Chapter 149

Angela POV

His emerald eyes studied me with that infuriating intensity, his arms forming a cage around me.

For a moment, I thought he might refuse, but then he stepped back with deliberate slowness, his fingers deliberately brushing against my arm as he withdrew.

"Fine," he conceded. "But we still have work to do."

I exhaled slowly, straightening my jacket as I stepped away from the door. "Then let's focus on the investment proposal and nothing else."

Sean gestured toward the documents spread across the coffee table. "After you."

I moved to the sofa and sat at the far end, conscious of his eyes following me, tension still thick in the air.

Sean didn't immediately join me. Instead, he walked to the bar, the subtle flex of his shoulders visible beneath his shirt. "Drink?" he offered, glancing over his shoulder with a raised eyebrow.

"No, thank you," I replied coolly. "I'd prefer to keep a clear head."

His lips quirked into a half-smile. "What are you afraid of, Angela? That you might actually enjoy my company?"

I met his gaze steadily. "I'm afraid we'll waste more time on irrelevant conversations."

Sean returned with only a glass of water for himself, sitting down closer than necessary. I shifted away, creating more space between us.

"Am I making you nervous?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Is my proximity that distracting?"

"Don't flatter yourself," I replied, reaching for the proposal. "I simply prefer to work without someone hovering over me."

I watched with reluctant admiration as he meticulously revised section after section. His fingers occasionally grazed the back of my hand as we both reached for the same document, and I couldn't tell if these contacts were accidental or deliberate.

"Your liquidity projections need work," Sean murmured, his face uncomfortably close to mine as he showed me another page.

"I see it," I replied tersely, trying to maintain some distance. "I can read it better if you'd move back a bit."

He chuckled, his breath warm against my cheek. "So tense, Angela. Is working beside me really that difficult for you? We used to spend hours like this, if you recall."

"That was a lifetime ago," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the document.

"Yet here we are again," he observed, his voice dropping lower. "Some things never change."

Despite my determination to remain detached, I couldn't deny the value of his input. His revisions were thoughtful and precise, demonstrating a depth of financial acumen that reminded me why he was so successful.

The minutes stretched into hours as we worked, the tension in the room shifting from professional antagonism to something more complex.

Just as Sean finished explaining his final adjustment, my stomach let out an embarrassingly loud growl.

His eyebrow arched. "Sounds like someone needs to refuel."

Heat crept up my neck. "The proposal is finished. I should head home now."

"It's already past midnight," Sean said, checking his watch. "Let's grab something to eat first."

"That's not necessary. I can handle it myself at home."

Sean's expression softened unexpectedly. "I just helped you rewrite your entire proposal. Can't you at least buy me dinner as thanks?"

"Is that what this was about? Securing a dinner date?" I asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Not a date," he corrected, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Unless that's what you want it to be. "

I stared at him, momentarily thrown by his teasing. After considering the hours he'd just invested in improving my work, I reluctantly nodded. "Fine. A quick bite only."

Sean's face brightened visibly. "Perfect. Let me change into something more comfortable. Wait here for a few minutes."

As he disappeared into the bedroom, I reminded myself to remain vigilant. This was simply a thank-you dinner for his professional assistance, nothing more.

I settled back on the sofa, mentally reviewing the revisions we'd made. My thoughts were interrupted when Sean's phone, left on the coffee table, began to ring. I glanced at it reflexively, then looked away, not wanting to invade his privacy.

The ringing stopped, only to start again moments later. This time, I couldn't help but notice the name illuminated on the screen: Christina Jordan.

Something cold and bitter spread through my chest. Christina. Of course.

Memories flooded back-nights during our marriage when I'd wake to find Sean's side of the bed empty. The whispered calls, the late "work meetings." Always with Christina.

And now here I was, about to have dinner with him while Christina waited for his call. Was I simply the appetizer before his main course?

By the time Sean emerged from the bedroom in a fresh shirt and slacks, I had already gathered my belongings and was standing by the door.

"That was quick," he remarked, adjusting his cuffs. "Ready to go?"

"I need to get home," I said coldly, my voice betraying none of the anger simmering beneath the surface. "Something's come up."

Sean frowned. "We just agreed to have dinner. What's suddenly so urgent?"

"I remembered a prior commitment," I replied, my hand already on the door handle. "The proposal is finished. Our business is concluded."

"Angela-" he stepped toward me, confusion evident in his expression.

"Goodnight, Sean," I cut him off, yanking the door open and stepping into the hallway before he could see the hurt in my eyes.

I strode toward the elevator, ignoring Sean's calls behind me. The doors slid closed on his bewildered face, and I released the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

In the elevator, memories flooded back.

During our marriage, Sean would slip from our bed in the middle of the night to meet Christina. Now he was trying to play both sides again.

Was this just a game to him? Did he simply enjoy the thrill of cheating?