+8 Points >
Chapter Forty
I sat in my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel as anger surged through me. Today was the day I would speak my mind loud and clear, making the company understand exactly what I thought of their breach of contract. They had allowed a third party access to my son without my consent. I need to let them know that as a company, they had violated my trust and my son’s safety. I don’t care who Kyle was or the power he had in the company to be able to carry out such a despicable act so effortlessly; all I know is that today was the day that would come to an end.
How had I allowed this to slip past me? How could I have been so blind when it was so obvious?
I should have been suspicious the moment they so graciously allowed me to bring Zareon to work with me. I had thought it was a privilege, an act of professionalism and kindness. But I should have known. Should have questioned why I was the only employee allowed this supposed benefit.
A rush of heat flooded my chest, and I gripped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. But it wasn’t just the company that fueled my anger.
It was him.
Kyle.
The memory of our encounter at the park yesterday burned into my mind, playing on repeat like a cruel joke.
I never expected to see him or them. Especially not at the park.
And yet, fate had an awful way of throwing people in each other’s paths when they least expected it. The moment my eyes landed on Lillian, my body went rigid, my heart stuttering in my chest. She didn’t look much different from the first time I saw her. Her round face still carried that innocent tint, though she appeared a bit leaner. I remembered the look of shock on her face as she clutched their child to her chest, her fingers tightening around the little boy as if staking a claim, when just a minute ago, they had been careless with him. Then, she smiled, a slow, nervous smile that was anything but sincere.
“What a coincidence,” she said lightly, her voice thick with feigned surprise. “What are you doing here, Ava?”
Her eyes flickered to Elson and Zareon, and I froze.
“And… who are they?”
My motherly instincts kicked in, but fear tied my tongue.
Zareon was a replica of Kyle. He had my hair color, but everything else, from his features to his expressions, was Kyle’s. It wouldn’t take more than a glance to see the undeniable resemblance between them.
My gaze flickered to Kyle, hoping, praying that he was thinking what I was thinking. But to my surprise, his glare wasn’t on Zareon.
It was on Elson.
Even now, I could still see the dark, possessive rage in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched as if he were barely holding himself together.
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Irritated, I swallowed the sharp lump in my throat, willing my expression to remain blank. I wouldn’t give Lillian the satisfaction of a reaction. But before I could respond, Elson spoke for me.
“She’s here for the same reason as everyone else,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying no trace of hesitation. “To enjoy some time with her family.”
I could never forget the look on Lillian’s face, the way confusion twisted into horror. It had been sweet to watch. Until Zareon moaned softly in Elson’s arms.
My body went rigid. Fear fires up through me.
I knew. Kyle knew.
If Zareon woke up and saw him, he would reach for him, there was no doubt in my mind. And by the look of fear in Kyle’s eyes, I knew he didn’t want that either.
So I left.
A sharp honk shattered my thoughts, and I blinked, realizing I had drifted too deep into the memory. My hands tightened on the wheel as I drove, shaking my head at myself.
Focus, Ava. I scolded myself in my head, but before I could complete my next thought, a black car suddenly swerved in front of me, cutting into my lane.
“s**t!” I gasped in surprise, slamming my foot on the brake, my car tires screeching against the pavement, and my body jerking forward as my heart pounded wildly in my chest.
What in the hell?
My gaze lifted slowly, my breathing ragged as I stared at the black SUV that had come out of nowhere, blocking my way. My fingers gripped the wheel so tightly that my knuckles turned white.
Then, as if the universe hadn’t already done enough to ruin my day….
Kyle stepped out.
My breath caught in my throat.
Shock and anger surged in my chest as I watched him get out of his car with his arrogant swagger, as if the world owed him something, as if he had every right to enter my life and disrupt everything. My hands trembled with fury, but I forced myself to remain calm.
However, I kept my eyes on him as he approached my car. Then he leaned down to my window level and tapped his knuckles twice on the glass.
I didn’t move.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
With a slow, forced breath, I rolled the window down just enough to meet his piercing gaze. “What the hell was that for?” I snapped, my voice cold and sharp.
Kyle exhaled, running a hand through his hair before leaning down slightly. “Ava, I need to talk to you.”
I scoffed. “So, what? You nearly caused an accident to get my attention?”
“I didn’t mean…” He cut himself off with a sigh. “Please. Just hear me out.”
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I wanted to refuse. Should refuse. But there was something in his eyes, something desperate, something pleading, that stirred something inside me. And despite every fibre of my being telling me to walk away, ! found myself agreeing.
Damn it.
“Fine,” I bit out through clenched teeth. “But I’m not getting into your car.”
Kyle frowned. “Ava…”
“I said I’ll listen,” I bit out each word with force. “But I’m following in my own car, or this conversation isn’t
happening.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked, but he nodded. Without another word, he turned and walked back to his car.
I exhaled, gripping the wheel tighter as I followed him. My emotions were a whirlwind throughout the ride. I kept questioning whether it was the right decision, but I knew we had to talk. He needed to understand that he had a family now, and he could never be a father to my son. My son deserved undivided love. Yet, despite everything, I couldn’t shake the sadness for both my son and I, even though I refused to admit it.
The restaurant he chose was quiet, private. A place meant for discreet meetings.
As soon as we sat down across each other, he started, “Ava, I….”
