Saying Goodbye

NORA'S POV 

I walked as fast as my legs could carry me. I wanted to get home before breaking down into tears, I didn't want to draw attention to myself, I just wanted to get home and cry in peace. 

As I walked passed a few blocks, a black tinted car parked beside me. I paused and glanced at it, wondering why it had stopped beside me. Immediately after it stopped, Evan, Gloria's secretary came out of the car.

I gave him a puzzled expression.

"Evan" I said 

He gave me a slight nod and then said " Miss Simmons, the chairwoman would like to have a word with you at her house" 

I was confused. "The chairwoman? Why?" I asked, wondering what this was about.

What more does she want from me? I already ended things with Aiden and I'm thinking of booking an appointment at the hospital for the procedure.

"I really cannot answer that question, please kindly follow us to the house" Evan said 

I hesitated for a bit but then seeing that I couldn't avoid it, I reluctantly got into the car. Evan entered after me and then slammed the door behind him. 

I was silent throughout the ride as I anxiously thought of what she wanted to see me for. We got to the mansion about 30 minutes later. It was in a private estate. 

Gloria was already waiting for me in the large living room as Evan led me into it. 

"You're here.... that's good" Gloria said and gestured to one of the maids to offer me something.

She was sitted on one of the couchs. I nervously took a seat opposite hers.

"There's really no need for that ma'am......I'm okay" I replied her 

"Are you sure? " She asked. " My head chef makes amazing cookies, you might want to try some." She added 

Why was she being nice? What is happening? 

"I think I'm okay ma'am....but thank you" I politely declined. 

I figured there was no point in her patronizing me. I was curious on why she had unexpectedly invited me to her house. That's the only thing I needed at this point, not some form of refreshment or entertainment.

" I guess I'd have to go straight to the point then" she started and then asked. " How did it go with Aiden?" 

Ofcourse, what was I thinking? Was I really expecting her to accept me? To accept the baby? 

"I ended things with him already" I replied her 

"Good. And how did he take it?" She asked 

Is she really expecting me to answer that? I just broke up with Aiden without giving him a tangible reason! Did she really expect him to be okay? I broke his precious heart! Even I myself isn't doing okay. 

All I want is to go home to cry in peace. 

"He didn't take it well" I replied her 

"As expected...... but do not worry about him, with time he would accept reality and move on..... you should do the same too" she said to me.

I stared between her and the floor. How can someone be this ruthless? Intensionally causing pain for her own flesh and blood, and the sad and frustrating part is that Aiden wouldn't even know that she's the one behind all of these. 

"I understand" I replied silently 

"Nora Simmons..." She called out and then added " there's no point in resenting me. This was bound to happen one day, I am doing you both a favor by ending it earlier" she explained 

The weight of her words broke me once again, I couldn't hide the tears I had fought soo hard to hold since I left Aiden. 

"I understand" I repeated as I wiped off the tears from my eyes 

"You should understand one thing Nora, Aiden is the future CEO of Ingrid group of companies. He is going to take over from me after I retire, there's absolutely no way that he would settle with someone like you. You are not in the same class, Aiden needs to marry someone befitting of him and the position so they can take the company to greater heights" Gloria explained 

At this point, I had zoned out already. I wasn't even listening to her anymore. A part of me just wanted to run to back to Aiden and explain everything to him. The thought of him being with someone else made my heart ache and I doubt if I would be able to bear it.

".....I am going to make sure that he ends up with the right person..." Gloria continued 

I nodded in agreement. " Can I leave now?" 

"Yes... but before then..." She said and then signaled to Evan who handed me an envelope.

I stared at it suspiciously but hesitantly received it from him.

"What is this ma'am?" I asked

"You can find out yourself" Gloria replied 

I opened it, to find a check inside. A twenty thousand dollar check. 

My eyes widened at the realization of what it meant.  

"I don't understand...." I stated to her 

"What do you think?.... it's yours ofcourse " she replied me 

"Thank you... but I'm afraid I can't accept this " I replied her as I pushed the envelope away from me.

"You do not need to be modest. That is compensation for the trouble. Also, do not forget that you have to get rid of the baby" her eyes landed on my belly as she spoke . " It's advisable you go through the procedure now that it is still early......you need money for the process , so take it" she urged 

I knew better than this, if I took the money she would definitely use it against me sooner than later. I don't want to do something that I'd eventually feel indebted to. 

"I appreciate the concern but I will still have to decline" I replied her firmly 

I watched as she shrugged her shoulders. " If you insist "  

She gestured to Evan who handed another envelope to me, this time it was bigger. 

Does she really think increasing the amount would make me bulge? I collected it regardless and then opened it. The content in it made me freeze as I read through.

"That's a document stating that you would stay out of Aiden's life for good. I need you to sign it" she stated out loud.

I skimmed through it with a heavy heart. 

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked 

"Go ahead" she replied 

" Do you really need to go through these lengths to stop Aiden and I from being together?" I asked 

"I am going to do whatever it takes to protect my family, both now and in the future. I am going to protect the family legacy from loop holes that might appear in the future." She stated and then added. " This is not a request Nora Simmons, you need to sign the document, giving me your word that you would be out of my grandson's life for good " 

I swallowed the lump in my throat. There was no point in arguing. 

"If that's what you want then I will sign it and stay out of Aiden's life" I said the words with Soo much pain. "But I have to decline the money, I do not need it" I added 

"Fine, suit yourself if that's what you want. Just sign the papers " she stated coldly 

" There's a pen in the envelope " Evan said behind me.

I nodded in response and then brought out the pen to put my signature stating that I would be out of the life of the one man that I have ever loved. 

Aiden Hart.