Genevieve's POV
Six Weeks Later:
I rested my hand on my stomach, staring at the test strip again. Positive. My heart raced as I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. A shy smile crept onto my face, but it wasn’t just joy, it was nerves too. I was pregnant. Today was supposed to be special. I couldn’t wait to share this news with Alex, the man I loved. I imagined how tightly he would hold me when I told him. This would be the day he would finally announce our engagement to everyone, ending the secrecy of our office romance. I was tired of hiding. As I left the bathroom, I glanced down at my engagement ring. For the first time, I felt brave enough to wear it outside my home. Alex Woods was more than my boss; he was the heir to Woods Corporation, a massive empire known for tech, luxury hotels, and real estate.
I arrived at the office and greeted Laura, the receptionist, with a smile before heading to my desk. But my excitement was short-lived. I decided to grab tea from the kitchen, but the moment I walked in, my colleagues' chatter pulled me in.
“Did you hear the news?” Evelyn asked with a grin.
“What news?” I asked, confused.
“Alex Woods is off the market!” Evelyn exclaimed. My heart stopped. “What? What do you mean?”
“Oh, come on, Genevieve. Everyone knows! Alex is getting married!” Sonia chimed in, smirking.
“What? That’s not possible,” I said, forcing a laugh, my stomach tightening.
“You really don’t know? His sister confirmed it on TV this morning,” Evelyn added, looking at me as if I’d been living under a rock. His sister? I felt my chest tighten. Alex hadn’t said anything to me about this.
Sonia nudged Evelyn with a laugh. “It’s probably some rich guy’s daughter. You know how it goes. The rich marry the rich.”
I felt sick. The tea I had planned to make was long forgotten. I rushed back to my office, my thoughts went out of control. Was this some kind of mistake? Alex wouldn’t keep something like this from me… would he? I grabbed my phone from my bag, hoping for a text, a call or anything from Alex. But there was nothing. Desperate for answers, I opened my laptop and searched the news. The headlines stared back at me: “Alex Woods to Marry: Mystery Bride Revealed Soon!”
I scrolled frantically. No name, no details, just speculation. My fingers hovered over my phone. Should I call him? No, I couldn’t. This wasn’t something I wanted to discuss over the phone. I tried to focus on work, but my mind was elsewhere. About twenty minutes later, I decided to deliver some documents to my colleague, Hannah. But when I reached her office, it was empty.
“Laura, where’s Hannah?” I asked the receptionist.
“She’s in the meeting,” Laura replied casually.
“What meeting?” I frowned.
“The product launch meeting. It started at 10:30.”
“What?” My voice rose. “It was scheduled for 3 pm!”
Laura hesitated. “I think the time has changed. A circular was sent out.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t get anything.”
Something wasn’t right. This project was my idea, my vision. I had poured everything into it. How could I be left out? Furious for so many reasons, I stormed to HR to get answers. I pushed open Felix’s office door without knocking. He looked up, amused. “Genevieve, what a surprise. To what do I owe this honor?”
“Why wasn’t I informed about the meeting?” I demanded and I couldn't contain my anger. Felix smirked, leaning back in his chair.
“Take a seat,” he pointed.
“I’m not here to sit. Answer me!”
He chuckled. “Still feisty. I like that about you. If you’d accepted my offer, none of this would’ve happened, I would have found a way to stand for you.”
His words only add to my pain. Felix had been pestering me for months, making inappropriate comments and advances.
“Stop wasting my time,” I snapped.
Felix sighed dramatically and reached for an envelope on his desk. “If you’re going to be stubborn, here.”
“What is this?” I asked, grabbing it.
“Open it,” he said, smirking.
I tore it open and pulled out the letter. My eyes scanned the words, and my heart dropped.
“Termination?” I whispered.
The envelope slipped from my hands as I stared at Felix in disbelief.
“Your services are no longer required,” he said, his tone smug.
Tears pricked my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. Not here. Not in front of him. This couldn’t be happening. Not today. Not when I had so much to tell Alex.
Clutching the termination letter in my trembling hands, I stumbled out of Felix’s office. My vision blurred with tears, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. My heels clicked furiously against the polished floor as I stormed toward Alex’s office, my heart racing in disbelief. This had to be a mistake.
