EMILY'S RETURN
“Dude, what did your father say?” Charles asked as he let himself into my office without bothering to knock.
“Is he planning on shipping you off to Africa or something?”
Sometimes, I genuinely wonder who the boss is around here.
“Why exactly would he send me to Africa?” I asked dryly. “And since when does my father have power over me?”
“I know you like pretending otherwise, but he's still your father.”
“Whatever.”
I shrugged him off, slipping out of my suit jacket before grabbing my reading glasses. I sat down and started sorting through the pile of files stacked across my desk.
“Aren't you going to tell me what he said?”
“He came with a business proposal.”
Charles froze.
“Wait… what?”
He blinked at me like I'd suddenly started speaking another language.
“Your dad came here with a business proposal?”
He frowned deeply.
“That’s weird. I thought the man was rooting for this company's downfall so you would finally crawl back into the family business.”
“Well, according to him, no parent wishes for their child's business to fail.”
“That still makes zero sense.”
Charles shook his head.
“He ignored you for years. So why now?”
“I don't know.”
And that was the honest truth.
“But I'm just as concerned as you are.”
I tried focusing on the paperwork in front of me, but my concentration was shot.
My mind wouldn't settle.
“Did you accept his offer?”
“Yes.”
I leaned back in my chair.
“It was impossible to resist.”
Charles narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
“He secured a contract with Glams Beauty and Fashion.”
His mouth dropped open.
“That is literally impossible!”
He pointed dramatically at me.
“How the hell did he pull that off? We've been chasing a partnership with them for three freaking years!”
“I know.”
That was exactly what bothered me.
“That's why I can't shake this feeling.”
I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully.
“If my father is willing to do something this big for me… then he definitely wants something in return.”
Charles folded his arms.
“Which is?”
“Haven't figured that out yet.”
I sighed.
“But he does want me home for a family dinner.”
Charles stared at me.
“He wants you to come home?”
“Will you stop turning every sentence I say into a question?”
“Sorry.”
He held up his hands.
“I physically can't help it right now. This is way too much information to process.”
He dropped heavily into the chair across from my desk.
“I think I need a moment to sit down and process all this.”
Then he placed a hand dramatically over his stomach.
“And I'm hungry.”
“Then go find something to eat.”
“Yeah, I will.”
He suddenly paused.
“Wait… since when do you bring lunch to work?”
His question threw me off.
“What are you talking about? I never bring lunch to work.”
“Then whose is that?”
I followed the direction of his finger and spotted the lunchbox sitting beside my desk.
I immediately frowned.
“I specifically told Rosa to get rid of that.”
Of course, she had done the exact opposite.
“Wait a second.”
Charles leaned forward.
“If it isn't yours… whose is it?”
“Someone I met earlier at Mr. Sebastian's office.”
I let out a frustrated sigh.
“She called it trash, then insisted I keep it because she didn't want all her effort to go to waste.”
“And you told Rosa to throw it away?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't eat trash.”
“Well, can I have it?”
I stared at him.
“Why would I give it to you?”
“Because,” Charles replied smoothly, reaching for the lunchbox, “you don't eat trash.”
I watched him in disbelief.
I couldn't believe he was actually about to eat mystery food from a stranger's lunchbox.
“Wow.”
He opened it and inhaled dramatically.
“Pesto turkey pinwheels.”
His eyes widened.
“I love turkey.”
He looked almost emotional.
“And this was homemade.”
He picked one up, inspecting it.
“Seriously… who rejects food that looks this good without even tasting it?”
I tried ignoring his commentary.
I really did.
But then the aroma drifted through the office.
Straight into my stomach.
Damn it.
That smelled way too good.
“Dude, are you absolutely sure you don't want this?” Charles asked.
Before he could continue, I snatched the food away from him.
“Fine. Just leave it. I'll eat it later.”
“That’s not fair!” he protested immediately.
“You rejected the food, remember? You literally called it trash.”
He pointed accusingly at me.
“Now can I have it back?”
“No, you can't.”
“But I want some!”
The desperation in his eyes was almost embarrassing.
