Chapter 2

FIVE YEARS LATER

Zerah

“Miss Grayson, Please come to my office.”

Standing up, I kept my face neutral as I stepped into his office.

“Did you need something, Mr Hail?” I asked, not giving any emotion away while I closed the door behind me. In an instant, his stern look melted into a mischievous smile.

“Come on Zerah, you know you can call me Nathan in private,” He teased, pushing me to smile. 

“Watch yourself boss, others may think you're showing favoritism,” I teased, unbothered. It was normal between us considering that I'd been working as his secretary for the past several years.

He chuckled, but his expression suddenly grew serious, 

“But on that note, I did have something to tell you. It's very important.” 

Sitting down, I looked up at him, worried. What was he going to say?

“When I became the head of this branch several years ago, I hadn't expected to be here this long. However there's been a change of plans.”

“You're leaving?” I asked. He nodded in affirmation before he spoke.

“I am being recalled back to the company headquarters. In City A.”

I stopped short at his words, 

“And I want you to come with me.”

I looked up completely shocked. My jaw nearly dropped as I stared at him processing everything.

“I know what I'm asking you for is a reach. It's crazy to ask someone to move their life to an entirely new place. But I'm asking you because I trust you. You're the best secretary I have here and your talents will be wasted at this branch. There's still enough time to prepare, so, what do you say?” He asked, a shaky smile 

My gut clenched as his words swirled in my mind. It wasn't a bad offer and there was nothing wrong with it.

But City A…

A hollow ache wracked my chest at the reminder of years ago. That place that was once my home, l filled with so many memories.

Shutting those thoughts out, I offered a small, forced smile.

“I'll think about it,” I said, fighting my anxiety 

On my way home, the thoughts never stopped swirling in my mind. It had been five long years since I left that city and excused the pain and heartbreak I got. Five years since, I left HIM.

After moving out, I had rented an apartment and continued putting money in the hospital. 

And then a miracle happened.

The Doctor's treatments had worked and thanks to the money from the contract marriage to my surprise and gratefulness, my mother’s treatment was successful. She was finally cured of ovarian cancer.

I was overjoyed and near tears when  the news got to me. 

A month after her recovery, I made the decision to leave the city to start afresh. Even if my mother didn’t know why, she agreed. We were both eager to start over in a different place, free from painful memories.

And so using the money, we moved to City Z. There we lived together until my pregnancy grew.  There, I gave birth to twin boys, Micah and Ryan.

A year after moving to the city, I found work in Geronimo Cooperation, where I began working as a secretary for Nathan while my mother took care of the children. With the rest of the money saved up for emergencies, there was nothing to worry about when it came to our finances. 

For the past five years, life was good. I was content, even if sometimes things were difficult. No matter how much I tried to forget Ryker, sometimes I would look into my sons’ faces that were too much like him and the heartbreak would return, but it was easier to manage with time. They were happy. I was happy.

Could I really go back?

Entering the house I was met with immediate hugs from both my sons before my mother shooed them away to continue doing their homework.

It wasn't until the night fell that I made my decision. After dinner and putting the children to sleep I finally approached her. 

“Mom, what do you think about moving back to City A?” I asked after we cleaned the dishes. She stopped to look at me, her face lit up in surprise and confusion.

After explaining Nathan's offer to her, she was silent for a moment before she held my hand.

“Dear girl,” she smiled, “You know me and the boys will follow you wherever you go. We aren't short of resources either. If this is what you want, then let's do it.”

My heart ached at her support. I reached out to embrace her, savoring her love.

“Thank you mom.” I whispered, 

With those words, all the doubts and anxiety cleared away.

I was going to take the chance.

There was nothing to worry about. It was a big city and there were little to no chances of us crossing paths. Me coming back wouldn't make a difference. 

I never had to bother with facing Ryker again.

….

After telling Nathan my decision to follow him, he looked ecstatic, even agreeing to pay for my and my family's tickets. No matter how much I  refused, he insisted and I eventually gave in. 

In the meantime I told the children the news. They were surprisingly calm and eager about it. I spent my time planning the move, buying a new house in the city, dealing with their school amongst others. After preparing everything, in less than two weeks than a week, we had moved our lives into City A.

Despite this being our first night in our new home, I still couldn't  rest. Shortly after we had moved most of our things inside I left the home in the evening with Nathan..

 Nathan had informed me that there was going to be a party to celebrate with the head company and I was going as his plus one. 

Despite being exhausted, I was now with him.

Together we walked around socializing, which mostly included me nodding along to whatever he said while he spoke to others.

“Excuse me for a moment Zerah, I need to meet someone really quickly.” Nathan said, passing me an apologetic look. I nodded in response watching him go. 

Looking around at the lavish party, the calm fancy music and the luxurious people around made me tense. I didn't belong here. 

It was ironic, considering who I was married to in the past. But I never needed to go out with him to any functions. My role was clear that I was just a fake wife, meant to ensure he got his family inheritance.

 Perhaps it was a blessing that I never did. At least my humiliation and heartbreak was always private.

Pushing away the memories , I moved towards the corner of the room. Whenever Nathan came back, surely he'd be able to notice me there. 

As I turned around I accidentally bumped into someone, stumbling back for a moment.

“I'm sorry, I-” my apology trailed off and I felt my heart sink at the sight.

Because standing in front of me was the one person I thought I'd never see.

Ryker.