His Ex Called and He Ran, His Rival Called and I Ran Straight to Him Chapter 04

His Ex Called and He Ran, His Rival Called and I Ran Straight to Him Chapter 04

I followed Felix back into the private dining room.

My head was lowered, and I walked in the shadow of his tall frame.

In the past, no matter how important the client sitting across from us was, Felix blocked every drink the moment I said my stomach couldn’t handle it.

Whenever I noticed a client looking displeased, I would quietly remind him how much the deal mattered.

Back then, Felix always said the same thing.

“Professional grace isn’t worth sacrificing your health.”

“You matter more.”

I checked my phone beneath the table.

Human Resources had not yet countersigned my separation agreement.

Until that final release arrived, I was still technically bound by Carter Group’s transition requirements.

I couldn’t risk Felix interfering at the last minute.

So I had to handle this dinner perfectly.

Tanya’s eyes were red, and her makeup was slightly smudged.

She had clearly been crying.

I put on a smile with exactly the right amount of warmth.

First, I apologized.

Then I explained.

Finally, I added a few polished compliments to smooth everything over.

It was effortless.

Tanya’s wounded expression relaxed.

The coldness around Felix disappeared.

Then I picked up the plate of shrimp.

I forced down the nausea and swallowed one after another.

I had eaten more than half when Felix finally frowned and reached for my hand.

“That’s enough.”

The atmosphere at the table warmed again.

Felix and Tanya returned to laughing and talking as though nothing had happened.

I pressed one hand to my stomach as the pain intensified.

The color slowly drained from my face.

When I looked up again, Felix had left the room.

Tanya was smiling at me.

“Olivia, I really should thank you.”

“For what?”

“If it weren’t for you, I never would’ve met a man this impressive.”

She lifted one eyebrow and turned her wrist.

That was when I noticed her bracelet.

It was from the same collection as the one Felix had just given me.

More precisely, hers was the expensive piece.

Mine was the promotional bracelet that came with it.

The skin beneath my bracelet suddenly felt hot and numb.

Tanya continued.

“Olivia, I’m saying this because I care about you.”

“You should leave on your own terms.”

“Save yourself the heartbreak.”

My stomach twisted again.

The pain became sharp enough to steal my breath.

I couldn’t support myself anymore.

I folded over the table, cold sweat gathering across my forehead.

Felix appeared in the doorway.

At the same moment, Tanya lifted one hand and gasped dramatically.

“Felix, I scratched my finger on a shell.”

The cut was tiny.

Only a trace of blood appeared.

Felix’s expression became immediately serious.

“I’m taking you to urgent care.”

My body reacted before my pride could stop it.

I caught the edge of his sleeve.

“My stomach hurts.”

“Take me too.”

“No.”

He didn’t even look at me.

“Tanya’s cut came from a crab shell. There’s a risk of a serious marine-bacteria infection.”

“The urgent-care center that handles those wounds is across town.”

“Your gastroenterology hospital is in the opposite direction.”

I tried to speak again.

Felix removed my fingers from his sleeve and hurried Tanya toward the door.

Before leaving, he glanced back.

“You’ll manage.”

“This isn’t your first stomach flare-up.”

The private-room door slammed shut.

I fumbled for my phone.

Sweat blurred my vision.

Through the pain, I tapped the first recent contact I could reach.

I didn’t realize it was Ethan Ross until he answered.

He asked for the restaurant’s address.

Then he said only three words.

“I’m coming now.”

The call ended.

A second later, my phone chimed again.

The countersigned separation agreement had arrived.

So had the notification for my final contractual payout from Carter Group.

A weak laugh escaped me.

Finally.

It was over.

Seconds before I lost consciousness, I sent Felix one final message.

[We’re done.]