Page 88 of Claimed By The Other Brother

"Yes," I agree quietly. "You should have."

"But now I've had time to think. To really understand what I lost." His eyes are earnest, pleading.

"I wasn't sure then, Scarlett. But I'm sure now. I love you. I want to make this work."

The words should mean something. They would have meant everything three weeks ago.

Now they just sound hollow.

"I don't hate you, Miles," I say, because it's true. I don't hate him. I'm just... empty when I look at him.

Relief floods his face. He does reach for my hand then, and I let him take it. His fingers are warm,familiar.

"That's a start," he says.

"We can build from there. Take it slow this time. No pressure, no rushing. Just... us."

I look at our joined hands and think about Dax. About the way he touches me—possessive, demanding, consuming. Nothing like this gentle, tentative connection.

"Miles, there's something I need to tell you."

His grip tightens slightly.

"What is it?"

"I'm leaving Chicago. I accepted a new assignment."

His face falls. "What? Where?"

"New York. It's a six-month contract. Crisis management for a major client."

"Six months?" He pulls his hand back.

"Scarlett, that's—why didn't you tell me?"

"I just found out. My boss presented it to me, and I had to make a decision quickly."

"So you just decided to leave? Without talking to me first?"

The irritation in his voice sparks my own.

"We're not together, Miles. You don't get a say in my career decisions."

"But we're trying to work things out," he argues.

"We just agreed to take it slow, to rebuild—"

"You agreed to that. I haven't agreed to anything."

He leans back, frustration evident.

"I don't understand why you have to go. Can't someone else take the assignment? Don't they have people in New York who can handle it?"

And there it is. The familiar pattern. Miles wanting me to shape my life around his needs, his comfort, his timeline.

"This is a huge opportunity," I say carefully.

"The client is paying triple my normal rate. It's going to be incredible for my career and for the firm's reputation. My boss is counting on me."