Luis was the one who opened the door. It appeared he was on his way out.
Sarah balled her hands, turned to him, and nodded. "Hey, Mr. Stevens!"
Without waiting for him to respond to her greeting, she walked past him and entered the office with the document.
Micheal ,l was seated behind a large luxurious desk. In an expensive suit and matching tie, he looked particularly handsome.
Sarah noticed it wasn't the same suit he had on when he left home last night. How did he get changed?
With her eyes lowered, she swallowed that question and said instead, "Mr. Dixon, this is from the Marketing Department. Please sign it."
Micheal , was expressionless as he signed the document at a glance.
Sarah walked out the door as soon as he handed the document back to her. Luis was still standing at the threshold.
It wasn't until she went out of sight that Luis turned to Micheal and said in a hushed tone, "Do you think she heard us?"
Micheal’s appealing eyes were expressionless at the moment. Obviously, he wasn't paying attention to what Luis was saying.
To Micheal, Sarah had always been docile and never felt jealous of anyone.
Her strict obedience was all Micheal demanded from her in exchange for treating her well.
In the elevator.
Raegan held her breath just to hold back her tears. Unfortunately, it didn't work.
She had thought two years would be enough for Mitchel to realize how much she loved him and reciprocate her love.
Now, it turned out that was just a pipe dream.
She realized she would always play second fiddle to Lauren, Mitchel's true love.
Sarah wiped her tears when the elevator halted. Save for her pale face, she looked normal when the doors opened.
She dragged herself to the break room, intending to make herself a cup of tea.
Several employees were chatting inside.
"Guys, have you heard? Lauren Murray is back."
"And who is that?"
"Oh, my! You don't know her? Lauren is the heiress of the Murray Group as well as a world-class designer. Most importantly, she's the only girlfriend Mr. Dixon has ever shown off in public. She's his first love!"
"Why is her return such a big deal? Isn't it rumored that there is something between Mr. Dixon and Sarah?"
Sarah? She's nothing to Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon never admitted that he was dating her. And that is no surprise to me. After all, look at her. She's not even that beautiful. Yet, she behaves as if she's already Mrs. Dixon. What a fool!"
Standing at the door, sarah smiled with self-mockery as she listened to them. It turned out everyone else saw the truth except her.
The love was one-sided.
"Ha-ha, have you finally woken up from your wild dream, Sarah?"
A voice of mockery suddenly came from behind. Sarah turned around to see Tessa Lloyd, Micheal's cousin, who had always despised her.
Tessa must have also heard the employees gossiping.
The last thing Sarah wanted to do now was argue with Tessa in the company. She turned to leave, but Tessa blocked her way.
With a cup of coffee in her hand, Tessa uttered sarcastically, "Lauren is back now. Do you think Micheal will still give you any attention?"
Raegan said nothing to that.
Seconds later, Tessa continued the ridicule. "Maybe it’s time for you to seek out another man, you pathetic fool."
Sarah clenched her fists and said coldly, "Ms. Lloyd, if you are interested in that kind of thing, feel free to pursue it yourself."
"You..."
She retort made Tessa's face change.
The next second, Tessa raised her hand and emptied the cup of coffee on Sarah.
Sarah didn't think for a second that Tessa would do something so crazy. She held up her arms just to block the liquid from her face. In no time, the coffee drenched her clothes.
Sarah frowned. "What did you do that for? Are you out of your mind?"
It was lunch break and many employees were free to watch the drama. Tessa was even more complacent when she saw growing onlookers.
She put on a mean-girl look as she said, "What makes you so smug every day, huh? Do you seriously think that others don't know you are just an orphan? The nerve of..."
Tessa was silenced by Sarah'sshove.
Her jaw dropped to the floor. She had never expected thatSarah, who was so quiet and timid, would shove her.
Tessa stuttered, "You... You pushed me? How dare you!"
Sarah eyed her and replied, "Yes, I did! It seems you need to be taught simple politeness."
Indeed, she lost her parents when she was a child. But that didn't mean she would allow someone to walk over her for it.
Wrinkles appeared on Tessa's face as she frowned in anger. As Micheals cousin, she was used to being fawned over and respected. This was the first time she had been treated like this.
Tessa charged at Sarah like a raging bull, poised to retaliate.
This time, Sarah was fully prepared for what was coming. She grabbed Tessa's wrist so that the latter couldn't move another inch.
Tessa was shorter than Sarah . As a result, she struggled like an octopus that had one of its tentacles stuck in a fishing trap.
Tessa cursed angrily, "How dare you put your hands on me? Who do you think you are?"
These harsh words attracted more people to the break room.
"That's enough!"
Out of the blue, a baritone came from behind. Micheal had left his office and ran into this hullabaloo.
The entire room fell silent.
"Micheal?" Tessa's blood ran cold at the sight of Micheal. She had always been scared of him. Her mother also warned her against provoking him.
