Getting into the company, Mallory hurried pass her colleagues' place because she wasn't in the mood to fake laughter and smiles. She knew they'd definitely question her about it, and perhaps, she'd be ready for that time.She reached her desk and glanced at Wilder's office to know if he was there yet. Able to spot him from the large, glass-made transparent door, she confirmed he was in.She exhaled deeply, preparing herself to go meet him.She'd be lying if she said it wasn't difficult, addressing her ex-husband like her boss. A man she had been waiting on her whole life.She went for the door, knocked and walked in when he answered.He was there on his seat, an aura of authority surrounding him. His suit jacket was casually draped over the arm of his chair, leaving him in his crisp white shirt, elegantly tucked into his sleek black trousers.It was undeniable that he exuded an undeniable handsomeness. Good lord! Mallory was almost tempted to run into his arms. She wanted to lay on hi
The realization struck hard at Mallory. What the hell?! What did she do?Clam chowder was indeed, his favourite. What she didn't realize was that getting it for him would raise suspicions. She was used to getting him what she knew he liked. It happened effortlessly.But... How did he remember Clam chowder was his favorite? If he'd forgotten her, wasn't he supposed to forget that as well?"Miss Harrington?" Wilder called when she kept mute.She dropped her gaze to the floor immediately, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.God! She wanted to say it to him. She wanted to tell him she was aware it was his favorite because she had learnt how to make it just for him. She wanted to tell him it was a meal they'd walk for hours just to get at Curry-N-Spritz. And oh! Those evenings they'd sit under the moonlight and have naughty discussions while scooping some of it. She'd give anythi
The question struck Safiya so hard, her lips parted open. Shame clutched at her chest. She was so scared of that side of her mother in-law.With a feigned smile, she responded: "I'm trying, mum. I'm sure in no time, I'll...""For seven years, you begged to be with Wilder," the woman cut her off, her tone icy. "For seven years, you threw yourself at him. You're engaged to Wilder today because of me, Safiya. And so you know, I didn't make it happen just so you could live lazily and spend lavishly. You know who Wilder is; you know his position. I get the fact that he's reluctant about getting married to you. But having a kid for him would hasten things up. I need grandkids - a grandson first. Make it happen, else, I might get someone else to do it."Safiya looked up at her in shock. Did she just say that? And did she mean it?Her throat tightened as a mix of fear and disappointment rushed down her spine. Averting her gaze, she muttered: "I'll give you your first grandson, mother. You don
It took Mallory a lot not to shed a tear as she returned to her seat. Seeing her Wilder being kissed by another woman broke her so bad, she didn't know how on earth she hadn't passed out from such pain.A while later, her colleagues came up and called her over for lunch. Feebly, she went with them.They sat in the canteen, and while her colleagues chatted and laughed blissfully, Mallory only focused on her meal - which she was hardly eating."Tell us, Mallory; What is it like, working with the new CEO?" Chloe asked excitedly.Mallory itched her neck, finding the question uncomfortable."He's... he's cool. It's awesome," she shrugged.It was so difficult speaking about Wilder like a random guy. What would be their reaction when they get to know she's his ex-wife? An ex-wife he couldn't even remember."Right?!" Kaida clapped her hands. "I'm sure if he wasn't engaged, you'd have been crushing hard on him!"Mallory felt another thump in her chest. Engaged? He was engaged to that lady?"He
The chipped steps creaked a familiar protest as twenty-six years old Mallory hurried down them, hearing the giggles of her kids from the living room. She was fully ready for work - robed in a blue crisp blouse with collars that framed her perfect face. Her blouse was tucked into a curve-gripping black skirt, making her look like the P.A that she was. Her eyes and fingers were on her phone, typing vigorously."Mum!""Mummy!" The kids chorused as she stepped into the living room. She had been so engrossed in her phone, she didn't even notice she was there yet. Quickly, she put out her phone as she smiled at the six year olds."How're my little monsters doing?" she tousled their hair, beaming a charming smile at them."I'm great. Although, I can't say the same for Cassius," Lyra shrugged."Silly you. Of course, I'm fine," Cassius nudged her.Mallory chuckled as she watched them tease each other. Having both of them - male and female - had been her biggest blessing.She glanced at the s
Mallory dropped the kids off at school before proceeding to her place of work. The whole time she spent in the local cab, she couldn't stop herself from reminiscing over her grandmother's hurtful words. She felt humiliated, insulted.'You showed up with those fatherless babies.''Where's their father, then?'The old woman's words haunted her. That wasn't the first time she was saying such words in front of Mallory, and each time she did, it reopened her scars.Mallory forced herself not to wet her cheeks as her mind drifted to the painful memories - to the father of her kids.Seven years ago, she had been so happy, married to her bestfriend and heartbeat. At that time, she was still living in Duskwood. Although, they married at a very tender age - she was eighteen, while he was nineteen - they were still happy and lived in the best way they could.His name was Wilder - Wilder Pemberton - and back then, his family was one of the richest in the country. His parents hated the fact that t