“Is Mr. Woods in?” I asked his secretary, my voice shaking with desperation.
She barely looked up from her computer. “No, ma’am. He hasn’t been in all morning.” "She had never spoken to me like that before. She used to drop everything to attend to me, but now, she answered me as though I were just another applicant.
“What about his assistants?” I pressed, willing her to give me something—anything.
“Not here either,” she replied just the way she had replied before, tapping away on her keyboard. Has she heard of my sack letter? Just when I wanted to raise my voice why she has not given me proper attention, the elevator dangled behind me. My heart sank as I turned and saw the man I love, Mr. Alex Woods, stepping out with his usual entourage. But he wasn’t alone. Walking beside him was a woman, stunning in appearance. Her long champagne-colored gown looked rich and elegant and her hand resting lightly on Alex’s arm as she whispered something that made him chuckle.
The sound of his laughter, once so familiar, now felt strange and sent a chill down my spine.
“Alex,” I called, my voice breaking.
He stopped, his eyes narrowing as they met mine. His expression wasn’t the warmth I once knew. That voice that drew me closer when I got to his office. It was cold, very detached.
“What?” he said, his tone sounded in a way I never expected.
My chest tightened. “Felix gave me a termination letter,” I said, my breath hitching.
“And?” he replied, raising a brow as if I had just started something trivial.
“So?” I repeated, stunned by his indifference. “Why would you do this to me?”
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his perfectly styled hair. “Genevieve, if you’re done embarrassing yourself, I suggest you leave.”
“Embarrassing myself?” I repeated in disbelief. “Alex, we’ve been together for months, secretly as you have wanted. How can you just throw me away like this?”
His lips curved into a cold, mocking smile. “Together?” He let out a soft, bitter laugh.
“Genevieve, what we had was never serious. You were... a distraction. A way to pass time, that’s all.”
The words hit me so hard on my face. My knees threatened to buckle, but I forced myself to stay upright. “You’re lying,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
“Why would I lie?” he said with a shrug. “Let me make this clear: You meant nothing to me, just to ease myself when I was stressed up. Why am I even exchanging words with you?”
The woman at his side smirked, clearly enjoying the show. “Darling, we’re going to be late,” she said. Her voice was full of mockery as she pretended to brush off invisible dust from his suit. He turned to her, his expression softening into one whenever he wanted to turn me over for pleasure in his office. “You’re right, babe. Let’s go.”
“Alex!” I shouted, my voice cracking as I took a step forward. “You can’t just do this. You can’t treat me like this!”
He turned back to me one last time, his gaze hard. “Oh, I can, Genevieve. And I just did. You’re fired, you’re out of my life, and frankly, I couldn’t care less. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a wedding to plan.”
My breath caught in my throat. “A wedding?” The woman lifted her hand, flashing a diamond ring so large it could blind someone. “That’s right,” she purred, leaning into him. “We’re getting married this weekend.”
I stumbled back, the tears I had been holding back spilled over as I watched them walk away, his arm wrapped protectively around her waist.
“Alex!” I screamed after him, but he didn’t turn around. One of his assistants stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Miss, you need to leave.” I clutched the letter in my hand, my fingers trembling. “Why?” I sobbed. “What did I do wrong?”
The assistant leaned in, his voice low. “Something so personal, Miss Genevieve. But Mr. Woods has moved on, and so should you.”
My knees buckled, and I clung to the wall for support as I forgot I could use the elevator instead of the stairs. His betrayal crushed me, but I couldn’t fall apart, not here, not in front of them. I forced myself to turn away and walked back to my office in a daze. My hands shook as I shoved my belongings into a box, tears streaming down my face. Among the mess, my fingers brushed against the small card I had planned to give him at break time having the writing,
“I’m carrying your baby,” I clutched it to my chest, my heart breaking all over again.
By the time I reached the parking lot, I could barely breathe. Just as I was about to get into the car, one of Alex’s guards rushed toward me.
“Hand over the car key,” he demanded. “The car has been assigned for auction.” I felt frozen.
