Page 39 of When Everyone Abandoned Me, the Billionaire Chose Me

“Are you now admitting to having lied—”

She sits up in visible shock. “No—no, it’s n-not...I didn’t lie.”

“Then...”

“At the time I was, um, asked the question, I wasn’t...I wasn’t dating yet.”

“So it’s fairly new then,” I drawl, “this relationship.”

She nods vehemently. “Yes, sir.”

I know I should leave it at that, but instead I hear myself ask, “How new?”

The question seems to fluster her, and it’s making me ready to kill someone.

“I...um...I don’t think—”

“Don’t get me wrong, Kyara.”

Her eyes widen, but I have a feeling it has more to do with me addressing her by her given name instead of the coldness of my tone.

“I’m only asking because I’d like to understand why a relationship that’s fairly new...is something you believe is reason enough to think that—” I nod to the packet she’s clutching tightly between her hands. “—is a mistake.”

“I...um...”

“You spent three months to earn a job offer in my company. Now you’re simply giving it up because your boyfriend is ugly—”

“I didn’t say he’s ugly!”

“Insecure then.”

“He’s not!”

I lean back against my chair. “So there’s no reason to leave, is there?”

She bites her lip, and I’m tempted to bite it as well...but I don’t. Naturally. Because—

“Yes.”

Because of that.

“I’m s-sorry, Mr. Havington,” she stammers without quite meeting my gaze. “I was just overwhelmed, but y-you’re...you’re right.”

She’s still choosing to work for me, and I...I can work for that.

Present Time

Chapter 1

TO: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Subject: No such thing as a white lie.

Yes, I agree with your former therapist. Boundaries are a good idea, absolutely. But boundaries can be established and enforced without lying. Remember 1 John 1:6—lying and not practicing the truth is how we walk in darkness. Sooner or later, lies get us in trouble.

Always.