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Chapter Forty-Five
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TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Forty-Six
She led us to the room that she had reserved for the night, and somehow, I hate that I was right. This is a woman I loved once upon a time, and had she not been the person she is, I would probably have continued to love her. I laughed casually on the doorframe, observing her on the bed, which she had flopped into. How had I not seen the snake in her before I married her? She deceived me more than others, and despite myself, I wish she hadn’t. Is it possible to love two women in the same way? I was very sure I would have continued with her if I hadn’t found that she was the lying, thieving daughter of a gun. Or maybe not. I had already begun to give up on our marriage right after it started. That was when I realised my love for Lana. The truth is that I have loved her all along and tried to deny it, even to myself. I had forced Kathy into my head and created an image of her that did not exist, and I compared that imaginary Kathy to Lana just so I could prove to myself that I did not
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Forty-Seven
How did the control slip from my fingers? Kathy now had all the control, but I could not let her see that or know it. I pushed my hands deep into my pockets to hide the fact that I was quite nervous. She was right; everything she said was true, and I should not be justifying her stealing my money, even in my head. I clenched my jaws as I hacked my brain for what to say. She had agreed to sign the divorce papers; that was good for me and should have been enough, but why did I feel so dirty? So used?I turned around and looked out of the window, then my phone rang. I sent Kathy a death warning, and if she liked her life, she would listen and pick up the call. “Freda.” I said, lowering my voice to a degree so it sounded colder and icy. For as long as I can remember, I have always referred to my mother as Freda—her own name—and calling her mom or mother always sounded so weird to my ears. “Where are you?” she asked, her tone even more icy than mine. Hermione always referred to her as t
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Forty-Eight
The car arrived at exactly 2:00 p.m., and we got to Lukem at 2:15. We were quite early, just in time to join the board meeting, which was currently ongoing. Sally smiled at me and patted my back. “You will crush this, Lana. I believe in you.” She smiled, and I nodded. I was a nervous wreck. I had been quite confident when I left him, but now I was not so sure of everything. It had been so long since I lived this life. It had been so long since I was at the top, and now that I was getting back to my feet, I felt like I was staggering again. Sally flashed me another encouraging smile, and that did not help the dread that had taken root in the pit of my stomach. “Hey, hey.” She called out slowly, tilting my chin up with her index finger. “Where is that confident and hardworking woman who has taken life by the balls?” Her eyes took in my watery eyes, and she drew me in for a hug. “I don’t know if I can do this.” I cried. “Everything feels so... so different.” “Hey, ssshhh...” she dre
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Forty-Nine
Andre’s POVYou would be surprised at how much clothes contribute to moulding and shaping how people see a person. How much of a person's character it affects, which is why typically they have that saying, ‘dress the way you wish to be addressed’. Once you were dressed a certain way, it had an effect on the first thing people thought when they laid eyes on you. Although many people would disagree, the human mind was really just black and white and nothing in-between. They were lines that we had drawn unconsciously in our minds, and many things were to this effect. The lives that we have lived, the society that we have lived in, and the events that, over the years, have shaped our beliefs. A lot, but it was always the same thing. And my mother wasn’t different. By the time we arrived at Ranhold headquarters, I had Kathy change her dress into something more presentable. Something more acceptable was said by my mother. I wondered how the old bat had even found out I was back in town.
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Fifty
“Toast to more wealth.” Freda announced, raising her glass in the air. “Cheers.” “Cheers.” I and Kathy resounded, except I was a little less enthusiastic. I don’t think my mother noticed, though. She brought the glass to her lips, took a sip, and then set it on the table. “Now, let’s get down to business. Shall we?” Freda said, settling into her seat. We all did. “The Lukems have their stocks pivoting high on the ceilings, eh?” She smiles, and the lines around her eyes crinkle. She was getting old, and that age was beginning to show on her body. Her once porcelain skin now had a few wrinkles here and there; I spotted more veins every day, and I also noticed the dye, which she seemed to use more often than before. I nodded. “They seem to be getting better these days. They did change most of the board members recently.” “Yes. It’s been bought, and you know what’s interesting? It’s the fact that it was not bought by another company or cooperation. No, we weren’t willing to take that
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Fifty-One
Cameron gave me a light kiss on the lips. “You look beautiful in that dress.” He said. Sally had made me change into a dress ‘fit for galas’ immediately after the board meeting. A tight—it hugged me so tight that I could barely breathe—black dress decorated with metallic gold roses and a gold clutch. A dress did make a person. “Thank you.” We had just arrived at the venue for the gala, and Cameron and I were still seated in the back of the black limousine Lukem provided us. My head was resting on his firm chest, and all I thought about was the speech I was going to give. Lukem was not throwing this gala just to announce their new CEO; it was also to invite new and big investors to do business with us. Sally had, in some way, convinced them that making me the face of the new Lukem would guarantee us that. It was only a business strategy, but it made me nervous. I had never been in the limelight before. Maybe I would have had the chance if my father had stayed alive to keep his comp
