Chapter 4: Broken Bonds

4

My boss, a Brit, had always pushed me to take the regional GM job overseas. I’d said no—Hannah’s English was shaky, and I figured she’d hate it.

I almost let Mike Callahan have that chance.

But now, with Hannah out of my life, there was nothing left tying me here.

My boss was over the moon, promising double my salary and a fast-track visa.

The next morning, I ran into Mike at the hotel breakfast. He looked wrecked, eyes ringed dark, barely holding it together.

He gave me a crooked grin.

"Yo, man, did I keep you up last night? You know how it is."

He nudged me. "Oh, wait—you’re totally whipped. Bro, you seriously let her walk all over you. No woman’s worth that."

His words made my jaw clench, but he just smirked wider.

"For real, last night’s girl? Unreal. That mouth, that waist, those legs—she’s wild. Wouldn’t let me take pics, though. Otherwise, I’d show you."

I stared at the watery eggs on my plate, my appetite gone, my jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

He grabbed my arm, lowering his voice.

"Tried to sneak a photo, and she freaked out. Said she really loves her husband. Isn’t that a laugh? Loves her husband, but still out here doing this. She doesn’t need the money—so her husband must be a real loser."

My tray hit the table with a bang, rage burning in my chest.

Mike’s eyes went wide.

"Bro, you—"

I cut him off, my voice cold as ice.

"You’re right. I’ll never let a woman hold me back again."

The hotel breakfast room was all sterile light and cheap coffee, but I’d never felt more done—done being a joke, done pretending I could ever go back.