“Come on, man. Share.”
From the look on his face, I could already tell he wasn't planning on leaving my office without eating that food.
Eventually, I gave in and handed it back to him.
Big mistake.
He spent the next several minutes complimenting the meal nonstop.
Every.
Single.
Bite.
“This is amazing.”
“Wow.”
“Whoever made this knows what they're doing.”
“This flavour is insane.”
I could feel my irritation growing with every word that came out of his mouth.
I tried ignoring him.
Really tried.
But Charles was physically incapable of being quiet.
When I finally reached my limit, I slammed both hands down on my desk.
“Will you please let me work?”
He barely looked up from the food.
“I have a mountain of files to sort through, most of them need my signature, and you are being ridiculously distracting. So kindly go back to your office and do your job.”
“But seriously…”
He pointed dramatically with a half-eaten pinwheel.
“Are you sure you don't know the woman who made this dish?”
He took another bite and practically melted into his chair.
“I can tell she poured her heart into this.”
His eyes narrowed suspiciously at me.
“Are you secretly dating someone and hiding it from me?”
Unbelievable.
I was trying to end one conversation, and he had already started another.
“Mr. Charles,” I said in my coldest boss voice, “please return to your office and do what you are paid to do.”
He snorted.
“You know that voice doesn't work on me.”
He stood up dramatically, holding the lunchbox.
“So thank you kindly for the meal, sir.”
Then he pointed at me.
“And if you ever see the woman who cooked this…”
He grinned.
“Marry her.”
“Charles, please.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
“Let me work. I still have a meeting with my lawyer, and I only have about three hours before the scheduled time.”
“Fine, fine. I'm leaving.”
He dropped the now-empty lunchbox onto my desk before straightening his suit.
“But just so you know…”
He pointed at me again.
“I'm coming with you to your family dinner.”
A mischievous grin spread across his face.
“I've missed your mother's cooking.”
“I'd happily take you along,” I replied.
“But… just so you know… it's a reunion.”
I knew that single word would confuse him.
He needed the warning.
“What do you mean reunion?”
He chuckled lightly.
“Emily would have to be there for it to actually count as a reunion.”
I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his.
I didn't say a word.
I just let my expression answer for me.
The smile disappeared from his face instantly.
“Wait…”
His voice dropped.
“No.”
He stared at me.
“It can't be.”
His face paled.
“Emily is back from England?”
“I thought she wasn't supposed to return for another three years.”
“Well…” I leaned back slightly. “She's back.”
“At least, that's what my father said.”
I watched the colour drain from his face within seconds.
My stomach tightened.
I thought he had moved on from this.
“Charles…”
My irritation vanished immediately, replaced with concern.
“Are you okay?”
He suddenly looked weak.
Too weak.
I quickly stepped toward him and guided him back into his chair before he could collapse into it himself.
“Hey…”
I frowned, watching him closely.
“Talk to me.”
“Yeah… I'm fine,” he replied, but his eyes looked distant—too distant.
“No, you're not okay.”
I frowned.
“Maybe I shouldn't have mentioned her. I honestly thought you were over this.”
“I thought so too.”
He let out a quiet breath.
“But just knowing she's back… it's bringing back memories I desperately wanted to forget.”
“Do you still have feelings for her?”
“No.”
His answer came quickly.
“I don't.”
“Good.”
I lightly tapped his shoulder, trying to pull him out of whatever dark place his mind had wandered into.
“Then don't let her presence get to you. Cheer up. You look like you've just seen a ghost.”
I really don't know how things between those two ended up becoming this bad.
But one thing was clear—
Charles wasn't ready to forgive Emily for whatever she had done.
---
Alda’s POV
“What?!”
Anna shot up from her seat, fury exploding across her face.
“That son of a bitch!”
She paced angrily.
“How could he do this to you?”
Her voice shook with rage.
“I told you not to trust that idiot! And now look where he left you.”
She pointed at me in frustration.
“Are you still going to give him another chance? Because that's what you always do, Alda.”
Her tone softened slightly but remained filled with anger.
“Giving him chances.”
“I know…”
My voice broke.