Mallory's knees buckled, threatening to dump her into her seat. Anxiety clawed at her throat as she stared, wide-eyed, at the man across the room.That was her Wilder - the only man she's ever loved. The father of her kids.Her heart continued to race heavily as she wondered if she was dreaming. But, she wasn't. Everything was real; Wilder being in front of her was real!But how was it possible? How was he suddenly in front of her when he's been missing for years? Was his family the owners of the company? How come she had no idea the whole time? She was losing her mind.The new CEO - Wilder Pemberton - walked into the shared workspace and stood before the eleven staff. "Good morning, sir.""We're thrilled to have you here!""Welcome, sir."They all chorused anxiously. Wilder didn't bother to look at their faces, his glacial blue eyes fixed on the two men hovering behind him."Are these all of them?" He asked, his voice glacial, yet tuneful."Yes. They're the one's in charge of this
The rest of the time in the office, Mallory tried her best to remain calm and avoid getting on Wilder's nerves again. Despite how much it hurt her, she forced herself not to look at him and ignore the fact that he couldn't recognize her.Arlo and the other manager filled him in on some urgent issues. Then, they talked about his meeting with the board members happening in an hour. "Has everyone been duly informed and prepared for the meeting?" Wilder asked. "Yes, sir. I made sure to send a reminder email to every one of them yesterday." Mallory replied as quickly as she could, avoiding eye contact with him. She gulped tersely after that. "Get everything set, then."They spent quite sometime in the cozy office, until finally, Wilder dismissed them.The moment Mallory got to her desk, she hastened to the restroom. She wasn't pressed or anything but simply needed an isolated place to cry.Approaching the restroom, her steps became increasingly unsteady. She got into one of the room an
It took Mallory a lot not to shed a tear as she returned to her seat. Seeing her Wilder being kissed by another woman broke her so bad, she didn't know how on earth she hadn't passed out from such pain.A while later, her colleagues came up and called her over for lunch. Feebly, she went with them.They sat in the canteen, and while her colleagues chatted and laughed blissfully, Mallory only focused on her meal - which she was hardly eating."Tell us, Mallory; What is it like, working with the new CEO?" Chloe asked excitedly.Mallory itched her neck, finding the question uncomfortable."He's... he's cool. It's awesome," she shrugged.It was so difficult speaking about Wilder like a random guy. What would be their reaction when they get to know she's his ex-wife? An ex-wife he couldn't even remember."Right?!" Kaida clapped her hands. "I'm sure if he wasn't engaged, you'd have been crushing hard on him!"Mallory felt another thump in her chest. Engaged? He was engaged to that lady?"He
The question struck Safiya so hard, her lips parted open. Shame clutched at her chest. She was so scared of that side of her mother in-law.With a feigned smile, she responded: "I'm trying, mum. I'm sure in no time, I'll...""For seven years, you begged to be with Wilder," the woman cut her off, her tone icy. "For seven years, you threw yourself at him. You're engaged to Wilder today because of me, Safiya. And so you know, I didn't make it happen just so you could live lazily and spend lavishly. You know who Wilder is; you know his position. I get the fact that he's reluctant about getting married to you. But having a kid for him would hasten things up. I need grandkids - a grandson first. Make it happen, else, I might get someone else to do it."Safiya looked up at her in shock. Did she just say that? And did she mean it?Her throat tightened as a mix of fear and disappointment rushed down her spine. Averting her gaze, she muttered: "I'll give you your first grandson, mother. You don
The realization struck hard at Mallory. What the hell?! What did she do?Clam chowder was indeed, his favourite. What she didn't realize was that getting it for him would raise suspicions. She was used to getting him what she knew he liked. It happened effortlessly.But... How did he remember Clam chowder was his favorite? If he'd forgotten her, wasn't he supposed to forget that as well?"Miss Harrington?" Wilder called when she kept mute.She dropped her gaze to the floor immediately, her heart pounding heavily in her chest.God! She wanted to say it to him. She wanted to tell him she was aware it was his favorite because she had learnt how to make it just for him. She wanted to tell him it was a meal they'd walk for hours just to get at Curry-N-Spritz. And oh! Those evenings they'd sit under the moonlight and have naughty discussions while scooping some of it. She'd give anythi
