THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR

pte

ret

yet it barely eased the pain inside me. My gaze drifted around the disorganized office, papers strewn about like re

grin on his face. "Barrett, my boy! I just got the news. You'r

f vodka pausing near my mouth. "

"Don't act clueless, Barrett. I know you've chosen to prior

odka. "Obsession? You don't h

precisely what I'm saying, Barrett. You're making a grav

over the edge. "You have no right to lecture me,

ing. "You're throwing away your future, Bar

ainst the floor. "That's not fair, Dad! You don't

more charged. My father's face darkened with fury, his ey

essed. "I lost the contract, Dad. The one you'v

her's heavy breathing. His face drained of col

, his voice shaking with ange

it into countless pieces. Then he turned and walked

f rage, I swept my arm across the desk, sending papers and pens flying. I kicked over

spair. I had lost everything – the contract, my father's respect, and the lov

opened and my secretary walked in. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the cha

the Jackson file," she stuttered, her voice quivering sl

h rage. "Just put it on the desk," I

empting to calm me, she stepped closer

neck, my fingers tightening around her delicate throat. She

eath hot against her ear

as she nodded vigorously. I released her nec

say, tears welling in her eyes. "

oor clicking shut behind her. I was left standing there, my chest still

y not my secretary. Shame and guilt washed over me, threatening to engulf me

t at those close to me? Phoebe, my father, my secretar

This was the person I had become – destructive, an

nder of the tasks I needed to tackle and the responsibilities weighing on me. Yet,

ke an eternity. I was ensnared in my own personal hell, h

I pushed myself up from the chair, my legs shaky beneath me.

to tidy stacks. It was a mindless chore, but it pr

an abyss, balancing precariously on the edge of a cliff. One misst

the darkness loomed around me. I deserve happines

ontracts that should be lucrative keep slipping away. I am so