Chapter 14 Starting a New Company
I softened my voice. “Don’t worry. If I really can’t handle it, I’ll definitely ask for your help.”
Logan reluctantly agreed. “That’s more like it.”
“By the way, weren’t you planning to introduce me to your parents? Have you set a date?”
Logan’s eyes lit up. “You’re saying yes? I’ll set it up right now!”
He planted a quick kiss on my cheek and ran off to make the call. I smiled helplessly, feeling a warmth spread through my
Logan finished the call in no time and pulled me into his arms. “Don’t worry. My parents are great. They already like you.”
I was surprised. “They know it’s me?”
heart.
Logan hesitated before admitting, “They kind of forced it out of me. But don’t worry. I only told them, and I made them promise not to tell anyone else.”
He nuzzled against my neck. “If you don’t want to go public, I won’t let anyone find out.”
When Logan and I had gotten married, it had been a purely strategic decision.
Back then, I had never expected anything beyond mutual benefits, so we had chosen to keep it a secret. But through it all, Logan had always respected my boundaries, and that meant a lot to
- me.
I looked at him and explained, “That’s not what I’m worried about. If you’d told me earlier, I would’ve visited them sooner. They’ve known about me all this time, but I never once went to see them.”
Logan gently stroked my face, trying to comfort me. “It’s okay. They won’t mind. They said they’re free next week and left it up to us to decide the time.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
After two days of scouting, I finally settled on a location that was both affordable and well–situated. Next came purchasing office supplies, handling paperwork, and applying for business
licenses.
That weekend, I treated my team, who had chosen to start over with me, to dinner.
Raising my glass, I looked at the familiar faces around me. “Thank you all for trusting me again. This is a fresh start. Let’s build something great together!”
“To new beginnings!”
“To new beginnings!”
As the night went on, I drank more than I should have and had to fake being drunk to slip away.
Logan was waiting by the car. He stepped out and helped me inside.
“How much did you drink?” he asked.
“I was happy, so I drank a little more than usual.”
Logan was worried. “I can’t imagine you’re still feeling happy if you’re this miserable.”
When we got home, he made me a cup of honey water. I took a sip, and the warmth eased the discomfort in my stomach.
Logan set the cup aside. “Don’t fall asleep here. Go upstairs.”
I stretched out my hand. “My head hurts.”
Logan immediately scooped me up in his arms. “Let’s see if you still drink this much next time.”
Even after a full night’s sleep, my head still felt heavy.
By the time Logan came in with breakfast, I was already dressed.
“Take the day off. Don’t go in today,” he said.
“I had Archie send my stuff to Meadowlark Heights. I need to go check on it.”
Logan pulled me to sit beside him. “Eat first.”
As we were leaving, he said, “Don’t drive today, I’ll take you.”
“Alright.”
When we arrived at Meadowlark Heights, I got out of the car, and Logan drove off.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside, finding several large boxes stacked in the living room.
After about an hour of unpacking, I heard the doorbell ring.
Frowning, I went to check, only to see Evie and Grandma standing outside.
“What are you doing here?”
Evie brushed past me without waiting for an invitation.
Then, she scanned my place. “I heard you’re starting a new company, Jillian. Not bad. Looks like you’ve saved up quite a bit over the years. No wonder you let go of the company so easily. Turns out you already stashed away enough money for yourself.”
She turned to Grandma and said, “Marlene, we were worried for nothing. She took all that money an
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