Too Late To Love Me I Already Left With His Twins (Lydia and Dave) novel Chapter 229

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By the time I finally pushed open the door to my office, I could feel every ounce of energy drain out of me.

The silence was almost startling after spending the entire morning inside conference rooms filled with executives talking over one another, lawyers quoting policies, investors demanding reassurance, and journalists calling every five minutes.

I shut the door behind me, leaned against it for a second, and closed my eyes.

Today had been…

A lot.

Not bad.

Not impossible.

Just…

Heavy. 1

The kind of heavy that settled into your shoulders before slowly working its way into your bones.

I loosened the top button of my blouse before walking toward my desk.

Almost on cue, there was a soft knock.

“Come in.”

My assistant peeked her head inside.

“I figured you hadn’t eaten.”

I looked at the clock.

Nearly three in the afternoon.

“…You’re right.”

She smiled knowingly.

“I already guessed.”

I laughed.

“I hate that you know me this well.”

“It’s literally my job.”

“Fair.”

She stepped fully inside, tablet already in hand.

“The usual?”

I shook my head.

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“No.”

e looked surprised.

“I’ve earned something ridiculous today.”

Her grin widened.

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

About forty minutes later, lunch arrived.

Fresh herb-crusted sea bass resting on creamy saffron risotto.

Grilled asparagus with lemon butter.

A tiny serving of roasted vegetables arranged so perfectly they almost looked too expensive to eat.

Beside it sat sparkling water infused with cucumber and mint.

And, because my assistant clearly intended to spoil me today…

A miniature pistachio tart dusted with edible gold flakes.

I stared at the dessert.

“You’re trying to bankrupt me.”

She shrugged dramatically.

“You own the company.”

“…Good point.”

For nearly twenty minutes, I allowed myself to do something I rarely did.

Nothing

No meetings.

No presentations.

No strategy.

Just food.

The first proper meal I’d eaten all day.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until the first bite.

The sea bass practically melted apart beneath my fork.

I let out a small sigh.

“This is criminally good.”

My assistant beamed.

“I’ll tell the restaurant.”

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“You should.”

disappeared, quietly closing the door behind her.

When I finally finished eating, I leaned back in my chair and allowed myself one luxurious minute of absolutely nothing.

No phone.

No emails.

No conversations.

Just silence.

Then…

Reality returned.

My laptop chimed.

Email.

I sighed dramatically.

“Five seconds.”

I had managed exactly five seconds.

Opening my inbox, one subject line immediately caught my attention.

Greenfield Academy – Astronomy Discovery Program Reminder

I frowned.

Astronomy?

I clicked.

The moment I started reading, I remembered.

“Oh.”

Of course.

Ava.

Several months ago she’d become completely fascinated with stars after watching one documentary before somehow spiraling into constellations, galaxies, black holes, and asking me whether humans would ever have neighbours on another planet.

Naturally…

I’d enrolled her in every science program the school recommended.

The email explained that tonight would be the school’s live virtual astronomy event-a one-hour interactive session with astronomers, complete with telescope demonstrations and a live question-and-answer segment for the children.

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My eyes drifted lower.

Parents are encouraged to attend alongside participants.

I smiled.

She’d love this.

Then another realization struck me.

“…Wait.”

Tonight.

I reached for my planner.

Sure enough…

Tonight was also Dave’s scheduled video call with the twins.

I rubbed my forehead.

“Of course it is.”

For a moment I considered moving one of them. 1

Then immediately dismissed the thought.

No.

The twins had already begun settling into this new routine.

I wasn’t about to disrupt it because life had become inconvenient.

I picked up my phone.

After a few quick messages with Dave, we agreed to move the call forward to six o’clock instead of nine.

Simple.

Problem solved.

By four-thirty I was already leaving the office.

For probably the first time in years…

I wasn’t staying late.

The drive home felt strangely peaceful.

Maybe because today’s battles had all stayed inside boardrooms.

Maybe because tonight…

I simply got to be Mom.

The front door had barely opened before familiar voices floated down the hallway.

“… No, that’s cheating!”

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“It isn’t cheating!”

literally is!”

I smiled before I even rounded the corner.

Some things never changed.

Walking into the living room, I found Eli lying upside down across the sofa while Ava sat cross-legged on the rug surrounded by books, coloured pencils, and what looked suspiciously like another half-finished science project.

Neither noticed me immediately.

“Ahem.”

Both heads snapped toward me.

“Mom!”

This time they reached me together.

I laughed as they hugged me from opposite sides.

“I’ll assume nobody set the house on fire today?”

“No.”

Eli paused.

“…Almost.”

Ava rolled her eyes.

“It was the toaster.”

“It attacked me.”

“It made toast.”

“It made aggressive toast.”

I looked at the nanny.

She simply shrugged.

“I chose peace.”

“A wise decision.”

Dinner was simple.

Roasted chicken.

Mashed potatoes.

Steamed vegetables.

Fresh fruit afterward because, according to Ava, “scientists eat fruit.”

Eli disagreed.

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“Scientists eat pizza too.”

ve seen documentaries.”

After dinner the twins practically vibrated with excitement.

Ava kept checking the clock every few minutes.

Finally…

Six o’clock.

I unlocked my iPad and handed it to them.

“It should ring any second.”

Almost immediately…

It did.

Dave’s name appeared across the screen.

Eli answered before I could remind him to breathe.

“Dad!”

The screen connected.

Dave appeared almost instantly.

Behind him stretched what looked like a sleek hotel suite overlooking a glittering city skyline.

He looked tired.

Noticeably tired.

But the moment he saw the twins…

His entire face softened.

“Well…”

He smiled.

“There’s my favourite people.”

“You have favourites?”

Eli asked dramatically.

“I absolutely do.”

“I approve.”

Ava smiled too.

Smaller.

More reserved.

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But genuine.

“Hi, Ava.”

For a second…

Nobody said anything.

Just smiled.

The awkwardness from the previous week’s goodbye seemed…lighter somehow.

Dave broke it first.

“So…”

He leaned closer to the camera.

“Who’s got stories?”

“I do!” 1

Elí practically bounced.

“I made aggressive toast today.”

Dave blinked.

…I’m going to need the full story.”

“I survived.”

“I’m relieved.”

“And then-”

Ava interrupted.

“Dad.”

He looked toward her immediately.

“Yeah?”

“I have something today.”

His expression brightened.

“Oh?”

“The astronomy event.”

“The virtual one?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ve been waiting for it for weeks.”

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He smiled.

That’s exciting.”

“It starts after this.”

“And Mom’s coming with me.”

