339 Loose Ends

339 Loose Ends

(Winona)

I sit across from Phillip, the papers spread out between us like a line in the sand. The buyout offer is sitting right there, glaring at him. I've made my decision. This is it.

"I'm offering you the chance to buy me out, Phillip. You take it, or I have other buyers waiting. Either way. I'm done."

His eyes widen, but I can see the shift in his expression-the surprise melting into something more defensive, even a little bitter. "You're serious? Just like that? You're ditching everything we've built up again?"

I don't flinch. "Yes. Just like that. It's time for me to focus on my family, and I can't do that while juggling this business. It's what's best for me.": text © owner.

Phillip leans back in his chair, arms crossed. "You've always had your own income, Winona. You've always needed your independence. And now you're ready to just hand it all over?"

"Never been more ready."

"What happened to you? You're really okay with letting go of everything you've worked so hard for?"

"I am," I say firmly. "Priorities change. Mine have shifted. This business isn't what I want anymore. You should've seen this coming."

"Seen it coming?" He leans forward, his voice rising a notch. "How the hell was I supposed to see this coming? Last I checked, we were working fine together. Now you want to play house with Jayden in Europe and suddenly this is your big decision? To sell me out?"

I feel the heat rising inside me. "This has nothing to do with 'playing house' with Jayden. You and I both know this isn't sudden. You're working with Judy more than me these days anyway. Isn't that what you're used to? Should be like old times for you." Phillip's jaw tightens, his fingers tapping against the table. "That's not fair."

"Isn't it? You were in her pocket from the start, Phillip. You can't deny it. You sold me out to Judy before I even knew she was screwing with my life when I left here after the divorce."

He looks down.

"You lied to me about who you were, about everything. And now you're acting like me stepping back from the business is some kind of betrayal? Give me a break."

He's getting pissed, I can see it in the way his eyes narrow, the muscle in his jaw ticking. "So that's it? You're just walking away because it's convenient for you." "You can take over. Get another partner, whatever. Your choice."

His eyes flash, and I can feel the tension rising between us. "I've been keeping things afloat lately anyway. I've kept it running."

"Exactly and I'm offering you a bargain deal for my half because of that," I say, my voice steady.

Phillip leans in, lowering his voice, but it's thick with anger. Is that what this is about? Cutting ties because you can't face what happened that night at the club? Your real feelings for me."

I feel my heart skip a beat. "That night has nothing to do with this. It certainly has nothing to do with my real feelings for you!

"Oh, doesn't it?" He scoffs, shaking his head. "Come on, Winona. We had something that night, and you're throwing it all away because you're too scared to admit it meant something"

I glare at him, my hands clenched into fists. "That night was a mistake, Phillip. It didn't mean anything to me. It was a drunk, random, stupid mistake. And it certainly didn't change anything between us." That's bullshit, and you know it."

"No, what's bullshit is you thinking we had a chance after everything you've done to me."

7 thought that was behind us."

"You promised me that you'd never dredge that club night up again. That I was safe to express myself in the moment and you'd never hold it against me." My voice is razor sharp now. "Wow! Another lie, how surprising

He shakes his head.

I'm not backing down. "You think I forgot how you betrayed me from the very start? How you lied to me about being a recovering alcoholic? How you attacked me after too many drinks, and Jayden had to step in to stop you from doing God knows what?" Phillip's face pales, and I don't let up.

"You think I could ever trust you again after that? That I could ever be with you long term? You've got to be out of your mind."

He opens

his mouth, but I cut him off before he can get a word in. "I can't be with someone I don't trust, Phillip. Not in business, and certainly not romantically. And that night didn't change any of that

There's a beat of silence, heavy and suffocating, as Phillip stares at me, processing my words. His expression hardens, and I can see the shift-he's pissed, but he knows I'm right.

"So that's it," he says, his voice low and cold. "Walk away. But don't look back, because I won't be there."

I let out a sharp laugh, shaking my head. "Suits me. This is about my life. And you're not a part of it anymore. I've moved on, Phillip. You need to do the same."

he might He looks away, clenching his jaw, his hands gripping the edge of the table. For a moment, I thi argue, but instead, he just lets out a bitter laugh. "Fine. You want out? You're out. I'll buy you out, but don't come crawling back when you realize you've made a mistake."

I stand, gathering my things, my expression cold and resolute you, Phillip. I know exactly what I'm doing."

"I won't be making any more mistakes with

He watches me, his eyes dark with frustration, but I don't care. I'm done.

Without another word, I walk out of the office, leaving Philli