“All you need to know is that this is a company car, and my job is on the line if I don’t take it back right now.”
Before I could say a word, he signaled for his men. Then, without waiting, he grabbed the key from my hand. He pointed toward the exit gate, grabbed my arm, and forcefully dragged me out of the premises. As I stumbled, he threw my handbag at me.
Desperate and overwhelmed, I stopped a cab and got into the back seat, keeping my head down. I had no other place to go but home, where I could fall on my bed and weep with my unborn baby. The cab driver waited patiently until I managed to give him my address. About twenty minutes later, we arrived at my driveway. What I saw made my stomach drop. My belongings were scattered all over the front lawn like trash.
“No,” I whispered, stepping out of the car.
A tall man stood by a moving truck, his face blank. “Ma’am, we’re just following orders,” he said flatly. “Someone else is moving in tonight.”
“This is my home!” I choked out. “You can’t do this.”
“Take it up with Mr. Woods,” he replied, handing me an envelope.
“What?” I snapped, barely holding back tears. My heart sank as I stared at my things tossed out like they meant nothing.
Meanwhile, the cab driver walked up to me. “My money,” he said impatiently. “The longer I wait, the more you’ll be charged.”
His tone irritated me, but I couldn’t blame him for my problems. I reached into my bag and handed him my card. “Here. Withdraw your money,” he said with a bit of painful confidence. He took the card, only to return moments later with a grim look.
“Your card’s been blocked.”
“What?” My voice trembled. “Why would Alex do this to me? How am I supposed to survive?”
The cab driver scoffed. “Young lady, pay me my money. If you’d paid your rent, maybe they wouldn’t have thrown your stuff out of the building.”
Genevieve’s POV Six Years Later I smiled as I stepped into my son’s room. My heart swelled with joy as I watched my little angel sleeping peacefully. Quietly, I shut the door and walked to his bed, sitting beside him. His tiny, perfect face made me melt every time. “My love,” I whispered, brushing my fingers gently over his cheek. “Jasper, darling.” I gave him a soft shake. “Mmm...” he groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. I chuckled. “You’ll be late for school,” I said. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled, burrowing under the covers. I laughed quietly. He was never a morning person, no matter how early he went to bed. “What if I drive you to school today?” I teased. His eyes flew open. “Really, Mama?” I nodded. “Gloria’s off today, so I’ll drop you off and pick you up too.” His face lit up. “Yay!” He jumped up and threw his little arms around me. “Good morning, Mama,” he said sweetly. “Good morning, my love.” I kissed his forehead. “Did you sleep well?” He nodded, grinning. “I h
Genevieve’s povHis face was a ghost from my past, sharp and familiar, a face that once brought comfort but now left me breathless. The chiseled jaw, the neatly trimmed mustache, the dark, beautiful eyes. God, those eyes. They were unmistakable. The same ones I had gazed into with so much love years ago. The same ones I saw every morning in the little angel I dropped off at school. I didn’t know how long I stared, My mind was caught in a storm of disbelief and dread. My heart ached, a deep, sharp pain that rippled through me. What the hell was he doing here? And then it hit me. Could he be... the client?“No.” The word slipped out of me, a desperate whisper. I shook my head, trying to take the possibility away. This wasn’t real. It couldn’t be. His mouth quivered as if he was about to speak, and that’s when I snapped out of my daze.“Ge... Genevieve?” he finally said, he too was shocked, not planning to see me just the same way I wasn’t planning to meet him.“Sorry?” I managed to spea
Alex’s povMy heart raced as soon as I saw her. Genie was walking away from me, her steps hurried, her figure retreating toward the café’s exit. Just like that day, years ago. My breathing went up, and my mouth went dry. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to stop, but no words came. Instead, I stood there like a fool, watching her hair sway behind her with every step. Her hair… It wasn’t the same. The sleek, golden-brown strands I used to love running my fingers through had been replaced by darker, waiver locks. It suited her, of course it did, but the change clawed at something inside me, like a reminder that too much time had passed. Still, I would’ve recognized her anywhere. Even with her back to me, I knew her. By the time I snapped out of my daze, she was gone. Disappeared into the crowd, leaving behind nothing but a faint trace of her perfume that made my throat ache with regret.I sank into my chair, my hand fumbling for my phone. Scrolling aggressively through my contact