I nodded politely from where I sat across the room.

Dave looked toward me briefly.

“Thanks.”

I simply returned a small nod.

Nothing more.

Ava continued talking, unable to contain herself.

“They’re showing real telescope images.”

“And apparently someone from the observatory is joining.”

“And we get to ask questions.”

Dave laughed softly.

“I think you’re more excited than the astronomers.’

“I probably am.”

Then, almost casually, he asked,

“Can I come too?”

The room went quiet.

Ava blinked.

“You mean…”

“The virtual event.”

He shrugged.

“If your school allows parents to log in…”

“I’d love to watch with you.”

Ava turned toward me so quickly I almost laughed.

“Mom?”

I already knew what she was asking.

I opened the email again.

One participant link.

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Multiple viewers permitted.

Nooked back at her.

“It’s allowed.”

Her entire face lit up.

“Really?”

Dave smiled.

“If your mom doesn’t mind.”

I looked at him.

Then at Ava.

Then back again.

“…I don’t mind.”

Ava clapped once.

“This is going to be so cool!”

For reasons I couldn’t quite explain…

Watching that smile made something inside me unexpectedly soften.

Not because of Dave.

Because of her.

Because sometimes…

Children deserved every parent who was willing to show up.

And tonight…

He was trying.

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Acquisition

Dave POV

By the time the meeting entered its third hour, my migraine had evolved from a dull ache behind my eyes into something that felt dangerously close to a personal vendetta.

I sat at the head of the polished walnut conference table, one hand resting against a stack of financial reports while the other absentmindedly tapped a fountain pen against my notebook. Around me, fifteen people occupied their respective seats, each representing a different part of the company that had consumed nearly every waking hour of my life for the past several weeks.

The atmosphere inside the room had changed dramatically since I returned.

A month ago, most of the conversations had revolved around whether I was even capable of leading the company again.

Today…

The conversations had shifted toward how quickly I could repair what had already been broken.

Unfortunately, confidence did not magically erase problems.

It simply meant more people expected you to solve them.

The massive screen at the far end of the room displayed a presentation titled:

Expansion Proposal – Northern Distribution Acquisition

One acquisition.

Four competing companies.

Three countries.

Hundreds of millions of dollars.

And approximately twelve people who all believed they knew better than everyone else.

“Our valuation is still too high.”

That came from the Chief Financial Officer.

Across the table, the Head of Strategy immediately disagreed.

“If we lower the valuation now, they’ll smell desperation.”

“They already know we’re under pressure.”

“They know we’re rebuilding.”

“They know we’re restructuring.”

“And they know we need this deal.”

Voices began overlapping almost immediately.

“They’re asking for too much equity.”

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“We’re offering too much cash.”

he logistics projections are optimistic.”

“No, they’re conservative.”

“They’re asking for board representation.”

“They deserve it.”

“They absolutely do not.”

The room dissolved into controlled chaos.

I remained silent.

Years ago, I would have interrupted.

I would have reminded everyone who the CEO was.

Now…

I had learned something far more valuable.

People often argued themselves into revealing what they genuinely feared.

The legal director adjusted her glasses before sliding another document toward me.

“They’ve inserted another indemnity clause.”

I skimmed it.

“They’re protecting themselves.”

“Exactly.”

I looked up.

“So are we.”

She blinked.

“…You don’t have an issue with it?”

“No.”

Several executives turned toward me.

I leaned back in my chair.

“They’ve watched our crisis unfold for months.”

I tapped the document once.

“They’re not negotiating with the company we used to be.”

Silence.

“They’re negotiating with the company they believe we are today.”

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Nobody spoke.

They’re pricing uncertainty.”

The CFO frowned.

“So you’re saying we accept it?”

“I’m saying…”

I slowly closed the file.

“…we stop negotiating like wounded people.”

The room became noticeably quieter.

“If we keep reacting to every clause as though we’re trying to convince them we aren’t damaged…”

I looked around the table.

“…they’ll keep treating us like damaged goods.”

One executive slowly nodded.

Another scribbled something inside his notebook.

I stood and walked toward the enormous screen.

“Our distribution network reaches twenty-three cities.”

I clicked the remote.

The map changed.

“Our digital sales increased twenty-eight percent despite the scandal.”

Another click.

“Our customer retention remains above industry average.’

Another slide.

“We survived the worst public relations disaster this company has ever experienced.”

I turned back toward them.

“And we’re still profitable.”

No one argued.

Because they couldn’t.

“The question isn’t whether they should invest in us.”

I folded my arms.

“The question is whether we should partner with people who only see our weakest season.”

A long silence settled over the room.

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Finally…

The chairman of the acquisition committee smiled.

“There he is.”

Someone chuckled.

Another executive relaxed into his chair.

For the first time all afternoon…

The negotiation shifted.

Not because I’d spoken louder than everyone else.

Because I’d reminded them who they actually were.

The next forty-five minutes moved with remarkable efficiency.

Counteroffers were drafted.

Risk assessments revised.

Timelines adjusted.

เ

Board approvals confirmed.

Eventually, the final agreement appeared on the screen.

The acquisition would proceed.

Pending signatures.

As everyone slowly began gathering their laptops and files, the chairman walked over and offered me his hand.

“I’ll admit…”

He smiled.

“I wasn’t sure you were ready to come back.”

I returned the handshake.

“Neither was I.”

That earned a genuine laugh.

“I think we’re going to be just fine.”

“I hope so.”

Because hope…

Was still cheaper than certainty.

The conference room emptied one executive at a time until only I remained.

The silence was almost deafening after hours of constant discussion.

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Pagnus

I loosened my tie before pinching the bridge of my nose.

e migraine had officially won.

There was another soft knock.

My assistant stepped inside carrying a bottle of water and two painkillers.

Without saying a word, she placed both in front of me.

“You looked like you needed these.”

“I probably do.”

She smiled sympathetically.

“Your next meeting isn’t for another forty-five minutes.”

I nearly sighed with relief.

“That’s practically a vacation.”

She laughed.

“I’ll delay anyone who tries disturbing you.”

“You deserve a raise.”

“I’ve already scheduled one.”

I looked up.

“You scare me sometimes.”

“I know.”

She disappeared before I could respond.

I swallowed the medication before leaning back in my chair, closing my eyes for what I hoped would be five uninterrupted minutes.

My phone buzzed.

Once.

Then again.

I almost ignored it.

Almost.

Instead, I reached into my pocket and unlocked the screen.

Lydia.

The message was exactly what I should have expected from her.

No greeting.

No small talk.

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• 20 Bignus

No unnecessary words.

all with the twins is today according to the schedule.