But when she remembered that Sarah humiliated her, she put on a pitiful expression and sobbed. "Micheal, she bullied me."
The sunlight from outside fell on Micheal's handsome face.
Raegan felt so grieved all of a sudden, and lowered her head to look at her clothes which were soaked with coffee.
Their gaze met in the air. With a deep frown, Micheal looked at Sarah and said, "Sarah have you forgotten the rules of the company?"
His ruthlessness made Sarah s breathing cease. She couldn't believe her ears.
No one dared to make a sound at this moment.
Sarah just stood straight there with her slender figure.
When she got employed here, Micheal had told her that the Dixon Group wasn't a place for her to mess around and that he would not tolerate her making any mistakes.
Sarah could understand why he took this stand.
However, at this moment, she was desperate to know whether Micheal had heard those hard words Tessa scolded her or he was just pretending not to have heard because he agreed to those words.
Was she truly insignificant to him?
Scared to death by Micheals rage, the crowd soon dispersed. A few employees were bold enough to peep from a distance, unwilling to miss the good show.
Micheal's cold eyes made Sarah shiver from head to toe.
Sarah pinched her palm to suppress her emotions as she looked at Tessa.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Lloyd. As an employee of the Dixon Group, it was wrong of me to have offended you."
Eyeing Sarah , Tessa raised her chin complacently. "Humph! Don't think you'll be let off the hook just by making a simple apology. I don't buy..."
"The offence has nothing to do with the company. Personally, I refuse to apologize to you. Now, if you'd excuse me,"Sarah chimed in.
She then walked past Micheal without sparing him another look.
"You..."
Tessa's face turned blue after hearing whatSarah said.
Never in her years of being alive had she been so humiliated. She was always the bully, not the victim!
The humiliation was so much that scolding Sarah wouldn't appease her anger.
Pointing in Sarah 's direction, Tessa shouted, "Micheal, did you hear what that woman just said? She humiliated me, yet she's still so arrogant. Call her back. I have to teach her some manners!"
Mitchel, staring at Raegan's thin back, had an ambiguous expression at this moment.
"Enough!" he said coldly, raising his hand.
As someone who lived and breathed drama and cruelty, Tessa didn't think Micheal was partial to Raegan just now. She assumed that Micheal didn't care about Raegan at all.
Tessa gritted her teeth and said viciously, "Next time, I'll get someone to teach her a lesson."
"Tessa!" Micheals tone and squint made it a reproof.
Tessa trembled at once.
With a somber face, Micheal said, "I'll only say it once. Forget about what happened here today. Leave Sarah alone."
The aura he exuded made her tongue go dry. All the vicious ideas she had in store against Sarah disappeared in an instant.
She stammered, "Ok... Okay, got it..."
Micheal cast a cold glance at her and spoke to Matteo. "Irrelevant people wouldn't be allowed in here from today onwards."
Without catching the drift, Tessa flattered Micheal "Nice call. This is a top company. Not everyone gains access in here."
Matteo nodded to Micheal and then walked over to Tessa. He gestured to the exit. "Ms. Lloyd, this way, please."
It wasn't until this moment that Tessa realized that she was the irrelevant person Micheal just mentioned. She tried to speak to him, but Matteo blocked her way. The security guards then escorted her out.
They showed her no mercy. Her struggle was useless.
Meanwhile, Sarah got changed when she returned to her office.
Her heart was filled with sadness as she thought of how Micheallooked at her minutes ago.
Closing hour soon rolled by.
Sarah took her bag and headed for the exit. However, Matteo stopped her.
He said, "Mr. Dixon has something urgent to deal with, so he asked me to drive you home."
Sarah declined the ride without thinking twice.
She was blind before, but now she could see through the situation.
In Micheal 's eyes, she was just a nobody.
How could Micheal agree to accompany her to visit her grandmother when he didn't even care about her?
Upon arriving at the hospital, Sarah saw that the nurse was about to feed her grandmother dinner. Sarah took the job over and did it by herself.
All her life, her grandmother had been living in the countryside, enjoying a quiet life. Everything changed last month when her routine medical checkup showed that she was in need of medical care. Sarah insisted on bringing her to the city for better treatment.
Her grandmother wasn't aware of her marriage to Micheal
RSarah had planned to surprise her today. But as it turned out, that was no longer necessary.
Sarah waited for her grandmother to fall asleep before she left. She walked out of the hospital and waited for a taxi.
In the distance, a black luxury car pulled into the entrance of the hospital.
Sarah 's eyes lit up when she saw it. She recognized that car as Micheal's
Did he come to pick her up?
At this moment, she forgot all the pain she had been feeling.
Were her thoughts about him all wrong? Did he care for her, contrary to the gossip?
The door of the driver's side opened and Micheal got out.
Sarah started walking toward him with her heart brimming with joy.
Suddenly, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Mitchel had just walked over to the other side and carried a woman out of the car.
Worry and compassion were written all over his handsome face.
