23-Love After Heartbreak

She quickly returned her attention to her notepad.

Elliot noticed. "Something amusing?"

"Nothing." She lied, telling him might mean something else.

"You're smiling."

"Am I not allowed to smile?"

"You're allowed." He shook his head, still amused by her.

They spent the next few minutes discussing the meeting arrangements before Anna stood to leave.

As she reached the door, Elliot's phone began ringing. He glanced at the screen and immediately answered.

"Hello?"

Anna was about to step outside when she heard a little voice coming through the phone.

"Daddy!"

Elliot's expression changed almost instantly. "Hey princess."

"Are you at work?" Sophia asked from the phone.

"I am. Shouldn't you be getting ready for school?"

Sophia giggled. "I am ready. I just wanted to talk to you."

Anna turned slightly, surprised by the warmth in his voice. She had heard him speak to employees, clients and business partners, but this was different. His usual commanding tone had softened considerably.

"Did you eat your breakfast?" he asked.

"Yes, Daddy. I ate everything."

"Everything?"

"Well, almost everything."

Elliot smiled, glancing briefly towards Anna, who was still standing near the door.

"What didn't you eat?"

"The tomatoes."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Sophia laughed again before telling him about an activity scheduled at school. Her teacher had asked the children to bring their parents for a special reading session later that week.

Elliot listened carefully, asking a few questions about the arrangements.

"I'll check my schedule and see what I can do," he promised.

"You're coming, right?"

"I'll do my best, sweetheart."

"You always say that."

The disappointment in her little voice made his expression soften.

"I know, princess. I'll try very hard to be there." He muttered, he doesn't know if he will be there.

"Okay. I love you, Daddy."

"I love you too. Have a wonderful day at school."

After ending the call, Elliot placed his phone on the desk and looked towards Anna.

She was watching him with a small smile.

"Your daughter?" she asked.

"Yes. Sophia."

Anna smiled. "She's allowed to be demanding."

"That's what she believes." There was genuine affection in his voice, and Anna found herself appreciating the sight of a man who could be so different with his child.

She wished she didn't lose her baby, else she would have given her baby the world.

"I hope you get to attend her school activity," she said.

"I'll make time." Elliot nodded, and Anna finally stepped out of his office.

He watched her leave before turning back to his computer. He had barely managed to finish reading the first email when his assistant entered with a folder.

"Sir, these documents require your signature."

"Leave them on the desk."

His assistant placed the folder down, then hesitated. "Also, your daughter called earlier. The school sent the invitation to your personal email."

"I've spoken to her. I'll check the details."

"All right, sir."

When she left, Elliot opened the email. He read through the invitation and checked his calendar, determined not to disappoint Sophia again.

Anna was right, he should make time to attend Sophia's school activity, he quickly prepared to rearrange his schedule without hesitation.

☆☆☆☆☆

Through out the morning, Anna worked on the Henderson report. She reviewed the financial projections, checked the supporting documents and sent the revised figures to Elliot's office for approval.

By lunchtime, she had completed most of the work. She was about to close her computer when her phone vibrated.

It was an unknown number calling. Her expression changed when she read the message.

*You can't keep pretending that the past doesn't exist, Anna.*

She stared at it for a few seconds.

Another message followed. *I know where you work now.*

A cold feeling settled in her stomach.

She looked around the office instinctively, but everyone appeared occupied with their work. Nobody seemed to be paying attention to her.

Anna took a screenshot of the messages and saved them with the earlier ones. She had no intention of responding, but the fact that someone had discovered her workplace was unsettling.

She had been careful about keeping her new life private. She hadn't announced her employment on social media, and she had only shared the details with a handful of people she trusted.

So how did this person find out?

Her mind immediately went to Jacob.

She wondered whether he had finally discovered where she worked or whether someone was helping him. The thought made her grip her phone more tightly.

She considered telling Elliot, but the memory of their argument outside her apartment stopped her.

She had asked him to stay out of her personal affairs. She couldn't keep insisting that he respect her independence and then expect him to solve every problem that came her way.

For now, she would keep the evidence and deal with the situation herself.

She blocked the number and returned to her work.

A few minutes later, Anna's desk phone rang.

She picked it up. "Hello?"

"Miss Anna, there's a visitor downstairs asking to see you."

Anna's thighs trembled, she just hoped Jacob didn't…

"Miss Anna?" the receptionist called gently when she didn't respond.

Anna swallowed. "Yes. I'm here."

"Would you like me to tell her you're unavailable?"

Her? Who could it be? She's sure Georgia is working at the moment.

Anna stared at the documents spread across her desk. Her mind was moving too quickly, trying to understand why someone from that part of her life would suddenly appear after all these years.

"No," she finally answered, her voice quieter than before. "Tell her I'll be down shortly."

She ended the call and remained seated.

Meanwhile Elliot had just stepped out of his office, he walked out of the elevator and instantly approached her desk.

She looked up quickly. "Mr Hayes."

"Is everything all right?" He asked.

For a moment, she seemed uncertain about what to say. Then she pushed her chair back and stood.

"Someone is here to see me."

Elliot glanced towards the reception area."Someone you know?"

He studied her face. Something about her expression suggested that this wasn't an ordinary visit.

"Do you want me to have security handle it?" He asked with concern, hoping she won't shut him up again.

"No." Her answer came quickly. "I'll see her myself."

Elliot didn't argue and nodded, allowing her to make the decision.

"All right. Let me know if you need anything."

Anna managed a small nod before walking towards the elevator.

Elliot watched her go, his attention following her until she was out of sight.

He couldn't explain why he suddenly felt uneasy.

Meanwhile, Anna stood inside the elevator, staring at the changing floor numbers.

She had no idea what the woman wanted or why she had chosen to appear now.

But one thing was certain.

Whatever had happened in the past, she had never expected to face it again.

And as the elevator doors opened, Anna forced herself to take a breath before stepping out.