CHAPTER 4

Heira felt punched in the chest. The intense pain of her father taking what she worked so hard for began to suffocate her.

She had given her all, from client negotiations to hosting high-profile events and securing partnerships with other corporations. Due to her dedication, the company had experienced massive growth in the past year.

“What more does he want? I already did what he wanted. I don’t deserve any of this,” Heira cried out.

“I’m sorry you are going through this,” Sebastian said softly, sympathizing with her.

Sebastian has been the nicest friend to Heira in the office. He has offered a helping hand to her at times when she felt dragged by the weight of being the boss’s daughter.

“I won’t accept this. I’m going to Dad.”

Heira drove straight to Charles Arven’s office.

“Dad, why is my position getting reassigned to someone else? You know how much effort I’ve put into this.”

Charles, who was in the middle of work, seemed rather displeased at her for barging in. “You need to focus on your home, now that you’re married. Just see it as a way of me taking huge responsibilities off you, so you wouldn’t get overwhelmed”.

“Overwhelmed?” she asked carefully.

“I’ve been handling my role just fine. You said so yourself only a month ago.”

Charles Arven leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. “It’s not about competence. Marriage is a big change, it demands a lot of attention. I don’t want work to consume you.”

Charles stood up from his chair as he approached his fuming daughter.

Placing his two hands on her shoulders, he uttered. “My darling, you should know Daddy will always have your best interest at heart. There is no denying that this company will not thrive without your excellent skills. That's why you'll be assisting with client relations from now on.”

The words pierced Heira’s soul more than the relief her father thought it would give her. It seemed like her own father was robbing her of every good thing she had.

“It's worse that I'm being demoted and not fired,” she whined.

“Stop being childish! You need to start thinking rationally. I’m only doing this for your good,” he cuts sharply into her words.

With tears in her eyes, Heira shook her head in disbelief while taking steps away from him. “I don't know you anymore. All I see is a man blinded by greed, not a father who once cared for me.”

She stomped out of the office, her heels striking with each step.

People who seemed to have heard about the situation murmured as she walked past.

Bethy rang when she was about to enter her office. “Babe, I just saw Dante with a woman at the restaurant," She said, almost screaming.

Heira wasn’t sure why she needed that information. “Okay, so… why are you telling me this?”  

For all she knows, he might have been there for a business meeting since he is a busy man.

“Didn’t you hear what I said?” Bethy asked, shocked by Heira’s response.

“Bethy, it isn’t the right time, I’m not in a good place right now,” She snapped.

“Heira, whatever you are going through can’t be worse than what I’m seeing right now. Trust me, you need to come check it out.”

Bethy’s date stood her up after waiting for over an hour. While waiting, she noticed Dante sitting across from another woman at a designated table.

The way they leaned into each other sent suspicion curling through her, so she decided to inform Heira.

Heira was leaving the office anyway, and the thought of staying there for a second more made her blood boil. The last thing she needed now was another heartbreaking news. She left the office and headed straight to the restaurant her friend mentioned.

Crystal restaurant was the go-to restaurant for famous people in Chicago. All kinds of luxurious cars were seen parked outside the restaurant.

Heira saw her friend waiting patiently at the entrance. They both went inside, and Bethy gestured at a couple seated at the corner table by the window.

She caught sight of the woman's elegant face glowing with laughter while the man sat with his back to her, his broad shoulders shielding his expressions. Together, they looked blissful. Too much like a couple.

The thought of walking into that scene, of possibly being wrong or right, was unbearable. So she waited alongside Bethy as they sat at the table that was reserved for Bethy's date.

His back looked familiar, but something in her had hoped he wouldn't be her husband. 

Minutes dragged like hours. Then, at last, they stood up. Heira held her breath with anticipation as the man turned, and her chest hollowed out when Dante’s face came into view.

She watched as they both held hands on their way out while covering her face with her purse to avoid being seen.

Bethy sat there expecting the move she would make, but Heira decided to let it be. She wasn't going to make any assumptions until she was sure.

The woman in question might be his sister, as she hasn't even met any of Dante's family.

Her mind raced. She began stressing on the probability that it might be exactly what she hoped it wasn’t.

Could Dante be cheating on her?

Why did he marry her if he had someone else?

These thoughts just don't make sense to her. She already had a bad day at work so she decided to be positive about the situation as she couldn’t handle any more stress.

“She had better be a family member,” she concluded.

Bethy could see the frustration on her face, so she tried to calm her down as best as she could. 

Five minutes later, a man stopped by their table.

His suit jacket looked two times bigger than his size, with his wrinkled shirt being supported by a short tie. “Hi sunshine,” he said, facing Bethy.

“Sorry, do I know you?”