Her Assistant Can Have Her

At our engagement partyan event three years in the makingI stood in the center of a gilded ballroom and let my fiances personal aide humiliate me in front of New Yorks entire social elite.

Mr. Beaumont, your sincerity is still lacking, Dominic said, his voice carrying across the silent room with practiced condescension. I think Madeline needs another three years to be sure of you.

He pulled a document from his breast pocket, sliding it across the linen tablecloth. It was a supplemental prenuptial agreement, just like the ones hed forced on me before.

This time, I didn't reach for it. I turned my gaze toward Madeline. She was swaying slightly, a half-empty martini glass in her hand, her eyes glassy from the champagne.

Is this your doing again? I asked quietly.

Madeline laughed, a sharp, brittle sound. I didnt tell him to write it, Harry. But honestly? I think Dominic is right. Hes only looking out for me.

She leaned into him then, letting him steady her. She looked at him with a trust she had never once afforded me.

He would never hurt me, she whispered, almost to herself.

I looked at herreally looked at herand the indifference in her eyes was like a physical blow. I felt a strange, hysterical laugh bubbling up in my chest.

I had been the devoted fool for five years. I had waited by the phone, built her a throne, and let her walk all over me. I guess the "nice guy" really does finish last.

Fine. If she didn't want the devoted partner, she could deal with the heir to the Beaumont fortune instead.

Harry! Snap out of it and sign the damn paper.

Dominics smirk was predatory. He spoke to me with the authority of a man who thought he owned the room. To anyone watching, youd think I owed him a kingdom.

I picked up the agreement, crumpled it into a tight ball, and threw it directly into his face.

Know your place, I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous low.

Dominics face turned a mottled purple, but I didnt give him a chance to speak. I looked back at Madeline. I waited three years for you. Three years of long-distance calls and empty promises. And this is the result? You let your glorified manservant pull this shit at our engagement?

The room was suffocatingly quiet. Every guest was leaning in, waiting for her to defend me.

Instead, Madeline rolled her eyes. Dominic has been with my family since he was ten. He spent the last three years in London helping me build my firm. Hes my right hand, Harry.

She took a sip of her drink, looking bored. Hes just being protective. Its just another three years. Why are you acting so dramatic?

A murmur went through the crowd.

Another three years. Then another. How many years did she think I had to waste?

A sharp, stabbing pain flared in my chest, radiating outward until my fingers felt numb. I could still hear her voice from three years ago, echoing in my mind.

Harry, wait for me. The second I get back, were getting married.

Dominic is just difficult, I know he almost got you killed, but Ill keep him in line while were abroad.

She hadn't kept any of those promises. If anything, she had become his enabler.

When I met her at JFK this morning, I had been vibrating with excitement. I ran toward her, reaching out for a hug Id been dreaming of for a thousand days.

Dominic had stepped between us, his arm a cold barrier.

The Lady of the House has a reputation to uphold now, Mr. Beaumont. We must be mindful of the press.

Then, hed added with a sneer, And please, if you want to touch her, youll need to sanitize. Travel germs, you understand.

Madeline hadn't said a word. Shed just nodded, checking her reflection in a compact.

Later, while I was in the restroom, Dominic took the keys to my car and drove her away before I even came back out. When I confronted her, Madeline just sighed.

Hes protected me since we were kids. He does it for my own good. Why are you so petty, Harry? Dont ruin the party before it even starts.

I had swallowed my pride for the sake of the engagement. I had endured the snubs, the coldness, the arrogance.

And now, this.

Dominics anger faded into a triumphant grin. He puffed out his chest. If you wont sign, it just proves you dont love her enough. You know, theres a line of billionaires from here to Hong Kong waiting for a chance with her.

He thought he could keep pushing. He thought I would break, that I would sign that humiliating contract just to keep a scrap of her attention.

I didn't.

Slap.

The sound of my hand hitting his face echoed like a gunshot.

And youre in that line too, aren't you? I asked, my voice ice-cold. Thats why youre sabotaging this.

You hit me? Dominic gasped. His fists clenched, his jaw working as if he wanted to tear me apart right there.

Bang!

Madeline slammed her glass onto the table and stood up. She reached into her clutch and pulled out a small, sleek pistol, leveling it directly at the bridge of my nose.

Thats enough! she screamed. Hitting Dominic is the same as hitting me! Apologize to him. Now!

The entire ballroom held its breath.

Dominic smirked, waiting for me to crumble.

But I just looked at the barrel of the gun and started to laugh. Go ahead. Pull the trigger. Let the world know you murdered your fianc at your engagement party over a staff members bruised ego.

Madelines hand trembled. Slowly, she lowered the weapon. You know Dominic only says these things because he cares about my future. But hitting him you went too far, Harry. Apologize.

