Chapter 5 No More Running!

Juliette POV

I stumbled into my hotel room, closing the door behind me with a heavy sigh as I leaned my back to the door. My mind was a tangled mess, replaying the events of the day on an endless loop. Harrison. Evelyn. Their bitter words. The hatred in his eyes. The accusation that I had betrayed him. The very idea of it made my heart ache with a familiar but unwanted sensation.

All of it flooded back, breaking through the walls I had spent years building. Still leaning against the wall, I felt the weight of everything settle onto my shoulders, almost suffocating me. How was I supposed to work under him? How could I stay in this city and see his face day after day, knowing what he thought of me? And our history together? How?

I ran a hand through my hair and considered packing up and leaving. I had almost convinced myself to call my boss and tell him I couldn't take on the project when I heard a soft, sweet voice that melted every ounce of tension within me.

"Mommy!"

Lily ran toward me, her little arms open wide, her face lighting up with pure joy. I dropped to my knees, scooping her up, holding her close as though she were the anchor I desperately needed. In her presence, my heart softened, and all the worry that had piled up dissipated just a little.

"You're back early," I whispered, stroking her hair.

"Yeah!" Lily chirped, pressing her cheek to mine. "Rosa, the nanny said you were working with a big company. Is it a fun project?"

I swallowed, feeling a pang of guilt that I had nearly decided to leave without thinking of the promise I'd made to her-and to myself-to give her the best life possible. My work here wasn't just a job; it was a step toward a stable future, one where I could provide everything Lily deserved without making her feel the absence of her father. But facing Harrison? The mere thought of it made my resolve waver.

But as Lily giggled, telling me about her day, I knew I couldn't just run. Not again. This was her future on the line, her chance for stability. I couldn't let my painful history stand in the way of her happiness.

I pulled back, smiling at her, "Yes, it's an important project. Mommy has to finish it because it's a big step forward for us."

Lily nodded eagerly, a glimmer of pride in her eyes, and for that moment, the idea of leaving vanished. She gave me strength I didn't know I had, and for her, I would face anything-even Harrison and the scars he had left. I was ready to face it head on.

Just then, my phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. I glanced down, my heart sinking when I saw the name flash across the screen. It was Harrison.

"Who's calling, Mommy?" Lily asked, curiosity glinting in her eyes.

"No one important, sweetie," I murmured, my voice strained as I ended the call.

The phone buzzed again, his persistence seeping through the device. I knew I couldn't avoid him forever, and I certainly didn't want to drag Lily into my complicated past. I kissed her forehead and sent her off to her room with her favorite Barbie doll in her hands.

Once I was alone, I took a deep breath and answered, "Yes?"

"I need you in the office tomorrow," Harrison's voice was sharp, his tone a mixture of authority and something darker.

"Isn't that what I was hired for?" I tried to keep my tone steady, refusing to let him hear how deeply he affected me.

"Yes," he replied coldly, "but let's get one thing straight, Juliette. I don't want any... distractions. We are here to work, and that's all it will be."

I felt a spike of anger. His arrogance was breathtaking, as though I were the one desperate to see him and not the other way around. I bit my tongue, clenching my fists. He had no idea of the battle raging inside me-between the urge to prove him wrong and the desire to pack up and leave.

"I understand, Mr. Carter," I replied evenly, injecting as much professionalism as I could muster.

There was a pause on the other end, and for a moment, I thought I heard him sigh. "Good. Then we'll begin at 9 a.m. sharp."

The line clicked off, leaving me with a mix of relief and dread. This was going to be a battlefield, and I knew it. But Lily's face-her innocent smile, her belief in me-flashed through my mind, and I straightened up.

The next morning, I dressed with an air of determination. Gone was the uncertainty that had filled me the day before. Today, I was here to do my job, no matter what ghosts haunted me in the office.

When I walked into the conference room, Harrison was already there, his expression as stoic as ever, as though we were strangers meeting for the first time. His gaze was sharp and calculating, sizing me up.

"Let's keep this professional, shall we?" he murmured, his eyes cold and unyielding.

I met his gaze with equal strength. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

The meeting went on, our words clipped and professional, but under the surface, an unspoken tension simmered. I kept my focus, presenting my ideas with confidence. But each time our gazes met, I felt the past reawakening, clawing at me.

As the hours passed, I felt my resolve wearing thin, the old pain resurfacing. Just when I thought I'd reach my breaking point, the door opened, and Evelyn walked in, her presence as brazen and unwelcomed as ever.

"Oh, am I interrupting?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Harrison barely spared her a glance. "We're in the middle of a meeting."

Evelyn's eyes drifted to me, a glint of challenge in them. "I thought I'd join in. After all, I've been a part of this company's growth."

Her words stung, but I held my ground, refusing to give her the reaction she so desperately wanted.

Evelyn continued, her gaze settling on Harrison. "You know, darling, I was thinking we should reconsider some of the design aspects."

Harrison's jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, his eyes flickered to mine, as though silently apologizing or so I thought. I was caught off guard by the look, but I quickly refocused on the work, determined not to let their games distract me.

The rest of the meeting went by in a blur, Evelyn's sharp comments and pointed glares designed to rattle me. But with each jab, I only felt my resolve harden. I wasn't here for her approval or for his forgiveness. I was here for Lily, to build the future she deserved.

As the meeting ended, I gathered my things, turning to leave. But Harrison's voice stopped me.

"Juliette," he said quietly, "a moment."

I turned back, my pulse quickening.

"Your work today was... impressive," he said, his words reluctantly respectful.

I felt a strange mix of satisfaction and sadness, the validation stirring emotions I'd buried long ago but I couldn't afford to show any sign of weakness now.

"Thank you," I replied coolly. "I'm here to do my job."

I walked out, my heart racing, but with each step, a newfound sense of strength settled over me. This city held my past, with all its painful memories, but it was also where my future lay-a future for Lily and me.

No matter the storm I was walking into, I was ready to face it, one step at a time.