Forgotten Wife My Ex-Husband Regrets It After I Left (Clara and Liam) novel Chapter 276

Liam’s POV

I asked about the visual concept, requested color simulations, and made sure the shooting duration wouldn’t disrupt other agendas. I did everything in a flat, focused tone, as if Emily were just one of many models who had sat in this room before.

Yet every time she spoke, there was a brief pause inside me. Not because of longing no but because my mind recognized old patterns before my heart could remind me not to react. I locked my expression in place, maintaining a safe distance.

Daniel wrapped up the presentation, sliding his laptop aside. “Overall, that’s the concept. We want to make sure everyone agrees before moving on to the contract stage.”

Emily’s manager nodded. “From our side, the schedule is still adjustable. Emily is open to two shooting days, as long as the concept remains consistent.”

I crossed my arms, looking at the projected schedule table. “Two days makes sense. But I want a backup option for one additional day to anticipate weather issues and minor revisions.”

Emily turned to me. “That’s not a problem,” she said quickly. “I can arrange my schedule.”

Her tone was calm and professional. No teasing. Noattempt to provoke a reaction. And that, precisely, made me a little more alert. I had known Emily long enough to understand that she rarely did anything without a purpose.

Finally, Daniel said, “Mr. Liam, do you have any feedback regarding the talent or the concept before we lock the shooting schedule?”

All eyes turned to me. Including Emily’s.

I set my pen down and lifted my gaze.

“The concept aligns with the company’s direction,” I said.”

The model fits the tone of the campaign. As long as the timeline can be pushed one week faster, l approve moving forward with the project.”

Emily smiled faintly almost like a victorious smile, or maybe it was just my own awareness of her presence playing tricks on me.

“Alright,” Daniel said quickly, jotting down notes.

He nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at the projector screen once more, making sure no detail had been overlooked before moving on. A few staff members exchanged relieved looks, glad the final decision had come directly from me.

I leaned back slightly in my chair, keeping my body language neutral. In my head, I repeated one simple thing: this is work. Nothing more. Nothing less.Emily was still looking at me now, without a smile. Her gaze was calmer, more observant as if she were reading the boundary I had just drawn and trying to understand how thick that wall really was. I didn’t return her look. I shifted my attention to Daniel, then back to the schedule table on the screen.

“We need to make sure all departments are ready for the one-week acceleration,” I continued. “I don’t want any compromise on quality just because of the deadline.”

“Yes, sir,” one of the creative staff replied. “We’ll rearrange the workflow.”

Emily’s manager joined in, his tone measured and professional. “From the talent side, Emily is flexible. We just need final confirmation of the dates so they don’t clash with other campaigns.”

Emily gave a small nod, backing that up. “I can adjust,” she said briefly.

That tone, concise, mature, not trying to get closer somehow made me feel a bit more at ease. At least in this room, we stood on equal and clearly defined ground.

I glanced at my watch. There was still plenty of time, but my thoughts were already halfway home. To Sienna. To Noah. To the promise I had made to myself not to bring the remnants of today home with my work jacket.

“If there are no further objections,” I said finally, “let’s move on to the technical details. I want everythingconcrete before we lock it in.”

Daniel nodded firmly. “Alright.”

He closed one folder and opened another, his voice light again but focused.

The next session was a more relaxed discussion about wardrobe requirements and shooting locations. Most of the team spoke directly with Emily, and she answered everything professionally. There was nothing I could fault.

She was talented there was no denying it and she truly fit this campaign. When the meeting ended, everyone stood up. Emily stepped toward me before I could leave.

“Liam,” she said softly. “It’s been a long time.”

I restrained myself from showing any strong reaction. ”

Yes. It has.”

There was a strange few seconds of silence, even though the room was full of people packing up. Around us, it felt quiet.

“I’m glad I finally get to work on a project you’re leading again,” she said. “I hope it won’t be awkward.”

“Professional,” I replied shortly. “That’s all that matters.”

Emily smiled slightly dimmed, but real. “In that case see you at the next session.”

Liam’s POV

As soon as Emily stepped out of the meeting room, the atmosphere immediately felt looser. The marketing team busied themselves packing up documents, a few staff members whispering quietly about how “lucky” they were to land a talent of Emily’s caliber.

I wasn’t surprised. She really was on a sharp rise. Every brand seemed to be competing to make her the face of their campaign. Though I’d heard she had faded a little some time ago, maybe she was being sought after again nøw.

I took a few seconds myself before stepping out. My hand rested on the doorknob as I drew a slow breath, trying to calm the small, noisy voices starting to stir in my head.

As I opened the door and stepped inside, I felt something tighten within me. The office, usually the most neutral place now seemed to hold shadows. Memories I thought I’d buried deep.

Emily. Her smile. The way she spoke. The way her gaze seemed to examine my heart, just like it used to.

I sat down and opened my laptop. But my focus scattered. i stopped my fingers, hovering above the keyboard.

I couldn’t be like this.

This was work. Nothing more.

I had already chosen my life, Sienna, Noah, and the stability I was building.

I forced myself to focus on’the documents on the desk.

Budget drafts, requests for timeline revisions, cost analysis reports. At least those could distract me. But the harder I tried, the more Emily’s face appeared between numbers and sentences.

I rubbed my face. “This is ridiculous,” I muttered.

My phone vibrated, cutting through my thoughts. A message from Sienna.[l’m home.]

It was simple.

Instantly, something eased in my chest. I replied right away.

[Thank God. I’ll come home early.]

Her response came quickly.

[l’ll wait with Noah.]

A small smile formed on my lips. That simple message grounded me again. Sienna didn’t know anything about the past that had just walked back into my life and she didn’t need to. There was no reason to make her feel doubtful or anxious.

I placed the phone on the desk, straightened my back, and opened the marketing proposal again. This time, I forced myself to review the inefficient sections.

Not even five minutes passed when there was a knock.

Knock. Knock.