She was issuing orders like a queen, her voice cold and distant. This wasn't the woman Id fallen in love with. She had lost every ounce of tenderness, replaced by a ruthless, misplaced arrogance.

Apologize? I repeated. Have you forgotten he owes me his life?

I looked around the room, making sure everyone heard me. Three years ago, he picked a fight with the wrong people in a club. He got you cornered in a warehouse, Madeline. I was the one who went in. I took eight stab wounds for the both of you.

I turned back to Dominic. Or how about the time you accidentally mixed mango nectar into my drink when you knew I was deathly allergic? I went into anaphylactic shock. My heart stopped for two minutes.

The guests began to whisper, their eyes shifting toward Dominic with newfound disgust.

Those were just the big things. The daily life with him was a thousand tiny cutsmy laptop smashed, my research data "lost," my client list leaked after he had "too much to drink."

Seeing the tide turn, Dominic immediately shifted gears. He snatched the gun from Madelines hand and pressed it to his own temple.

Dont blame Miss Madeline! he cried, his voice theatrical. Ill take responsibility. You want my life? Fine! Ill give it back to you!

I saw the flicker of guilt in Madelines eyes vanish, replaced by frantic concern. She lunged for his hand, then turned on me, her face contorted with rage.

Are you happy now? Bringing up ancient history just to drive him to this? Do you want him dead?

My heart felt like it was turning to stone.

Dominic wasn't finished. He grabbed a steak knife from the table and drove the tip into the palm of his own hand.

There, he hissed, blood beginning to pool on the white cloth. Were even, Mr. Beaumont. Now sign the paper.

Madeline let out a choked sob. She tore a strip of fabric from her designer gown and began wrapping his hand, her eyes burning as she looked at me.

Look at what youve become, Harry. Youre so vindictive. So irrational! Why can't you be more like Dominic? Why can't you think about what I need?

She looked at me like I was a monster.

But I hadn't said a word to provoke him. They were the ones holding the knife and the gun. They were the ones pushing me into a corner.

Had I not given enough?

I had stopped eating my favorite foods because she didn't like the smell. I had spent my weekends cooking her favorite meals, driving through rainstorms to deliver forgotten files to her office, and spending three years in a digital relationship, surviving on five-minute phone calls.

Was that not "sincere" enough?

Alright, alright, lets calm down, a family friend tried to interject. Its a celebration, lets not do this.

Madeline wouldn't let it go. No. Hes out of control. Harry, apologize to Dominic right now, or don't even think about marrying into this family. I wont have you thinking you can overrule me.

I looked at her, and the absurdity of it all finally hit me. The woman I had worshipped was a stranger.

Talk to me! she shouted. Hes bleeding, Harry! Is a simple apology that hard for you?

Id heard those words before.

Three years ago, when I was the one bleeding out from eight stab wounds, Madeline had screamed those exact words at Dominic.

Now, she was using them as a weapon against me.

When I remained silent, her face flushed with fury. She grabbed a crystal wine glass and hurled it at my head.

Apologize! Or were done! Ill ruin you!

The glass shattered against my forehead.

I felt the warm trail of blood begin to slide down my face, dripping off the tip of my nose.

The room went dead silent. Madeline froze, the realization of what shed done finally hitting her. She bit her lip, looking down at her hands.

Madeline, Dominic whispered, his eyes gleaming with hidden satisfaction despite his act. Forget it. Its my fault. Ill apologize to Mr. Beaumont. I shouldn't have caused a scene.

He was a fox. He knew exactly how to play the martyr to make me look like the villain.

Youre so much more mature than he is, Madeline murmured. She looked at me, her expression softening just a fraction, though her voice remained haughty. Harry, you know how I am. If Im happy, everything is fine. Just say youre sorry so we can move on.

I knew how she was. Id spent five years catering to her every whim just to keep her smiling. But what about me? When did my happiness ever enter the equation?

I took a deep breath, wiping the blood from my eye. Its him or me, Madeline. Choose. Right now.

The last of her guilt vanished. Her face hardened into a mask of pure, regal disdain.

Harry Beaumont! You wont sign, you wont apologize, and now youre giving me ultimatums? Fine. Go be alone then!

She grabbed Dominics arm and turned toward the exit.

Dominic looked back over his shoulder at me. He didn't hide the smirk this time. He had won.

I watched her back as she walked away, the white train of her dress sweeping through the blood on the floor.

As of today, I said, my voice projecting through the hall, Madeline Victor and I are nothing. Its over.

She paused for a second, her shoulders tensing, but she didn't look back.

The room erupted into chaos as the guests were ushered out.

Sir.

The hotel manager hurried toward me, dabbing at my forehead with a silk handkerchief while handing me a ringing phone. Your father is on the line.

