We Met Again

Chapter Two

We Met Again

Five Years Later.

Sophie’s POV

"The wheelchair was donated by the Kent Foundation," the nurse spoke. "I was able to get one for Asher."

A smile spread across my face as I heard that. I looked at Asher, whom I carried in my arms, and memories of the pain from years ago flooded my mind. I had discovered my pregnancy only after being rejected and cast out of the palace by the man I loved. He had pushed me away as if I meant nothing, and the rough treatment from him and the guards at that time had led to the condition Asher was in now.

"You are pregnant with twins, but one of the babies has a defect because you fell on it," the nurse had said to me five years ago. And I have been living with that ever since.

"Here you go, Sophie. Asher will be comfortable in this until you can afford the surgery," the nurse said.

I nodded and smiled, whispering, "Thank you so much." We gently settled Asher onto the wheelchair. I knelt beside him and asked, "How do you feel, baby?"

He smiled—an expression I had rarely seen on his face. All I had known was the discomfort in his eyes whenever I carried him in my arms. For the past five years, I had borne the weight of carrying Asher since he couldn't walk. Whenever I thought about the struggles and pain I had endured because of this, I couldn't help but think of Maxon. He was responsible for my son's condition, and forgiveness would never come easily. I would never forgive him.

"It's comfortable!" Asher declared, and a sigh of relief escaped me. He looked up at the nurse and asked, "Can I keep this with me?"

The nurse smiled and gently caressed his face, saying, "Yes, Asher, it's yours to keep."

"Thank you so much, Nurse Maddy. I'll be back when I have the payment for his surgery," I said to Maddison, the nurse who had been taking care of Asher for the past five years.

"Have a nice day, Sophie," she smiled and turned to Asher, offering him a bar of chocolate and gently caressing his face. "You should have a nice day too, cutie."

"Thank you!" Asher beamed, his voice filled with excitement.

Everything about him reminds me of his father—the one who couldn't stand by me when I needed him the most, the one who didn't trust me when he should have. Maxon, the man who pushed me when I was pregnant, leading to Asher's disability.

I had no idea I was pregnant until I fainted in the middle of the road. Waking up in the hospital, I received both the saddest and happiest news of my life—I was pregnant with twins, and one of them had a defect.

Since Asher's birth, I've had to carry him in my arms. It breaks my heart to see his sister start school while he remains unable to do the same. I couldn't afford to send him to a special school for children with disabilities.

Ever since I was thrown out of the palace and returned to the world where I belong, I've been trapped in a web of problems. These past five years, raising and providing for two kids without a good job has been incredibly challenging.

I sighed, realizing I couldn't afford to be late for the interview I had that morning. "Let's go, baby," I said to Asher, wheeling him out of the hospital.

After walking for several minutes along the streets of New York City, I arrived at the coffee shop where I worked. For the past five years, I had been juggling multiple part-time jobs in addition to working at the coffee shop, all to give my kids the life they deserved.

I knew they deserved more than what I could provide. They were princes and princess, deserving of a life beyond my means. However, I had made a vow to keep them away from Maxon and that world.

I wanted my children to live a normal life, free from conspiracies, lies, and deceit.

"Sophie!"

That was Rose, the person who saved my life five years ago. Rose had come to my aid when I collapsed on the road after being chased out of the palace.

She showed me another world, one where I could belong. I never knew there was a place for humans like me. In the werewolf world, humans were often treated as nothing more than slaves. Rose ensured I received proper medical treatment and introduced me to this new world. Since then, she had been a steadfast and caring friend.

"Sophie, you know you shouldn't be late for your interview, right?" Rose grumbled, wearing her usual stern expression.

"Maddy called me to tell me she was able to get a wheelchair for Asher, so I went there to get it," I explained.

A big smile spread across Rose's face as she knelt beside Asher. "I can't believe I have tears in my eyes," she sniffled, wiping her tears slowly to avoid smudging her makeup. "I'm sure he's so comfortable in this, and I can guarantee that he'll be able to walk on his own two feet in a few months." She smiled.

I chuckled, finding a mix of humor and seriousness in her words. It was amusing because I couldn't fathom how I would raise over fifty thousand dollars for the surgery in just a few months. However, it wasn't a laughing matter because if there was something I could do to make my son walk again instantly, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Rose stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know you're wondering how to raise the money, but don't worry. I'm confident you'll get this job," she reassured me, patting my shoulder. "I'll be here to help you too. Asher will walk again."

I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope ignite within me. "Asher will walk again," I affirmed.

