Sidney Williams had spent three days trying to convince herself that she didn't care about Davis.
It wasn't working.
Every morning, she searched his name online.
Every afternoon, she checked the business news.
Every evening, she wondered whether he had met someone new.
The reports were becoming increasingly unbelievable.
DAVIS BLACKWOOD ACQUIRES STERLING TOWER.
BLACKWOOD CAPITAL INVESTS IN NEXORA SYSTEMS.
MYSTERY INVESTOR REPORTEDLY ACQUIRES HISTORIC BLACKWOOD ESTATE.
Each headline made her stomach tighten.
She remembered the young man who had once borrowed money to take her to dinner.
She remembered the way he had smiled when she surprised him at work.
She remembered his promises.
And she remembered the night she had abandoned him.
At the time, she had convinced herself that she was making the right decision.
Now she wasn't so sure.
Richard Coleman had become increasingly controlling since Davis's transformation.
He was generous when he wanted something, but his temper had become difficult to manage.
He frequently reminded Sidney that she owed him for the opportunities he had given her.
She was beginning to understand that she had exchanged one uncertain future for another.
That afternoon, she received an invitation to a private business reception hosted by Blackwood Capital.
She stared at the invitation.
The event was being held at Sterling Tower.
Davis would be there.
For several minutes, she considered ignoring it.
Then she made a decision.
She would attend.
She would speak to Davis.
And she would find out whether there was still a place for her in his life.
Sterling Tower had been transformed.
The lobby featured new marble flooring, modern lighting, and a magnificent reception area.
Guests arrived in expensive cars, accompanied by assistants and security personnel.
Sidney entered wearing an elegant black dress.
She had spent hours preparing.
Her hair was styled perfectly, and she wore jewellery she had purchased with money Richard had given her.
She looked beautiful.
But as she entered the reception hall, she realized that beauty alone would not make her important in this room.
The people around her were discussing investments worth millions.
Some owned companies.
Others controlled property portfolios and international businesses.
She had once imagined herself standing beside a wealthy man at events like this.
Then she saw Davis.
He stood near the centre of the room, speaking with Elena Brooks and several senior executives.
He wore a dark suit and appeared completely at ease.
Sidney stopped walking.
He looked different.
Not merely because of his clothes or the confidence in his posture.
He looked like someone who no longer needed anyone's approval.
She approached slowly.
"Davis?"
He turned.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he nodded politely.
"Sidney."
She had imagined this meeting a hundred times.
In some versions, he shouted at her.
In others, he begged her to explain why she had left.
But he did neither.
He simply looked at her as though she were an acquaintance he hadn't seen in years.
"How have you been?" she asked.
"Fine."
"I've been meaning to talk to you."
"About what?"
She swallowed.
"About us."
Davis's expression remained calm.
"There is no us, Sidney."
Her eyes glistened.
"Please don't say that."
"You made your decision."
"I know, and I regret it."
He looked at her for a long moment.
"Do you regret hurting me, or do you regret leaving me now that I'm successful?"
The question struck her like a slap.
"That's not fair."
"Neither was what you did."
She looked down.
"I was wrong."
"Yes, you were."
Sidney blinked.
She had expected anger, but his calmness was worse.
"Davis, I still care about you."
He sighed.
"Sidney, I loved you. I genuinely did. But you showed me what that love meant to you when I had nothing."
"Of what?"
"Of being poor. Of struggling. Of never having the life I wanted."
Davis nodded slowly.
"I understand that fear. I was afraid too. But I never betrayed you because of it."
She began to cry.
He felt a brief ache in his chest.
There had been a time when her tears would have made him abandon everything to comfort her.
But he was no longer that young man.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Davis looked at her.
"I hope you become a better person, Sidney. I genuinely do. But you can't return to my life simply because my circumstances have changed."
He stepped aside to allow another guest to pass.
Then he walked away.
Sidney remained where she stood.
For the first time, she understood that losing Davis had not been the worst consequence of her decision.
The worst consequence was discovering that he had learned to live without her.
Across the room, Isabella had witnessed part of the conversation.
She approached Davis as he returned to the executives.
"Are you all right?"
He nodded.
"I'm fine."
"Was that your ex?"
"Yes."
Isabella studied him.
"Do you still love her?"
Davis paused.
Then he answered honestly.
"I think I still remember the person I believed she was."
Isabella's expression softened.
"But that person may never have existed."
He looked at her.
"Exactly."
For a moment, Isabella wanted to take his hand.
Instead, she simply stood beside him.
Sometimes, she was beginning to realize, support didn't require grand gestures.
Sometimes, it meant staying.
At the other end of the room, Sidney watched them.
She saw the way Isabella spoke to Davis.
She noticed how naturally he smiled around her.
And she understood something that frightened her more than his wealth.
Davis was moving on.
And another woman was becoming important to him.