Too Late For Regret, Mister Moss

The red Koenigsegg jerked to a stop right in front of the glass doors of the Moss-Sterling building on Fifth Avenue. It sat directly over the yellow no-parking lines.

A security guard started walking toward the car, his face red with anger. Then Sloane stepped out. The guard stopped in his tracks, his mouth falling open as he recognized the famous actress.

Ada pushed her door open. She stepped onto the pavement. Her high heels clicked against the marble steps. She kept her spine completely straight. Her stomach felt tight, but her hands were steady.

They walked into the massive lobby. The ceiling was ten meters high. The receptionist behind the desk looked up. Her eyes narrowed when she saw Ada.

"Mrs. Moss," the receptionist said, her voice dripping with fake politeness. "Mr. Moss is in a very important meeting. You cannot go up without an appointment."

Ada stared at the woman. She did not say a word. She reached into her bag and pulled out a heavy, black metal keycard. It was the master access pass August had thrown at her on their wedding day, a careless gesture of his wealth. In his typical arrogant oversight, he had never bothered to revoke its ultimate access.

The receptionist's eyes widened.

Ada walked to the VIP elevator bank. She slapped the black card against the scanner. A green light flashed, and the metal doors slid open instantly.

Ada and Sloane stepped inside. The receptionist picked up her phone, her voice frantic, but the heavy doors closed, cutting off the sound.

The elevator shot upward. The sudden movement made Ada's stomach drop. She swallowed hard, pushing down the last tiny ache in her chest.

The doors opened on the eightieth floor. The executive hallway was quiet. A few assistants typed rapidly at their desks.

Nathaniel Finch, the chief executive secretary, jumped up from his chair when he saw Ada. He rushed forward, trying to put his body between her and the heavy mahogany doors of the CEO's office.

"Mrs. Moss, please," Nathaniel said, his hands raised. "Mr. Moss is in a terrible mood today. I highly suggest you come back later."

Ada lifted her chin. "It will not be Mrs. Moss for much longer, Nathaniel."

Before the secretary could process the words, Sloane stepped forward. She bumped her shoulder hard against Nathaniel, pushing him out of the way.

Ada grabbed the brass door handle. She pushed it down hard and shoved the door open.

The office was massive. August Moss stood with his back to the door, looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows. He held a phone to his ear.

"I will see you tonight," August said into the phone. His voice was low and soft.

Ada heard the faint, high-pitched voice of Gisele Singleton coming from the speaker. A sharp pain hit Ada right behind her ribs, but she forced her face to remain blank.

August heard the door. He turned around. His dark eyes narrowed in deep annoyance. He hated being interrupted.

"I will call you back," August said, and ended the call. He glared at Ada. "Who let you in here?"

Ada did not lower her head. She did not apologize. She walked straight to the center of his massive wooden desk.

She pulled the signed divorce agreement from her bag. She flicked her wrist and slapped the thick stack of papers onto the polished wood.

The sound was loud in the quiet room. The papers slid across the desk and stopped right in front of him.

August looked down at the bold black letters on the cover page. He let out a harsh laugh.

"Is this because I did not come home last night?" he asked. He reached up and tugged at his expensive silk tie. "Do not bring your childish house games to my office, Ada."

Ada placed both hands on the edge of the desk. She leaned forward. Her eyes locked onto his.

"The game is over," Ada said. Her voice was completely steady.

August frowned. The coldness in her eyes was new. It made a muscle in his jaw tick. He looked at her face, searching for the tears she usually cried. There were none.

Ada stood up straight. She pointed a finger at the signature line. "Sign it. Do not waste my time. I am sure you have a new girlfriend waiting for you."

The word 'girlfriend' made August's eyes flash with anger. He stood up. He was a tall man, and his shadow fell over the desk.

"Are you out of your mind?" he demanded.

Ada took a half-step back, creating space between them. "If I do not have your signature today, my lawyers will file it in court tomorrow."

She did not wait for him to speak. She turned around and walked out the door, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.