooner.”
Michael turned toward me. “You’ve been carrying both our companies on your back for years, Lily. You’re not a machine. You’re not supposed to catch every snake.”
His voice was so gentle I could barely recognize it.
I’ve never said this, have I? How proud I am. How lucky I am. Three years, and I’ve never told her she’s the strongest person I know.
“You don’t have to say it,” I whispered.
“I do,” he replied. “Because I wasted so much time being afraid. Afraid of you. Of how much I felt. Of how much I didn’t deserve you.”
I turned to him.
“You didn’t have to be afraid.”
“I’m not anymore.”
Then he kissed me.
Not like a husband checking off an obligation.
But like a man who was finally, finally in love with someone who had been beside him all along.