Desired by All and He Threw Away 72

Taylor’s POV 

The hum of the athlete camp fills the air rubber soles squeaking against the polished court the echo of bouncing football syncing with bursts of laughter. 

it is so alive loud and everything i should feel connected to but my focus keeps slipping. 

i sit at my desk near the window the glow from my laptop screen washing over a spreadsheet full of sponsorship figures that blur together after hours of staring. 

the final lineup needs Aiden’s approval before i can submit it.the deadline is tonight. 

the cursor blinks accusingly at me waiting. 

I take a slow breath, thumb hovering over my phone. Calling him shouldn’t feel like this. It’s just work. A normal update. Nothing personal. But my pulse doesn’t care–it stutters like it remembers something my mind keeps trying to bury. 

Then I remember where he is. 

The charity gala.a high profile event crawling with investors, reporters and men who would pay good money to see him stumble.he is probably surrounded by crystal chandeliers and sharp suits shaking hands and trading smiles that dont reach his eyes. 

My fingers still. Maybe I should wait until morning. Maybe— 

No. This needs to be done now. 

I press call. 

The phone rings once. Twice. Then— 

“Sweetheart.” 

his voice slides through the line low and smooth a bit too soft to be professional. ” you couldnt wait to hear my voice again could you?” 

My breath snags. 

Wait. What? 

laughter ripples faintly behind him with male voices clinking glasses and the muted thrum of a crowded room.Wherever he is, it sounds expensive and loud. I freeze, realizing too late what’s happening. 

He’s performing. 

And I’ve just become part of the show. 

Across the office, heads lift.a few people glance over curiosity flickering like small fires.Vanessa who has never met a piece of gossip she didnt love pauses mid typing one brow arching high. 

i force a polite,brittle smile pretending nothing is strange. “I’m calling about the sponsorships for the–” 

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“Of course, darling,” Aiden interrupts, voice warm with lazy amusement. “Always so responsible. You never let me rest, do you?” 

I blink, mortified. The entire office has gone still, the only sound his voice spilling through my speaker, deep and teasing. 

What on earth is he doing? 

I hear another man on his end, the tone sharp and mocking, “See? I told you she was imaginary, Aiden. A perfect PR story.” 

Ah. So that’s what this is. 

Aiden’s reply comes smoother, deliberate now–each word dipped in performance. “Imaginary? Hardly.“his voice drops dark and intimate. ” she is the best thing that has ever happened to me.” 

my heart stutters tripping over itself. 

He’s acting, clearly. Playing the doting boyfriend for an audience that wants proof.but he is also dragging me into the spotlight with him live and over speakerphone in front of my entire office. 

Vanessa’s mouth falls open.two other coworkers exchange wide eyed looks. heat creeps up my neck and i can feel my pulse thudding under my skin. 

Think. Don’t freeze. 

two can play this game. 

i lean back in my chair schooling my face into something calm even playful.my voice softens sliding easily into 

the role. “well you know me,” i say lightly adding just the right amount of affection to keep it believable. 

“( 

always making sure you dont get yourself into trouble.” 

a low chuckle hums through the phone rich and unhurried. ” too late for that love.I’m already in deep.“the words hit harder than they should carrying something beneath the teasing that feels too real. 

for a second there is a pause a heartbeat of quiet where i imagine him standing there surrounded by flashing lights and champagne glasses eyes flicking toward whoever dared question him. 

i can almost see that faint smirk, the glint that says he just won whatever silent challenge they set. 

“now,“he says that teasing warmth curling through his voice again, “what was it you needed,hmm?besides me of course.” 

i fight the smile tugging at my lips forcing my brain to remember im still sitting in a room full of people trying to pretend they are not eavesdropping. 

“i just wanted to confirm the final approval for the camp sponsors, “i say sweetly flipping through my notes my tone light but steady. “And maybe… remind you to behave at your event tonight.” 

A soft hum of amusement vibrates through the line. “I’ll try,” he murmurs, dripping mock sincerity. “But no promises, oh and about the sponsor send the file over and I’ll review it then approve it 

There’s another burst of laughter on his end–someone clapping, a glass clinking against another.it sounds like 

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victory applause. 

i stare at the wall heart hammering not sure if i want to laugh or hide under my desk. 

Vanessa’s whisper slices through the stunned quiet: ” oh my God is this real?” 

i pretend not to hear her lowering the phone from my ear just as the call ends. the screen goes 

black. 

The office remains silent for a beat too long. Then papers shuffle. Keyboards click again. A cough breaks the tension.but the air feels charged like static before a storm. 

i exhale slowly pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.my hands are trembling. 

He just used me. For a PR stunt. In front of everyone. 

And yet- 

the echo of his voice still lingers in my chest deep and warm that low hum that always manages to find the part of me i wish it didnt. 

i tell myself its just business. Just image management. Nothing more. 

but when i catch my reflection in the dark edge of my laptop screen my face flushed and my pulse still running wild i know thats a lie. 

across the room Vanessa grins, eyes wide with disbelief. ” you have got some explaining to do,” she says leaning over her desk. 

i force a laugh that sounds steadier than i feel. ” yeah well get in line.” 

she snorts shaking her head. ” sweetheart,” she mimics under her breath dragging out the syllables until i want to throw my pen at her. 

i close my laptop instead pressing my palm against the cool surface as if it can steady the chaos swirling inside 

1. me. 

the room hums again football thudding in the distance sneakers squeaking the soft chatter of teammates drifting in from the hall.everything around me feels normal. Ordinary. Except me. 

because for one ridiculous impossible moment his voice didnt sound like an act.. 

and thats what scares me most. 

outside sunlight filters through the tall glass windows sharp and clear casting thin lines across my desk.my phone lies face down beside my laptop. 

i dont move to pick it up. 

somewhere across the city in a ballroom of gold and crystal Aiden is probably raising his glass flashing that practiced grin playing the part of the man who has everything under control. 

and here i am surrounded by curious eyes and half finished reports wondering if either of us still knows where the performance ends. 

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the laughter from his end echoes faintly in my mind the sound of him winning i stare at the phone one last time its screen still blank and try to ignore the tremor in my chest. 

for better or worse we have just told the world a story neither of us meant to tell. 

and i cant tell if its the beginning of something dangerous… or the point of no return. 

D 

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