This wiped the smile on Sarah 's face. Her heart sank.
As Sarah’s art continued to gain recognition, she found herself both exhilarated and overwhelmed. The gallery exhibition had been a pivotal moment, but it was just the beginning. Her art was resonating with people in ways she had never imagined, and each new piece she created seemed to tell a part of their evolving love story.Michael stood by her side through it all. He was her biggest supporter and, sometimes, her critic—a role he embraced with equal parts love and honesty. They often found themselves discussing her work late into the night, their conversations blending into the warmth of their shared bed.One evening, after a particularly long day at the gallery, Sarah sat at her easel, staring at a blank canvas. Michael, sensing her frustration, quietly walked in and watched her.“Rough day?” he asked softly, his voice filled with concern.Sarah sighed, “I’m struggling to find inspiration. I want to capture something new, something that reflects where we are now, but I’m stuck.”M
As Michael and Sarah's romance blossomed, they found themselves feeling more alive than they had in years. They would steal glances at each other during Noah's soccer practices, and their hands would touch as they sat together on the bleachers. Michael, who had once felt like a shell of his former self, now walked with a newfound spring in his step. He started taking risks at work, pursuing new projects and ideas that he had previously been too afraid to try. Sarah, too, felt a sense of renewal. She started painting again, a hobby she had given up after her divorce. She found solace in the creative process, and her art became a reflection of her newfound happiness. As they navigated their rekindled relationship, they faced challenges, of course. They had to confront the mistakes of their past and work to rebuild trust. But they were determined to make it work, for themselves and for Noah. Sarah's paintbrush danced across the canvas, vibrant colors blending together in a swirling stor
As Sarah and Michael continued to co-parent effectively, they both started to notice positive changes in their individual lives. Sarah found a new sense of purpose and confidence, pursuing her passion for photography and even starting her own business. Michael, too, rediscovered his love for music and began playing guitar again, finding solace in the creative expression.Their newfound happiness and fulfillment started to radiate outward, affecting those around them. Sarah's friends and family noticed her glow and asked for her secret. Michael's colleagues commented on his renewed energy and focus.One evening, as Sarah was editing photos in her home office, she received an unexpected visit from her best friend, Emily. "Sarah, I have to ask, what's behind this transformation? You seem so happy and at peace."Sarah smiled, reflecting on her journey. "It's funny, Emily. I think co-parenting with Michael has been a blessing in disguise. We're finally communicating effectively, and it's f
Noah's eyes widened as he listened to his parents' explanation. He looked from one to the other, his face scrunched up in confusion."But why can't I stay with both of you?" he asked, his voice trembling.Sarah knelt down beside him, her expression softening. "We love you, sweetie, but Mommy and Daddy need some time apart. We'll both still see you, just not at the same time."Noah's face crumpled, and he threw his arms around Sarah's neck. "I don't want to leave you, Mommy!"Michael's heart ached as he watched the scene unfold. He knelt down beside them, putting a hand on Noah's shoulder."Hey, buddy, it's okay. We'll both still be your parents, and we'll both still love you. This is just a new way of doing things."Noah pulled back, his eyes welling up with tears. "But I don't want things to change!"Sarah and Michael exchanged a glance, both of them struggling to find the right words to comfort their son.At first, Noah struggled to adjust to the new arrangement. He missed his paren
"What do you want me to say?You know I never lied to you.You always knew I loved her.That didn't stop you from using my body did it?Gosh I hate you.I don't know what I saw in you or attracted me to you I don't know why I wasted so much of my time and energy on you.I grind my teeth at her words .Her words angered me.Yes we did sleep together during our marriage but It was just to scratch ah inchI took vows and despite the fact that I didn't love her.I wasn't going to break them by cheating on her.I am not here to talk about the past,I'm here to talk about Noah"I said changing the topic.It was so draining going round and round .I needed to say what I came here to say then leave before I said or did something I would later regret.Noah's name got her attention which I knew it would.She opened one of the cabinets and takes out the bottle of medicine.Checking the label.I realized it's for pain."How is the arm I askedYou came here to talk ,so please talk...We both know you do
I went to the kitchen to tidy up the dirty dishes,then there was a knock.Noah was still asleep and I didn't want to wake him up yet.I was so sure it was Nathan,he had probably forgotten something ."Did you forget something?"I asked opening the door.My emotions shut down when I realized it was Michael and not Nathan.Seeing his face just brought a rush of pain.Rememberinv how he abandoned me to save his precious babe brought a bitter taste to my mouth There was no denying that I meant nothing to him.I mean yesterday just showed me the extent of his disregard and hate towards me.I push the hurt and pain away.Locking them together with the love I had for him in the deepest anf darkest parts of my soul.Micheal was dead to me and I didn't want to ever love a dead man.I know he could see how my emotions to him are obviously dead."What are you doing here?".I asked ,He just pushed in way into the house.It was like talking to a stranger.He was nothing to me ,not anymore.This is someon