Ava has a virtual astronomy event tonight, so we moved the call to 6 p.m. instead of 9.

Here’s the link.

That was it.

I couldn’t help smiling.

Typical Lydia.

Efficient.

Direct.

Every message from her read less like a conversation and more like a perfectly organized calendar notification.

Oddly enough…

I appreciated that.

There was something reassuring about knowing exactly where I stood with her.

No mixed signals.

No pretending.

Just…

Information.

I typed a reply.

Got it. Thank you. I’ll be there.

I stared at the message for another second before putting my phone away.

Six o’clock.

No matter what happened today…

I’d be there.

Because unlike five years ago…

This time…

Showing up wasn’t negotiable.

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Astronomy class

Dave POV

The rest of the afternoon disappeared beneath an avalanche of signatures, conference summaries, investor calls,

and enough paperwork to make me question every life decision that had led me to becoming a CEO.

By the time my final in-person meeting wrapped up, the clock on the wall Yead 5:38 p.m.

Perfect.

For once…

I wasn’t late.

As I stepped into the underground parking garage, my driver was already waiting beside the car.

He hurried forward to open the rear door.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Evening.”

I slid into the back seat, immediately setting my briefcase beside me.

“Home?”

He glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“Yes, sir?”

I checked the time again.

5:42.

“…Actually, let’s head home, but don’t rush. I’ve got a video call in a few minutes.”

“Of course.”

The city slowly came alive around us as we pulled out of the parking structure.

Office workers poured onto sidewalks in neatly pressed suits.

Street vendors arranged evening snacks beneath glowing lanterns.

Traffic thickened at every intersection, horns creating a familiar rhythm that somehow always sounded impatient.

Normally…

I would have used this drive to review reports.

Tonight…

I reached for my tablet instead.

The call link Lydia had sent was already waiting.

At precisely six o’clock, the screen lit up.

The twins appeared almost immediately.

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“Dad!”

‘s voice practically burst through the speakers before the video had fully connected.

flaughed.

“Goodness…”

“I haven’t even said hello yet.’

“You took forever.”

“I was exactly on time.”

“That’s forever.”

“I’ll remember that.”

The familiar living room appeared behind them.

Books.

Colour pencils.

Puzzle pieces scattered across the coffee table.

The same couch where we’d spent countless afternoons arguing over dinosaurs and chess strategies.

And…

Lydia.

She sat quietly in the armchair a few feet away, a mug of tea resting comfortably between both hands.

She acknowledged me with a small nod.

Professional.

Polite.

Exactly as I’d expected.

I returned the gesture.

Then my attention shifted back to the children.

“So…”

I leaned closer to the camera.

“I heard somebody survived an attack.”

Eli gasped dramatically.

“You know?”

“I’ve been informed.”

“It was the toaster.”

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“I heard.”

became aggressive.”

“Did it?”

“It absolutely did.”

“What happened?”

“I wanted toast.”

“Makes sense.”

“It wanted war.”

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from laughing.

“And who won?”

“I did.”

He puffed out his chest proudly.

“I escaped.”

“I’ll make sure your bravery is properly documented.”

“Please do.”

Aya sighed dramatically from beside him.

“Dad…”

“Yes?”

“He’s exaggerating.”

“I know.”

“You knew?”

“I’ve met your brother before.”

That earned a loud laugh from everyone.

Even Lydia smiled into her mug before quickly pretending she hadn’t.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Eventually the conversation drifted naturally toward school.

“So…”

I asked.

“What exciting things happened today?”

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Ava immediately straightened.

have something!”

“I’ve been waiting.”

Her eyes sparkled.

“My astronomy event starts soon.”

“The virtual one?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“They’re showing us telescope images.”

“And galaxies.”

“And constellations.”

“And maybe Saturn.”

She took one excited breath after another as though worried she’d forget something important.

“I even wrote questions.”

“You prepared questions?”,

She held up a small notebook.

“I have seven.”

“Only seven?”

She looked offended.

“I crossed out eleven.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

“That’s my girl.”

Eli leaned into the camera.

“I only have one.”

“Oh?”

“If dinosaurs lived on Mars…”

I already knew.

“…could they jump higher?”

There it was.

I rubbed my forehead dramatically.

“That is…”

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I paused.

actually a surprisingly good question.”

“I knew it!”

Ava looked personally betrayed.

“Dad!”

“What?”

“You’re encouraging him.”

“I absolutely am.”

She groaned.

“I cannot believe this family.”

Lydia quietly hid another smile.

The timer for the astronomy session appeared in the corner of the screen.

Two minutes remaining.

Ava looked between me and her mother.

“So…”

She hesitated.

“Can we all watch together?”

I answered before anyone else could.

“I’d like that.”

She turned hopefully toward Lydia.

Her mother looked at the countdown before giving a small nod.

“I’ve already checked.”

“The platform allows multiple viewers.”

Ava clapped once.

“This is going to be amazing.”

Within moments we all clicked into the school’s virtual event.

The screen shifted to a cheerful astronomer standing inside an observatory.

Behind him, an enormous telescope pointed toward the darkening evening sky.

“Good evening, young explorers!”

Dozens of excited children shouted greetings through their microphones before the moderator gently reminded everyone to mute themselves.

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I smiled despite myself.

e astronomer began by showing live images captured through the observatory telescope.

The Moon appeared first.

Its surface filled the screen in astonishing detail.

Craters.

Mountain ranges.

Ancient lava plains.

I found myself leaning forward without realizing it.

“Whoa…”

Eli whispered.

“It looks like cheese.”

“No.”

Ava whispered back.

“It doesn’t.”

“It could.”

“It absolutely couldn’t.”

The astronomer laughed as if he’d somehow heard them.

“Our Moon has many nicknames…”

He smiled.

“…but giant cheese isn’t officially one of them.”

Eli looked delighted.

“I like him.”

Over the next forty minutes they traveled across the night sky together.

Saturn appeared.

Its rings seemed almost unreal.

Jupiter followed shortly afterward, its swirling storms larger than entire planets.

Then came distant nebulae-vast clouds of brilliant blues, purples, and fiery reds stretching across impossible darkness.

I had attended shareholder meetings worth billions.

International summits.

Government negotiations.

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None of them had ever made me stare quite like this.

e universe had a remarkable way of reminding people how wonderfully small they actually were.

When the question session began, Ava nearly vibrated with anticipation.

Her tiny digital hand shot up.

The moderator smiled.

“Yes…”

He adjusted his glasses.

“…Ava?”

She sat up perfectly straight.

“If stars are born…”

She hesitated.

