Chapter 338
Summer’s POV
I glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. We were officially late for work, and I was deliberately making us even later.
“Brandon, I can’t find my blue portfolio,” I called out, pretending to search through my already perfectly organized bag.
“It’s on your desk,” Brandon replied from the doorway, car keys dangling from his fingers. His voice was patient, completely unfazed by my obvious stalling.
“Right,” I mumbled, grabbing the portfolio. “And I need to change my thoes… these don’t match,”
Brandon just leaned against the doorframe, watching me with that infuriating calm of his.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” I finally demanded.
“About what?”
“About the fact that I’m making us late on purpose!”
Brandon’s smile widened slightly. “Why would I be upset about that?
I stared at him, deflating. “Because normal people get mad when other people deliberately waste their time?”
He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re not wasting my time. You’re showing me you care. His voice dropped. “If you didn’t care at all about Lyanna, that would worry me more.”
I flushed. “I don’t care about her,” I insisted stubbornly. “I just don’t want to go to work today.”
“Mmm–hmm.”
Brandon picked up my bag and handed it to me. “We should go. Unless you’d prefer to call in sick?”
The temptation was real. I could curl up in bed and avoid the whole Lyanna situation entirely. But that wasn’t me. I’d never been one to run from my problems.
I might not be the most aggressive person, but I wasn’t a pushover either. If Brandon’s grandfather thought he could intimidate me by bringing in some ex–fiancée, he had seriously misjudged the situation.
“Let’s go,” I said firmly. “I’ve kept you waiting long enough.”
“You can drop me off right at the entrance,” I instructed as we approached Stark Group headquarters. “I know you usually use the underground parking, but today let’s make an exception.”
Brandon raised an eyebrow but complied, pulling the Bentley up to the main entrance where dozens of employees were streaming in. Heads turned immediately at the sight of the CEO’s car.
‘Perfect, I whispered, satisfaction coursing through me. By lunchtime, everyone would know I’d arrived with Brandon.
I gathered my things. “I’ll see you later?”
1/3
Chapter 338.
“Wait,” Brandon said, reaching behind his seat. He handed me a sma paper bag the cookies I’d baked for him. You forgot this.
“That’s for you! I protested.
“I know,” he said, the corner of his mouth quirking upward. But you were in such a rush this morning you forgot to actually give
them to me.”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. Clearly, my little performance hadn’t fooled him
“Go on,” he said, nodding toward the building. “You’re already late.”
“Oh! Right!” I fumbled with the bag. “I should head up then. You should come up soon too!”
I could feel dozens of curious eyes on us as I climbed out of the car, the whispers started immediately.
I was still riding the high of my ‘dramatic entrance when I reached the project department. The stares and whispers followed me, they felt different than I’d expected–more intense, almost unsettling.
“Summer, you finally made it!” Heather Bell practically pounced on me the moment I entered. Her eyes were wide with excitement and apprehension.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Why’s everyone acting so weird?”
Heather pulled me into the break room. “Where were you yesterday? You missed all the drama!”
“I was working from home,” I replied cautiously. “What drama?”
“Oh my God,” Heather lowered her voice. “The company got a new addition yesterday–some drop–dead gorgeous woman who’s working directly with Mr. Stark!”
I kept my expression neutral. “I know. What about her?”
“Wait, you already know? Okay, but… don’t get mad when I tell you this next part.”
“Why would I get mad? What, does she have three heads or something?”
“No, she doesn’t have three heads, but…” Heather glanced around nervously. “She looks exactly like you. And I mean exactly. It’s freaky, Summer. Like looking at twins.”
but
The room seemed to tilt. I’d known about Lyanna coming to work here, but this part? The part where we looked identical? Brandon had conveniently left that detail out.
“What did you just say?” I managed, my voice sounding distant.
“Summer? Are you okay? You look really pale.”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically. “I just remembered I need to check something. If Leo asks, tell him I’ll be back soon.”
I headed straight for the executive elevators. I needed to see Brandon. Now.
As the elevator doors closed, I leaned against the wall, trying to organize my thoughts. We looked alike? Was that why Brandon had been attracted to me? Was I just a replacement for the woman his family wanted him to marry? Had our entire relationship been built on some twisted attempt to recreate what he’d lost?
2/3
Chapter 338
Stop it, I told myself firmly. You re jumping to conclusions. Just talk to him before you spiral.
But the seed of doubt had been planted. I thought about all those times people had commented on how unusual it was for Brandon to be interested in someone like me. Had they been trying to tell me something?
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. I stepped out, still lost in my thoughts, and collided hard with someone. The cookie bag flew from my hands, scattering across the floor.
“I’m so sorry, I wasn’t looking- I started, then froze.
It was like looking into a mirror, but not quite, The woman Jrad my height, my build, even similar facial features. But her hair was longer, her makeup more dramatic, and her expression ofte of complete shock.
“You…” she breathed, taking a small step back.
I recovered first, frantically trying to regain my composure.
“Ms. York!” I exclaimed, my voice coming out stronger than I felt.
Her eyebrows rose. “You know who I am?”
I straightened my shoulders. “Not just anyone can come up to the 27th floor where CEO Brandon Stark works. And while Mr. Stark has several secretaries, I’m at least familiar with most Stark Group employees. You’re the only face I don’t recognize.” I smiled slightly. “I heard that yesterday, Mr. William Stark personally brought in a Ms. York to work as an intern secretary. I was away on business yesterday and didn’t have the pleasure of meeting you immediately.”
I studied her face, noting her discomfort. “Are you feeling unwell, Ms. York?”
“No!” she replied quickly.
“That’s good to hear,” I said pleasantly, extending my hand. “Summer Taylor, from the project department.”
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Taylor,” she replied, taking my hand briefly. Her eyes flickered to my left hand, lingering on the wedding ring Brandon had given me. “Miss Taylor… are you married?”
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