Frozen Promises

On Friday, Allison brought a divorce agreement into the Saunders Enterprises headquarters building.

She had made up her mind to confront Braydon and end the marriage.

The elevator shot straight to the top floor. As the doors opened, she ran right into Kathleen sitting primly at the executive assistant's desk.

Four months pregnant and pampered by Braydon, Kathleen glowed with health. Her cheeks flushed pink, and her eyes sparkled with a glow she could barely hide.

When she saw Allison, she forced a professional smile. Jealousy nearly spilled from her eyes though. "Hello. Do you have an appointment?"

She knew full well who Allison was.

Allison sneered inside.

Even though she planned to let go, she would not let this woman strut in front of her.

Allison curved her lips in a smirk. Her tone dripped with casual disdain. "I'm here for your boss. Go tell him his dearest wife has arrived. He should come greet me."

Kathleen's face twisted in disgust, like she had swallowed a fly whole.

But she knew how to bend without breaking. She shoved down her feelings fast and picked up the intercom.

Braydon pushed through the door moments later. He saw Allison leaning against Kathleen's desk. Panic flashed across his handsome features. "Allison, what brings you here out of the blue?"

"I missed you." Allison tossed him a cool smile and clicked past in her high heels. She headed straight into his office without a sideways glance.

That smile hooked Braydon hard. His eyes glazed over. He hurried after her.

Before he shut the door, Allison shot Kathleen a deliberate look.

She caught the other woman clenching her fists until they cracked. A wave of satisfaction swept through Allison. She slammed the door shut with a snap.

She turned around and froze.

Braydon's office had changed completely.

The leather sofa overflowed with colorful cartoon plush toys.

The old deep gray curtains gave way to soft pinkish-purple ones.

The minimalist vase on his desk vanished. In its place sat a macaron-hued ceramic piece with a flamboyant foxtail lily poking out.

She did not need to guess who did this.

Allison recalled how he brought her here right after he took over the company. He showed her the office.

They kissed deeply by the floor-to-ceiling windows. He said earnestly. "Allison, will you design the decor here? I want to see traces of you in every corner when I work."

Now everything that belonged to her lay buried under fresh layers.

She drew a deep breath. She tamped down the sour ache and fury rising in her chest. She faced Braydon squarely.

He looked awkward. He swept the toys off the sofa in a flurry. "The assistants messed around with this. I'll fix it back to normal tomorrow. Have a seat first."

Allison did not budge.

She stared at that sofa. She could almost picture Braydon and Kathleen tangled on it.

Just like that recording from the car that night. Sticky. Revolting.

It felt filthy to her.

She wasted no time. She pulled the divorce papers from her bag. She flipped to the last page and slapped it down on his desk. "Sign it."

"What's this?" Braydon leaned in to read. From outside came Kathleen's gut-wrenching sobs.

His face shifted. He spun toward the door to rush out.

Allison grabbed his arm. "Sign first."

"Allison. My assistant needs me. I have to check on her."

"Sign then go." Her voice iced over. Her fingers dug in.

Braydon huffed in irritation. He did not even glance at the text. He snatched a pen and scrawled his name at the bottom.

He tossed the pen aside and bolted for the door without looking back. He threw over his shoulder. "Allison, when did you turn so heartless?"