Chapter 4- "The door that should not be opened"

When her office door buzzed, Arabella was discussing the terms of her contract with Philip. Sophie was dozing off on the couch in the room's corner, tucked under a blanket, at almost 6:30.

Philip looked at her, then at the door. "Are you expecting anyone?"

Arabella didn't raise her gaze. "No."

Philip walked across the room, looked at the monitor, and then tensed up. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

Arabella's eyebrow went up. "Who is it?"

Slowly, he turned. "Vale Roman."

Her fingers froze on the keyboard.

She raised her head. "Give him access."

Philip blinked ,Uncertain. "Are you sure?"

Arabella gave one nod as she spoke in a cool and even icy tone. "Yes."

Philip hesitated for a breath, then pressed the unlock button.

The door opened.

Roman step in.

He didn't resemble the man but she remembered. The haughty groom in an ivory tuxedo was no longer there. A man with tighter, older, and heavier features now stood in front of her.

He stopped in the doorway as He glanced around the room but first lingering on Sophie, who was soundly asleep in the corner, and then focusing on Arabella.

She did not welcome him or tried to get up and her fingers were folded loosely as she reclined in her chair.

"Roman." She spoke without trembling.

He shut the door after himself. "You're still here."

Arabella smiled a little. "Disappointed?"

He disregarded the remark. "You vanished, No phone calls, Not a message or a single note.

She said, "You abandoned me at the altar." she said. Her voice is still soft, but no longer calm.

What precisely was I meant to say? "Thanks for the embarrassment."

Roman winced.

There was silence between them which was dense and heavy.

At last, he took a step towards her desk.

He declared, "I didn't come to fight."he said with a low voice.

"I simply" He took a swallow. "I looked at the articles concerning ARA Systems then I came across you.

Arabella tilted her head slightly. "So, this is about business?"

"No," he said too hastily. "No, Is she…

Arabella?

His gaze strayed to Sophie.

Arabella's expression grew stern. "Speak it."

He looked her in the eye. "Is she mine?"

Slowly, Arabella stood up. "You want to ask now?"

"I'm entitled to know." He said , as his voice was tight.

"You are undeserving of anything."

He clenched his jaw while his throat moved like he wanted to swallow something down. "I made mistakes"

“No, Roman,” she cut in, sharp and steady.

“You didn’t make a mistake. You made a choice.”

He combed his hair with his hand. "I am aware that I caused you pain. I am certain that I did. However, I was unaware of her.

With her arms crossed, she spoke sharply. "What if you had?"

He paused.

That was a sufficient response.

Softly, Arabella scoffed. "Exactly."

Roman's eyes remained fixed on her. "What are you looking for from me?"

Her heels echoed on the marble floor as she moved slowly around the desk, Like she was walking toward her past just to bury it properly.

"Roman, I don't want revenge."she said. Her voice was cool, but her eyes burned

"So, why have you returned?"he asked, almost like a whisper.

She came to a halt directly before him. Although her voice was gentle, it was as sharp as glass.

Her voice dropped—soft as breath, but sharp enough to cut.

 "Because I constructed something." she said. Without you, I built it. Without sympathy. “Not with your name on it”.

She took one final step, closing the space between them, but not touching.

“ You will now see me rise, not to harm you, but to let you know that I never needed you in the first place”.

Roman opened his mouth, but remained silent.

"What about Sophie?" Arabella turned back and spoke. “She has all she requires. She doesn't require confusion from an outsider”.

He took a step forward. "Her father is me."

"The day you left us, you forfeited that right."

"I had no idea!"

Arabella’s face twisted with something like grief but it hardened just as fast. "But you weren't interested enough to find out”. 

Roman exhaled sharply. "I came to put things right."

"You can't."she whispered.

Roman stepped forward again, softer.

“Arabella…”

But she raised her hand.

“Don’t.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper now.

“You gave her nothing. Don’t come back to take something now.”

The door opened once more, and Philip entered with raised eyebrows. Your meeting with the European division is scheduled for later, Ms. Laurent. Do I need to move it?

Arabella didn’t look at Roman.

She simply nodded.

“Yes. Push it by half an hour.”

Philip gave a slight bow of understanding and quietly stepped out again.

Roman turned to her, disbelief in his voice. "You're returning to work?"

She declared, "I don't owe you a breakdown." "You are no longer that significant."

Roman lowered his voice and took a step closer. "You still despise me."

Her eyes were cold as she peered over her shoulder. "No, Roman. You are not hated by me but I outgrew you”.

He didn't say anything.

Arabella approached Sophie and gently lifted her up. The young girl's eyes fluttered open as she stirred.

"Mum?" she mumbled sleepily.

Arabella whispered, "It's okay, sweetie." "We're heading home."

Sophie cuddled up to her shoulder and yawned.

The word “Mama” echoed in his ears, cutting deeper than anything Arabella had said.

He was passed by Arabella as she made her way to the door. "The legal documents will be sent to you by my assistant. 

Do you want a DNA test? Alright. You’ll get it. She turned her head slightly, eyes still on the elevator.

“But that’s all you’re getting.”

“Please, Arabella”

She stopped at the elevator, her back to him.

Sophie shifted in her arms.

Roman moved in front of the doors, blocking them.

“I’m not asking you to forgive me,” he said quickly. His voice was unsteady now.

“I’m not even asking you to forget.”

He swallowed harder as his hands clenched at his sides.

“I just want to know her,” he whispered.

“That’s all. I missed everything. But maybe I don’t have to miss everything else. Please…”

"Roman, she's not a prize."

His eyes glistened. "I am aware of that," he said, barely audible. "God, I know that."

"Then earn it," she advised.

The elevator swung open. Without waiting, she intervened.

Roman saw his image blinking back at him in the glass as the doors slid shut.

His daughter had just been introduced to him. and simultaneously lost her.

—

During the drive home, Arabella remained silent. Sophie curled her little fingers in her mother's coat and fell back asleep in her lap.

It wasn't sadness that made her chest hurt.

from the clarity.

She was aware of him. turned to face him. spoke with him. Furthermore, she wasn't the woman who used to sob into her pillow in an attempt to win love.

Her past was Roman Vale.

She was Elle Laurent now.

Keeping Sophie safe and removing her from a location where they could never be reached again were the only things that mattered.

Arabella carried Sophie inside their penthouse apartment with gentleness.

Philip remained in the hallway, observing.

Before she shut the door, he inquired, "Are you okay?"

Arabella gave a nod.

Philip, however, remained motionless. "He will return. Roman. I think you should be aware of that?

She gave him a look. "Give him a chance."

Philip's face changed a little. "What if he desires shared custody?"

Arabella didn't flinch. "After that, we go to war."

She closed the door.

—

A block from Arabella's office, Roman sat motionless in his car.

He gazed at the building as if it would disappear.

His knuckles were pale as he clenched his hands around the steering wheel.

He had trouble breathing.

His daughter was born.

A kid who resembled him exactly.

And the woman he remembered was not at all like Arabella—God. She had lost her softness. She was made of steel ,Accuracy and Ice.

He detested the fact that he still desired her.

Roman reached for his phone and pressed the dial button.

He yelled into the receiver, "Get me, Jonathan." "Lawyer in the family."

"Now?" his helper inquired.

Indeed. At this moment.

After hanging up, he tipped his head back.

He had left the altar believing that he was choosing what was best for them both. Enterprise ,reputation and Time.

He didn't want to bring her into the chaos of his business and ruin her life. He had persuaded himself that she would be better off without him.

However, now...

He could now see what she had become without him.

It was also frightful.

Because Roman Vale wasn't certain he could win for the first time.