That one encounter was all it took. He latched onto me after that, impossibly tender and attentive with me while staying vicious toward everyone else. It didn't matter if they were women. He never spared them a second glance.
When he proposed in that grand, over-the-top spectacle, practically everyone said Hubert Stephens was head over heels for me.
We became Crestfall's golden couple. Media outlets tripped over themselves to cover our high-school-sweethearts love story. The comments sections were full of people calling us a fairy tale come to life.
Too bad fairy tales always end at the wedding. And what came after, for Hubert and me, was everything those stories never bothered to tell.
"Something came up at the office. I need to handle it."
Hubert stood and headed for the door. Just before it closed, I heard him murmur into the phone, "Whatever my girl wants, I'll get it for her."
I pulled my gaze back, picked up the phone on the nightstand, entered the passcode, and switched to the second operating system.
There was only one number in the contacts. I stared at it for a long time before I finally made myself dial.
He picked up almost instantly. A warm, rich voice came through the speaker: "Vinnie. You finally decided to call me."
My heart stuttered. Heat flooded my ears. I turned the words over in my head, then forced them out through clenched teeth: "Could you... could you take me away? You mentioned a position at your company before. I can do the job."
He didn't hesitate. "Of course. I've been holding that spot for you. When do you want to come?"
I pressed my lips together. "One week. Once I've settled things here, I'll be there."
His voice was steady, sincere. "All right. I'll come pick you up."
After the call ended, I finally let myself exhale.
Three days in the hospital. Hubert didn't visit once. Meanwhile, the trending headlines were wall-to-wall coverage of him and Clarissa.
SHOCKING! Crestfall's Richest Man Bids on Every Single Lot at Auction Just to Make His Secretary Smile!
BREAKING! Stephens Group Heir Takes Secretary Wedding-Dress Shopping — Big Day Approaching!
On my very first day in the hospital, I'd received a friend request from Clarissa.
Over the next three days she sent me Hubert's full itinerary, message after message. I forwarded every single one to my private investigator and told them to move fast.
Ding.
Another taunt.