Page 21 of My Hired Valentine

I meet Harris’s furious glare head-on, my voice stronger than I feel. “This is about the truth.”

I press play.

The room falls deathly silent as Harris’s voice fills the air, smooth and condescending, the same way it sounded when he sat across from me at that bar. The recording is damning. Every disgusting word, every threat, every manipulation—it’s all there, undeniable and in his own voice.

“…One night. Dinner. And dessert. I will not sue Dex.”

I glance around the room as the recording continues to play. The color drains from Harris’s face as everyone hears him incriminate himself. Mr. Sterling’s expression darkens, andmurmurs ripple through the crowd, louder this time—angry, shocked, disbelieving.

When the recording ends, the silence is deafening.

“Well,” Mr. Sterling says after a long pause, his voice hard as steel. “Mr. Harris, I think you and I need to have a conversation. Immediately. In private.”

Harris opens his mouth, but no words come out. He’s flustered, panicking, his carefully curated mask completely shattered.

Dex stands then, his voice cutting through the tension. “I think you heard her clearly, Mr. Sterling. Harris doesn’t belong here. Men like him never do.”

Mr. Sterling nods curtly. “You’re absolutely right. Security?”

Two men appear at the door. Harris tries to stammer something, but they’re already moving toward him. As they escort him out of the room, Tiffany lets out a low whistle. “Well, damn. That was satisfying.”

The room buzzes with energy now, voices rising in shock and approval. I sink back into my chair, my body trembling, but it’s from relief this time. Dex reaches for my hand, his grip firm and reassuring as he leans in close.

“That’s my girl,” he whispers, his voice filled with pride.

I turn to look at him, a smile spreading across my face. “It’s over.”

“It’s over,” Dex agrees, brushing a kiss against my temple. “And you were incredible, Violet. Absolutely incredible. But there’s one more thing I need you to do.”

My heart sinks. If he’s going to ask me to confront Harris again, I don’t think I have it in me. “Okay…what?”

“Move in with me.”

“What?” I blink.

“I love you; you love me. I’m yours, you’re mine. So, let’s make this official.”

I throw my arms around him, “Yes, yes, yes!”

Tiffany squeals with glee.

William gives me a thumbs-up.

And Seth is beaming, “I told you that you found your soul mate.”

I glance at Dex, happiness swelling inside me, and squeeze his hand.For once, I know they’re right.

EPILOGUE

Violet

One Year Later

The salty breeze whips through my hair as I lean against the deck's railing, staring out at the endless stretch of blue ocean in front of me. It’s early morning, and the sun is just beginning to rise, painting the sky with streaks of gold and pink.

Behind me, the sliding door opens, and I hear the quiet padding of footsteps. A warm pair of arms slides around my waist, and I smile, leaning back into Dex’s chest. He presses a kiss to the side of my neck, his stubble scratching my skin in the most delicious way.

“You’re up early,” he murmurs, his voice still husky with sleep.

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