Chapter 8 - The Remnants of the Past
Two months later, the Baltimore winter had set in, coating the harbor in a delicate blanket of frost. Audrey’s new downtown engineering firm, Vanguard Structural Design, had officially opened its doors in a converted red-brick industrial loft overlooking the shipping docks.
She was sitting at her drafting table, reviewing digital blueprints for the new municipal pier expansion, when her receptionist buzzed the intercom.
"Audrey? There’s someone here to see you. She doesn't have an appointment, but she says it’s urgent."
Audrey pressed the button. "Send them in."
The glass office door opened, and Chloe Mercer walked into the room.
The girl looked exhausted. Gone were the designer clothes and arrogant swagger from David's firm. She wore a plain winter coat, her eyes red-rimmed and hollow.
"Audrey," Chloe began, her voice cracking. "Please... don't call security."
Audrey leaned back in her high-backed chair, setting her stylus down with practiced calm. "You have thirty seconds, Chloe."
"I came to apologize," Chloe sobbed, clutching her purse against her stomach. "David lied to me about everything. He told me you two were already legally separated, that you were just bitter and holding onto the assets out of spite! He told me he was going to take care of me! The moment the police showed up at the docks, he threw me into the mud and locked the door!"
"I know," Audrey replied without a shred of pity. "I watched him do it through binoculars."
"The firm fired me," Chloe wept. "Nobody in corporate sales will touch my resume because of the Vance investigation. I can't pay my rent. I don't have anywhere to go. I just... I needed you to know that I’m sorry."
Audrey stood up, walking around her desk until she stood directly in front of the girl who had helped unravel her old life.
"I don't hate you, Chloe," Audrey said, her voice completely even. "Hate requires energy, and you aren't worth a single watt of my power. You wanted an easy life with a man who stole, and you discovered what happens when you build on a rotten foundation. Take this as a life lesson. Learn a real trade, stop relying on married men with expensive cars, and rebuild your own life. Now get out of my office."
Chloe stared at Audrey’s calm, unshakeable strength, lowered her head in utter shame, and walked out the door.
As the door clicked shut, the private elevator at the back of the office chimed.
Roman stepped out, dressed in a charcoal three-piece suit, holding two cups of steaming artisan coffee. He looked at the empty hallway, then back at Audrey with a knowing smile.
"Was that the mistress?" he asked.
May you like
"That was a ghost," Audrey answered, walking over to him and accepting the cup. "And I don't spend my days talking to ghosts."
Roman smiled, leaning down to press a soft, lingering kiss to her lips. "Good. Because the future is waiting."
