Chapter 5

Leo's pov

I could hear the door slamming after her, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. I was unable to move, her words playing inside my head. Fifty-five percent?

The next voice I heard,made my skin crawl.

"Isn't this pathetic ?"

Miriam.

I could bet my last buck that she was standing arms folded, her face twisted in a cruel smirk and the chuckling accompanied by that annoying drawl of her voice said, "Leo Williams," dragging it out like it was some kind of hilarious joke. "The mighty CEO, crawling on the floor for his ex-wife's approval. Gosh! I wish I had a camera."

I forced myself to stand, brushing off my pants as I turned to face her. "Miriam, not now."

"Oh not now?" she said, her voice rising in mock disbelief. "Not now? Leo, do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? Crawling to her after everything we've done to build this company?"

"Everything we've done ?" I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "You mean everything you've done to destroy her? Don't act innocent here."

She smiled and shakes her head for a moment and focused on me almost immediately. "Oh, please. Don't act like you're some saint. Were you not the one that was desperately looking for proof of her cheating so that you can send her packing,just because you are having an affair with her step sister? That was all you, Leo. Don't pin this mess on me."

"Enough!" I snapped. My patience was thin. "You are more evil than I thought Miriam and I regret ever leaving Kiara for you. but you see, this isn't about the past anymore. This right now concerns the future of Williams & Co. And unless you have some genius plan to fix this, I suggest you step aside and let me handle it."

Her eyes narrowed. "Fix it? By begging her for help? She is not going to forgive you, Leo. She has move on with her life, so she ain't coming back to you. Even if you give her the control and shares of your company she asked for, do you think that will change her mind? You must be delusional."

I took a step closer towards her and said, "yes I know I want her forgiveness but the main thing at stake right now is saving my company and If you can't see that, you may be the one that is delusional."

She was about to talk back at me when the door to the conference room swung open.

it's Kiara.

She stood poised and composed, cutting through the tension with her gaze like a blade.

"Wow, What a touching scene."her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Should I come back later, or are you two done arguing?"

Miriam turned to her with a disgusted face and said, "Don't flatter yourself, Kiara. You're not as important as you think."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I am not? Then why is your loving husband Leo, on his knees, begging me to save his company? Face it, Miriam, You're irrelevant around here."

Miriam stepped forward, her face flushed red with rage. "You little..."

You guys should stop! I shouted, stepping between them. My voice echoed through the room, sharp and commanding. I turned to Miriam, pointing toward the door. "Get out. Now."

"What?" she gasped, her voice trembling with anger. "You're sending me out? because of this bitch?"

"I said you should leave," I growled, my tone leaving no room for argument, "this isn't about you, Miriam; it's about the company.Try to handle your emotions but if you can't then there's the door." I said pointing in the door direction.

She stood for a moment, looking at me with a stunned betrayal. Then with a sharp huff, she stomped out, slamming the door behind her.

After she left, the silence was utterly deafening.

kiara leaned casually against the door frame, arms crossed as she studied me with an amused expression. "Well, that was dramatic."

I ran a hand through my hair, heavy with a sigh. "Kiara, I-"

"Save it," she interrupted in a clipped tone. "If you're about to plead again, save your breath. My offer still stands. "

"Fifty-five percent?" I asked, disbelief flooding my voice. "Do you even know what you're asking for?"

Without breaking eye contact, she shrugged. "I know what I'm asking, and if it is too much of a burden for you, please leave."

"You're asking me to give up control and shares of my company," I said, stepping closer. "That's not leverage, Kiara. That's extortion."

She smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Call it whatever you want, Leo. The fact is, you need me more than I need you. So, are you in or out?"

Her words was like a slap to the face, but I wasn't able to back down also. Not when everything was on the line.

"You're doing this just to punish me," I said, my voice low, "Admit it."

"Punish you?" she repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her mouth. "You think it is about a bloody revenge? Don't flatter yourself, Leo. You don't worth the stress."

"Then Why?" I asked. "Why are you making everything so damn difficult?"

"Because I can," she said it so simple, her expression cold. "Because for once, I'm the one in control. And you? You just have to deal with that."

I stared deeply at her, searching for the woman that once worshipped the foot I match on the floor.. the woman I shared memories with but all I saw was steel.

"What do you want from me, Kiara?" I asked finally, my voice breaking.

for a moment I thought I saw something in her eyes. I must be hallucinating.

"I want what's mine," she finally said, firmly. "I want control. I want respect. And I want you to know that I don't need you. Not now, not ever."

I must admit, her words hit harder than it should, but I wasn't going to back down.

"Fine," I said, letting a deep breath out. "You win. Fifty-five percent is yours."

She blinked, clearly surprised by my sudden surrender.

She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

“Smart choice,” she said, turning toward the door.

"And oh, before I forget, I still need one more thing." she said staring at me to see my reaction.

"What could that be again Kiara?"