“…does that mean they eventually grow old too?”

The astronomer’s entire face lit up. 1

“What an excellent question.”

He spent nearly five minutes explaining stellar life cycles in language children could understand.

As he spoke…

I wasn’t watching him anymore.

I was watching Ava.

Watching the way she listened.

Completely absorbed.

Eyes wide.

Notebook open.

Writing down every single word as though the answers themselves were priceless.

For a brief moment…

I wondered how many moments like this I’d already missed.

And how many more I refused to lose.

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Reopened

Dave POV

By the time the astronomy session finally came to an end, my eyes had begun protesting against yet another

screen.

The presenter thanked everyone for attending.

Parents waved.

Children flooded the chat with excited messages about stars, telescopes and planets.

Then, one by one…

The little squares began disappearing.

Until only ours remained.

Ava looked like someone had just been handed the greatest gift imaginable.

“I don’t want it to end.”

The astronomer laughed warmly.

“Don’t worry. We’ll have another one next month.”

“I’ll be there.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

The meeting finally disconnected.

For a brief moment…

It was just the four of us again.

Me.

Lydia.

Ava.

Eli.

Ava immediately leaned closer to the screen.

“Dad!”

“Hm?” 1

“What was your favorite part?”

I smiled.

“There were quite a few.”

She looked delighted.

“Tell me!”

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I leaned back in my chair.

Yell… first…”–

“I loved the infrared images.”

Her eyes widened instantly.

“The colorful ones?”

“Exactly.”

“Most people look at space and think it’s just black with tiny white dots.”

She nodded rapidly.

“But infrared lets you see things your eyes normally can’t. Entire clouds of gas. Baby stars. Dust that’s invisible in ordinary light.”

She practically bounced.

“I KNOW!”

Lydia chuckled quietly from somewhere behind the iPad.

I continued.

“And the part about exoplanets.”

“Oh my goodness.”

Ava clasped both hands together dramatically.

“The planets outside our solar system!”

“Yes.”

“I never realized we’ve confirmed thousands already.”

She gasped.

“You listened!”

“I did.”

“I even wrote that one down.”

She looked ridiculously proud.

“What else?”

“Hmm…”

I pretended to think.

“The astronomer said something that stuck with me.”

“What?”

“Looking farther into space is like looking further back in time.””

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Her mouth slowly fell open.

That was niy favorite quote…”

“I figured.”

She laughed.

“I knew you’d like it!”

Eli suddenly leaned into the frame.

“My favorite part was the black hole.”

I nodded seriously.

“Mine too.”

He grinned.

“Because it eats stars.”

Ava groaned.

“No, Eli.”

“It doesn’t eat stars.

“It absorbs matter.”

He shrugged.

“Still sounds like eating.”

“I suppose.”

He crossed his arms proudly.

“I would never visit one.”

“A wise life decision.”

He nodded.

“I know.”

Ava rolled her eyes so dramatically that even Lydia laughed.

I hadn’t heard her laugh like that before.

Not directed at me.

Not exactly.

But around me.

Somehow…

That felt like progress.

Ava reached for the notebook she’d been scribbling in all evening.

“Hm?”

“I made a list.”

“Of course you did.”

She ignored my teasing.

“I want to build a small telescope.”

I blinked.

“A small telescope?”

“Mhm.”

“I’ve already watched six videos.”

“Seven.”

Eli corrected.

“You watched another one yesterday.”

She frowned.

“I did watch seven.”

“J di

Then she looked back at me.

“I think I can do it.”

I smiled.

“I think you probably can too.”

“But…”

She tilted her head.

…make sure you ask Mom before ordering anything.”

She immediately looked toward Lydia.

“I always ask.”

Lydia raised an eyebrow.

“You absolutely do not.”

“I mostly ask.”

“You mostly inform me.”

Eli burst into laughter.

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“That’s true.”

a looked deeply offended.

“I like collaboration.”

Lydia folded her arins.

“You like presenting fully completed plans.”

“I do.”

“And expecting everyone to agree.”

“…also true.”

The room dissolved into laughter again.

God…

I’d missed this.

Not just seeing them.

Hearing them.

Watching them interrupt each other.

Watching Eli exaggerate every story.

Watching Ava accidentally turn every conversation into a science lecture.

Watching Lydia try-and fail-to hide how amused she was.

For years…

I hadn’t even known what I’d been missing.

Now…

Thirty minutes never felt long enough.

A notification flashed across my laptop.

Executive Strategy Call – 15 minutes.

Right.

Reality.

I hated reality.

I looked back at the twins.

“I have to go soon.”

Eli frowned immediately.

“Already?”

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“I’m afraid so.”

meeting.”

He sighed dramatically.

“Adults have too many meetings.”

“We really do.”

“You should quit.’

“I’ll consider it.”

Ava smiled softly.

“Thank you for coming.”

The words caught me completely off guard.

She hadn’t needed to say them.

Yet she had.

I swallowed around the sudden tightness in my throat.

“I wouldn’t have missed it.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

She nodded once.

“I liked that you actually listened.”

“I always will.”

Silence settled between us.

A comfortable one.

Then Elf suddenly remembered something.

“Dad!”

“Yes?”

“I still think dinosaurs could survive in space.”

I laughed.

“I’ll research it.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

He pointed triumphantly toward Ava.

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い

“See?”

She buried her face in her hands.

“I cannot believe we’re related.”

“You say that every day.”

“Because every day you prove my point.”

Lydia finally stood and reached for the iPad.

“I think that’s enough excitement for one evening.”

Neither child argued.

That alone told me how full their day had been.

Before she ended the call, I cleared my throat.

“Lydia.”

She looked up.

“Yes?”

The twins immediately became suspiciously quiet.

“L..”

For a second, I almost let it go.

Then I didn’t.

“How are you?”

She blinked.

“What?”

“How are you?”

“You’ve had a busy day.”

“The meeting.”

“The science event.”

“The kids.”

“You look exhausted.”

For just the smallest moment…

Something unreadable crossed her face.

No sarcasm.

No irritation.

+20 Bonus

7/10

Just surprise.

m fine.”

I wasn’t convinced.

“You sure?”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

“I’ll survive.”

“I know you will.”

Another pause.

“Just…”

I searched for the right words.

“…don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”

Her expression softened almost imperceptibly.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Good.”

Then, before either of us could make the moment awkward…

She nodded once.

“Goodnight, Dave.”

“Goodnight.”

The screen went black.

I sat there for several seconds after the call ended.

Staring at my own reflection.

It had been less than an hour.

Yet somehow…

It had become my favorite part of the week.

