Chapter 3

Ryan's POV

THREE YEARS LATER

“Sir.”

I flickered my gaze to my assistant, Anna. She had her hands folded behind her while she stared at me.

“I’m almost done.”

I instructed, not missing the smile that appeared on her face. Keeping her past her usual hours was a common occurrence lately, and I totally understood she was tired.

The past few weeks have been super hectic for me and, even more so, for the company. The huge deal I’ve been chasing for months finally fell through, and today, I’d be meeting the anonymous CEO of Westbrook Limited.

Westbrook Limited has been a perfect collaborator and partner for GrayCorp, the company I was currently heading.

My father finally gave up his position for me and stepped down so I could take control. I thought I was going to get my life together then, but it’s never been more miserable. Probably because I still spend time wondering about those two brown eyes filled with regret and disappointment that left my life three years back without any traces—or my marriage with Vivian.

The company suffered a huge setback lately—one was losing a significant deal, and the other was one of the employees extorting deeply from the company. It happened while I took over, and I had to fix it. More reason I was glad the deal with Westbrook fell through.

I drew in a deep breath as I glanced at my wristwatch. It’s just 1 pm; the meeting was set for 2 pm.

“Just in time,” I muttered.

The door to my office creaked open, and I glanced at the door, taking in the sight of Vivian.

My jaw clenched as she barged in. I already had a stressful day, and I’ve got a meeting to attend. I really don’t want one of her episodes.

“Leave. I need to talk to my husband,” she commanded, glaring widely at Anna, who scurried out.

“Why are you here?” I asked curtly, keeping my gaze focused on my laptop screen.

“What do you mean? Can’t I visit my husband in our company?” she replied, emphasizing the last word while I ignored it.

She settled into a chair opposite my desk.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the deal with Westbrook? I have every right to know whatever is going on in this company as well. You didn’t make me the managing director just to be sidelined.”

I paused, taking a moment to gather my thoughts before responding. “Vivian, this isn’t the time. I have a meeting coming up, and I need to prepare.”

I stood up in an attempt to leave, but she blocked my path.

“The meeting…” she said, her voice firm. “We’re going together. I have every right as you to meet up with whoever the CEO is.”

She dropped the bombshell, and I rubbed my temple—a gentle attempt to calm the anger boiling in me.

“Okay,” I simply muttered, and she nodded.

“Let’s go then.”

We left the office and walked down the corridor. Vivian kept her pace beside me, her eyes fixed on her phone, and I was secretly relieved she wasn’t in the mood for conversation.

Our three years of marriage. Three years of unnecessary arguments and jabs. Three years of building a perfect facade of being a good husband.

I had never thought we’d last this long. My initial plan was to destroy the video—the one that got me into this loveless marriage.

Robert—Vivian’s father—had a video of the company’s dark past, a video that could bring my entire empire crashing down, and he was using it as leverage against me.

His condition was clear—get close to Vivian, marry her, and make her my managing director. Otherwise, he would release the video, tarnishing my father’s legacy and destroying everything he had worked for. I had no choice but to comply, even if it meant sacrificing my own happiness, if it meant letting her go.

Robert is a cunning bastard; he has multiple copies of the video. I had to play along, continue the charade until I destroyed every copy.

What I didn’t understand was his personal vendetta against his own daughter—Ophelia.

“You’re here, sir.”

Anna’s voice broke me out of my trance as we approached the door. I gestured for Vivian to enter, after which I followed suit.

I glanced at my wristwatch—1:58 pm. The CEO was due to arrive any moment.

Just then, the door creaked open. A head of curly black hair caught my attention, and a frown crept onto my face. I was actually expecting a male CEO.

I stared at the lady in a stunning blue dress and glass stilettos.

She slowly took off the shades she had on, revealing her piercing brown eyes, and my heart stopped. Vivian’s expression mirrored mine as her eyes bulged out in shock. She gasped audibly beside me.

“Ms. Ophelia… THE CEO of Westbrook Limited.”

Her assistant ushered behind her. My jaw dropped involuntarily. Standing before me, looking more elegant and poised than I ever imagined, was my ex-wife—Ophelia.