Severed

Jaylyn Brennan returned to Sovereign City that day, only to run straight into Haiden Holland's rumored new love.

She had just finished gathering her remaining belongings from the penthouse. As she walked past the second-floor landing toward the exit, she glanced down into the sunken living room. Haiden had gathered his inner circle for a game of cards.

A girl was nestled in his lap.

She looked to be in her early twenties, with fair skin that exuded a natural, makeup-free innocence. Her features bore a faint, thirty-percent resemblance to Jaylyn's. Only, she looked far more pure. Far more compliant.

Spurred on by the teasing from the table, the girl was currently looking at Haiden with a helpless expression, holding her cards. Haiden, looking highly entertained, was guiding her on which one to play. The intimate posture was something his friends clearly took in stride.

Just as Haiden pointed out a second card for her, someone laughed and teased, "Come on, Haiden, that's a foul. You said the lady of the house had to play her own hand. No cheating."

The lady of the house.

Jaylyn's steps paused gracefully. For all the years she had operated in the shadows as Haiden's indispensable assistant and secret lover, his friends had always maintained a polite distance, referring to her strictly as "Secretary Brennan." It hadn't been long since she and Haiden had cut ties, and already, titles were being freely handed out.

She looked over. The girl seemed a bit shy, biting her lip and insisting on playing the next card herself.

Haiden raised an eyebrow, plucked a card from her fingers, and tossed it onto the table. He lowered his head, coaxing the girl in his arms, "Ignore them. Play however you want. Any losses go on my tab."

Jaylyn blinked, momentarily zoning out. It was the first time she had ever heard him use such a gentle, indulgent tone.

Finally, someone noticed her presence.

"Secretary Brennan?" It was Declan, one of Haiden's oldest friends, his voice laced with surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Jaylyn gave a polite nod, her composure flawless. "I left some things here previously. Since I was back in the city, I dropped by to pick them up."

The expressions around the table turned intriguing. These were Haiden's closest friends; everyone here knew Jaylyn had been with him for nearly seven years.

That was, until three months ago. Jaylyn had been in a car accident and was subsequently transferred to a subsidiary branch as a project manager. Soon after, Haiden introduced his new girlfriend, Evie, to everyone-a silent declaration that he had finally grown tired of his capable secretary.

No one expected them to cross paths here. Eyes darted toward Haiden, assessing the situation.

Yet Haiden didn't even spare Jaylyn a glance. He casually picked up a piece of fruit with a small fork and fed it to the girl in his lap, his eyes gentle and thoroughly devoted.

It was Evie who bit her lip and greeted her, a hint of uneasiness in her sweet voice. "Secretary Brennan, are you leaving already? Do you want to sit down and play a few rounds with us...?"

"Thank you," Jaylyn offered a polite, detached smile. "But I have some matters to attend to. I won't interrupt your game."

She walked forward and placed a black key card on the sleek glass of the coffee table in front of him.

"Mr. Holland, the penthouse key. I won't be needing it anymore."

Since she had been transferred to the subsidiary as a project manager, she wouldn't be staying in Sovereign City for long. Once her private affairs were settled, she would leave. Not to mention, she was no longer his personal secretary. Naturally, she had no use for this key.

Haiden didn't so much as lift an eyelid. His deep voice carried a cool authority. "How many days of leave did Apex approve for you?"

Apex was Jaylyn's new company.

Jaylyn was mildly surprised by the strictly professional inquiry. "One week."

"Fine," Haiden said flatly. "Use the time to properly hand over the rest of your tasks."

In their seven years together, Haiden had always been a man of heavy desires and an unruly temper. Blurring the lines between business discussions and tumbling into bed was a regular occurrence. This was the first time they had ever discussed work so rigidly, entirely stripped of any private affection.

Jaylyn smiled lightly, utterly unbothered. "Understood, Mr. Holland. I'll take my leave then."

She turned around, ready to walk away, when Haiden abruptly spoke again.

His voice was slow and deliberate, cutting through the silence of the room. "By the way. You left your stockings in my office last time. Remember to take them with you."