The chauffeur glanced at me through the rearview mirror.

“Home, sir?”

I looked out at the city lights slipping past the windows.

“Yes.”

The drive back felt impossibly long.

I rested my head against the leather seat and closed my eyes.

+20 8gnus

8/10

Only to immediately reopen them.

chance.

My inbox was exploding.

Europe wanted approval on the acquisition documents.

Singapore needed confirmation on tomorrow’s investor briefing.

New York had already sent three reminders about quarterly projections.

And headquarters…

Headquarters never slept.

By the time we pulled into the driveway of my penthouse, my shoulders felt like concrete.

The elevator ride to the top floor was blissfully silent.

I loosened my tie as soon as the doors opened.

My apartment greeted me with the same immaculate stillness it always did.

I placed my laptop on the kitchen island and poured myself a glass of water.

I had exactly six minutes.

Six.

My phone buzzed again.

Overseas Executive Conference begins in 5 minutes.

I let out a slow breath.

“So much for resting.”

I straightened my shirt, picked up my laptop, and walked toward my home office.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city glittered beneath the night sky.

Somewhere beneath those same stars….

My children were probably asleep.

Maybe Ava was still thinking about galaxies.

Maybe Eli was still convinced dinosaurs belonged in space.

I smiled despite myself.

Then the conference software chimed.

One by one, faces from different countries appeared across my screen.

The chairman spoke first.

“Good evening, everyone.”

+20 Bonus

9/10

I adjusted my microphone.

et’s begin.”.

D

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New Routines

Lydia POV

I stayed in my room for another ten minutes after the call ended, and somehow, the conversation still revolved around outer space. Eli had somehow convinced himself that black holes were simply the universe’s version of giant vacuum cleaners, while Ava looked personally offended by that explanation. She launched into another passionate speech about gravity, spacetime, and event horizons, complete with exaggerated hand gestures that made her nearly knock over the glass of water on my bedside table. Eli listened with the expression of someone trying very hard to understand before confidently concluding, “So… it still eats things,” Ava buried her face in a pillow with the kind of dramatic sigh only a seven-year-old could manage, while I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. Some nights, these two exhausted me beyond words. Other nights, I found myself silently wishing time would slow down because I already knew I would miss moments like this someday. 2.

Eventually, I ushered them toward their room, reminding them that school still existed no matter how fascinating the universe was. Eli negotiated for “just five more minutes,” as though bedtime were a business contract, while Ava immediately reminded him that astronauts also needed sleep because tired people made mistakes. I kissed both of their foreheads before tucking them in, lingering for a second longer than usual as I watched them settle beneath their blankets. Even after I switched off the lights, I could still hear them whispering about planets and rockets until their voices slowly faded into silence. Moments like that always reminded me why every sacrifice had been worth it. Whatever life had taken from me, it had given me them.

The house became unusually quiet once I was alone. I made my way upstairs to my bedroom, slipped out of my work clothes and into one of my oversized cotton pajama sets, the kind that wasn’t particularly glamorous but felt like a warm hug after an impossibly long day. I tied my hair into a loose bun before beginning the skincare routine I guarded almost religiously. Cleanser. Toner. Serum. Moisturizer. Eye cream. It didn’t matter how exhausted I was; this little routine had become my way of telling myself that no matter how chaotic life became, I still deserved five uninterrupted minutes of taking care of me.

Unfortunately, the silence gave my mind room to wander, and my thoughts drifted back to the video call.

Dave.

I frowned at my own reflection in the bathroom mirror as I gently patted moisturizer into my skin. He had surprised me tonight. Not because he had joined the astronomy event-that was thoughtful-but because he had actually listened. He hadn’t nodded absentmindedly while scrolling through emails. He hadn’t pretended to care just to impress the twins. He had remembered facts from the presentation, answered Ava’s questions, and looked genuinely fascinated by everything she had been saying. I knew my daughter well enough to recognize when someone was merely humoring her, and tonight… she hadn’t been humored. She had been heard.

That realization unsettled me more than I cared to admit.

Then there was the question he had asked before the call ended.

“How are you?”

Such a simple question. Ordinary. Innocent.

Yet for some reason, it had lingered with me far longer than it should have.

I rested both hands on the bathroom counter and looked at myself.

“No,” I muttered softly.

Absolutely not.

1/3

• 20 8gnus

I wasn’t about to romanticize basic decency. Asking about my wellbeing after abandoning us for five years didn’t Suddenly earn him a medal. People didn’t get applauded for doing what they should have been doing all along. I had spent far too many nights crying over a man who had chosen silence over his family. I refused to let a few thoughtful conversations blur the lines I’d fought so hard to rebuild.

“You’re getting comfortable, Lydia,” I whispered to my reflection.

“I don’t like it.”

With that, I switched off the bathroom light and climbed into bed, determined to think about anything other than

Dave Carter. 1

Morning arrived far sooner than I would have liked. My alarm rang at six, and for a brief moment I seriously considered pretending not to hear it. Unfortunately, adulthood had never shown much sympathy for people who wanted an extra hour of sleep. After dragging myself out of bed, I glanced toward the expensive gym membership card tucked inside my wallet and laughed under my breath.

“I really am making monthly donations to that place.”

I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d gone to the gym. Every week, I promised myself I’d start again. Every week, work, the twins, or life itself found a way to interrupt those plans. Maybe one day I’d become one of those disciplined people who woke up before sunrise to exercise. Today, however, I settled for a strong cup of ginger and chamomile tea before dressing in a crisp cream blouse tucked neatly into high-waisted navy trousers. Comfortable heels completed the outfit. Professional enough for meetings. Comfortable enough to survive them.

Breakfast was surprisingly peaceful. French toast, fresh fruit, and enough maple syrup to make Eli believe he had won the lottery. He spent nearly five minutes trying to convince me that scientists consumed syrup for “brain power,” only for Ava to immediately fact-check him and declare there was absolutely no scientific evidence supporting his theory. The debate continued until we arrived at school, where the familiar morning chaos greeted us with children running across the courtyard while teachers attempted to organize them into something resembling orderly lines.

As we approached the school entrance, one of the teachers waved me over with a warm smile.

“Ms Lydia? May I steal a minute?”

My heart immediately sank.

“Oh dear,” I sighed dramatically. “What did Eli do this time?”

The teacher laughed so hard she had to cover her mouth.

“Nothing, actually. He’s innocent today.”

I looked down at my son suspiciously.

“Today?”

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest.

“Mother, your lack of faith wounds me.”

The teacher chuckled again before handing me a brightly colored flyer.

