Chapter 5

Josie Barnett POV:

I heard him before I saw him. His footsteps, heavy and decisive, echoing through the hollowed-out space. He walked in, his gaze sweeping over the construction. He looked pleased.

His eyes found mine. I tried to smile, to play my part, but my lips wouldn' t obey. My face felt frozen.

"Josie," he said, his voice clipped. "Pack your remaining belongings. You'll need to move out today."

My breath hitched. "Move out?"

"Chaney is moving in," he stated, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "She prefers privacy. So, no unauthorized visits. Ever."

The world tilted. My sanctuary, however temporary, was gone. I was being evicted. Discarded. Just like my "clutter."

I managed a choked, "Okay." The word tore from my throat.

He watched me, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "I'll arrange for a generous severance package. More than enough to set you up."

He was already turning away, his attention already elsewhere. His phone buzzed. He glanced at it, a faint smile touching his lips. He was in a hurry. For her.

No. My heart screamed. No more of your money. No more of your control. I wouldn't take his blood money. Not this time.

I walked numbly to the small guest room, the only place untouched by the renovation. My few remaining items. A small suitcase. I packed quickly, my hands trembling.

I took one last look at the penthouse. The bare walls, the covered furniture, the ghosts of our transactional past. It was a blank slate for a new story. Their story.

I left, my footsteps firm and resolute. I walked away from the gilded cage, from the empty promises, from the man who had bought my time but never my heart.

The next few weeks blurred into a frenzy of studying. PhD candidates, faculty meetings, late nights in the lab. My academic life was my refuge, my true calling.

"Josie, your research is truly groundbreaking," my advisor, Professor Davies, beamed. "I've never seen such meticulous work. We'd love for you to stay on. A post-doc position, a permanent role. The funding would be substantial."

"Thank you, Professor," I said, a polite smile in place. "But I've accepted a fellowship back home. Five years. A secluded biomedical research foundation."

Professor Davies looked disappointed. "A loss for us, certainly. But a gain for science. I wish you all the best." He turned to a new student. "Ah, Ariel. Welcome. You'll be working closely with Josie on the new CRISPR project."

Ariel. The name echoed in my mind. He was the one who had also been offered a prestigious position. He was brilliant.

I watched him. He had a kind face, intelligent eyes. I wondered what had brought him here.

I went back to my dorm, the day' s events swirling in my mind. I was so close. So close to a new beginning.

My phone rang, jolting me awake. Christopher. My heart hammered against my ribs. What now?

I rushed downstairs, pulling my robe tighter. He was leaning against his car, disheveled, his eyes bloodshot. Drunk.

"Josie," he slurred, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug. His breath reeked of alcohol. "I missed you."

"Christopher, what's wrong?" I asked, pushing him gently away. "Why are you here?"

He just mumbled incoherently, clinging to me.

I helped him into the back of his car. "To the penthouse," I told his driver, my voice firm.

He was heavy, a dead weight in my arms. I practically dragged him into the bedroom, settling him on the bed. I found a glass of water, hoping to clear his head.

As I held the glass to his lips, he stirred. His eyes, though still clouded with intoxication, found mine. He pulled me down, his lips on mine. Soft. Gentle. Unlike any kiss he had given me before.

My mind reeled. His past kisses had been rough, demanding. This was... tender. My heart ached, a painful twist. I wanted to resist, but I couldn't. I was a moth to his unexpected flame.

He pulled me closer, murmuring my name. I clung to him, a desperate hope fluttering in my chest. Maybe he does care. Maybe this is real.

He fell asleep in my arms, a heavy, peaceful slumber. I lay there, my heart a confusing tangle of emotions.

My gaze fell on his phone, lying face up on the bedside table. A notification flashed. A text message. My eyes darted to it, against my better judgment.

It was from Chaney. Can't wait to see you tomorrow, my love. Our little game is working perfectly. She's completely fooled. Soon, we'll be together again, just like old times.

The words sliced through me. A cold, brutal precision. My stomach lurched. Our little game. She's completely fooled.