2| Indeed it was my Sean!

Sarah's POV

Ms. Harlow suddenly gripped my shoulder, her weight forcing me toward the floor. I felt my knees hit the hard tiles with a dull thud that sent a sting up my legs.

“Get on your knees,” she hissed into my ear. “Apologize to Mr. Adrian. Now.”

Suddenly, the boutique erupted in chuckles, my colleagues trying to hold back laughter, and people passing by stopped to stare, giggling.

My face instantly turned bright red from the heat of shame. I stared at the floor, my throat feeling tight and dry.

I was a mother, a wife, and a human being, but here, I was being treated like a dog. My voice shook as I stammered, “I…I’m sorry, Mr. Adrian…” The words barely escaped.

I heard him say “Stop.” His voice was quiet but powerful. Ms. Harlow's hand froze on my shoulder, then she let go instantly.

“It’s fine,” he turned to Ms. Harlow with a look that spoke volumes.

I looked up a bit to meet his dangerously handsome face, but he didn't look angry – he looked almost annoyed with Ms. Harlow instead. “No one’s getting fired. You can go, Ms. Harlow,” he said coolly.

Ms. Harlow blinked her eyes rapidly, looking like she had been slapped hard across the face. “Of course, sir. Thank you. You are too kind.”

She stepped back quickly, smoothing her expensive dress with hands that were visibly shaking. She looked down at me, her eyes snapping with hatred for a split second. “Take care of him!” she barked at me. Then she practically fled to her office.

I stood up slowly, my legs shaking. I tried fixing my uniform, but my hands weren't working right, and my heart was still slamming against my ribs. “I am so sorry,” I said again, keeping my head down, and forcing the words out through my dry throat.

“Do you really have memory problems?” he asked, cutting me off before I could finish my apology.

The question made me flinch. I looked at him for a second and caught his dark eyes searching my face. I shook my head fast. “No…no, sir. I am just... I don’t feel very well today.”

His eyes got sharp, like he was trying to read a secret written on my skin. “Then why are you working if you are sick?” he asked again.

“It just started,” I said, nervously scratching the back of my head.

He didn't speak for a long time. He just stood there, watching me. “Call me Adrian,” he said finally.

My mind started spinning. Why would a man like him want me to use his first name? “Oh... okay,” I breathed out.

Suddenly, Penelope, my coworker, pushed in, flashing a smile and smoothing her hair. “Hi, Mr. Adrian” she said to him, her voice sounding like honey. “I can help you with anything you need. Sarah is a bit slow today.”

Mr. Adrian didn’t even turn his head to look at her. His eyes stayed locked on mine. “As you can see,” he said, his voice cold as ice. “I already have someone helping me.”

Penelope’s smile disappeared instantly. She looked at me with mean, jealous eyes. “Don’t keep your children waiting, Sarah,” she snapped at me, sounding very annoyed and loud so everyone could hear. “Help Mr. Adrian and then go home to your husband. He’s waiting, isn't he?”

Her words hit me like a physical blow. It reminded me of the card, and the lie I was living.

She turned on her heel and walked away.

Mr. Adrian flicked his wrist. The huge guy stepped forward, picked up my things, and handed them to me without a word, his expression unreadable.

“Thank you,” I whispered to the guy, holding my bag tight against my chest like a shield.

Mr. Adrian's gaze lingered, the silence thick between us, till he finally asked, “You are married?” His voice softer now, laced with curiosity.

I waited a second, then I nodded. “Ye... yes, sir. Sorry, Mr. Adrian.”

"And children?” He asked again, speaking even more quietly this time.

I thought of Ethan and Lily, and my heart ached.“Yes,” I said softly.

He nodded slowly.“Oh. Okay.” He stepped back a little bit, giving me space. “Go home to them. I will find someone else to attend to me. You look like you need to rest.” He added as he walked past me, brushing his hand against my shoulder, a spark that felt like an electric shock. My heart raced as if his touch had jolted something deep inside me.

I stood there, feeling shy and frozen in place. Then, the memory of the black card flashed in my mind again. I remembered the name SEAN MILLER in gold letters, the woman named Valerie, and her vacation. The pain came back so fast it made me catch my breath. I didn't hesitate, I turned and walked straight out of Lumière House.

The world outside felt gray and cold as I started walking home, my eyes fixed on the cracked sidewalk. I didn't see the shops or people. Every step felt like a mile because my soul felt so heavy.

Could it be another Sean? I asked myself over and over. Is it possible there is another man with the same name and the same bank code? Questions flared in my head like a wildfire, and I had no water to put them out. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't see where I was going.

HONK!

A loud car horn blasted right next to my ear. I screamed and jumped back. I had wandered into the middle of the busy road without knowing it.

“Crazy dirty bitch!” a man yelled, pushing his car door wide open and leaning out. He looked at me like I was a piece of trash. “Maybe hitting your skull off would’ve been better for the world!"

“I'm so sorry,” I said, my voice lost in the wind as I clutched my bag tightly and ran toward the sidewalk, my heart hammering in my throat.

“Sorry to yourself! Just fuck off the road!” he yelled again, slammed his car door shut, and sped away without looking back.

I stood on the sidewalk for minutes, shaking, and watched his car disappear down the road.

A few minutes later, I reached Cedar Lane Apartments, my home. The dim hallway smelled of old grease and harsh cleaning chemicals. I walked to flat 24, knocking on the door with a weak hand.

The door opened almost instantly to view Ethan. He wrapped his small arms tightly around my waist and jumped with joy. Lily was right behind him, her little face lighting up like a lightbulb.

“Hey Mom,” Ethan grinned, “how was work today?”

I carried Lily and felt her small arms around my neck. She pecked my cheek and my heart broke into a million pieces just looking at them. They deserved the whole world, yet I couldn't even give them a proper meal.

“It was good, Eth,” I murmured, forcing a smile. “Is Dad home?”

“Yeah mom, he got home not too long ago,” Ethan said, taking my heavy bag from my hand, trying to be the man of the house as he led the way into the sitting room.

“Just stay with Lily, I need to freshen up. I'll be with you guys shortly,” I told him, grabbed my bag back and walked toward the bedroom.

I pushed the door open, and my breath caught. The room was a total mess, clothes thrown across the bed, and there was Sean. He was standing over a large, expensive-looking suitcase, made of dark leather and silver buckles. I had never seen it before in my life.

Then he said. “You’re back,” without even looking at me. He slammed the suitcase shut and locked it quickly.

“Yeah,” I said, my voice low.

I stood by the door, watching him. I was waiting, holding onto a tiny bit of hope. I wanted him to say something that would prove my fears were right.

Sean had a tired expression on his face as he sighed loudly and rubbed his forehead like he was in pain. “Sarah. Work is very hard right now, I have to travel tomorrow on a business trip.” He said, avoiding eye contact, and fumbling with his phone.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, but I’ll let you know when I can.” His voice sounding just too calm for someone sharing stressful news.

Suddenly, Valerie’s happy words came back to my head; Just shopping for our vacation tomorrow...

She was going on a vacation tomorrow. And now Sean was saying he's going on a ‘business trip' same tommorow, my mind raced.

I felt a coldness wash over me. The sadness was gone, and in its place was something sharp and dangerous.

Indeed, it was my Sean!