“We’re preparing for our annual Inter-House Sports Festival in three weeks. Parents participate alongside their children, so we’re sending information home early.” 1

2/3

ཤ་

• 208
• 20 8༼དu་

I glanced down at the program.

Relay races.

Obstacle courses.

Parents versus children..

Family games.

Tug-of-war.

Three-legged races.

Parent quizzes.

I blinked.

“…Parents?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“That’s always the children’s favorite part.”

I laughed awkwardly.

“I haven’t exercised properly in… honestly, I’d rather not count.”

“Oh, you’ll be fine.”

“I sincerely hope so.”

My smile remained on my face, but as I tucked the flyer into my handbag, a thought quietly settled into the back of my mind.

Parents.

Wasn’t… that supposed to be Dave?

The thought appeared so suddenly that it almost annoyed me. I wasn’t ready to decide what role, if any, he would play in moments like that. The twins deserved consistency, not uncertainty. Still, as I watched them disappear into their classroom hand in hand, I couldn’t ignore the tiny question lingering in my chest.

We’d figure it out.

Just…

not today.

Today, I had another company to save.

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+20 Bonus

Continuation

Lydia POV

The drive from the school to my office was thankfully uneventful, which was a luxury I had learned not to take for granted. traffic had a personality of its own, and today, for whatever reason, it had chosen kindness. My playlist hummed softly in the background while I mentally sorted through everything waiting for me. Theo’s company was still at the top of the list. We’d survived the first wave of public outrage, but surviving wasn’t the same thing as rebuilding. Rebuilding required consistency, patience, and a willingness to keep making the right decisions long after the applause faded. It was the part most companies underestimated. 1

By the time I pulled into the underground parking lot of my office building, my work brain had completely taken over. The mother who had been laughing about maple syrup fifteen minutes ago quietly stepped aside, allowing the CEO to clock in.

My assistant was already waiting outside my office with a tablet tucked under one arm and two takeaway coffee cups balanced expertly in her hands. The engagement glow still hadn’t left her face. Every time I looked at her, I remembered the proposal and found myself smiling without realizing it.

“Good morning, boss.”

“Morning.”

She held out one of the cups.

“I got your usual.”

I accepted it with a grateful nod before taking a careful sip.

“Hmm.”

I glanced at her.

“You want something.”

She looked offended.

“What makes you say that?”

“You’ve been smiling at me since I stepped out of the elevator.”

“I’m just happy.”

“You’ve been engaged for few weeks.”

“I know.”

“You’ve smiled enough to power a small country.”

She laughed loudly.

“I can’t help it.”

“I can see that.”

We walked into my office together, and she immediately began scrolling through the day’s schedule.

“You’ve got Mr. Theo at nine.”

1/6

“I know.”

egal review by eleven.”

“Mhm.”

“Interview request from Global Business Network.”

“Decline.”

“You’ve already declined them twice.”

“I’ll decline them a third time.”

She scribbled something onto the tablet.

“They’re persistent.”

“So am I.”

She grinned before continuing.

“Oh… and one more thing.”

I looked up from my laptop.

“What?”

“They sent flowers.”

I frowned.

“They?”

“Mr. Theo’s company.”

She pointed toward the bouquet sitting by the window.

“They arrived about twenty minutes ago.”

I hadn’t even noticed them.

They were elegant without being excessive. White orchids mixed with pale blue hydrangeas, arranged so tastefully that they looked more like artwork than flowers.

A small card rested between the stems.

Thank you for reminding us that reputations are rebuilt, through people, not headlines.

– Theo & Team.

I stared at it for a second before smiling faintly.

“That’s thoughtful.”

“I know.”

She tilted her head.

“I almost thought they were from a secret admirer.”

+20 Bonus

2/6

་ ་་

+20 Bonus

I gave her a look.

Qon’t start.”

• 20 верния

• 20 Bonus

• 20 Bonus

• 20 8gnus

Theo stood, smoothing the front of his suit jacket before offering me a small smile.

“Thank you.”

“For the parenting lesson.”

“And for not throwing me out after I asked a very inappropriate question.”

I pretended to consider it.

“I was close.”

“I believe that.”

He laughed.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“You’ll see me tomorrow.”

With that, we gathered our files, exchanged one final professional handshake, and walked out of the conference room in opposite directions.

For the rest of the afternoon, my mind should have been on campaign timelines, press statements, and stakeholder meetings.

9/10

where- father?

Instead…

e unexpected question kept replaying in my head.

“Has their father always been absent?”

Funny enough…

The answer wasn’t what haunted me.

It was how instinctively I’d wanted to defend Dave.

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།

Search

Meo’s POV

“Their father is present in their lives.”

“We’re simply… no longer a thing.”

It wasn’t even the words that stayed with me.

It was the way she’d said them.

There had been no bitterness.

No anger.

No resentment.

No passive-aggressive remarks that divorced people usually slipped into conversations without realizing.

Nothing.

If anything…

There had been warmth.

Quiet warmth.

Respect.

Almost… affection.

Not romantic affection.

At least, I didn’t think it was.

But it certainly wasn’t indifference.

And that fascinated me.

Over the past year, I’d watched people turn divorce into warfare.

I’d sat inside courtrooms where parents used children as bargaining chips.

I’d watched million-dollar custody battles where two people who had once sworn forever now couldn’t bear hearing each other’s names.

I had lived through one myself.

So hearing Lydia casually acknowledge the father of her children with nothing but quiet respect…

It felt unusual.

Almost impossible.

She hadn’t rolled her eyes.

She hadn’t sighed dramatically.

She hadn’t called him useless.

1/3

She hadn’t pretended he didn’t exist.

had simply acknowledged him…

Like someone who had once mattered deeply…

And perhaps still did, in a completely different way.

Who was this man?

Who managed to lose someone like Lydia…

Yet somehow still remained someone she spoke about with kindness?

The question followed me all the way to the elevator.

The drive home passed almost unnoticed.

Traffic crawled along the city streets, but I barely registered it.

Instead, I found myself replaying snippets of every conversation I’d ever had with Lydia.

Every meeting.

Every sarcastic remark.

Every tiny smile she’d accidentally let escape before quickly hiding it again.

It was strange.

I’d spent weeks working alongside her.

Yet…

I knew almost nothing about her.

She knew about my failing public image.

She knew about my daughter.

She knew about my divorce.

She knew about my custody battle.

She knew my biggest regret.

But what did I know about Lydia Hart? 1

That she drank tea instead of coffee.

That she terrified boardrooms without ever raising her voice.

That she loved her twins enough to rearrange billion-dollar meetings around school events.

And…

Apparently…

She still respected the man she’d once built a family with.

