Chapter 6
“I’m running a merger meeting. Pretty important stuff.”
My voice stayed flat.
“I’ll have my assistant call you when we’re done.”
I hung up before he could say another word.
The meeting dragged on until late at night.
When my assistant brought coffee, she whispered: “Ms. Winters, the money’s been transferred like you requested.”
She paused, like she was choosing her words carefully.
“Also, building management called. They said… Mr. Morrison took Tommy to your father’s old place.”
My coffee cup froze midway to my lips.
‘What’s he trying to pull?”
‘He’s outside the building. On his knees.”
Her voice got even quieter. “Security’s asking if they should call the cops.”
lage burned up from my stomach, but it wasn’t heartbreak-it was pure disgust.
Jsing his own kid as a prop? For who? The security guards and random people walking by?
Tell building management that property was transferred last week. The Winters family doesn’t live there anymore.”
took a sip of scalding coffee, bitterness spreading across my tongue.
And tell them if Mr. Morrison keeps making a scene and bothering the new owners, handle it by the book.”
knew this day would come eventually.
ust didn’t think he’d throw away every last shred of dignity he had.
Guess it’s true what they say-
Money problems can break any man.”
My assistant placed a file on my desk, her voice barely a whisper like she was afraid to disturb something.
‘Ms. Winters, here’s the final layoff list for TechCorp. Needs your signature.”
I stayed quiet, my eyes still fixed on the view outside.
My personal phone suddenly started buzzing on the desk.
That number I knew by heart was flashing on the screen.
I picked up and hit speakerphone.
First there was rustling noise, then Jake’s voice, all hushed and desperate.
“Tommy, come on, tell mommy daddy’s sorry.”
“Tell her you miss her and want her to come home. Say it!”
Chapter 6
His voice was so pathetic and desperate, like some begging dog.
I picked up my coffee and took a sip, the hot liquid sliding down my throat.
“Mommy…”
My son’s voice came through all shaky and stuffed up.
“Daddy… he made me call you.”
“Tommy!” Jake’s voice cracked, totally freaking out.
Then my son’s voice exploded through the phone, absolutely wrecked.
‘Mommy! I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have screamed at you or called you bad woman! Please come home!”
Daddy’s sorry too! He cries every night looking at your pictures, and we lost the house and now we’re in this crappy little apartment…”
Mommy, I miss you so bad…”
Cach sob felt like someone twisting a knife in my chest.
ut my hand stayed dead steady on that coffee cup.
set it down with a sharp click.
he crying stopped for a beat.
Actions have consequences.” My voice came through cold as ice.
For your dad, and for you too.”
Tommy, time to grow up.”
hung up and slammed my phone face down on the desk.
ead silence again.
ly assistant just stood there, not even breathing.
grabbed that layoff list and flipped to the back page.
Jake Morrison” was sitting right there in black and white, like he was waiting for the electric chair.
pulled out my pen and signed it with one quick slash.
Tell HR. Make it happen now.”
