Chapter 8 · Payback's A Billion-Dollar Blessing

Chapter 8

I scanned the paperwork and nodded, genuinely impressed. "Perfect. And the office space?""Handled," Sophia said, snapping her fingers with a grin. "Right here, the best address in town."Annual rent was 160 thousand dollars, and I talked them down to 150 thousand. First and last plus deposit. Knew you'd love it."I took my coffee and walked to the window, watching the tiny cars crawl through the streets below. "It's perfect. We're in.""Done. I'll get the contracts signed today. Come Monday, Promisia Audit & Advisory opens its doors." Sophia closed the folder, then shot me a sly look."Seriously, though. You think your ex-in-laws are losing their minds right now?"I raised an eyebrow. "Probably. Couldn't care less."They were history. The Browns were my past, and I was done living there.Right now, my focus was on the future. On reclaiming every second of those three wasted years.On proving to everyone who ever underestimated me that leaving a man and his miserable family behind was the best thing I'd ever done. Emma Grant was going to thrive.My phone buzzed. I switched off airplane mode, and a text appeared.David. New number, same old song. [Emma, I know I messed up. Please, give me another chance. My mom's in the hospital. She's there because of you. Don't you feel even a little bit guilty?"I read the text and laughed.Using his mother's health to manipulate me? He was still a master at making everyone else the villain.I deleted the message without a second thought.Sophia peeked over and let out a low whistle. "Wow. He's got nerve. If that were me, I'd text back: 'Oh, she's still alive? Tell her I hope she lives forever so she can regret this every single day.'"That cracked me up, dissolving any lingering irritation. "Not worth the time."I picked up my phone and transferred 200 thousand to Sophia's account."Deposit and advance. Once we're up and running, you're getting equity."Sophia glanced at her phone and whistled. "Ms. Grant, you're officially the best boss I've ever had.""Just Emma," I corrected."Nope." Sophia stood, extending her hand with a brilliant smile. "Starting today, you're Ms. Grant. My boss."I shook her hand. Outside, the sun had never felt warmer.*****The next few days were a whirlwind. I barely had time to catch my breath.With Sophia running point, everything fell into place. From registering the firm to renovations and hiring, it was like watching a well-oiled machine at work.Every morning, I slipped into sharp suits and heels, moving between the office and various government offices, signing papers, shaking hands, making things happen.That feeling of finally being in control of my own life was addictive.Meanwhile, David's messages kept coming. Dozens a day, from new numbers every time.The tone shifted from guilt-tripping to regret-soaked confessions to outright pathetic begging.[Emma, I really love you. I was such an idiot.][Let's get back together. You handle the money, I'll do whatever you say.][Please, pick up. I need to see you. Just once.]I never replied. David was a stranger now, someone who had nothing to do with the life I was building.His messages were background noise, easily ignored.That afternoon, after wrapping up a meeting with potential clients, I walked out of the office building and stopped dead.It was David. He stood by the entrance, looking like he'd been dragged through hell and back. Unshaven, hollow-eyed, like he'd aged a decade in a week.The moment he spotted me, his eyes went wide, and he lunged forward. "Emma!"I stepped back instinctively, my expression hardening.The security guard was already moving, stepping between us. "Sir, you can't be here.""Emma. It's me, David!" He ignored the guard completely, his voice carrying across the lobby. "Just let me talk to you!"I met his eyes for one cold second. "We have nothing to say to each other."

Chapter 8