Chapter 28

Philip's POV

The polished glass and steel of Howard Technologies' executive conference room made me feel distinctly out of place. My fingertips drummed an anxious rhythm against my leather portfolio as I sat across from Howard Thompson, the sterile modernity of his office a stark contrast to the old-money comfort of my own. Something in the air felt charged with tension,though I couldn't quite place why.

Our companies needed each other - Philip Investment Group's emerging tech portfolio desperately required a strong technology partner,and Howard Technologies was the only viable option in the current market.Simple business logic. Yet something about watching Howard adjust that deep blue jacquard tie made my stomach clench.

That tie. The same one I'd watched Annie select with painstaking care at Saks Fifth Avenue yesterday. I'd followed her movements through the store,convinced she was there hoping to run into me. The thought of her carefully choosing a gift for another man made something dark and possessive twist in my chest.

Howard's eyes met mine, catching my fixed stare on his tie. A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth - an expression I'd never seen on his usually controlled face. "A gift from Annie," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that set my teeth on edge. "Do you like it?"

I forced myself to look away, bitterness rising in my throat like bile. So it was true- Annie had moved on completely. She was buying gifts for other men now. The same Annie who used to spend hours coordinating my wardrobe, who knew exactly which colors brought out my eyes..."My ex-wife does have excellent taste," I said, aiming for casual indifference. "When we were married1.she chose all my and Brian's clothes."The words tumbled out before I could stop them, a desperate attempt to remind him of my prior claim on her.

Howard's smile deepened, and something about it made my skin crawl. "Is that so?Then perhaps I should ask her to help with my entire wardrobe.I've been meaning to update my style."

The casual intimacy in his tone made my fists clench involuntarily. "Are you interested in her?" The question burst from me like an accusation.

Howard's silence was worse than any answer. My mind raced with unwelcome possibilities. He was objectively attractive, successful, Ivy League-educated -exactly the type of man who could make Annie forget about me entirely. The thought of them growing closer day by day, of Annie's gentle smile being directed at him instead of me, sent a wave of panic through my chest.

Why would I still care about my ex-wife? A good question I asked myself.

The memory of Brian's words from breakfast that morning haunted me:"Dad, Sarah's different now. She got really mad when I spilled juice on Max's new gaming console. She said I was clumsy like..." He'd trailed off, but I knew he meant like Annie. The old Sarah would have laughed it off,helped him clean up. Now she seemed to measure everything against some invisible standard of perfection.

"And she keeps asking to use your credit card," Brian had continued,pushing his cereal around. "She said Max needs special tutoring, but I saw her buying jewelry yesterday." His eyes had met mine, confused and a little hurt. "Mom never did that. She always said we should save money for important things." I'd dismissed his concerns then, but now they nagged at me along with other warning signs I'd been ignoring. Sarah's recent behavior flashed through my mind - maxing out my black card on shopping sprees, using her supposed pregnancy as an excuse to avoid taking Brian to school while lavishing attention on Max.

If I was honest with myself, things had been simpler before Sarah's unexpected pregnancy had forced my hand. Back then, I'd had the best of both worlds - a stable home life with Annie handling alI the domestic details. plus the excitement of stolen moments with my college sweetheart.

"At least Mom helped me with homewor," Brian had muttered yesterday when Sarah brushed off his request for help with math. "She never said she was too busy getting her nails done."

Looking back now, I should have left Annie some room for reconciliation.After all, she was an excellent mother. The memory of her at Brian's kindergarten graduation surfaced-how she'd beamed with pride,taking photos from every angle while I checked work emails. She'd made our house feel like a home, something I hadn't fully appreciated until it was gone. If things didn't work out with Sarah eventually, getting back together with Annie wouldn't be such a bad option.

"She's divorced," I blurted out, hoping to taint Annie in Howard's eyes. If he knew about her past, surely he'd lose interest. Then she'd never find anyone betterthan me. She'd realize I was the best she could do, regret leaving me... Howard's expression remained maddeningly neutral. "Does that matter?""She has a child with me!" I pressed, desperation creeping into my voice.

"When you truly care for someone," Howard said with maddening composure, "such things are irrelevant. The only regret is not having entered their life sooner."

Panic clawed at my throat. "She slept with another man while we were married."

Howard's eyes turned to steel, all trace of warmth vanishing."Now I understand why she left you."

His words hit a nerve I hadn't known was exposed. It was the question that had haunted me since our divorce- why had Annie chosen to leave?Logically, she should have stayed, should have been grateful for my support.

"I haven't known her long," Howard continued, his voice carefully measured, "but I know she's not the type of woman you're implying. And I know exactly what happened."

Ice slid down my spine. "What do you mean?"

"You seem very concerned about the possibility of her being with me."Howard's gaze pinned me in place as he didn't seem to hear my question."Do you still love her?"

"Love her? Don't be ridiculous!" The denial sprang to my lips automatically.

"Good to know." Howard's satisfaction at my answer made something twist uncomfortably in my gut.

"Wait," anxiety crept into my voice, "what did you mean about knowing what happened?"

Howard ignored my question again, pulling out a stack of investment documents instead. "Let's discuss your company's requirements for the partnership."