+20 Bonus

2/3

་།

.201

• 20@gm

That was it.

hat was all.

For someone whose name constantly appeared in business magazines…

She was remarkably difficult to know.

By the time I arrived home, my penthouse had already fallen into its usual evening rhythm.

The house staff greeted me softly before disappearing back into their routines.

On the marble console table near the entrance sat today’s mail, neatly arranged.

My assistant had already emailed revised contracts from this morning’s investor negotiations.

My calendar reminded me of three more meetings before the night ended.

A strategy review.

A conference call with Singapore.

Two approval sessions waiting for my signature.

Normally…

I’d head straight into work.

Tonight…

I walked directly into my study.

I loosened my tie, dropped into the leather chair behind my desk, and opened my laptop.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered to myself.

It really was.

I was a forty-year-old CEO.

Not a teenager trying to investigate his crush online.

One search.

That was all.

Just enough to satisfy my curiosity.

Nothing more.

My fingers hovered above the keyboard for a brief moment before typing.

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3/3

Boundary

Theo’s POV

Lydia.

The search engine practically exploded.

Hundreds.

No…

Thousands of results.

Magazine covers.

Television interviews.

Leadership podcasts.

Business journals.

Award ceremonies.

Government advisory panels.

International keynote speeches.

Conference appearances.

Forbes.

Fortune.

Bloomberg.

Financial Times.

Every major publication seemed to have interviewed her at one point.

Curiosity slowly turned into admiration as I clicked through article after article.

At twenty-seven, she’d been named Entrepreneur of the Year.

At twenty-nine, she’d advised government agencies during a national communications crisis.

At thirty-one, she’d become one of the youngest women to lead a multinational public relations firm.

Another article called her “the woman corporations hire when apologies are no longer enough.”

I actually laughed.

Accurate.

Painfully accurate.

After everything she’d done to my executive team…

I couldn’t disagree.

20 8gnus

1/11

I kept reading.

one interview, she spoke passionately about ethical leadership.

In another, she explained why companies should stop viewing employees as disposable resources.

One podcast host asked what separated good public relations from great public relations.

Her answer stayed with me.

“Good PR protects a company.”

“Great PR protects the people affected by the company.”

That…

Sounded exactly like the woman I’d been sitting across from all week.

No wonder she’d dismantled every suggestion my executives had made.

She wasn’t performing integrity.

She genuinely believed in it.

Nearly forty-five minutes passed before I noticed something.

Or rather…

Someone.

Missing.

There wasn’t a single photograph of her children.

Not one.

I frowned.

That couldn’t be right.

I refined the search.

Lydia twins.

Nothing.

Lydia family.

Still nothing.

There were occasional mentions.

“Mother of twins.”

“Balances executive leadership with raising two young children.”

“Known for fiercely protecting her family’s privacy.”

But photographs?

+20 @grius

2/11

Never.

Een their names had been successfully kept away from the public.

I slowly leaned back in my chair.

“Wow…”

Most public figures eventually traded pieces of their private lives for publicity.

Some introduced their children on magazine covers.

Others documented birthdays, holidays, and bedtime stories for millions of strangers online.

Lydia had done the exact opposite.

She had built one of the most recognizable professional brands in the country…

While making sure her children remained almost completely invisible.

That couldn’t have been easy.

Not in today’s world.

Not when attention itself had become currency.

Somehow…

I admired her even more.

Curiosity, however, refused to stop there.

I typed another search.

Lydia husband.

Nothing useful.

Another.

Lydia ex-husband.

Still nothing.

Father of Lydia children.

Again…

Nothing substantial.

Either he’d lived an incredibly private life…

Or she’d gone to extraordinary lengths to protect him too.

I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully.

Anna probably knew.

Of course she knew.

ྋ

+20 Bonus

3/11

Anna knew everything.

Especially if it involved Lydia.

I picked up my phone.

Opened our chat.

My fingers began typing.

Quick question…

I deleted it. 1

Started again.

Do you happen to know…

Delete.

Again.

I sighed.

“No.”

Absolutely not.

The moment Anna realized I was asking questions about Lydia’s personal life…

I’d never hear the end of it.

First she’d interrogate me.

Then she’d decide I liked Lydia.

Then she’d tell our mother.

Our mother would somehow start imagining grandchildren before breakfast.

No.

I loved my sister.

But that woman had investigative instincts that belonged inside an intelligence agency.

She wasn’t worth activating.

I locked my phone.

Then unlocked it again.

One name immediately came to mind.

Charles.

If there was anyone capable of finding information without creating unnecessary drama…

It was Charles. 1

་༽

20 8gnus

4/11

441

I pressed Call.

phone barely rang twice.

“Theodore!”

His cheerful voice exploded through the speaker.

“To what do I owe this historic occasion?”

“I need a favor.”

He gasped dramatically.

“You only call when you need something.”

“I called last month.”

“You needed another favor.”

“…Fair.”

He laughed.

“So?”

“What are we investigating today?”

“I need information.”

His voice immediately changed.

“What kind of information?”

“Nothing illegal.”

“I never said illegal.”

“You were thinking it.”

“I absolutely was.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Charles.”

“I’m kidding.”

“…Mostly.”

Despite myself, I smiled.

“Her name is Lydia Hart.”

Silence.

Then…

“The PR woman?”

+20 nguo

5/11

“Yes.”

The terrifying one?”

“She’s not terrifying.”

He snorted.

“She must really like you.”

“I don’t think Lydia likes anybody.”

“Fair.”

He chuckled.

“So what exactly are we looking for?”

I stared through the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

“I don’t want private photographs.”

“I don’t want financial records.”

“I don’t want anything that isn’t already publicly available.”

“I just…”

The words felt oddly embarrassing.

want to know who the father of her children is.”

Charles became unusually quiet.

Then…

“Oh.”

There it was.

That irritatingly amused tone.

“So that’s what’s happening.”

“Nothing’s happening.”

“Mhm.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know.”

“You don’t sound convinced.”

“I’m not.”

I sighed.

“It’s curiosity.”

+20 Bonus

6/11

“Professional curiosity?”

Something like that.”

He laughed again.

“Fine.”

“I’ll see what I can find.”

“When?”

“Two hours.”

“You’ll have something.”

“I always do.”

“That’s what worries me.”

The line disconnected.

I lowered the phone and stared at it for several seconds.

Then laughed quietly to myself.

“I sound like a stalker.”

Was this what stalkers did?

Surely not.

I wasn’t following her.

I wasn’t reading private messages.

I wasn’t sitting outside her office.

I was…

Curious.

