When Love Breaks by Jack

Bryant was hardly ever on the receiving end of such a tone. When she was with him, Jane was mostly composed and gentle, professionally adept, personally organized. Rarely did she sound so girlish.

In a fluster, Bryant ended the call. His phone slipped from his grasp, thudding softly against the carpet, mirroring his own disarray. He had intended to ask, to confirm her relationship with Gregory. But hearing the happiness in her voice, he couldn’t muster the courage to even ask that one question, to seek that one confirmation. He knew he neither dared nor deserved to know. And what would it change anyway? Nothing.

She was wonderful, deserving of anyone’s affection. In the end, his sudden realization felt quite insignificant next to Gregory’s years of steady loyalty. But luckily, he still had plenty of time. Gregory could wait. So could he. He shamefully thought, as long as they weren’t married, he’d have his chance to swoop in.

Alaric couldn’t pay attention to York’s words, not with such an opportunity before him. Nodding along before hastily leaving the booth, he headed straight in the direction Bryant had gone. His success in business wasn’t just due to his girlfriend’s connections but also his thick skin and ruthlessness. He caught sight of Bryant, who seemed stunned by some news before driving off without Kevin, even the rain went unnoticed.

Alaric had his suspicions, approaching Kevin with a sly smile. “Kevin, something wrong with Mr. Ferguson? He doesn’t seem to be in high spirits.”

“It’s none of your business,” Kevin responded curtly before walking away. Having been by Bryant’s side for years, Kevin had his principles. The most important of which: the boss’s personal matters were off- limits to outsiders.

Rebuffed, Alaric felt slightly embarrassed but remained eager. He decided to call his girlfriend. “Babe, did your cousin mention anything about Mr. Ferguson?”

“Mr. Ferguson? Bryant?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

“What about him?”

a lead, Alaric perked up, “Like… anything

related to romantic affairs, especially given Bryant’s reaction, Alaric knew it had to involve a woman of

the phone shared, “Bryant’s personal

to clarify, “Isn’t Mr.

life was clean, then that woman must

I

his wife have divorced. Actually, it was his wife who kicked things off. I’ll never understand why she’d leave

Alaric pressed, “When

“What are you planning? I eavesdropped on this, don’t make it widely known and put me