"Before I forget," Rose reached into her pocket and pulled out an envelope. "This is two thousand dollars, so we now have a total of five thousand dollars," she calculated with a wide smile on her face. "We're getting closer, Sophie. Just go for the interview and do your best. I have a good feeling about this."

I stood there, staring at the envelope in my hand, tears welling up in my eyes. I didn't know how to express my gratitude to Rose for everything she had done for me since we first met five years ago.

Together, we had managed to raise five thousand dollars for Asher's treatment, and Rose contributed over four thousand dollars of it.

I looked up at her. "T-Thank you so much, Rose."

"I'm not in the mood for tears this morning, Sophie. You can't be late for the interview," she said, wiping away my tears. "You have to go now. I'll look after Asher and pick up Amara from school later."

"Thank you, Rose. I'll leave now," I said to her, bending beside Asher. "Be a good boy, okay? Don't give Auntie a hard time." I kissed his forehead and waved at him before stumbling back onto the street.

I flagged down a cab and told the driver my destination. As we drove along the city streets, I couldn't help but feel a sense of fear lingering in the air, like the calm before a storm. Over the past few years, I had been on numerous interviews, but none of them had gone well. There was always something that disqualified me in some way or another. Sometimes, I would arrive late at the company after preparing Amara for school and dropping off Asher with Rose.

Quietly, I murmured a prayer, hoping that this interview would be different, that it would go well. It was my only chance to secure the funds for Asher's surgery.

"We've arrived, madam," the driver informed me.

"Thank you!" I paid him and stepped out of the cab, facing the towering building of the company. Fear overwhelmed me once again.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself and steel my resolve. I had to be strong. I walked into the company and approached the reception desk, explaining my purpose. They directed me to the interview location.

I arrived just in time, and the interview began promptly. As I glanced around at the diverse faces and the confident expressions, a sense of fear gripped me. I wasn't sure if I would be able to measure up or secure the job. Nevertheless, I held on to the hope that everything would go well.

We started with the first stage of the interview, which involved a driving test since the position was for a personal secretary. We were given a picture illustration and asked questions based on it. I managed to pass the stage, and with each small victory, I gained more hope and a positive feeling that perhaps this time things would turn out in my favor.

"Now, on to the next stage," the interviewer announced. "As a personal secretary, you need to have a good eye for color combinations, as you'll be selecting suits for the CEO. In this stage, you will be tested on this skill and also on tying a tie."

His words took me back to years ago when I used to choose Maxon's suits and tie his ties for important meetings. He was always terrible at selecting colors and knotting his own ties. A soft smile crossed my face as those memories resurfaced. I didn't regret any of it. The only thing I regretted was trying to hold onto a place where I wasn't wanted. If I had left when he told me to, Asher wouldn't be in his current condition. I wouldn't have been pushed by Maxon or roughly handled by the guards.

"Let's begin."

We all got to work, focusing on the task at hand. By the end of the stage, only five of us remained out of the original twenty.

"Congratulations to all of you," the interviewer said, a smile lighting up his face. "You have made it to the third stage, which is perhaps the most challenging one."

My heart skipped a beat at his words, but I pushed aside any negative thoughts. "I can do this," I affirmed to myself, determined to give it my all.

"This stage involves an interview with the CEO himself, who happens to have impeccable taste," the interviewer explained. "I can already guess who he might choose, but let's leave that decision to him," he chuckled.

"I'm sure he'll pick me," one of the ladies confidently declared, adjusting her clothes and applying more lip gloss to her already heavily coated lips.

"You!" My heart skipped a beat when the interviewer pointed at me. "You'll be going in first," he added.

Initially, I froze in place, my entire body going numb and my limbs refusing to cooperate.

"Come with me," he said, and I willed my legs to move.

I trailed behind him, silently whispering prayers that I would be chosen by this mysterious man with impeccable taste. If I got the job, it would be the happiest day of my life. I desperately hoped nothing would stand in the way of my happiness.

We arrived at a door, and he gestured for me to wait. I nodded and watched as he entered the office. Standing by the door, I continued to silently pray for a favorable outcome, wishing and hoping that I would be selected.

Finally, the interviewer emerged from the office. "You can go in now. Although I don't think he'll pick you, I have a good feeling about you. Best of luck," he smiled and walked away.

I stood at the door for a few minutes, attempting to calm my rapidly beating heart. I had never been so scared in my life. Slowly, I pushed the door open. With my head lowered, I took a few hesitant steps forward before mustering the courage to raise my head.

And there he was—the man I had hoped never to see again. He was the source of painful memories, the man who had neglected and abandoned me when I needed him the most, the man responsible for my son's disability. He was the man I had vowed to keep away from my children. Standing before me, dressed in a sleek black suit, was Maxon Ironclaw.