Chapter Fifty One

Isa slipped through the secret passage into the CEO's quarters, careful not to draw attention to her return to the company.

Standing in front of Chris’s office, her grip tightened around her handbag. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she took a slow, shaky breath, her free hand pressing over her chest.

She couldn’t stop wondering what would happen once she stepped inside. Would he glare at her? Throw her out? Admit to calling her a bitch?

Isa shook her head and lightly slapped her cheeks.

That won’t happen. He can’t be that cruel.

Bracing herself, Isa turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The office was silent. Tension hung heavy in the air.

Her eyes swept the room, landing on Chris. He stood behind his chair, back to her, hands in his pockets, gazing out the tall glass window at the city below.

He didn’t move.

Had he not heard me come in?

Isa couldn’t believe how afraid she felt to face the man she had spent the night with. Her stomach twisted. She opened her mouth to speak—but he beat her to it.

“Why are you here?”

Isa blinked. “Huh?”

Slowly, he turned to face her. She had to summon every ounce of strength not to flinch.

He didn’t look angry or sad—just cold. Expressionless. She couldn’t read a thing from his face. She chewed the inside of her cheek.

We spent the night together. And now I’m just… his PA again.

She forced a smile that didn’t touch her eyes.

“What do you mean? I can’t come see you?”

Chris’s eyes flicked to his chair. Silence stretched, broken only by the ticking clock on his desk.

“I left you a note, Isa,” he paused. “And a check.”

Isa managed a tight smile and stepped slowly toward the desk.

“A check?” she echoed, voice trembling. Her eyes searched his face, but he looked away.

Tears welled in her eyes. Her throat burned and tightened. She remembered what Alex had said—about Chris being dangerous, about why he kept people away. Her lips parted, then closed again.

“Do you have a reason for pushing me away?” Her eyes darted over his face. “Tell me, Chris.” She sniffled. “I don’t want to believe you used me last night… and paid me for it.”

Still, he didn’t meet her gaze.

Isa’s fists clenched.

“So that’s all I was to you?” Her whole body shook. “A mistake you paid to forget?”

Chris rested his hands on the back of his chair, slowly spinning it. His focus stayed on the chair.

Isa looked away, disbelief twisting her features as silence thickened between them.

She had longed to see him again ever since they parted ways. Their friendship had meant so much to her—he had been the one to steady her courage, the one who helped her face her fear of singing and pulled her out of hiding. She often wondered how he would feel if he saw her struggling now. But instead of comfort, she was faced with the bitter truth. She had been a fool. She had ignored the warning not to trust a friend you hadn’t seen in years. People change. But she clung to a childish feeling and gave too much of herself away.

Isa curled her lip and wiped the tears from her face, as if they didn’t deserve to fall for someone like him.

“Since I’m invisible to you…” She nodded. “I’ll stay out of your life completely.”

She turned to the door, clutching her handbag in both hands. Her fingers grazed the knob, then paused. Straightening her back, she glanced over her shoulder.

Her lips pressed into a hard line before she bit out, “And I’m not a bitch.” Her gaze lingered on him. “You can keep your money.”

She flung the door open and slammed it shut behind her.

Outside, Isa leaned against the wall and slid to the floor. One hand clutched at her chest, the other muffled her sobs as she cried.

Her eyes drifted to her old desk—papers, pens, the scent of ink still lingering in the air. It pulled her back to when work used to be an escape, her refuge.

Her lips curled into a bitter smile as she remembered her first day here. That expensive suit. The commanding presence. The icy blue eyes that had made her wonder who he was.

She had felt it in her gut. He was Steven. But he denied it.

“I… I’m Isabella. I grew up in Eldridge City and attended Silvercrest High…”

“I’m not asking for your biography,” he had snapped. “Just your name.”

Isa laughed.

He knew all along. And still…

Isa wiped her face with her sleeve and slowly stood. Her eyes fixed on the closed door of his office.

I won’t look for you again, Steven.

And I’m sorry… sorry for everything.

I hope you enjoy this chapter! I’d love to hear your thoughts or see your reactions to the story. I’ll be dropping another chapters on Sunday, and we’re getting close to the end of Flame! 🔥 Thank you so much for staying on this journey with me—it truly means a lot. ❤️