Begging My Billionaire Ex for a Second Chance

The top floor of DeanTech's shining glass tower housed an absolutely royal office. Above Manhattan's skyline, it perched like a throne room, a haven of stillness and accuracy far above the blowing horns and chaotic ambition of the streets below. There were no errors here. From the polished black marble flooring that reflected each stiletto step to the golden light fittings fashioned like geometric halos illuminating the modern minimalism of the area, every element had been chosen to portray total power.

The ruler of this empire chose every one of the massive artworks that covered the immaculate white walls.

Sienna Dean.

She sat at the head of the room behind a sleek titanium desk covered in sculpted glass. Her chair was more like a throne than a piece of furniture. She wore a navy blue pantsuit that fit exactly, the lapels cutting crisp lines down to a silk blouse the colour of moonlight. Her hair was tied in a tight, low bun. Her eyes, hazel with golden flecks, were framed by long lashes and unfathomable calm. She scanned through digital resumes with the smooth decisiveness of someone used to selecting who gets to win, a tablet before her.

And who must suffer.

Dozens of names. Dozens of hopefuls for the recently vacant CTO position. Some were impressive. One or two had even been contenders for Forbes' Tech Innovators under 40. But none of them completely caught her attention. Not until one name appeared.

Raymond Carter.

Her hand stopped. Stillness engulfed her body. She sat still, except for the small tightening of her jaw and the chilly calm that passed across her face. Not a flinch. Not a blink. But something distinct shifted in the air, like a temperature drop before a storm.

She blinked once. Slowly. As if trying to wipe away a mirage.

But it wasn't an illusion.

His name glared back at her, bold and blatant.

Raymond Carter.

The man who once had everything. The man who took everything from her.

She leaned forward, her neatly manicured finger pressing the screen. His application opened with a gentle chime. She took her time, examining each detail: his old title as CEO of CarterTech, a now-defunct business consumed by lawsuits and a PR nightmare. The sentences on the page were almost poetic in their sarcasm. Bankruptcy. Scandal. Layoffs. Media blacklisting. Complete decline.

She couldn't help the little smirk that twisted her lips.

He was desperate.

She hit the intercom button. "Marsha."

"Yes, Miss Dean?"

"Run a complete verification on application 1124. Raymond Carter. I want facial recognition confirmation, voice match, former employment data, and personal background. Leave no room for error."

"Understood. I'll begin immediately."

Sienna stood and walked to the tall glass window that framed the city like a living painting. She folded her arms and glanced at the skyline. Somewhere out there was the broken guy who once told her she was replaceable. Who had tossed a wad of cash at her like a bone to a stray dog and instructed her to delete their unborn kid from existence? A man who had forced her to sign an NDA and disappear.

But she hadn't disappeared.

She had bled. She had wept. And she had risen.

Sienna had slipped back into the corporate battlefield and established something bigger than CarterTech ever dreamed of being. Her company, her empire, now dominated multiple sectors, including software, artificial intelligence, and green technology. And suddenly, the guy who'd once dominated the world was reduced to begging for a job.

At her company.

Her phone flashed.

"It's him," Marsha verified. "Voice match and face ID confirm it. Definitely Raymond Carter."

Sienna's eyes glinted.

"Schedule him. Tomorrow morning at ten. Notify the whole executive team."

A pause.

"All of them?"

"Everyone. I want this moment to be remembered."

She returned to her workstation and re-studied his resume. This wasn't a hiring choice. This was theatrical. Justice. Sweet, gradual revenge presented behind beautiful glass.

"Let the games begin," she muttered.

***

The following morning, Raymond Carter stood outside the DeanTech skyscraper, peering upward as though the building itself had grown taller overnight. The name sparkled above the door in polished chrome lettering, a brand linked with power and excellence. He swallowed hard.

His sneakers clicked on the marble as he walked in, trying to mask the fear that burnt beneath his skin. Gone was the confident strut he once wore. Gone was the limitless supply of confidence. He was here because he had no option.

Once inside, he passed through layers of security, greeted by immaculate receptionists and high-end décor that made him feel out of place. This wasn't the failing startup he expected. This was an empire.

He was escorted to the top floor in a special elevator. It moved fast, silently, as if mocking how far he had fallen.

When the doors opened, the sight before him nearly knocked the wind out of his lungs. A vast boardroom buzzed with tension. Executives, senior developers, marketing heads, and even interns. Why were they all here?

Then the door behind him opened.

And she entered.

Sienna Dean.

He rose automatically, uncertain why. Maybe because it felt inappropriate to remain seated in the presence of a queen.

The room fell silent.

She didn't rush. Every stride she made resonated like punctuation marks. Her heels smacked the floor with precision. She strolled past him without a glance, took her place at the head of the table, and crossed her legs.

"Let's begin," she remarked coolly.

Raymond tried to talk, to explain, but her voice slashed through his poor attempt.

"Mr. Carter, sit."

He sat.

She didn't soften.

"Former CEO of CarterTech," she read. "Resigned amidst a financial dispute. Accused of workplace wrongdoing. Poor exit reviews from employees. That is not a good record, you know. Anything else you'd like to say before I continue?"

He moved in his seat, sweat beading at his temple.

"That's... not who I am anymore," he offered, low and half-hearted.

She tilted her head slightly, her face unreadable.

"Funny. That's exactly who I remember."

The words struck him like a slap.

Then came the dagger.

"Tell me, Mr. Carter, do you still recommend abortions when your secretaries become inconveniently pregnant?"

The room went deathly quiet. Every glance shifted from Sienna to Raymond and back again.

He froze.

"You'll be reporting directly to me," she continued. "Any problem with that?"

He swallowed. "No."

"Do you accept the position?"

Another pause. Then a whispered, "Yes."

Her lips twisted into something like a smile. "Excellent. Your first day is Monday, 8 AM. Do not be late."

He rose slowly, awkwardly, and walked out the door, feeling every look linger on him like a red letter.

Sienna stayed seated, uninterested. But inside, she was flaming.

The game had just begun.