Alex’s povI’m used to getting what I want. I always have things just fall into place for me, like the world bends to my will. So, when I saw her walk back into the room, that familiar smile played on my lips. I assumed she was here to apologize, to make things right between us. But as she passed me, that smile quickly faded. She didn’t stop. She didn’t come to me. Instead, she went straight to the table where that other guy was sitting. They shook hands, exchanged a few words, and then sat down together.Something twisted in my chest, something sour and unfamiliar. Jealousy, maybe? It made me angry in a way I couldn’t quite control. I clenched my fist, trying to hold back the urge to storm over to them, to interrupt whatever the hell they were talking about. But how was I supposed to do that? I couldn’t figure out how to act in this situation. So I stayed where I was, watching them. She kept laughing at whatever he said, her eyes lighting up in a way that made me want to rip him apar
Genevieve’s povWhat a jerk.” Edward muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing in frustration.“Are you okay?” He rushed to my side, his face was full of concern.“Y-yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, my voice very unsteady. “I’m sorry you had to witness all that.”“You shouldn’t apologize. Are you sure you’re okay? That man seemed... dangerous.”“I’ll be fine,” I lied, forcing a weak smile. “Thank you for stepping in. He’s just, he mistook me for someone else.”Edward frowned, unconvinced. “Mistook you? That didn’t seem like a simple misunderstanding. You should think about filing a police report.”“I’ll consider it,” I replied.“Please do. You never know what people like him are capable of. Just promise me you’ll stay safe.”“I will. And I’m sorry again for all the trouble.”Edward gave me a small, reassuring nod. “Don’t apologize. I’ll be waiting for a response from your company.”“You’ll have it by tomorrow,” I assured him.We stepped out of the café together, and his driver was alre
Alex’s povI’ve never been one to show emotions or weakness. I always prided myself on staying calm, on keeping a clear head no matter what. But right now, I couldn’t breathe. My chest felt tight, as though my heart had shattered into a thousand pieces, and I didn’t even understand why. What is happening to me? Why did it hurt so much?I dropped onto the couch like my legs couldn’t hold me anymore, burying my face in my hands. What the hell was going on with me? Why did seeing her again... hearing about her life now... cut so deep? I tried to pull myself together, but the pain wouldn’t go away. It sat there, heavy and suffocating. After a few minutes, I forced myself to move. I picked up my phone and opened the email from Drew, the investigator I’d hired to track her down. His report was thorough. Too thorough.Her name stared back at me: Genevieve "Genevieve" Hart. Five years. That’s how old her son, Jasper, was. I’d read those details a dozen times already, but I kept going back to
Genevieve’s povSurprisingly, Jasper walked up to me again, his big, curious eyes scanning my face. “What’s wrong, Mommy? You look sad,” he asked softly. His words caught me off guard. Was it that obvious? Maybe he hadn’t seen me like this before, or perhaps he could sense something wasn’t right. Children had a way of picking up on emotions we thought we could hide. But I couldn’t let him worry. I needed to pretend everything was fine. I forced a small smile. I looked down at him, his big, innocent eyes watching me carefully. "I'm not sad, my love." I smiled, brushing his messy curls away from his forehead."It's not good to tell lies, Mommy," he said seriously, crossing his little arms and frowning like he was scolding me. His attempt at being stern almost made me laugh.I chuckled softly. "Why would I be sad, sweetheart? I have you. You're my sunshine."Jasper tilted his head to the side, his little shoulders shrugging. "I don't know. But someone made you sad. I just know it.""I'm
Genevieve’s povLittle Jasper stood still, his big brown eyes full of curiosity. "Mommy, who’s Alex?" he asked again. I stood and couldn’t move and my heart skipped a beat. How had he picked up on that name? Quickly, I forced a smile and knelt down to his level. “Honey, you shouldn’t interrupt when adults are talking.”“I’m sorry, Mama,” Jasper said softly, his lower lip trembling. “But I really want to know who Alex is.” His head tilted as he gave me a look of pure innocence, but his words sent a ripple of panic through me. Before I could find the right words, my sister Lara jumped in, her amused smile breaking the tension. “Why do you want to know, sweetie?”Jasper turned to Lara, his wide eyes full of honesty. “Because Mommy kept saying his name in the car. She sounded mad. And she said his name just now too.”Lara raised an eyebrow, glancing at me. Meanwhile, Jasper, oblivious to the weight of his words, added, “I think Alex made Mommy mad.”I let out a shaky laugh, hoping to brus
