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A small weight had been lifted from my chest simply from unburdening myself with Marco. I couldn’t wait to speak to Colton and finally put this all behind us.
I hugged Marco and said goodbye. Walking out of the coffee shop, I squared my shoulders and marched back to the office, ready for what I had to do. Marco was right, Colton would understand. Look how quickly Marco grasped that it was all just a simple misunderstanding. I’d been making myself sick with worry when I just had to trust that things were going to work out for me this time. I had someone who believed in me and wanted what was best for me.
Stepping off the elevator on the twelfth floor, I noticed Erika was on the phone, so I walked directly to my cubicle, but heard her call my name. I turned around. Putting a hand over the phone’s receiver, she said, “Wait up. We need to talk.”
I waved her off, determined that nothing was going to stop me now. “Yes. I just need to have one other conversation first.”
“Fran,” she whispered, but I ignored her and marched down the hallway. Setting down my purse, I turned to Colton’s office. Two people sat in front of his desk, but I couldn’t make out who they were since the blinds hid them quite well.
My phone rang. It was Colton.
“Yes, Mr. Crawford,” I said with a smile.
“I need to see you in my office,” he bit out and hung up the phone.
His tone made the hair on the back of my neck rise, but I shook it off. He’d been in one meeting after another this morning and a new problem probably just fell onto his lap. Grabbing my notepad and pencil, I walked into his office, ready to work. Our conversation could wait until later. He needed me right now.
“What can I do for you?” I asked, staring at Colton.
Waving his hand toward the person sitting in the chair in front of him, he said, “I’d like you to meet someone.”
I turned to face the visitor. The woman stood, her black dress and blazer falling mid-thigh. She raised her hand toward me, but both of mine were full.
With a smile, she announced, “I’m Ava Grady.”
12
Colton
When her face fell and her eyes rounded, I knew it was true. I didn’t want to believe Ryan and this woman, but I couldn’t deny Ava’s reaction.
She’s not Ava. That’s not her name.
I didn’t even know her real name. We were intimate together and she didn’t even tell me her real name. Anger ignited inside me, deep in the pit of my stomach, where it had simmered since I was a young boy. I had promised myself I wouldn’t let anyone fool me again.
She dropped her pencil and crouched down to retrieve it. “I can explain,” she said as she rose to her feet and turned to me. She had addressed me, but I couldn’t look at her. I didn’t trust what would come out of my mouth. I wanted to shout at her, then beg her to tell me the truth. But how could I believe a word that came from her mouth? I stared at Ryan instead. He raised his eyebrows and tilted his head, waiting for me to make the next move.
“I don’t want to hear it,” I said.
“Colton,” she whispered my name like a plea.
Finally turning toward her, I asked, “Is your name Ava Grady or not?”
She shook her head, her brown curls framing her stricken face. “No, it’s Frances Netto.”
That was all I needed to hear. I had been conned again, only this time they hadn’t taken any jewels. She had stolen something I’d never thought I would lose—my heart. Shame, combined with my anger, formed a volcano inside me that finally erupted.
“Get out,” I shouted. She flinched, nodded once, then turned to leave.
“Wait,” Ryan called out. “How did you get past security in the building?”
“I work in the mailroom downstairs,” she said. Turning those pleading brown eyes toward Ryan, she continued, “I didn’t mean—”
“Worked,” I said, controlling my rage with deep breaths.
“Pardon?” She turned slowly to face me.
“You worked in the mailroom downstairs. I don’t ever want you stepping foot inside Crawford Corp again. Now. Get. Out.” I knew if she stayed another minute, I would bend and listen to her pleas. But I wouldn’t be made a fool again.
