The Barrier Between Us

Mia

“Congratulations Mrs Nova, you’re pregnant.”

The words made my mind go blank. In the walls of the company’s restroom, only a light buzzing sound remained. 

Pregnant…

“Mrs Nova?” 

“Yes,” I blurted out, my voice deceitfully calm despite the blood roaring in my ears, “I'm sorry. Please continue.”

He continued speaking on the other end of the line for a few more minutes. The words ‘checkups’ and ‘pre-natal vitamins’ reached my ears, yet I couldn't process a word he said.

The call ended and the line went quiet but my head didn’t. I let my hands drop against the vanity top. The marble sent a chill through my skin.

I was pregnant. Six weeks along, from what the doctor said.

It was a good thing. I should be happy. I WANTED to feel happy. 

But I felt none of that. Only a weighted hollowness that settled heavy in my chest. 

Because all I could think about was the way everything had been falling apart, piece by piece. 

After what felt like an eternity, I stepped out of the restroom and into the open air. Surrounding me, in the corporate jungle of NovaTech, men and women glitter about in offices.

Here I wasn't Mia the person. I was Mia, Project Manager and Department head of NovaTech.  

I moved towards my office. When I arrived, I bumped into someone. I straightened to find that it was Jenny, my secretary.

“Ma’am, I was looking for you. I...” She glanced around anxiously before leaning in and lowering her voice, “I was asked to inform you. The Big Boss just returned from his travels. He's asking for you and he didn't look happy.”

My jaw clenched, a wave of anxiety tightening in my chest at those words. 

He was back.

Jenny looked just as visibly tense. I took a deep breath and smiled assuringly.

“Thank you, Jenny. I'll take it from here.” I said smiling until she left. Only when she was out of sight did I let it fade.

It didn't take long to reach the top floor of the sprawling skyscraping building that led to HIS office. As soon as I reached his door, I took a slow breath, but it sat heavy in my chest.

 It wasn't hard to predict why he'd summoned me—he never did unless it was necessary, especially not these days. That only meant that he heard about the events several days ago…and my failure.

I knocked lightly, hearing his muffled voice give assent before I entered. The door slid open and there he was.

Damon.

The CEO of NovaTech. My boss.

And my husband, in secret.

He sat behind his desk, one hand flipping through a stack of files as I stepped in. As soon as I entered, he stopped all his actions and looked up. His gaze met mine, his expression cold and unforgiving.

He wasn’t happy.

“Mr Thragg informed me about what happened a few days ago,” he said coolly. “According to their account, midway through negotiations with the Callahan's, you left the meeting room abruptly and didn't come back late. Your team had to handle everything without you and make excuses on your behalf. Do you have anything to say for yourself, Miss Dawson?” 

That name was akin to an icy sting. That was my maiden name, a name which he only used within the company to avoid suspicion. 

Here, I wasn't his wife, just a subordinate. 

My throat tightened. It was just as I expected.

I could recall that day. Midway through the meeting, I felt a sudden nausea. Over the past few days I'd suffered smaller bouts of it and, despite not knowing why I constantly felt sick, I tried to ignore it and believed I could hold on. 

But it grew heavier with every passing minute. It wasn't until I nearly retched on the table that I stormed out without thinking towards the nearest restroom. 

The memories following that were spotty. I woke up later on the restroom floor and discovered that the deal was settled. I couldn't face my co-workers after.

That day, I'd scheduled a hospital appointment. It was only minutes ago, with the doctor's verdict that I understood exactly WHY.

“My apologies Mr Nova,” I said, “I take full responsibility for the incident. That day, I actually fe—”

“Enough,” his voice cut through my words as he stood up.

“Miss Dawson, do you understand what your absence and actions would have cost us? Had your team not taken control of the situation, the deal we worked hard for would have fallen apart. I trusted you to handle things properly as usual. You've truly disappointed me.”

His harshness wrapped around my chest, tightening with every second.

 From the beginning, Damon had always been pragmatic. He oversaw NovaTech with a strict precision and efficiency that frightened other competitors, bringing the company to its heights and giving him the reputation of being ruthless in the industry. When it came to professional matters, he was equally as strict with himself as he was on others, never sparing any cost.

I shouldn't have been bothered but it only made my heart hurt.

Because once, he was different with me.

The day I joined the company, I met him by accident. Months later, he pursued me in secret, confessing his feelings. I was cautious at first, yet he wore down those pieces in my heart through his actions. No matter how distant he was in public, when we were alone he was warm and caring. 

So when 6 months after we began dating, he asked me to marry him, I agreed.

That was two years ago.

For these past two years I’d been his secret wife. I endured everything whilst working beside people who had no idea I went home to the same man they called their boss.

Despite the secrecy, I didn't mind, as long as I had him and he still loved me.

But gradually, he began to grow distant towards me in private. No matter how I tried to reach out, there was a barrier between us.

Now, standing in his office, I felt it again. That invisible line.