Ethan Miller didn't look at Emily again after the meeting started.
His attention was focused on the screen, his tone sharp and professional as he reviewed reports and deadlines. To everyone else, he was the perfect CEO—calm, distant, in control.
To Emily, every word felt personal.
"Ms. Carter," he said suddenly.
Her head snapped up.
"Yes, Mr. Miller?"
"I expect the revised proposal on my desk by tomorrow morning," he continued coldly. "No excuses."
She clenched her jaw.
"Of course."
The meeting ended shortly after. Chairs moved, voices filled the room, and people slowly filed out.
Emily gathered her things, hoping—foolishly—that he would leave first.
He didn't.
"Stay," Ethan said.
The room emptied, the door closing behind the last employee.
Silence.
Emily crossed her arms. "If this is about my performance, I—"
"This is about professionalism," he interrupted, finally looking at her.
Their eyes collided.
"You're here to work, not to relive the past," he said firmly.
Her chest tightened. "I didn't ask to relive anything."
"Good," he replied. "Because what we had no longer exists."
The words hurt more than she expected.
"Then treat me like any other employee," she said quietly. "Not like a mistake you regret."
Something dark flashed in his eyes.
"You have no idea what I regret," Ethan said.
For a moment, his control cracked.
Then he turned away.
"You're dismissed."
Emily walked out without looking back—but her hands were shaking.
Outside the office, she pressed her palm against her chest.
Working for him was going to destroy her.
And the worst part?
She wasn't sure he wasn't already broken too.