Chapter 15: The Past Won’t Stay Buried

Phoebe wanted to ignore it.

She needed to ignore it.

Whatever remnants of feelings she had for Damon, whatever pull still existed between them—it had to be buried. Forgotten.

But he wasn't making it easy.

Not when he kept showing up every afternoon, leaning casually against his car, waiting to take her to lunch.

Not when he made her laugh—sometimes despite herself.

Not when she arrived at her office in the morning to find fresh flowers sitting on her desk, a new arrangement every few days.

He never signed the card.

Never called attention to it.

But she knew.

It was him.

And damn him—it was working.

Little by little, he was slipping past her defenses, making her remember what it felt like to have him in her life.

To want him in her life.

But just as she began to feel steady, just as she let herself breathe—

Her father ruined everything.

---

(The New Deal)

"Another deal?" Phoebe repeated, gripping the phone tighter. "You can't be serious."

Her father's voice remained cool, detached, like he wasn't actively trying to manipulate her life again. "It's an excellent opportunity, Phoebe. One you'd be a fool to pass up."

She clenched her jaw, pacing behind her desk. "I just secured a major deal, one that will carry the company for years. Why are you pushing this on me?"

"You know why."

Phoebe stopped pacing.

"I gave you a year," he continued smoothly. "To sort yourself out. That deadline is approaching. You haven't settled down, and I see no effort on your part to do so. That leaves me no choice."

Phoebe's stomach twisted.

She should've known.

Of course, this wasn't just about business. It never was.

Her father's voice turned sharper. "The Montclairs are expecting your answer by the end of the week. I suggest you don't make this difficult."

Phoebe squeezed her eyes shut. The Montclairs.

She knew the name well—old money, influential, but more importantly, a family that had everything to gain from an arranged marriage with her.

And her father knew that was the last thing she wanted.

But that was the point, wasn't it?

It was a test.

If she refused, he'd tighten his grip. Push harder.

If she agreed—she'd lose herself completely.

"Don't do this," she said, forcing her voice to stay even. "I mean it."

Her father sighed. "You've always been stubborn. But this is the way things are done, Phoebe. You can fight it all you want, but in the end, you will make the right choice."

And just like that, he hung up.

Phoebe let out a harsh breath, fingers trembling around her phone.

This isn't happening.

I won't let this happen.

She was still reeling when her office door swung open.

Damon.

He took one look at her face and frowned. "What happened?"

Phoebe wanted to brush him off, wanted to pretend like nothing was wrong, but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

"My father," she admitted, her voice laced with frustration. "He's trying to arrange another deal."

Damon's expression darkened instantly. "A business deal?"

She hesitated. "Something like that."

His jaw tightened. He knew. He knew what kind of man her father was, knew the real kind of deals he liked to make.

"Who?" he asked, his voice low.

Phoebe exhaled. "The Montclairs."

Damon muttered a curse under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "And you're just going to let him force you into this?"

He asked, trying to hide the Sting of pain and jealousy he felt at that time.

Phoebe bristled. "Of course not."

"Then I'll handle it."

She blinked. "What?"

Damon straightened, already reaching for his phone. "I'll make sure this deal doesn't happen."

Panic flared in her chest. "You can't just—"

"I can," he cut in smoothly. "please let me."

Phoebe stared at him, torn between frustration and something dangerously close to relief.

Because for the first time in a long time, she wasn't alone in this fight.

And that terrified her more than anything.