The sharp, crisp mountain air greeted Melanie as she stepped out of the sleek black car, taking a deep breath. She had not realized just how badly she needed this break until she felt the serenity of the mountains envelop her. The pressure, the battles, and the constant whirlwind of her corporate life had nearly suffocated her. For once, it was quiet. No emails, no phone calls, just the soft rustling of leaves and distant birdsong. The weekend was her escape—her time to reclaim her strength and breathe.
She closed the car door behind her, glancing around at the rustic log cabin that awaited her. It had been a gift to herself. A retreat to get away from the chaos, from Rhys, and from the high-stakes business world that had come to define her life.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and her heart skipped. She had hoped for peace, not more work. But seeing the name on the screen sent a chill through her: Rhys Edwards.
She answered it with a heavy sigh.
"Melanie," Rhys' cold voice rang through, as if he knew she had been trying to escape him. "I trust you've received the latest proposal for the merger. I'll need your response by Monday morning. I assume you'll be ready to present your final decision at the meeting."
Melanie gripped her phone tightly, the tension rising in her chest. His voice was as domineering as ever, no hint of empathy or kindness. She could almost hear the smugness in his tone.
"I'm at a retreat this weekend, Rhys," she replied through gritted teeth, trying to keep her composure. "You'll have my decision when I get back."
"Of course. I expect nothing less from you." He paused, as if savoring the words. "But don't take too long. You wouldn't want to be seen as indecisive."
The words hit her like a slap. She forced herself to breathe deeply, letting the frustration settle before replying, "Goodbye, Rhys."
She ended the call before he could say anything more. His presence was inescapable, even miles away from the office.
"Asshole," Melanie muttered under her breath, her grip tightening on the phone.
It had been a while since Rhys had used his usual tactics—ruthless, controlling, and always reminding her that he was in charge. She had enough. That meeting he wanted her to attend in just two days? She didn't need it. She didn't need any of it.
She turned away from the phone and walked into the cabin, determined not to let the call ruin her time here. The cabin was cozy, just what she needed: a warm, stone fireplace crackling in the living room, an inviting couch where she could curl up with a book, and windows that framed the majestic mountains outside. For a moment, it almost felt like she could forget about the war she was fighting.
Melanie put her phone down on the kitchen counter and walked over to the window, staring out at the snow-capped peaks in the distance. She couldn't help but smile a little. The city, with all its chaos and noise, felt like a distant memory out here.
She felt a surge of anger again, thinking of Rhys and how he would never let her go. Not unless she fought back. The thought of him controlling her life so completely—it made her stomach churn. He was good at it, she had to admit. His icy gaze, his cold words, his presence in every room—they all worked together to make sure she stayed in line.
But she wasn't that same scared young woman from years ago, the one who needed his approval. She had worked hard to get to where she was. Her empire wasn't built on his terms; it was built on her own blood, sweat, and tears.
The sudden sharp tone of a car alarm outside jerked her from her thoughts. Melanie furrowed her brow and turned her gaze toward the driveway. Another car? She hadn't expected anyone. She stepped toward the door, curiosity creeping in.
To her surprise, a tall figure appeared at the edge of the driveway. His frame was unmistakable—broad shoulders, a confident stride, and a cold, commanding presence. It wasn't just anyone who could move like that. It was him.
Rhys.
A cold, tight knot formed in her stomach as he approached. She hadn't invited him. She hadn't even told him where she was going. But here he was, standing in front of her weekend retreat, his expression unreadable.
"What are you doing here?" Melanie asked, her voice icy and sharp, trying to suppress the shock and irritation that coursed through her.
Rhys' gaze swept over her, his eyes calculating. "I could ask you the same thing, Melanie. I thought you would be home working on the merger proposal."
"I don't take orders from you," she snapped, her posture straightening. "What are you really doing here, Rhys?"
He smirked. "You're not the only one who needs a break. You think I don't see through your little escape? But let's be honest, you can't run away from your responsibilities forever."
Melanie stepped forward, her fists clenched. The nerve of him!
"Don't think this is over just because you're out here in the middle of nowhere," Rhys continued, his voice low and dangerous. "You think you can outplay me? Think again. I'll make sure your little empire crumbles if you keep pushing against me."
He was standing too close now. Melanie could feel the heat radiating off him, his presence suffocating. The words he spoke were like daggers—cutting through any sense of peace she had hoped to find.
"You're pathetic," she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for him to hear.
Rhys' expression didn't change. Instead, it turned colder. He stepped closer, his voice barely a whisper. "I'm not the one who's running away from what I deserve, Melanie. You are."
The words stung, but she refused to let him see how much they affected her. She turned on her heel and walked back into the cabin, slamming the door behind her. He wasn't invited. He wasn't welcome here.
---
As the evening fell and the silence of the mountains enveloped her once again, Melanie stood by the window, watching the firelight flicker in the distance. She could feel her blood boiling from Rhys' words, from his presence that had lingered like smoke in the air. The tension between them was palpable.
There was no escaping it. Not now. Rhys had made it clear: she couldn't run from him. She couldn't run from the war that was coming.
But Melanie was never one to back down.
She crossed her arms over her chest, staring out into the night, her resolve hardening.
The storm was just beginning.