Chapter 135

• MICHEAL'S POV
• The boardroom was silent except for the shuffle of papers and the clipped tones of men too cautious to say the wrong thing. I ran the meeting as I always did—with a firm voice, and calculated decisions, keeping everyone focused on numbers and projections. Outwardly I was composed. But inside? My head wasn't here. Every second that ticked by dragged me further away from the conference room and back to her. Ashley.
• When the meeting finally ended, I gave a curt nod of dismissal and rose, barely hearing the polite goodbyes. My chest felt tight as I walked back to my office. The moment the door shut. I reached for my phone, dialing her numbers.