Chapter 2: The Voice I Wasn't Supposed to Hear
That one word — "Fine." — was the last thing Julian expected from me.
He thought I would beg.
Call Mom crying.
Send a long message explaining how much I had sacrificed.
That was what I always did.
Not this time.
I stepped out of the boardroom, walked to my office, and closed the door.
Then I called the venue.
"Cedar Grove Estate, this is Sandra speaking."
"This is the contract holder for the Julian Mercer wedding booking," I said.
"I need to discuss the payment agreement."
There was a short pause.
"Of course.
How can I help you?"
"I'd like to know what happens if the primary guarantor withdraws."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
"Sir…
if the guarantor withdraws before the final payment clears, the booking would be considered unsecured.
The estate would have the right to cancel."
I looked out at the city below me.
"And the florist contract?
The catering deposit?
The band?"
"All under your name, sir.
All subject to the same terms."
I thanked her and ended the call.
My phone buzzed immediately.
Julian again.
This time it wasn't a text.
It was a voice message.
I pressed play — and heard something I was not expecting.
It wasn't Julian's voice.
May you like
It was Chloe's.
And she wasn't talking to me.
