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 ringing of Callie's phone shattered the fragile silence of the morning. She groaned, still curled up on the couch, the weight of last night's emotions pressing heavily against her chest. Without looking at the caller ID, she answered.

"Hello?" Her voice was hoarse from crying.

"Callie, it's Sarah from HR. Sorry for calling early, but we need you back at work. Can you make it in tomorrow?"

Work. The one thing she had been avoiding. The thought of facing the office, pretending everything was fine, was suffocating. But at the same time, she couldn't hide forever.

"Yeah," she said quietly, fingers tightening around the phone. "I'll be there."

"Great. And Callie... if you need anything, just let me know, okay?"

Callie murmured a quick thanks before hanging up. She stared at the ceiling, letting the reality sink in. Going back meant facing Kyle, facing the whispers, the pitying glances from coworkers who knew what had happened.

Dragging herself off the couch, she showered and got dressed, opting for something neutral and professional. She couldn't afford to look as broken as she felt.

Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang again. This time, it was her brother, Randall.

"Hey, Callie," he said, his tone unusually casual. "Listen, I need a favor. My car broke down, and I was wondering if I could borrow yours... for a while. Just until I can get things sorted out."

Callie hesitated. She needed her car, but Randall had always been there for her when she needed him.

"How long is a while?" she asked, already knowing the answer wouldn't be in her favor.

"A few months, maybe. I promise I'll take care of it."

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Fine. Just... just be careful with it."

"You're the best, Callie. I owe you one."

Hanging up, she realized this meant she'd have to take a cab to and from work from now on. Another inconvenience to add to the list, but she didn't have the energy to argue.

The office was buzzing when she arrived the next morning. It was almost jarring how life had continued without her. People were talking in hushed voices, the air thick with gossip. She caught snippets of conversation as she walked past.

"Did you hear? The new boss is arriving today."

Callie barely listened. She didn't care about office politics, not when she was still piecing herself together. She made her way to her desk, ignoring the way her coworkers glanced at her before quickly looking away.

As she settled into her chair, she exhaled slowly. This was her reality now. And no matter how painful, she had to face it.

Chapter 10 - Facing Reality