“I know I deserve everything you're saying.”
I lowered my eyes.
“I thought he was just stressed because business hasn't been going well lately.”
I swallowed painfully.
“But I guess I was wrong.”
My fingers tightened around the tissue in my hand.
“Cheating…”
The word alone shattered something inside me.
“That was the last thing I ever expected from Seth.”
I shook my head weakly.
“But I guess I was just a fool for trusting him so much.”
Fresh tears blurred my vision.
“I feel so stupid, Anna.”
I grabbed a tissue from the table and wiped at my tears, but they just kept falling.
“It wasn't your fault that Seth turned out to be a jerk.”
Anna immediately moved closer to me.
“So stop blaming yourself.”
Her anger only intensified.
“After everything you did for him… everything… this is how he pays you back?”
She scoffed bitterly.
“I swear I'm giving him a piece of my mind the next time I see him.”
She grabbed another tissue and shoved it into my hand.
“Now wipe your tears. He doesn't deserve them.”
Then she looked me straight in the eyes.
“I want you to start processing divorce papers immediately.”
Divorce.
Even hearing the word out loud made my chest tighten.
And yet…
Even after everything…
I still couldn't picture myself doing it.
How could I just divorce Seth?
“Wait.”
Anna stared at me in disbelief.
“Don't tell me you're not planning to divorce that jerk.”
“Alda!”
“I know.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“I know, Anna.”
My voice cracked under the weight of my emotions.
“I know I'm a fool for still holding onto this tiny bit of faith in him.”
I let out a shaky breath.
“Even after everything… some stupid part of me still believes in him.”
“Alda.”
Anna's voice softened, but her frustration remained.
“Seth is not the right man for you.”
She sat beside me and held my hand tightly.
“He's going to destroy you while destroying himself.”
She shook her head firmly.
“If you don't do something about this, then I'm telling your parents.”
“No.”
I quickly looked up at her.
“Anna, please.”
I shook my head desperately.
“My mum will freak out…”
A weak, broken laugh escaped me.
“And my dad will do far worse than that.”
“What kind of friend would I be if I didn't look out for you?”
Anna asked, her voice filled with concern and frustration.
“You need to leave that man and take your life back.”
“I'll think about it.”
I rubbed my temples weakly.
“Right now… I'm so confused I can't even think straight.”
My throat tightened painfully.
“I never imagined my life with Seth would turn out like this.”
“I told you not to cry.”
Anna reached over and gently wiped away the tears rolling down my face.
“Anna…”
My voice trembled.
“I'm tired.”
I finally stopped fighting the emotions crushing me.
“I'm so tired and confused.”
I shook my head helplessly.
“I haven't been able to pull myself together all day.”
A broken laugh escaped my lips.
“It all feels like a nightmare.”
I inhaled shakily.
“But the problem is… I don't know how to wake up from it.”
The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled freely.
I couldn't keep them in anymore.
Everything inside me felt heavy.
Suffocating.
“Anna…”
I pressed a trembling hand against my chest.
“I can't breathe properly.”
“My heart hurts.”
The words came out fractured.
“All I ever did was love Seth.”
My tears flowed harder.
“I never gave him a reason to doubt me.”
My voice weakened.
“I loved him.”
“I cherished him.”
“I wanted our marriage to work.”
I wiped helplessly at my face.
“I tried… God, I tried so hard to make it work.”
I laughed bitterly through my tears.
“I defended him in front of my dad.”
“I sacrificed.”
“I overlooked things.”
“I did everything I could just to keep us together.”
My voice dropped to a painful whisper.
“But… it still wasn't enough.”
Anna wrapped her arms tightly around me.
She held me while I cried, gently rubbing my back.
“It's okay.”
Her voice was soft now.
“I know how hard you've fought to save your marriage.”
She pulled back slightly so she could look me in the eyes.
“But not every marriage is worth saving.”
Her jaw tightened at the mention of Seth.
“Seth doesn't deserve another chance.”
She wiped away my tears once more.
“And I promise you this…”
Her voice hardened with protective anger.
“He is going to regret putting you through this kind of pain.”