Getting into the company, Mallory hurried pass her colleagues' place because she wasn't in the mood to fake laughter and smiles. She knew they'd definitely question her about it, and perhaps, she'd be ready for that time.She reached her desk and glanced at Wilder's office to know if he was there yet. Able to spot him from the large, glass-made transparent door, she confirmed he was in.She exhaled deeply, preparing herself to go meet him.She'd be lying if she said it wasn't difficult, addressing her ex-husband like her boss. A man she had been waiting on her whole life.She went for the door, knocked and walked in when he answered.He was there on his seat, an aura of authority surrounding him. His suit jacket was casually draped over the arm of his chair, leaving him in his crisp white shirt, elegantly tucked into his sleek black trousers.It was undeniable that he exuded an undeniable handsomeness. Good lord! Mallory was almost tempted to run into his arms. She wanted to lay on hi
Mallory, fully ready for work and her kids for school, emerged from the house with them to find Ronan out there, standing beside his car. "Good morning, uncle Ronan," Cassius and Lyra chorused happily."Hey... look at these cute pumpkins," Ronan leaned over, enough to tousle their hairs with his fingers.They giggled."Hi." Mallory tucked some strands of hair behind her ear. "Seems you're getting fond of coming over without informing me lately," she added a subtle chuckle.Ronan smiled. "Let's just say I wanted to surprise you. And I'm glad it worked."Straightening up, he reached for the children's backpacks."Come on. I'm here to give y'all a ride." He winked at the kids, smiled at Mallory before turning towards the car.Happily, the kids ran after him.***Ronan dropped Cassius and Lyra off at school before heading to Mallory's workplace.The drive was boring at first as Ronan had been too busy, making and receiving calls. At some point, Mallory was scared he might get them into a
Krester aggressively uncorked the wine bottle, swiftly filling a glass with it's crimson contents. He grabbed the glass and almost emptied it into his mouth. "Careful, Krester. Don't forget we still have to go to work tomorrow." Kreeya reminded, resting her head on the bar counter which was just beside the living room. "Oh, fuck it. Fuck work. Fuck the company." He emptied the last content in his glass and reached for more. "Frankly speaking, I hate that I'm a part of this family.""Watch your tongue, Krester. The Pembertons are the most powerful family at the moment. Do you have any idea the thousands praying to be in your position?" Their mother scolded him, showing up in the living room and walking towards them. Krester rolled his eyes halfway and swigged from his glass. In no time, Valerie was with them, but didn't sit. "I understand things aren't going your way right now. But that's the point. Nothing good comes easy." She added. "Well, having a sane grandmother would ha
Rebecca Pemberton was seventy-five years of age. She and her late husband had been the founders of the Pemberton Synergy, and till date, she was one of the most respected women in the country. She was always looking fit and didn't look like she'd be kicking the bucket soonest. She was graced with four children and six grandchildren. Rebecca was a very hard woman to please. Her own children rarely found favour in her sight. And despite the efforts her grandchildren put in, they could never seem to please her. Wilder had been the only lucky one. At his tender age, she had a good experience with the boy that had made her fallen in love with him. He'd come into her life around the time she'd lost her husband and miraculously filled the vacuum in her heart. Of course, her other grandkids had tried to be there for her. But she could see their pretense. Wilder had been the only one that was genuinely there for her. She had fallen in love with him instantly and even had to force him to liv
Ronan had his hand wrapped around Mallory's wrist as he walked her out of the house and stopped in front of his car. He let go of her wrist, inserted his both hands into his side pockets and darted his eyes around, taking a deep breath.Mallory felt a quickening in her chest. That gesture of his. He was definitely angry.She stayed quiet and just watched him for a long minute until he was finally able to pull himself together."Sorry about all of this." He said, his eyes on the ground. "I should've... I should've done this in private, maybe. You wouldn't be exchanging words with your grandma right now.""Stop blaming yourself, okay? My grandma has always been like that, not just because it's you. And I'm sorry I turned down your proposal. I'm just not ready right now...""Hey, it's fine." He reached for her hand. "You don't need to explain anything. I should've waited, and I'm ready to keep waiting."Mallory had a heart-thumping moment right there. Was he supposed to keep waiting? But
Ronan had a bright smile on his face as he stared at the love of his life. He was the very picture of understated elegance.He had rich sleek hair that fell in thick waves, and his face was perfectly sculpted to charm it's way into the heart of anyone.Man was facially and financially handsome.Mallory's heart flipped in her chest as he advanced towards her. Her hands turned damp from sweat.Everyone was present - her grandma, her kids, Isla, and two of Ronan's friends. Although, Isla had a glum on her face. Her grandmother looked the happiest.Her breath caught up in her throat when Ronan got close enough and went down on one knee. God, no! Not now.His eyes, a deep and soulful shade of brown, held hers in a charming lock. She could see anxiety in them, as well as hope.Why would Ronan do this? She had no idea he'd ever want to propose this way."Hey, Mal." He gave a tight-lipped smile. "I know this might be coming as a shock to you. But yeah, I couldn't hold it in anymore. The thoug