“Just get to the point,” I interrupted, my voice cold. “Your apology is long overdue, and frankly, I don’t need it.” Kyle flinched at the sharpness of my tone but nodded, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “Fair enough,” the words slipping out as though it pained him to admit it.. Then, with a deep breath, he leaned forward. “I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice, and I didn’t bother to be discreet when rolling my eyes. “I’m sorry for everything. For the way things went down. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Ava.”
I didn’t respond; rather, I just blinked up at him. His apology felt empty to me. It didn’t change what he had done. It didn’t change how he’d betrayed me or the pain he had caused me, and for heaven’s sake, I just told him I don’t need his apology.
“Sorry for what, exactly?” I asked, unable to keep the bitterness out of my voice. “For betraying me? Or for seeking my son behind my back?”
His face tightened, and he sighed before speaking. “Let me explain that…”
“I mean, isn’t that the reason we are here?” I couldn’t help myself.
He didn’t respond to my sarcasm; instead, he studied me for a moment before finally speaking. “I was the one who extended the contract to you, anonymously,” he admitted.
My fingers curled into my sleeves. I figured that out already, but that didn’t make it any less annoying.
“I planned everything, Ava.” He continued, “From the offer to the terms that allowed you to bring Zareon to work.” He sighed, running a hand down his face. “I needed to see him, and doing that was the only way I could.”
Rage swelled inside me.
He must have seen it in my expression because he quickly added, “Ava, I just wanted to be in my son’s life. Even if it was only for a few stolen moments.”
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The sincerity in his voice and expression did nothing to calm me. My entire body trembled with fury as
slowly rose from my seat..
Por 3
“You planned everything?” My voice shook with fury, “You manipulated an entire contract, lied to get access
to my son?”
“I never wanted to take Zareon from you,” Kyle said quickly, standing as well. “I just…”
“Don’t,” I cut him off. “Don’t try to justify this, Kyle. You’ve crossed a line. You’ve taken things too far. I can’t believe you did this. You could have taken him from me, and I wouldn’t have even known until it was too late.”
Kyle shook his head furiously. “I would never…”
“You already did enough,” I spat, my nails digging into my palms. “You violated my trust and my child’s safety.
”
“You left me no choice.” He snapped, his breathing heavy as the between us.
“Excuse me?”
“He’s my son, too. I might have betrayed you, but I deserve to be in my son’s life. Not some man you chose to satisfy your desires.”
It felt like I was being doused with cold water. My stomach dropped, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. I stood there, struggling to find something to say, my mind racing in disbelief. Did he really just say that to me? He must have noticed what he said because his face twisted into that of agony, and he groaned out, “Ava…” “I’m done here,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Excuse me.”
And with that, I turned on my heels and walked out, leaving him standing there, with rage burning through me, bringing tears to my eyes.
However, he didn’t stop me.
When I arrived at the office, murmurs followed me as I walked through the halls, but I ignored them. I expected this after the scene I and Kyle pulled the other day.
“Ava.” A familiar voice whispered in my ear. It was my colleague and friend, Autumn, who stepped closer, wrapping her arms around my shoulder as she guided me to my office. “What happened? You seemed furious the other day, and you didn’t return my calls or messages. Are you okay? Who was that guy?”
I blinked.
So, not everyone knew who Kyle was.
He had played his game well.
I forced a small, sympathetic smile as soon as we stopped in front of my office. “I’m really sorry about that,” I muttered. “But I’ll have to tell you later because I have something to do.”
I had a manager to confront.
Without waiting for her response, I strode toward the manager’s office, knocking once before stepping in. The man looked up and visibly stiffened at the sight of me. “Ava,” he said, clearing his throat. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
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<Chapter Forty
I met his gaze. “You knew.”
The color drained from his face. “I….”
40 Points >
“Don’t bother lying or feigning ignorance,” I said sharply, cutting him off. “Kyle already told me everything.” His shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry, Ava. I only followed instructions,” he muttered. “I had no choice.”
I narrowed my eyes and said, “Well, I don’t care. I’m not here to waste my time on your unprofessionalism and dishonesty. I’m only here out of courtesy to let you know that I won’t be returning to this office after today. I would work from my company as it should be.”
The manager sighed but didn’t argue. Instead, he hesitated before speaking. “I know you are upset, but please stay for this week. You are aware that there is a meeting with the high–profile ambassador’s manager, and you need to be there.”
“Someone else can go,” I said without blinking.
The poor guy groaned, pinching his forehead before saying. “But it would raise suspicion if you don’t,” he argued. “You played a huge role in the product’s success.”
I clenched my jaw.
He wasn’t wrong. If I backed out now, it would only raise questions, especially after everything with Kyle.
I exhaled sharply. “Fine. I will attend the meeting, but after that, I’m done.”
As I left his office, my steps halted when the elevator doors to my right dinged open.
And Kyle stepped out, and he froze as soon as he saw me.
My eyes flicked to the panel above the elevator. The one that carries the words “Private Elevator.”
My chest tightened. That explained how he had been moving in and out of this company unnoticed.
How discreet.
Without saying a word, I walked into the elevator that I shared with the rest of the staff to reach my floor. As soon as the doors opened, I stepped into my office, quickly gathered my belongings, and exited the company before anyone could notice I was gone.
The oddluna
I apologize for the length of this chapter and hope you can accept my sincere apologies.
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