Chapter 2
“Mia…”
“Mia?”
“Mia!”
1 jerked, gripping tightly to the file in my hands as I jolted back to reality.
“Are
you okay?” Kyle, Xander’s brother asked.
With a quick roll of my eyes, 1 realized where I was. My team members had a similar expression of confusion on their faces and it dawned on me how distracted I’d been from the meeting.
I glanced at Kyle for help, unsure of how to salvage the situation, and like every other time, he came through.
“Um
n everyone, the meeting has been adjourned. The new date will be communicated to you all before the end of today”
I lowered my head, avoiding their questioning stares as they exited the conference room.
“Are you okay, Mia?” Kyle asked immediately we were alone. “You’ve been zoning in and out of work all day. Did Kander do something?”
Thit
bottom lip, the memory threatening to extract a sob from me. I wondered how I was going to tell him about the divorce. I knew I had no right to feel this way, my marriage to Xander had been a contracted agreement from the start, and this was how it was meant to end.
“Will yo
you
miss me if you wake up one day and I’m gone?” I asked, facing him.
He laughed. “What’re you talking about! Where would you go!
Just answer me. Kyle. Would you?”
His grin slowly dwindled as he stared into my expressionless face.
“You’re scaring me now, Mia. Why would you leave? What’s going on?”
“I’m pregnant,” I spilled the words in a breath.
His face lit up, “that’s amazing news!”
Kyle’s excitement slowly died when he noticed my emotionless face, “you don’t seem too happy about it. Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? Have you told Xander?”
“Xander asked for a divorce.”
“What?” He yelled, “Is this a joke?”
I shook my head, blinking back the tears that stung my eyes.
“Is that why you’re leaving?
“Irene is back.” The words came out coldly, as though I had an unsettled beef with her.
“I know. But what has that got to do with you both getting a divorce?”
At this point, I realized that Kyle wasn’t aware no one was aware of the contract between Xander and me. I didn’t tell a soul like he wanted, not even Kyle, his brother who also happened to be my best friend.
“It was fake. My marriage to Xander was contractual, none of it was real. Xander never loved me, Irene has always been the one he desired
Kyle’s jaw dropped. “But you’re pregnant for him and you love him, Mia”
“I do, but Xander doesn’t know about the pregnancy. I couldn’t tell him, it won’t change anything”
“You don’t know that. You love him; if he knows that you’re expecting his child, he might have a change of heart. He deserves to know,
Chapter 2
You think so?”
He nodded. “Go to his office right now and tell him. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of things from here.”
I flashed him an appreciative smile before springing out of my seat. In the elevator, I braced myself for Xander’s reaction.
With each step towards Xander’s office, my anxiety intensified. Despite living with him for so long. I still couldn’t shake off the feeling of intimidation that surrounded him.
I took a quick breath before swinging open the door to his office. My anticipation died, melting into ashes, when I found Irene seated comfortably in Xander’s chair.
A warm smile spread across her face as she lo
as she looked up. and my eyes scanned the room for Xander, but there was no sign of him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, confused, “Where is Xander?”
“I should be asking you, she sneered, arching a brow, “Aren’t you and Xander already divorced? Why are you still clinging to him like a pest?”
My face flushed with an annoyance
e that I coul
couldn’t conceal anymore. “I work here-
She sharply cut me off with a scoff. “Do you?” She slid out of Xander’s seat, her lips holding an evil smirk. I see you haven’t received the termination letter yet.”
“What are you talking about?”
With a cold glance, Irene snatched a stack of paper from the desk and flung them at
- me.
“Xander plans to send them to you after the divorce has been finalized but you might as well receive them now since you’re here.
I caught the papers, my heart palpitating as I buried my face into the sheet, perusing through the content. It was a termination letter that was already in effect and divorce papers.
My legs buckled and I staggered, my breathing hard.
“Oh don’t cry, honey. I’m not the one firing you, I’m just a messenger.”
The tears stung my eyes but I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them drop.
I turned around to leave, struggling to keep my tears at bay when the door swung open, and Xander appeared.
I locked eves with him, a’lone tear escaping despite my efforts.
His gaze dropped to the crumpled papers in my fist and he started to ask. “How did you
די
them to her.” Irene chimed in, swooping to his side and locking their arms. “She’ll be getting them eventually so I don’t see the need for delay.”
Xander nodded before facing me, his gaze turning cold. “Like I said, you will be compensated handsomely for your time. There is a blank cheque in there, fill it with whatever amount you want and I’ll wire it to your account at once.”
My voice shook, “Why am I getting fired? I’ve always been diligent in my work, I do my best for this company.”
“That’s right but it’ll be weird for us to be around each other when we’re no longer married.”
Xander uttered the brutal words with no emotion in his eyes.
“Y–you’re firing me because of her? My tone was heavy.
“Irene has nothing to do with y
your termination, Mia. This is solely my decision. You should sign the divorce papers today and move out of the house; I won’t be lenient if you choose to act stubbornly. You can stop working after the divorce has been finalized.”
I dabbed the tears from my eyes, “You’re the only family I know, Xander. Where am I supposed to go with our b–
Irene cut me off. “We should leave now, honey. I’m starving”
“Xander, wait..” overwhelmed with desperation, I grabbed his wrist, my voice dripping with emotions.
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Chapter 2
“Can I talk to you alone for one minute, please!”
He snatched his wrist out of my grip, shoving me to the ground. “Begging me will not change anything. Mia, Get over your obsession and move on!”
One hand clutched my stomach as I crawled to him, clinging to his leg. “Xander, I’m-”
The door cracked open, and Xander’s chauffeur entered.
“Mr. Schaeffer, the car is ready for you and Miss Irene.
Without another word, Xander pulled his leg out of my grip and walked out of his office. Irene hesitated until he was gone before facing
“You’re one desperate bitch,” she scoffed. When Xander told me you had feelings for him, I didn’t expect an obsession. Get over yourself, Mia! You’re just a lowlife bitch who stands no chance with Xander. The next time you cling to him like this, I’ll kill you.”
Irene slammed the door after her and I collapsed on the floor, breaking down in tears.
I walked into the building that was once my home. Despite the lavish furnishing, it felt empty and cold. I dragged my feet into the living room, running my eyes through everything that would now become a part of my past.
My legs lingered in the bedroom, refusing to relive the memories that were once precious to me. With just a step, the memories flooded in, banging my head with an ache. Alas, my biggest fear had come to pass.
My hands clutched my stomach and the tears brewed in my eyes again.
I stared at the divorce papers, swallowing hard. Sighing, I picked a pen and attempted to sign them but I couldn’t bring myself to
Kyle’s words rang into my head again; If Xander found out I was pregnant for him, would it make a difference? Would he love me too and accept me back?
Abandoning the pen, I reached for my phone and dialed Xander’s number. A wave of nervousness enveloped me as the call went through but it was abruptly ended.
Determined, I decided to text him Xander must know that we’re having a baby. I won’t give up on us so easily.
After clicking sen
icipation and my heart skipped when the message double ticked, Xander had seen it, and now he was
typing
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