“Look!” She finally pulled her hand free from his grasp, relieved that he let go this time.“What happened earlier was a mistake. Do not overthink it because it meant nothing to me. I have had better moments than that, and if I have been lost in thought, I promise you, it is not because of you.”“You know I am not going to believe that, do you not?”“You never believe anything I say, so why should I be bothered?”“I am glad you made that clear. We both know you have not been with another man for a long time. And before you get angry, do not think I am saying this to insult you. The thought of it gives me the strength to keep fighting for you, and I am not going to stop.”“Do not ever claim that what happened between us was a mistake because I will prove you wrong if you do.”“How?” she challenged, folding her arms and watching him closely.Alex chuckled, his lips curling into a knowing smile. “I miss this. I miss the way you challenge me. It has been too long since someone put me in m
Alex felt the weight of Victoria’s words hit him like a punch to the chest. It was not just what she said, it was how she said it. Cold, sharp, and without hesitation. But what hurt him the most was the look in her eyes. Pure hatred."You are being unreasonable," he said under his breath, swallowing the lump in his throat.Victoria folded her arms. "How? You said you wanted my forgiveness, and I gave it to you.""Only so you could throw me out.""Exactly." Her voice was steady, firm. "I do not want you here, Alex. Do not make me repeat myself."Alex clenched his fists. "This is the problem with people like you. You think you can just throw someone away when you are done with them. Like they never mattered.""You did this to yourself," she snapped. "You are the one still stuck in the past, acting like I belong to you. I do not. I never will."Alex let out a bitter laugh. "What more do you want from me?"Victoria’s glare did not waver. "I want you gone.""I have apologized. I have admit
Genevieve’s breath came in sharp bursts as she gripped the bathroom counter, her damp skin still tingling from the heated moment they had just shared. The air was thick with tension, his presence behind her like a shadow she couldn’t escape.“Look, Gennie…”“Don’t touch me!” she snapped, spinning around before he could even lift a finger. Her glare, burning with anger, locked onto his eyes, making him shift uncomfortably.Alex exhaled, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. “Fine. I won’t, but please, calm down. I hate seeing you like this.”A bitter laugh escaped her lips. “Oh, do you?” she mocked, folding her arms. “You hate seeing me like this? That’s funny coming from the man who tossed me aside like garbage in front of his entire staff. I begged for an explanation, some kind of mercy, but you…” Her voice cracked, but she quickly steadied herself. “…You treated me like I was nothing. And now you stand here, acting like you care? Spare me the hypocrisy.”His jaw tightened, but
The room was quiet, save for the soft rustle of fabric and the faint sound of breathing. Alex’s eyes locked onto Gennie’s, his gaze intense, unwavering. He could feel the tension between them, thick and unspoken, like a storm waiting to break. She was trying to pull away, her hands pressing against his chest, but he wasn’t having it. Not tonight. Not after everything.He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a way that was both gentle and demanding. Gennie’s resistance faltered for a moment, and that was all the opening he needed. His hand slid up to cradle the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he deepened the kiss. She tasted sweet, like the wine they’d shared earlier, and he couldn’t get enough.For a moment, she stiffened, her body tense beneath his. But then, something shifted. Her hands, which had been pushing him away, now gripped his shoulders, pulling him closer. A soft sound escaped her lips, something between a sigh and a moan, and Alex felt a surg