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Fifty-Two
Our car stopped at the entrance of Sol’s conference, and I could see that the event had already begun. Kathy sat quietly by my side, and for the third time today, she was wearing something different. I stepped out as the driver opened the door and walked around to help Kathy get out of the car. In the eyes of the public, we were still husband and wife and happily married following my divorce from my previous marriage. It was not going to be easy keeping up the façade, especially as my head and heart were somewhere else, but it was only for a few hours, and I’ll be done with her. She hooked her hand with mine and smiled for the camera. It was so easy for her to fall into these roles that it scared me. It made it hard to know when she was being her real self and not putting up an act to get what she wanted. The conference hall was filled with top businessmen and women, most of whom he recognized. Lukem had really outdone themselves this time; no one would leave here today, as I still
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Fifty-Three
The anchor was on the stage announcing something, but my head was elsewhere. Why was Lana here and in the company of Cameron? Was this the kind of life she lived now? Hoping from the arms of one rich guy to the other? If it was so, then she was no different from Kathy. My heart was constricted; if it was so, then it was all my fault. Lana was not that kind of person; she was never like that. Could I have pushed her into this new lifestyle? I scoffed; she wanted nothing to do with me.But when had I ever let that stop me? I knew that it was not just the guilt that drove me to find her. It was this feeling inside of me that grew every day. I wanted Lana, and I was going to have her, no matter what. “But we all know that with more success comes more responsibility,” the anchor was saying. “And it is on this note that I would like to introduce to us the CEO and face of the new Lukem. Lana West.”“What?” I heard Kathy’s shocked voice beside me and smiled. I was also rooted to the spot wi
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TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Two hundred and three
Andre’s POV Two Years LaterMy mother was upset that I had gone behind her back to sabotage her. To sell her company to that little brat—that is what she refers to Lana as now—who knew nothing about business, but I did not have to tell her that it was either that or see her remanded in prison. To watch everything I had and everyone I loved taken away from me. I did not need to tell her that we were lucky we had a choice. The poor girl had no choice back then and had to take life as it was handed to her. My mother would live—abort sourly—but at least she would still live. We could build back the company even if it took a long time. Thankfully, all she had back then was a minor heart attack. As for the little brat, Lana, she and Cameron got married two years ago and have spent the last two years of their marriage touring the world.I was envious of the love they found. The comfort they gave each other, the strength in their numbers, but as time went on, I too was beginning to live wi
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Two hundred and two
Lana’s POV The house was still the same way I remembered it. The chairs, the arm stool, and the and the settees All of the arrangements were still the same, and it struck a chord of familiarity within me. I settled into the plush armchair and watched Andre move towards the bar, his demeanour calm and composed. It was hard to reconcile this composed man with the man I had known years ago. Andre returned with a glass of red wine, just the way I liked it. He handed it to me, then sat across from me. “Have you come to a conclusion regarding what we discussed?” I crossed my legs, one above the other, and stared blankly at him. “Regarding what exactly? The only thing I remember that we have yet to talk about are the kids and how we’ll split their days between us. Other than that, I don't think we have any unfinished business. Except you are talking about signing the documents, which would see me as the new CEO of Ranhold.” Andre heaved a long sigh and rubbed his temples. Was he beginnin
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Two hundred and one
Lana’s POV We spent the next week gathering evidence against Freda and meeting with potential witnesses who could testify against her if we were to take her to court, but it seemed as though that would not be needed. It was some time towards the end of the week when what was going to be our break happened. It came in the form of André getting a recognition award. I had no idea what his relationship with Freda had been like following everything that had happened lately, so I cannot talk about that. But upon receiving the award, Freda was so happy with her son that she decided to allow him to make certain decisions that regarded the leadership of Ranhold. In the past, André had been nothing but a figurehead. Although he sat in the CEO position, his mother, Freda, usually handled all the decision-making, and everyone knew this. He was useless, and if it was important that his signature be appended to a document, he had to get permission from Freda first before doing it. But now, all
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter Two hundred
