Rei8

At twenty-nine, Callie Morgan had everything she thought she wanted—a steady career, a devoted fiancé, and a perfectly planned future. She and Kyle had spent nearly a decade building their love story, with their upcoming wedding meant to be the grand finale. But just as she prepared to step into forever, an unexpected event shatters everything, leaving Callie to pick up the pieces of a future that no longer exists.

Desperate for a fresh start, she escapes to a quiet town, hoping to find clarity in a life far removed from the one she left behind. What she doesn’t expect is to cross paths with an arrogant, frustratingly handsome stranger who challenges her at every turn. Their undeniable chemistry is as maddening as it is electric—until she discovers the twist. The man who’s been getting under her skin? He’s her new boss.

Callie begins to question everything she once believed about love and happiness. Sometimes, the most unexpected detours lead exactly where we’re meant to be.

Will Callie find the courage to embrace the unknown, or will she cling to the familiar, even when it no longer fits?

My Stranger Boss

The city lights blurred as Callie sped down the highway, her grip tightening around the steering wheel. The tears she had held back in front of Kyle now streamed freely down her face, hot and relentless.

Nine years. Nine damn years, wasted on a man who had been ready to marry her while carrying the weight of his betrayal in his back pocket.

She needed to get away. To breathe.

With no clear plan, Callie drove straight to her parents' lake house, a place she hadn't visited in years. It was tucked away on an island off the coast, reachable only by a small ferry. It was perfect—quiet, isolated, untouched by the chaos of her life.

By the time she reached the dock, dawn was creeping over the horizon, painting the sky in soft shades of orange and pink.

"Morning, Miss Morgan," the old ferry captain, George, greeted her with a nod as she stepped onto the boat.

She forced a small smile. "Morning, George."

"Been a while since you've been up here," he remarked, steering the ferry toward the island. "Everything alright?"

Callie hesitated, gripping the railing as the wind tangled in her hair.

"I'm just... taking a break from everything," she admitted.

George gave a knowing nod but didn't push further. She was grateful for that.

As the island came into view, Callie felt an odd sense of relief. The lake house stood untouched by time—its white shutters slightly weathered, its wraparound porch overlooking the water. A place frozen in childhood memories, far removed from the reality she had just escaped.

She stepped inside, inhaling the familiar scent of cedar and old books. Dropping her bags in the living room, she finally exhaled.

For the first time since reading that text, she felt like she could breathe.

But even in the silence, her mind wouldn't rest.

What now? What came after walking away from the only future she had ever planned?

Callie curled up on the couch, staring out at the endless stretch of water.

But for now, she didn't need them.

For now, she just needed to exist.

Chapter 4- The Escape