That was different.

Wasn’t it?

I honestly wasn’t sure anymore.

A gentle knock interrupted my thoughts.

My chef stepped into the study.

“Good evening, sir.”

“Evening.”

“What would you like for dinner tonight?”

I closed my laptop.

20 Bon

7/11

“What are my options?”

We’ve prepared handmade lobster ravioli finished with brown butter sage sauce.”

He paused.

“Or grilled branziño served over lemon risotto with roasted asparagus.’

My stomach immediately reminded me that I’d skipped lunch.

“The ravioli.”

He smiled knowingly.

“I’ll send extra parmesan.”

“You know me too well.”

“I’ve worked here long enough.”

He wasn’t wrong.

After he left, I leaned back once more.

Why was I so invested?

Why did this matter?

The answer came almost immediately.

Because she’d listened.

Because she’d sat across from me while I told her the ugliest chapters of my life…

And she’d never once looked at me differently afterward.

Maybe…

Just maybe…

Wanting to know a little about the woman who already knew so much about me wasn’t unreasonable.

That was all.

Nothing more.

I repeated that explanation several times.

Eventually…

I almost believed it.

Dinner arrived twenty minutes later.

The ravioli looked almost too beautiful to disturb.

Thin sheets of handmade pasta wrapped around delicate lobster filling.

Brown butter shimmered beneath freshly grated parmesan.

་།

+20 Bonus

8/11

Crisp sage leaves rested elegantly across the top.

One bite.

I closed my eyes.

“Perfect.”

The chef truly had outdone himself.

I was halfway through the plate when my phone vibrated.

Charles.

Already?

I wiped my hands before unlocking the screen.

Charles: Found him.

Beneath the message sat a secure Drive link.

Another message followed.

Charles: Everything here is public information. Nothing shady.

A smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

Efficient.

As always.

I replied with a simple Thanks.

Then opened the link.

A neatly organized folder appeared.

The very first page loaded.

My eyes immediately landed on one name.

Dave Ashton.

I stopped.

I didn’t scroll.

I didn’t open the timeline beneath it.

I didn’t click the supporting articles.

I didn’t read the summaries.

For some reason…

Continuing suddenly felt wrong.

If Lydia wanted me to know the rest of that story…

+20 8gnus

9/11

She would tell me herself.

Mat boundary mattered.

Still…

One name wasn’t enough to satisfy my curiosity.

I copied it into the search bar.

Within seconds…

The internet answered.

Forbes.

Bloomberg.

Financial Times.

Global Business Review.

Technology conferences.

Corporate acquisitions.

International investment forums.

Photographs with presidents.

Economic summits.

Billion-dollar mergers.

Dave Ashton wasn’t simply successful.

He was one of the most influential businessmen in the world.

I slowly leaned back.

“So…”

I whispered to the empty room.

“This is him.”

Not just the father of Lydia’s children.

Not merely an ex-husband.

A man powerful enough to influence markets.

A man who occupied the same spaces as world leaders.

And yet…

Lydia had reduced all of those accomplishments to one quiet sentence.

“Their father is present in their lives.”

20 Bonus

10/11

No mention of wealth.

mention of status.

No mention of influence.

Only…

A father.

I quietly closed my laptop.

I’d learned enough for one evening.

Perhaps…

More than enough.

But as I switched off the lights in my study, one thought refused to leave me.

Whatever chapter existed between Lydia and Dave Ashton…

It hadn’t disappeared.

It hadn’t faded into history.

It felt less like a story that had ended…

And more like one that had simply paused.

Waiting…

For someone to turn the next page.

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11/11

208gnus

The drive home

Lydia POV

I walked the familiar hallway toward my office on autopilot, offering absent-minded smiles to employees who greeted me as I passed. Someone from the legal department waved. One of the interns nearly dropped her tablet trying to hold the elevator open for me.

I thanked them all.

I couldn’t even remember doing it.

My mind was somewhere else entirely.

By the time I stepped into my office, I let out a long breath, shut the door behind me, and all but collapsed into my chair.

…What was that?”

I spun the chair slowly toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Theo.

What on earth had that been?

At first, I thought he was going to ask about the company’s recovery plan.

Then I thought maybe he wanted another woman’s perspective on the custody situation with his ex wife.

Or perhaps he wanted clarification on one of our campaigns.

Instead…

“How are your twins?”

I laughed quietly to myself.

“Seriously?”

Then came the even stranger part.

“Teach me how to raise my daughter to become a genius.”

I rested my elbow on the armrest, covering my smile with my hand.

It had been such an oddly sincere request. 1

Not manipulative.

Not calculated.

Just…

Honest.

Then, of course, he’d ruined the moment by asking about their father.

I rolled my eyes dramatically.

“Curious man.”

1/4

+20@gm

+20 Bonus

Maybe he simply wanted to know more about me.

People naturally became curious about those they worked closely with.

Familiarity bred curiosity.

Still…

It had felt oddly personal.

Not uncomfortable.

Just…

Unexpected.

“Oh well.”

I reached for the file on my desk before immediately pushing it away again.

“No more work.”

My alarm chose that exact moment to ring from my phone.

5:30 p.m.

Closing time.

I stretched my arms over my head before standing.

“Home.”

That single word somehow made the exhaustion worth it.

A few minutes later, I settled into the backseat of my car.

For once, I wasn’t driving myself.

After days of meetings, presentations, interviews, strategy sessions, and crisis management, I’d surrendered my car keys to my driver without argument.

The city slowly rolled past the tinted windows.

Traffic wasn’t terrible.

Just enough to remind me I still lived in civilization.

I absentmindedly glanced up.

My driver’s eyes met mine briefly through the rearview mirror before immediately returning to the road.

A second later…

He looked again.

Then adjusted the mirror.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Hmm.”

2/4

He glanced up one more time.

mediately…

My brain betrayed me.

A headline I’d read two nights ago flashed across my mind.

“Single mother murdered by trusted driver…”

I blinked.

“…Lydia.”

Another glance in the mirror.

“…Stop.”

He adjusted the mirror again.

“Oh my God.”

I folded my arms.

“I’ve been watching entirely too many crime documentaries.”

Now every innocent glance suddenly looked suspicious.

Every lane change felt dramatic. 1

The poor man was probably wondering why his boss kept staring back at him.

I shook my head firmly.

“No.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“He has literally driven your children to school for two years.”

“He knows Ava likes sitting behind him.”

“He knows Eli always asks for music.”

“He reminds your nanny about seatbelts.”

“He is not plotting anything.”

I sighed.

“Enough.” 2

Right on cue…

My phone buzzed.