Chapter 72

Chapter of my life is closed," I said, turning back to the sales associate. "I'll take the pen, please."

Sarah stepped closer, her perfume too strong. "Oh, Annie. You really think you can keep Howard Thompson interested? Look how easily I took Philip from you." She smiled, alI teeth. "A man like Howard needs...sophistication. Something you clearly lack."

I signed the receipt with steady hands, accepting the elegantly wrapped package. "Is that a threat,Sarah?"

"A friendly warning." Her smile turned predatory. "You've seen how easily I took Philip from you. Howard would be even simpler. Men like that appreciate... sophistication. Something you've never quite mastered."

1 couldn't help but laugh. "You still don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?" She crossed her arms, defensive now.

"You didn't win Philip. I stopped fighting for a marriage that wasn't worth saving." I met her eyes. "But what I have now? My job, my life with Lucy,my relationship with Howard - I've earned all of it."

Sarah's confident smile faltered. She wasn't used to me standing up to her."We'll see about that," she said, but her voice wasn't as steady as before."Howard Thompson is quite a prize. And I always get what I want."

"Try your best," I said, gathering my purchases. "But remember - I'm not the same woman you manipulated before. I know exactly what I'm wworth now."

I left her standing there, my heart pounding but my steps steady. In the elevator, I had to lean against the wall for a moment. Not from fear -from the pure rush of finally standing up to her. The woman who used to make me doubt everything about myself now seemed... smaller somehow. Less threatening.

Let her try her games. This time,I was ready.

The package felt warm in my hands as I rode the elevator back to the executive floor. A simple pen - but it represented so much more.My financial independence, my professional success, my ability to give meaningful gifts rather than just accepting them.

The elevator opened at the executive floor. Howard looked up as I entered his office, a small smile appearing when he saw me. "Productive lunch break?"

I placed the wrapped package on his desk. "Very."

He opened it carefully. "Perfect choice," he said simply, and his quiet approval meant more than any elaborate praise.

"I ran into Sarah," I added.

His expression sharpened. "And?"

"She seems very interested in you." I tried to keep my voice light.

"Unsurprising," he said dryly. "Though ultimately irrelevant."

His dismissive tone made me smile. The Sarah who had once seemed so threatening now felt like a minor inconvenience.

"Thank you," I said quietly, "for helping me find my way back to myself."

Howard looked at me, his eyes intense. "You did that on your own, Annie.

I just had the privilege of watching."

Walking back to my office, I felt stronger than ever. Let Sarah play her games.

This time, I was protecting something real.