CHAPTER 2

The heavy oak door creaked open as Fiona entered Darwin Solomon’s penthouse. The space was as cold and impersonal as its owner—minimalist decor, muted tones, and not a single item out of place.

Darwin rarely brought her here. Their meetings usually took place at the villa he had arranged for her or the secluded corners of the office lounge. This house, with its stark perfection, wasn’t meant for her.

She moved quietly through the rooms, her heels clicking softly against the marble floors. Her belongings were few, but she gathered them with deliberate care. Every drawer, every corner was checked to ensure she left no trace of herself behind. When the last item was tucked into her bag, she cast one final glance around the penthouse.

This chapter of her life was closing.

Back at her modest apartment, Fiona worked late into the night, her desk cluttered with documents. She sorted through notes, outlined pending tasks, and drafted her resignation letter.

But her mind wasn’t on the handover process or the large infrastructure project she had poured her heart into last year. The worry about leaving it incomplete loomed over her, but the reality of her pregnancy was heavier.

Last night’s nausea still lingered, a dull reminder of the life growing inside her. Her best friend, Thalassa Carey, had been relentless in urging her to see a doctor. Thalassa had returned from her studies abroad just weeks ago, and her sharp eye had immediately noticed Fiona’s pallor.

“You look like a ghost,” Thalassa had said, her tone half-joking but laced with concern. “Go to a doctor, Fi. And no arguments.”

Reluctantly, Fiona had taken the advice. It was supposed to be routine—a quick check-up to appease her friend. Instead, she had walked out of the hospital clutching test results that turned her world upside down.

The next morning, Fiona arrived at the Atlas Group with her resignation letter carefully folded in her bag. Her heart pounded as she made her way to the CEO’s office. She had rehearsed this moment all night, but when she reached the door, voices from within stopped her.

Darwin’s friend, Wyatt Durham, was laughing. His voice carried an edge of mischief that always grated on Fiona’s nerves.

“Darwin, you’re getting married. What are you going to do about Ms. Woods?”

Inside, there was a brief silence before Darwin’s cold voice cut through. “Nothing. Business as usual.”

Wyatt chuckled. “She’s willing to be your mistress?”

“If you pay enough, why wouldn’t she be?” Darwin’s tone was laced with mockery, as if the idea amused him.

Fiona’s stomach twisted. She gripped the resignation letter tighter, her nails digging into the paper.

Wyatt pressed on, his tone turning sly. “Really? So, if I offer a higher price than you, would she sell herself to me?”

Before Darwin could respond, a voice interrupted from down the hall. “Ms. Woods?”

Fiona turned sharply to see Henry Clark, Darwin’s assistant, standing a few steps away. His polite smile was a contrast to the storm brewing inside her.

Composing herself, Fiona nodded at Henry and knocked firmly on the office door. She didn’t wait for a response before stepping inside.

The conversation died the moment Fiona entered. Wyatt’s amused expression faltered as he registered her presence, but he quickly masked it with a charming smile.

“Hello, Ms. Woods,” he greeted warmly.

Fiona ignored him, her eyes fixed on Darwin. He was seated behind his desk, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. The air between them was thick with tension.

“Mr. Solomon,” Fiona began, her voice steady. She didn’t bow her head or soften her tone. Not this time.

She placed the resignation letter on his desk. “This is my resignation letter.”

Darwin’s brows furrowed. His cold gaze flickered to the letter, then back to her face. “What do you mean by this?”

Fiona straightened her shoulders, her resolve unshaken. “Five years ago, we had an agreement. I wouldn’t be a mistress. If you got married, I would leave.” She nodded toward the letter. “I’ll ensure a smooth handover of my projects. I won’t disturb you or Mr. Durham any further.”

With that, she turned to leave, her steps brisk and purposeful.

As she passed Wyatt, she paused. Her cold eyes locked onto his amused face.

“To answer your earlier question,” she said icily, “I won’t sell.”

By the time Wyatt processed her words, Fiona was gone.

Fiona returned to the secretary’s office, diving straight into the handover process. The sooner she tied up loose ends, the sooner she could leave. But her focus was shattered when she sensed a presence behind her.

Turning, she found Darwin standing in the doorway. His expression was stormy, his usual composure cracking.

“Mr. Solomon,” she said coolly, “is there something you need?”

Darwin stepped inside, his presence commanding and suffocating. “Fiona, haven’t I been good enough to you?” His voice was low, dangerous. “What are you making a fuss about?”

Fiona took a step back, instinctively trying to create distance. But Darwin closed the gap in an instant, his hand clamping around her wrist.

“I’m not making a fuss,” she said, her voice trembling but defiant. “I’m leaving, as we agreed.”

Darwin sneered. “So twenty million dollars and a villa aren’t enough for you?”

Fiona froze. The venom in his words was like a slap, but it was the familiar sting of humiliation that hurt the most. She yanked her wrist free, her voice rising.

“Darwin, let go of me!”

But he didn’t. His grip tightened, his cold eyes locking onto hers. “Stop playing hard to get, Fiona. Just name your price.”

The bitterness she had buried for five years spilled over. She laughed, the sound hollow and broken.

“You still don’t get it, do you?” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m done with this. Done with you.”

Darwin’s eyes narrowed, but Fiona pressed on, her anger rising. “My mother was driven to her death by a mistress. I swore I’d never become one, yet here I am.” She ripped her arm from his grasp and took a step back.

“But no more. I would rather die than continue this farce.”

Her words hung in the air, cutting through the silence like a blade. For the first time, Darwin seemed taken aback, his usual confidence faltering.

Fiona didn’t wait for his response. She turned on her heel and walked out, her head held high. This time, she wasn’t looking back.