CHAPTER 5

Five Years Later

Alex POV

"And with these projections, we estimate a 35% increase in revenue by the fourth quarter," I concluded, clicking to the final slide of my presentation.

There was silence in the boardroom of Lane International's New York headquarters. Twenty pairs of eyes looked at the data on the screen, some narrowing in calculation, others expanding in amazement.

"These numbers from Hong Kong," Thomas Bennett, one of the senior board members, leaned forward. "They're impressive, Ms. Lane. Your branch has outperformed every projection we had."

I allowed myself a small smile. I'd dropped the Coleman name the day I left for Hong Kong, reclaiming my maiden name along with my identity. "Thank you, Mr. Bennett. My team deserves most of the credit."

"Don't be modest," Alyssa Li, our CFO, interjected. "The Hong Kong transformation has your fingerprints all over it. Which is why we're all eager to hear your proposal for the US expansion."

"Before we move to that," Richard Maxwell, another board member, interrupted. "There's the matter of... well, the Coleman merger proposal."

My heart skipped a beat, but my face remained impassive. Of course they'd bring this up.

"The Coleman Corporation has been quite persistent," he continued, sliding a folder across the table. "Michael Coleman himself has requested a meeting."

Five years ago, that name would have shattered me. Now, it was just another business transaction.

"Their company is struggling," I stated flatly, not bothering to open the folder. "Their Asian market share has dropped 60% since we established ourselves in Hong Kong. They're not looking for a merger, they're looking for a bailout."

"But considering your history with Mr. Colema-" Richard began.

"My history," I cut him off smoothly, "is precisely why I built this company from the ground up, separate from the Coleman name. We're not in the business of saving failing companies, Mr. Maxwell. We're in the business of growth."

Alyssa's lips curled into an approving smile. She'd been one of my strongest supporters when I'd first arrived in Hong Kong, lost and broken however determined.

"Now," I stood, commanding the room once again. "Shall we discuss how we're going to revolutionize the US market?"

As I launched into my next presentation, I caught my reflection in the glass walls - tailored black suit, hair swept back in a sleek bun, posture radiating confidence. The scared, naive girl who'd fled to Hong Kong was gone.

In her place stood Alexandra Lane, CEO of Lane International, the woman who'd turned a single branch into a global empire.

The irony wasn't lost on me, I'd finally become the powerful CEO's wife Michael had wanted. Except now, I was the CEO.

And I wasn't anyone's wife.

I concluded the meeting, packed my things and left before anyone could get up or ask me anything. 

Damn it, I'm late. I thought as I got in the car and instructed my chauffeur to drive fast. Fast enough to miss the driver's speed limit. 

"Alexandra Lane speaking," I answered my phone without checking the ID, still scanning through the merger documents.

"You're late!" Sally, my best friend, shrill voice made me wince.

"I'm on my way-"

"ON YOUR WAY?" She practically screeched. "The show starts in twenty minutes!"

I cursed under my breath as I glanced at my watch. "Can you stall?"

"Stall? It's a talent show, Alex! What am I supposed to do? Make the kids juggle longer?"

"Sally-"

"He's been asking for you every five minutes. You know how he gets when you're not here."

My heart clenched. "I know, I know. Just... give me fifteen minutes."

"Ten. That's all I can manage."

"Done." I ended the call, then leaned forward in my seat. "Mr. West?"

My chauffeur's eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. "Yes, ma'am?"

"We need the shortcut."

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Seatbelt, ma'am. This might get interesting."

I barely had time to click my belt before he swerved into a side street, the sleek black car weaving through traffic like we were in an action movie. The merger papers scattered across my lap, but I couldn't care less.

Some meetings could be rescheduled. Some things could wait.

But if I miss another one of Griffin's performances, he'll never let me hear it. 

We got to the West Borough Elementary school in a jiffy thanks to Mr. West's impeccable driving skills, even if my organs were rearranged from all the turns but it was worth it.

I was 20 minutes late, running as I kept my fingers crossed not to have missed his part. 

I followed the direction that says ‘Talent Show Here’ and got into a dark hall full of parents and guidance. 

I stood as I followed my eyes to a little boy in a bear costume saying a poem at the front of the hall. All eyes on him. In front of the crowd. 

We had practiced day and night for this part. 

I watched my son on stage, my heart swelling with pride. Those early years in Hong Kong had been the hardest, throwing myself into work, rebuilding Elliott's struggling branch while trying to rebuild myself.

Then came the news broadcasts. Michael and Maria's lavish wedding. Their first child. Their second. Each announcement felt like a fresh wound, reminding me of everything I'd lost. The pictures of them, looking perfect and happy, haunted my lonely nights in my empty apartment.

But I worked harder. Proved myself. After three years, Elliott made me CEO, handing over the entire company and I came back to the United States. I thought it would fill the void, but something was still missing.

Then came the truth that changed everything.

"There were twins," Elliott had finally told me one night. "You didn't lose just one baby that day, Alex. You were carrying two. One survived, it's called vanishing twin syndrome. I am sorry for keeping him from you, but I needed to make sure you were prepared.”

The crowd erupted in cheers as Griffin concluded his poem with a flourish. He raced toward me in his bear costume as soon as he saw me, his little face beaming.

"Mommy! You made it!" He crashed into my legs. "Did you hear me? I didn't forget anything!"

I knelt down, straightening his crooked bear ears. "You were perfect, baby."

He beamed at me with those familiar blue eyes, his father's eyes, but on Griffin's face, they held nothing but joy and innocence.

"Ice cream?" he asked hopefully, already trying to wriggle out of his costume.

"Definitely ice cream," I laughed, helping him with the zipper.

As we walked to the car, his tiny hand in mine, I thought about how far we'd both come. My miracle baby. The son I thought I'd lost. The second chance I never knew I had.

The baby Michael would never, ever know about.