002| Replaced in Public

~TYLA~

I forced a smile to my trembling lips, even though it did nothing to brighten my face.

“I’m sorry, darling. I need to head to the office now… I promise to take you to the park this weekend as compensation.”

Kenny thought for a while, and then he nodded. In an instant, he was back to eating, almost like the conversation never happened.

I clenched my fists tightly and without another word, I headed back to my room.

My leg still pained from hitting it on the table last night, so I practically limped up the stairs.

I didn’t allow myself time to process the pain; instead, I forced my mind into getting ready for work.

But even my unwillingness to accept the situation I found myself in, did nothing to reduce its impact.

When I came down again, fully dressed… they were still at the table. But Matt was done eating, he seemed to be watching Olivia and Kenny, like a doting husband and father.

Olivia was still giving Kenny more food.

This time around, I didn’t stop, didn’t let them see the pain in my eyes as I walked past them.

But as I headed for the exit, Matt suddenly spoke.

“Have the driver take you.”

I stopped, but didn’t turn.

What was I supposed to do? Feel thankful he finally noticed me enough to show some charity.

“That won’t be necessary. I already called a taxi.”

Then I walked out without looking their way again, even though I could feel their eyes on me.

When I arrived at the office, it was chaotic. Staff were running all over the place, and everything felt completely uncoordinated.

It was almost impossible to get anyone to tell me what was going on.

I had only been away for like… three days, and hell had already broken loose.

Just then, a familiar figure came into view. I quickly grabbed her hand, stopping her.

“Lydia, what’s going on?” I asked.

She was one of the executive staff… also Matt’s secretary.

For a second, relief flashed across her face. “Tyla, thank goodness you are back. The office is going crazy.”

I frowned. “What’s going on?”

“They won’t come clean and tell us what’s going on, but I think the company is going under, and there might be a merger soon.”

My frown deepened. “A merger?”

But she didn’t respond. Instead, she pushed the files she was holding onto me.

“Here, these documents need to be signed by the CEO. I don’t know why he isn’t here yet, that’s so unlike him.”

My chest tightened.

He wasn’t there because he was at home having breakfast with the love of his life.

I took the documents from her. “I will go through them and give them to him once he arrives.”

She smiled gratefully and then rushed off, clearly with a lot of tasks at hand.

I rubbed my hand against my jawline. I quickly went to have a look at the document.

But even in my busy state, I still couldn’t stop thinking of what had happened earlier.

Could I really stay like this?

Could I really pretend that none of these happened and just move on… all for the sake of a peaceful home?

The thought was ridiculous even to me.

Just then, I got a call to come pick up something from the front desk.

Once more, I pushed back all the thoughts that were gradually making me restless, and headed downstairs.

However, just as I got to the front desk to pick up the document, Matt arrived.

But the unusual thing was the person beside him.

Olivia got out of the car too, and hurried to walk beside him, both like the perfect couple.

My face turned pale.

Just then, the front desk managers began whispering amongst themselves, but loud enough for me to hear.

“Who is that woman beside the boss?”

“Could she be his mysterious wife?”

“Oh my God, she looks so beautiful. They look so good together.”

My blood ran cold. For a moment, I forgot how to walk.

“There is the boss PA, maybe she could tell us if that is really Mrs. Wilson.”

Though I worked as Matt’s PA for the last 4 years, he made sure my identity as his wife was hidden. I was never even seen together with him.

And yet, he arrived together with Olivia, not even minding what people would think about it.

I walked away before the gossips could ask me any questions, intending to head back to the office.

But just then, Olivia called out to me.

“Tyla, fancy seeing you here? I didn’t realize you would be here too.”

I stopped, taking note of the fact that people were staring at us now.

Olivia smiled kindly, she then held Matt’s arm tenderly. “I didn’t know you worked here, Matt didn’t even tell me.”

It was clear she had heard people mistaking her as the CEO’s wife, and was clearly basking in its pride.

I looked up at Matt, seeing as he kept his face straight. I swallowed hard.

I ignored Olivia and spoke to him instead. “The office is in chaos and there is a lot you need to sign.”

His brow knitted. He opened his mouth to say something, but then, his phone rang.

He gave me a short look and then answered the call, stepping away from us a little.

His call was incredibly short, and yet Olivia’s smile didn’t waver, and the surrounding whispers grew intense.

But I ignored them all, even though it burned.

When Matt returned, he looked a bit shaken.

“Grandma was in an accident. We have to leave now.”

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe. “Grandma?”

My stomach turned violently.

Grandma Wilson was one of the few people who actually treated me well in the Wilson family, and we have both formed a huge bond.

I rushed toward the exit without another word, well aware that he was following after me.

“Let me come with you,” Olivia announced, rushing after us.

My legs trembled as I headed for the packed car. For a moment, I forgot to pretend that I wasn’t his wife and take another car.

But Olivia beat me to it. She rushed to open the front door, hoping to sit with Matt.

I looked up at Matt, expecting him to ask Olivia to go to the back seat… at least for the fact that we were going to see his grandmother.

But then, he simply got into the car without saying anything else.

Olivia flashed me a triumphant smile, before getting in the car after Matt.

Matt didn’t start immediately, it was clear he was waiting for me to get in.

But I didn’t. Instead, I turned around and held the first taxi I could find and got into it.