Chapter 2 2. THE PRICE.

MAC's...

Calls hadn't stopped since I got back this morning-it was insane. There was more to do than I'd imagined. The investors were coming in today, and I hadn't even prepared the presentation. I was also supposed to have a Zoom meeting with the multinationals, but I hadn't ticked a single thing off my list. Why? Because I'd spent the whole morning sorting the files Rosy left in chaos-and, of course, the damn calls.

I groaned and slammed a file on the desk. "Damn it."

"Hey, love."

The door clicked open, then shut softly behind her. Her heels tapped across the floorboards until she stood by my desk. Her scent-a soft, expensive floral-quickly replaced the usual stale office air.

"Hi, Mac," she said, wrapping her arms around my neck like it was second nature.

"Come on, Hayley. I've got a lot to do-this isn't the time."

But damn, she smelled so good I could've buried myself in her and forgotten everything else. Still, that wasn't the point.

Hayley was twenty-five-smart, stunning, and raised to be a billionaire's wife. Harvard grad, perfect manners, picture-perfect smile. Understood the media industry to help fix any challenges when it showed. A piano teacher to lovely little kids. Everything about her was curated. Her parents had planned her future to the last detail, and she'd followed it all like the lovely daughter she was.

"I'm not here to distract you," she said with a sigh. "It's just... you've been gone a month, Mac. And every time we talked, it was the same: 'I'm busy, I'll call you later.'"

She even threw in air quotes.

"We never get time anymore. You came back this morning just to disappear into work again. You haven't even rested. I miss you. I just want a hug. Is that so much to ask my fiancé?"

I breathed out. I hated that she thought I put her through this because people gotta chase what makes them happy, right?

"Fine." I stepped toward her, gave in, and pulled her close. If this was all she needed, she could have it-for a minute.

"There's a lot riding on keeping this company alive, Hayley. And you will need to bear with it all. At least until the election is over. You understand better."

I walked over to the drawer, fishing out the files I'd half-organized. Either they'd help, or I'd just cancel the damn meeting. I hated showing up unprepared.

"It's okay, I understand," she said with a smile. "You look so stressed. Want me to help? You know I can."

I sighed. "I'm stuck. Rosy resigned."

"What? When? Why?"

Rosy wasn't just staff-she was my right hand. One of the oldest, most experienced people I had. And now I couldn't even organize files without her. Couldn't follow a schedule if my life depended on it.

"Said something about moving to the countryside to start her parents' old farm." I scoffed. "Bullshit. She had a life here. Her kids, her career-everything she built. And now she's leaving it for chickens and cows?"

"She did just lose her parents," Hayley said, shrugging.

"They were old, Hayles. I mean, no offense, but it just doesn't add up. . . " I dialed the landline to the next office then spoke into it. "I need the fucking Richard that can't put things together while I was away."

"She might have gone to her husband. The kids have their life here with their family."

A knock sounded on the door. I didn't even look. "You're not in the position to knock," I barked.

Richard stepped in like the world wasn't about to fall on his shoulders. Black suit sitting just right on his chest, self-conscious as usual.

"She's probably going back to her family," Hayley added gently.

"I don't care. Let's not make this about Rosy anymore." I turned sharply to Richard. "Why hasn't she been replaced yet? There are thousands of unemployed people out there. Why is no one filling her shoes?"

Richard stood still, tugged at his tie. "I... I'm sorry, sir. It's just that your expectations are... well, high."

I dragged my hand down my face. "So, what-you're telling me everyone in New York is dense? Or you're just too dumb to find the smart ones?"

"I'm trying-"

"Try harder, Richard. Either you find someone, or you're taking over her role in the meantime."

That should've been his cue to leave.

But I wasn't done.

"What the hell have you all been doing, anyway? You couldn't even prepare a simple presentation? Nothing's been done since I left. I honestly don't understand why you're still employed here."

"We've been working on networking issues and clearing up data glitches."

"If you were doing your job right, there wouldn't be any glitches to begin with." I shook my head. "You know what-cancel the meetings. I can't show up like this. And find me a damn assistant in twenty-four hours."

"Yes, sir." He gave a shallow bow and slipped out the door.

Hayley raised an eyebrow. "Weren't those meetings the whole reason you flew back?"

"I've never been this disorganized in my life. You know that."

She nodded slowly as I moved back to my desk, organizing the mess. The pile of work was a mountain I wasn't ready to climb.

"How about breakfast to get your day started?" she offered softly. "Even if it's just coffee. You probably haven't had anything."

She looked at me like she already knew the answer. Her pretty brown eyes pinned me to the moment. Her smile-small, practiced, almost weary-curved her soft pink lips. A strand of her brown hair slipped behind her ear, revealing her cheek and long, graceful jaw.

"I'll make coffee here. You go have breakfast without me."

She stepped in, kissed me gently on the cheek. "You're coming home tonight, right? Your mother asked me to spend the night with her."

"I'm glad you told me. But you don't have to do everything my mother says. You can live for yourself, you know."

She gave me a look like I'd said something ridiculous. Like I didn't know what world we were born into.

"Hayles?"

"I know you only agreed to this marriage for the CEO seat," she said softly. "But I've lived this life since I was a girl. I might as well make it mine-and find some way to be happy in it."

She kissed my cheek again. "Take care, Mac."

And with that, she walked out of my office.

My office.

I earned it, and I'd do anything to earn a bigger one-even if it meant marrying Hayley.

But that wasn't all I cared about. I cared about what she wanted too. Her happiness came second. Always had.

And like she said, this was the life we chose.

There was nothing either of us could do. Not now. Not anymore.