Lana’s POV Back at my apartment, we laid out all the new information we had gathered. It felt like we were finally making progress, and the weight of uncertainty was beginning to lift. But then a call entered my phone, which was going to either bring everything crashing down on us again or continue pushing us forward.We had laid everything on the table in front of us, and we were about to start sitting through them when the ringtone of my phone shattered through the peace, quiet, and anxiety that had settled over us. Sighing and thinking it was from one of my colleagues at Lukem, I pulled the phone from my pocket and paused when I saw the caller ID displaying on my screen.“Hmmm... Andre.” I said it out loud, alerting the other guys to who the caller was. Without waiting for their response, I swiped on the screen and placed the phone in my ear. “Hey, Andre.” I greeted. “What’s going on?”“I found something.” He announced. From over the phone, I could not make out the time of his vo
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter One hundred and Ninety-nine
Lana’s POV Fred smiled warmly, taking a seat beside Clara. “It’s been a long time, Aunt Clara. We have so much to catch up on, but there’s something important we need to ask you about first.”Clara looked at him. “Of course, anything. What do you need to know?”Fred glanced at me, and I handed Clara the letter. “We found this among my father’s papers. It mentions a promise to protect you. We need to understand what happened.”Clara took the letter and began reading it. As she read through it, I noticed the change in her expression. She took a deep breath and glanced up at us. “This... this brings back memories I thought I’d buried. Your mother and Mr. West were the best friends I ever had. But there was more to it, and it brought trouble or would have brought trouble had Mr. West not decided to act in what he believed to be the best interest of everyone, including your mother. Fred’s face lightened up, as did mine. “What do you mean?”Clara sighed. “Secrets.” She whispered. “Anne an
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter One hundred and ninety-eight
Lana’s POVFred shrugged. “She hinted at societal expectations and family obligations,” he replied. “But she didn’t give specifics. I think she knows a lot more than she’s letting on.”I nodded slowly. “My father never mentioned anything about your mother or you and Kathy. And I started going through his papers; maybe I would find something.”Fred’s expression softened. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, but it is not to be helped. I cannot say I know how you feel or what you are feeling right now. Finding out that a person you think you know has another side, which you have no idea of, can really do something to you.”I reached out and touched Fred’s hand briefly. “We’ll figure it out together. I have some of my father’s old letters and documents that might help us piece things together. Maybe we can confront Freda again with more concrete questions? What do you think? Right now, she’s the only person who can give us answers, and we are not even on good terms.”We returned to m
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter One hundred and ninety-seven
Narrator’s POV Freda’s smile faltered for the briefest of moments, a shadow crossing her eyes before she quickly regained her composure. She leaned back in her chair, interlacing her fingers and resting them on her desk.“That’s quite a heavy topic, Fred,” she said, her tone now more serious. “Why are you suddenly interested in this?”Fred shrugged. “Perhaps after Kathy’s death, I realised something. I just want to know why he abandoned my mother, why he chose his other family above us, and why he caused us so much pain and loss. I want to understand all of these things; perhaps it would help me forgive, let go, and move on.”A shadow of a smile crossed Freda’s face. “Ahhhh... I guess it runs in the family then.” Fred narrowed his eyes, wondering what she meant by that statement. “I don’t understand. What runs in the family?”Freda stood to her feet and approached the floor-to-ceiling window, which offered a great view of the city. From here, he could view the city’s skyline and wat
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter One hundred and ninety-six
Narrator’s POV Freda’s office was located on the uppermost floor of the skyscraper that acted as Ranhold’s headquarters, a detail that made Fred pause as he stepped out of the taxi five minutes ago. He blinked against the rays of sunlight reflecting off the monolithic structure of steel and glass, momentarily blinded. The reflective surface mirrored the city below, creating an illusion of infinite depth.The other buildings around it were similar in their grandeur, each with its own unique design. For the umpteenth time since his arrival in the city, Fred was reminded of how little he had traveled. There were places outside of his known world yet to be explored, and this city of steel and glass was one of them. He had spent—wasted—five minutes entranced by the sleek, modern design, temporarily forgetting his purpose for being there.Pulling himself back to reality, he straightened his suit and approached the entrance. The revolving glass doors spun smoothly, ushering him into a grand
TOO GOOD TO LEAVE TOO BAD TO STAY Chapter One hundred and Ninety-five
Lana’s POVI took tentative steps towards the bouquet. Whether unconsciously or by some reflex response in our system, we all had taken steps away from the bouquet. For some reason, we felt threatened by it. This was not the first time we would receive threats disguised as gifts, and I guess that has taught us a lesson. Slowly, I pulled out the card in the bouquet and glanced at Cameron and Sally, who both gave me curt nods. I opened it and began reading it aloud. “Congratulations on Zoe’s recovery. Best wishes for the future. – Freda.”The room fell silent as the implications of the message sank in. Sally was the first to break the silence. “Freda has acted once again. First of all, it was an almost dead bird on my door, and now congratulatory bouquet?”My grip on the card tightened. “Is this supposed to mean something?”Cameron stepped closer, resting his hand on the small of my back. “Hey, we’ll keep our guard up. She’s only trying to play mind games, but we won’t give her the sat
