He gives me another disgusted look. "No." He leaves the room.

My brother steps closer. "I'll talk to him. You should be CEO."

"I fucked up," I admit.

"Yeah, you hit a new level. I suggest you go get your wife back. You're a better man with her."

I nod. "Yeah, I am. But I don't know what to do."

He crosses his arms. "Begging is a start, but I don't know how to get you out of this, bro. You really did pull a dumb-ass move."

"You can stop telling me that now. I'm clear on how big I messed up," I assert.

He shakes his head, then pats me on the back and leaves.

If I had learned a few weeks ago that I wasn't going to be CEO, it would have driven me nuts. It would have derailed me. But I can't even think about that right now. All I can focus on is that I need to get Georgia back.

An hour passes with me pacing. I decide to return to her apartment. I get in my truck and easily reenter her building, reminding myself again that if she doesn't forgive me, then I need to give her one of my condos. She cannot stay in this run-down place. I climb the stairs to avoid the rickety elevator and knock on her door.

The same nosy neighbor steps out, claiming, "She's not home, but it's clear she doesn't want to talk to you, so go away for good. You really are becoming a stalker."

I grumble, "Mind your own business."

She snaps, "Like I've told you 18,000 times, I live in this building. You don't. Now, I suggest you leave, or I'm calling the police. This time, it's not a threat."

Something tells me not to mess with this woman. I don't need the police here. So, I give up and leave.

I sit in my truck and wait on the side of the road, hoping that Georgia will arrive. I'm there for several hours, replaying our time at the ranch, our wedding, the trip to Iceland, and when we returned home. It's starting to turn dark when I finally see her.

A car pulls up. Georgia steps out of it. My heart thumps harder looking at her. Then my gut also dives.

Melanie opens the driver's door and gets out.

Still, I rush toward them on the sidewalk, calling, "Georgia!"

She spins. Her bottom lip trembles. Her eyes are bloodshot and she orders, "Go away, Sebastian. I have nothing to say to you."

My heart sinks. I reach for her, begging, "Please. We need to talk."

Melanie steps between us, directing, "Go inside, Georgia."

"Georgia, don't. We need to talk."

Melanie spins so her back's to me. She repeats in a stern voice, "Go inside, Georgia."

"Melanie, this isn't your business. This is between my wife and me. Stay out of it," I warn.

Melanie huffs. "Wanna bet?"

Georgia's eyes dart between Melanie and me.