"You won’t believe what happened!" Gennie exclaimed, her voice a mix of frustration and disbelief.Lara raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "What now? And what did Jamie say?""He was furious. I told him it’s over and I want nothing to do with him," Gennie replied, crossing her arms. "And before you start defending him, you know how much I hate office drama. I’m done with all of it."Lara sighed. "That’s so sad. I was really rooting for you two. He must be crushed."Gennie shrugged. "That’s not all. I also had a talk with Alex. I’m sure Darlington already told you about it.""Yes, he mentioned it. I’m so sorry, Gennie.""Don’t be. It’s fine. Love just isn’t for me," Gennie said, her tone resigned."Don’t say that," Lara protested. "I don’t want you to give up. I don’t know how, but I know you’ll get your happily ever after."Gennie chuckled. "You need to cut back on those romantic movies. I’m good, really. As long as I have Jasper, I’m fine."Lara hesitated, then asked, "So, what’s th
After what felt like an eternity, Alex finally reached the hotel where he was staying. The moment he stepped into the presidential suite, he locked the door behind him and made a beeline for the bar. Without hesitation, he grabbed a glass and poured himself a generous amount of whiskey. Still standing, he took a few quick sips, the burn of the alcohol doing little to calm the storm raging inside him.He pulled out his phone and scrolled through his recent calls, stopping at his best friend Greg’s number. He hit the dial and put the phone on speaker, setting it down on the counter.Greg answered almost immediately. “I was just thinking about you,” he said, his tone light but curious.“Why?” Alex asked, his voice low and tense.“Because I haven’t heard from you as soon as I expected. Please don’t tell me you’ve done something insane.”Alex hesitated, then muttered, “Thank you.”Greg groaned. “You’ve messed up, haven’t you?”Silence.“Christ, Alex! After all the warnings I gave you!”“I’
Fedora’s voice crackled through the phone, sharp and incredulous. “A son?!” she exclaimed, her tone rising with every word. “She’s married? Wow!”Alex sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “She’s not married.”“How old is the little boy?” Fedora pressed, her curiosity now fully ignited.Alex hesitated, his jaw tightening. He didn’t answer.Fedora’s voice softened, but only slightly. “Alex, I know you used to love her. But if she’s moved on, you need to move on too. Staying stuck in the past isn’t helping anyone. Camila’s been throwing tantrums back here, and…”“Camila can go to hell for all I care!” Alex snapped, cutting her off.There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then Fedora’s voice dropped, serious and low. “What do you mean, ‘there’s a probability’? You’re not one to sit on the fence, Alex. What aren’t you telling me? Either the boy is yours, or she’s not. Be straight with me.”Alex exhaled heavily, his shoulders sagging. “The private investigator I hired told me Ge
Alex had always prided himself on being a man who could handle anything life threw at him. But as he stood in the lobby of the office building, his confidence wavered for the first time in years. His heart pounded in his chest, and his palms felt clammy as he gripped the strap of his briefcase. He had come here to meet Genevieve, the woman who had once been the center of his world, but now he wasn’t sure what to expect. The past had a way of resurfacing when you least expected it, and today felt like one of those days.He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves, and stepped into the elevator. As the doors closed, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirrored walls. His tie was perfectly knotted, his suit immaculate, but his eyes betrayed the turmoil brewing inside him. He had rehearsed what he would say to Genevieve a hundred times, but now that he was here, the words felt hollow. How do you face someone you once loved, someone you thought you’d never see again?The el
Alex pushed open the glass door and stepped into the office, his jaw tight and his heart pounding louder than he would ever admit. He hated being here, hated the weight of the conversation he was about to have, but there was no escaping it. Not anymore.Genevieve didn’t look up immediately. She was seated behind her desk, fingers flying across her keyboard as if typing fast enough would make him disappear. The sharp click of the keys was the only sound in the room.He cleared his throat. “Yeah, maybe this was a mistake, but I’m already here. So I might as well say it all.”Her head snapped up then, and her eyes, once soft, once his, were now hard, cold. “I don’t have time for whatever this is, Alex. Honestly, I should never have let my assistant call you in here.”“Just hear me out,” he said, his voice steady, though his hands trembled at his sides. “Please.”She laughed without humour. “So now I’m the one who’s unreasonable?”He opened his mouth, closed it again. How could he even be