Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Ten fucking years building Blake Turner's empire . My code made him worth billions . But on our ten year wedding anniversary , he hands me a check : " Here's $ 100 million . We're done . Avery needs the security of being my real GF . " I didn't beg . I didn't ask why . I grabbed that check , picked up my bag , and walked out . Then the very next day , I walked back into the company with my pregnant belly and deleted every line of my code . His tech empire ? Collapsed in real - time . Billions gone in hours . NOW he's begging on his knees for me back . And I just threw the check back at him : " Keep your blood money , man . I just spent 0 money making you homeless . " " How's that feel , asshole ? " The ballroom was absolutely glittering when Blake's company threw its tenth anniversary bash . I hung back in the shadows , watching him totally own the stage as he told everyone how we built this thing from zero to ten billion . " None of this would've happened without our team grinding it out for ten straight years , " Blake's voice boomed through the mic . I smiled a little but stayed put in my corner . Ten years . From eighteen to twenty - eight , I'd watched this guy go from coding in his crappy basement to owning an entire skyscraper . And yeah , I was always right there behind him , just never in the spotlight . " Ms. Sullivan , the media area's ready for you , " my assistant whispered . I nodded and speed - walked over to check everything . Mic levels , seating , press list - all the boring stuff that Blake never had to stress about because I handled it . After his speech , Blake found me backstage . His eyes had this weird intensity I hadn't seen in months . " Khloe , " he said , stepping closer . " Come up to my office after this whole thing wraps up . " My heart did this stupid flutter thing . We hadn't been alone in three months . Ever since that Avery Brooks girl started hanging around , he'd been keeping his distance . Like we were suddenly just coworkers or whatever . " Sure , " I said , trying to sound casual while shuffling through my papers . By eleven PM , after the last guest finally bounced , I dragged myself up to Blake's office . The second I walked in - holy shit , the whiskey smell nearly knocked me over . " Khloe ! " Blake yanked me inside , kissing me like the world was ending . This wasn't his usual vibe at all - dude was practically feral . Before I knew it , I was pressed against his couch while he tore at my blazer like it personally offended him . 11- Darunt 0.0 % Chapter 1 " Blake , what the hell ? " I tried to push back , but he wasn't having ft . " Just ... don't , " his voice cracked . fingers in my hair , eyes wild . " One last time . " We didn't stop until sunrise . When he finally collapsed next to me , I saw it - that guilt flickering across his face , Then he got up , walked to his desk , and pulled out that damn check . " This should make us even . " he said , not meeting my eyes . " But we're over . " His voice went ice cold . " You never needed labels or whatever , but Avery isn't built like that . Girl's pure , needs someone to take care of her . I gotta give her that security . " One hundred million dollars stared back at me from that check , A decade of my life , bought off with some fancy paper . I looked up at him , but Blake had already turned away to answer his phone . Ilis voice instantly went all soft and sweet : " Babe ? You're not feeling good ? I'm coming over right now ... " That's when it hit me - what it actually feels like to have your heart ripped out . But I didn't break down or start screaming . Just quietly got dressed and grabbed the few things from his desk that were mine . Blake was still on his call , caught my movement out the corner of his eye , and gave me that same casual wave he always did when I left his office . I shut the door softly , stepped into the elevator , and finally let myself cry . For exactly three seconds . Then I wiped that shit away . Outside in the freezing pre - dawn air , I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in ten years . " Marcus ? I wanna come home . Come get me ." Two seconds of silence , then this voice trying not to sound too excited : " Don't move . I'll be there in twenty . " Eighteen minutes later , this sleek black Maybach pulled up . The window rolled down , revealing a face that looked just like mine - Marcus Sullivan , tech mogul , my big brother . " Get in , " he said simply , eyes going dark when he spotted my suitcase . As we drove through the city , I finally relaxed for the first time in forever . " What did he do ? " Marcus's voice could've frozen hell over . I laughed and handed him the check . " Hundred mil breakup money . Pretty generous , right ? " Marcus didn't even look at it - just ripped it up and tossed the pieces out the window . " Blake Turner's gonna regret this . " We pulled up to the mansion in the hills . My parents were already waiting at the front door , Mom crying happy tears . " Welcome home , baby girl , " Dad said , arms wide open . Walking into that house , I knew Khloe Sullivan's real life was just beginning . And Blake Turner would never know what he'd thrown away .