I took the phone. I heard the engagement is off? my father asked. His voice was deep, devoid of the warmth he usually reserved for family.

Yeah, I said. Im done.

My voice was surprisingly steady. For the first time in five years, I felt at peace.

You loved that girl like your life depended on it, my father said sternly. Are you sure? Because the moment you walk away, Im pulling the Beaumont infrastructure. She will lose every advantage we gave her.

He paused. Ill give you one night to think. If you walk away, there is no going back. You dont chase, and you dont crawl. Do you understand?

He hung up.

I couldn't blame him for being skeptical. I had spent years being Madelines shadow, letting myself be diminished so she could shine.

I shook my head, clearing the lingering fog of her perfume. I told the manager to keep the kitchen open. I sat down at one of the empty tables and invited the staff to join me. If the food was paid for, someone should enjoy it.

A few hours later, the doors swung open. Madelines father, Arthur Victor, rushed in, still wearing his hospital wristband and a thin patients gown under his coat.

I thought hed come to apologize for his daughter.

I was wrong.

Harry! Have you lost your mind? he screamed before he even reached the table. Three years! You waited three years, whats another three? Is my daughter not worth the wait?

I took a slow sip of my scotch. Is that really what you think this is about, Arthur?

What the hell is that supposed to mean? Arthur barked.

Everyone in this city knows whats going on, I said, a cold smile touching my lips. Except, apparently, the Victors.

The hotel manager, who was sitting nearby, chimed in. That Dominic is a glorified assistant. How does he get off barking orders at a Beaumont?

The waitstaff nodded in agreement.

Miss Victor protects him like hes the one wearing the ring, one of the servers muttered.

Three years and another three? Shes playing him for a fool.

Everything is 'for her own good' when Dominic says it, but God forbid Harry asks for a shred of respect.

Arthurs face turned bright red. He looked at the staff, then back at me, his lip curling.

Harry! I am your future father-in-law! Youre going to let these servants talk to me like this?

He slammed his hand on the table. So what if there was a little drama? Youre going to throw away a five-year relationship over a bruised ego? Youre being incredibly small-minded. Youre embarrassing us.

Like father, like daughter. The arrogance was genetic.

Did you ever consider my embarrassment? I asked.

What embarrassment? You get to marry my daughter! Isn't that enough? If you loved her, if you were actually sincere, youd wait ten years if she asked.

Arthur huffed, straightening his coat. Im setting up a press conference for tomorrow morning. Youre going to apologize. Youll say you had too much to drink and the stress got to you.

He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a hiss. Dont let the Mr. Beaumont talk go to your head. Youre only a prince because we allow you to be in our circle.

Over the last three years, as the Victor firm grewlargely due to my familys silent backingArthur had started to believe his own hype. He truly thought they had built their empire on their own.

Show him out, I said, not even looking at him.

Arthur sputtered, threatening me with everything from lawsuits to social exile, but I ignored him. My security team physically removed him from the premises.

I had planned to stay at the hotel, but then a text came through from Madeline.

Im sorry. I messed up.

Come home. Lets talk, please?

My heart gave a traitorous little thump. A tiny spark of hopethe last ember of five years of devotionflickered to life. I rushed back to our shared penthouse, my mind racing with ways we could fix this.

But as I stepped through the front door, the apartment was quiet, save for a low, muffled voice coming from the master bedroom.

Dominic, stop dont

I froze. I crept toward the door, my blood turning to ice. I peered through the crack in the doorframe.

Dominic was on the bed, his arms wrapped tightly around a half-dressed Madeline.

Madeline, he groaned, his voice thick with a hunger that made my stomach turn. You told me you loved my body. You said I made Harry look like a boy. Touch me.

He pulled her hand down his torso. You said youd give me one wish. I want you. Now.

He leaned in and kissed her.

Madeline made a weak, half-hearted attempt to push him away, a soft protest that died in her throat as she melted into him.

I felt a sharp, agonizing pain in my chest, followed by a terrifying cold. I pulled out my phone, recorded thirty seconds of the scene, and then turned around and walked out of the apartment.

The cold New York rain lashed against my face as I stood on the sidewalk. I lit a cigarette, my hands shaking, and called my father.

Dad. Im sure. She isn't worth it.

Maybe he heard the tremor in my voice. Maybe he knew exactly what Id found. He didn't ask questions.

What do you want to do?

The Victors only exist because I built them a foundation, I said, my voice hardening. I want to be the one to tear it down.

My fathers response was immediate. Consider it done.

The orders were sent out that night. Every Beaumont-backed resource, every silent partner, every line of creditgone. Anyone who did business with the Victors was now an enemy of the Beaumonts.

My father also mentioned he was sending over an associate to help me manage the transition.

The next morning, Madeline woke up feeling hollow, the adrenaline of the night before replaced by a sickening sense of dread.