Chapter 5

Anna

Three years.

That was how long it had been since I last saw Alex.

Three years since our divorce.

I hadn't been the one to hand him the papers. I had sent someone else to deliver them, and after that, I disappeared from his life completely. I hadn't heard from him. I hadn't seen him since the night he walked out.

Not even my best friend. Sometimes, I felt guilty about that. She deserved better from me. But I needed a fresh start, I wanted a life where nobody knew me, where I didn't have to explain myself or answer to anyone.

The same day I sent someone to deliver the divorce papers to Alex, I also sent someone to deliver a letter to her. In it, I told her that I was sorry for leaving without saying goodbye, I told her I wanted to start over to build a new life. I didn't know how long it would take, but I promised myself that when the time was right, I would come back for her.

In those three years, I had changed. Zeke had kept his promise.He gave me everything and  I had built myself into someone Alex would never recognize and now, I was one step closer to destroying him.

I stood in front of my mirror, adjusting the sleeve of my blazer before looking at my reflection. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

Three years ago, I had been desperate to be believed, desperate for his love but not anymore. Now I am more powerful, more powerful than I ever imagined I could be.

I picked up my handbag from the table and checked the time.I had a meeting to attend. I slipped on my heels and walked out of my room, making my way downstairs. My driver was already waiting outside.

Zeke wasn't around. He was rarely home anyway, always coming and going as he pleased. His absence gave me the space I needed.

“Good morning, ma'am,” he greeted as I approached the car.

“Good morning.”

He opened the door for me, and I got in. As the car pulled away from the house, I leaned back against the seat and looked out through the window.

Zeke and I weren't exactly close but we understood each othe and that was enough. He was my fiancé now, yet there were still so many things I didn't know about him.

I still didn't know who he really was. I didn't know why he had chosen to help me and whenever I asked, he simply told me that I would understand when the time was right. I had stopped asking.

The car eventually slowed to a stop. I got out and looked at the building in front of me.

Alex's company.

The last time I had walked into this company, I had been Alex's wife. I had come here to see my husband, never imagining that three years later, I would be returning for an entirely different reason.

This time, I wasn't here as his wife. I was here as a business partner. His company was working with mine on a new project, and today, we were meeting to finalize the contract and discuss the details.

I had no idea what awaited me inside and Alex had no idea that the woman coming to his company for today's meeting was the very same woman he had once thrown away.

I pushed open the conference room door and stepped inside. The room was already occupied, and almost immediately, everyone's attention turned toward me.

“I'm so sorry for being late,” I said.

A few people nodded and returned their attention to the documents in front of them.

Across the room, Alex's head slowly lifted. I knew He had heard my voice, his eyes searched the room until they found me. His eyes widened,and he blinked rapidly, as if trying to make sure I wasn't a ghost.

 Seeing him again brought back memories I had tried so hard to bury both the good and the bad. For a moment, they came rushing back, but I quickly suppressed them, refusing to let the past take control of me again.

“Anna?”

He stood up and slowly moved towards me.

  As he came closer, I noticed how badly he looked. He looked tired, worn out, almost like life had taken something out of him. For a brief moment, seeing him like that stirred something in me.

I stared at him for a moment, searching the face I once knew so well. So much had changed, yet somehow, I still recognized him. Whatever feeling of empathy I had toward him, I brushed it aside and pushed it out of my mind. The Alex I knew died three years ago.

I walked past him and took my seat. Just as I settled back, I turned to look at him again. I slowly raised my right hand, letting the engagement ring on my finger catch his attention.

I kept my face calm and steady.

“It’s Mrs. Trusova to you.”