CHAPTER 20

Beatrice’s POV 

The moment I stepped into the house, I felt so tired, from my temple to my whole legs. This Xander of a man is committed to making my day at the office miserable Every Time. I felt like that was his main purpose on this earth.

Every single time, he keeps overloading me with work. The fact that he pays a high salary doesn't cover the fact that he acts rudely toward me. I'm so darn tired of him and the office as a whole.

The only thing keeping me upright was the thought of my babies—the only light in my dark, chaotic world.

I tiptoed inside, careful not to wake them. The streetlights dimly lighted the living room. Outside, because the triplets must have slept, it cast soft shadows across the furniture. The triplets lay curled up in their beds, their small chests rising and falling rhythmically. A soft smile tugged at my lips despite my fatigue.

They looked so peaceful, so untouched by the cruelty of the world. I can't imagine the day Xander will find out about them because I know he will surely find out one day, but I won't let him know soon so as to avert danger.

I wanted to reach out, stroke their hair, and reassure them that I would always be there for them no matter how hard life got. But I couldn’t risk disturbing their rest. Instead, I sighed, tired and sank onto the worn-out couch, my body instantly melting into its cushions.

"Just for a few minutes," I told myself as my eyes fluttered shut.

But no sooner had I drifted into much-needed sleep than a small, gentle hand shook my shoulder.

"Mommy… wake up."

I forced my heavy eyelids open and was met with my daughter Charlotte’s wide, concerned eyes. Behind her, Caleb and Cooper stood, rubbing their tired faces.

"Mommy, you're home late again," Caleb murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

“This is exactly 5:30 am on the dot.” They all chorused.

Guilt twisted my stomach. I had promised them that I'd never come home late again, but I failed them. I don't even think I know how to be a mother; these kids are too good to be real. I had to make up an apology real quick because their faces looked hurt. 

"I know, baby. I’m so sorry," I whispered, pulling them into a tight embrace. "Mommy had to work late again." 

“ I will deal with the person who makes Mom work like this,” Cooper said.

I laughed and said to myself, only if they knew it was their father.

After that, they didn’t say anything; they just clung to me, their warmth making my heart ache even more. I wished things were different. I wished I didn’t have to push myself to the brink to survive. I wished Xander wasn’t determined to make my life a living hell. I wish....“ Whoops.” I exclaimed.

I pushed those thoughts aside and mustered up a smile. "Come on, let’s get you ready for school."

They looked at themselves in confusion. Before they could even talk, I told them I would be going to the office early, so I'd drop them off first.

Even though exhaustion clung to me like a second skin, I bathed them, dressed them in their uniforms, and prepared a quick breakfast. They chattered about their upcoming school projects and new friends, their innocent voices a welcome distraction from the turmoil inside me.

When I dropped them off at school, I returned home and noticed I was already running late.

I changed into my green fully fitted gown, accentuating my curves and bringing out my sculpted rear; I used some jewellery and was set to go to the company. 

A Ticking Clock, I sped faster in my car, trying to get to the office.

As soon as I stepped into the office, Pearl—my colleague and closest ally—rushed to my side, expressing concern and urgency. Well, I had expected her to come to give me a gist, but this time around, her face was more serious. More like she was already sent to look for me before.

"Beatrice, why are you late?" she whispered, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

I let out a heavy sigh. "Late night at work. I barely slept; I just hurriedly dressed up this morning."

Pearl pursed her lips. "Xander already asked for you. He didn’t look way too happy."

Of course, he didn’t. That man was never happy unless he made my life miserable; I guess that is only what he enjoys.

I inhaled deeply, forcing air into my lungs even though every breath felt like swallowing glass. My fingers curled into my palms, nails biting, but I barely noticed the sting. I couldn’t afford to. Not when I was about to step into the lion’s den again.

Straightening my spine, I walked down the hallway, each step echoing in the eerie silence of the office. The air here was always cold, not from the temperature but from something far worse—his presence. It tainted everything, making it harder to breathe and harder to think.

I reached his office door and knocked once. Then, before I could even register a response, I pushed it open.

Xander sat behind his massive mahogany desk, the picture of effortless dominance. His sharp blue eyes lifted the second I entered, locking onto mine like a wolf catching sight of prey. His jaw was tight, his expression unreadable, but the weight of his gaze sent a chill through me.

And then, without a word, he grabbed the stack of papers from his desk and sent them flying. I was still wondering what those papers were about until I noticed they looked like the proposal I worked on yesterday.

The crisp white pages scattered through the air, fluttering like dying birds before they hit the ground around me.

I froze, my pulse roaring in my ears.

"Redo it," he said, his tone cold, detached, as if what he had just done wasn’t meant to humiliate me.

My lips parted, my breath coming out uneven. I knew those papers. They weren’t just documents—the business proposals I had spent the entire night perfecting. The ones I had agonised over, checking and rechecking for mistakes. The same ones he had signed off on before I left yesterday.

For a long moment, I just stared at him. Disbelief warred with fury, twisting inside me like a blade.

"But I already—"

Did this man know how many hours I used on this 

Did he?

I don't think he did. Did he know his kids were worried about me when I was working late yesterday? Did he know I had to rush to the office? 

Oh, my goodness.

"Do I look like I care?" His voice sliced through my protest, sharp as a knife. His gaze was like ice, merciless and unyielding. "You’ll do it again. And this time, do it properly."

I swallowed hard; I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces, feeling the burn in my throat.

This wasn’t about the work—it never was. He's just showing cruelty and power.

It was about power, control, and reminding me that no matter how hard I worked or how much I tried, I would never win with him.

I should have expected this or something worse than this! 

Of course, he wouldn’t let me get through a single day without making me suffer.

My hands curled into fists at my sides, but I forced myself to unclench them. Forced myself to stand still when every muscle in my body screamed at me to react.

But I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Biting the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood, I turned on my heel and walked out, my movements stiff and controlled. The moment I stepped outside his office, the mask I had been holding together cracked.

The emotions I had been shoving down all day crashed over me like a tidal wave.

Anger burned hot in my veins, making my hands tremble. Frustration coiled tight in my chest, suffocating me. But beneath it all, buried deep in a place I hated acknowledging, was something far worse.

Heartbreak.

Because no matter how much I tried to pretend otherwise, a part of me still longed for the Xander I once had sex with.

The man I had given myself to.

The man who had whispered lots in the dark, tracing his fingers down my spine as if I were something precious.

The man who had shattered me without a second thought.

And the worst part?

Even now, after everything, he still had a hold on me. And I hated myself for it. He could control me, but guess what?