The next morning, Jamie marched into Daniel's office, the betrayal still burning in her chest. She didn't bother knocking.

"Why?" she demanded, slamming the door behind her. "Why would you use Alex to manipulate me?"

Daniel didn't look surprised. If anything, he seemed almost amused. "Jamie, sit down."

"I'm not sitting down," she said, her voice shaking. "I want answers."

Daniel leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor infuriating. "Alex was a means to an end. I needed you on my team, and he was the best way to convince you. And clearly, it worked. You've been killing it here."

Jamie's jaw clenched. "You had no right to interfere in my life like that."

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Really? You want to talk about interference? Let's talk about those men you dated from the trails before Alex. You weren't exactly subtle about using your charm to close deals, Jamie. I didn't judge you for that - I saw it as part of your talent."

Her face flushed with a mix of anger and shame. "That was different, and you know it."

"Was it?" Daniel said, his tone sharp. "I never told you how to do your job. I trusted you to handle things your way. Maybe it's time you extend me the same courtesy."

Jamie stared at him, her emotions a tangled mess. He was manipulative, yes, but his words stung because they held a kernel of truth.

The Fallout

That evening, Jamie met Alex one last time. She had made up her mind.

"I can't do this," she said, her voice firm.

"Jamie, please," Alex said, his eyes desperate. "I made a mistake, but I love you. I'll do anything to fix this."

She shook her head, tears threatening to spill. "You broke my trust, Alex. And without trust, we have nothing."

He reached for her, but she stepped back. "Goodbye, Alex."

Moving Forward

Jamie threw herself into her work, using the pain of betrayal to fuel her drive. She set firmer boundaries with Daniel, refusing to let him manipulate her further.

Their dynamic shifted. Jamie made it clear she was no longer a pawn in his games. And though Daniel's methods still frustrated her, she couldn't deny that she was thriving under his leadership.

One afternoon, as she finalized a multimillion-dollar deal, Daniel approached her.

"You're doing well, Jamie," he said.

She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "I'm doing it my way."

Daniel smirked. "That's why I wanted you here in the first place."

On her own again, Jamie found clarity. She didn't need anyone else to validate her success. She had built something remarkable, and she was determined to protect it.

The trails that had once been her escape became her sanctuary again. And as she hiked alone one crisp morning, she felt a sense of peace she hadn't felt in months.

Jamie had faced betrayal and come out stronger. She knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy, but she was ready to walk it - on her own terms.