"Simon…"
Before the word fully left my lips, another voice—bright, excited—cut through the air.
A woman.
She rushed past me and straight into Simon's chest. His arms came up automatically, steadying her as though it was second nature.
"Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?" she pouted, clinging to him. "If you weren't released soon, my dad was going to force me into an arranged marriage."
Simon studied her face, calm and unreadable, as she kissed his cheek eagerly. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Are you that desperate? Tell your driver to leave us for a moment. I'll give your dad a real gift."
She swatted his chest playfully. "Don't be naughty. My dad wants to meet you. He's already arranged a welcome dinner."
My knees nearly buckled.
I stood frozen, watching the scene blur before me. The Simon I remembered—the gentle senior who once shielded me, who once whispered Audrey, leave Jeremy. He doesn't deserve you. Will you marry me?—suddenly felt like a figment of my imagination.
A sharp pain stabbed through my abdomen, twisting cruelly.
Then—
"Watch out!"
A shout snapped me back.
A motorbike screeched toward them. Without hesitation, Simon pulled the woman tight against him, shielding her completely.
I stumbled backward, panic rising. My ankle twisted, sending a jolt of pain through me. Covering my face, I barely steadied myself.
"Are you—?"
Simon's deep gaze flickered toward me for the first time. Recognition. Panic. Something raw.
I forced a smile, even as tears threatened. "I'm fine."
And then I turned. Before my heart could betray me.
Behind me, I heard the woman's curious voice. "Who was that?"
Silence. Then Simon's reply—his fingers tilting her chin before pressing a kiss to her lips.
As if I were no one.
As if I were just—someone he used to know.
Clutching my stomach, I hurried back to my car, each step heavier than the last.
The private room I had booked weeks ago stood waiting, but my appetite was gone. I ordered tea instead, hoping the steam would hide the paleness of my face. Every tick of the clock pressed heavier against my chest.
I didn't know if Simon would come. Or if he even remembered.
Just as I was about to gather my things and leave, the door slid open.
He stepped in.
Black shirt, sleeves rolled to his forearms, eyes like sharpened steel. His presence filled the room in an instant.
For a moment, we only stared at each other. The years between us stretched and snapped, flooding me with memories I didn't dare touch.
"You look thinner," Simon said finally, his voice low. His gaze dropped briefly to the untouched teacup, then to my trembling hands. "Ill, too."
I forced a smile. "I've been busy. Work."
His eyes darkened, as if he saw through the lie. He didn't press. Instead, he leaned back, arms crossed.
"Why didn't you say anything at the prison gate?"
The words cut deep. My throat tightened. Because you were holding her. Because you kissed her.
I looked away. "You seemed… occupied."
Silence. Thick, suffocating.
Then, in a voice softer than I remembered, he asked,
"Do you regret it? Marrying him?"
My chest ached. Regret? Every bone in my body screamed yes. But my lips curved faintly as I shook my head. "It doesn't matter anymore. The papers are signed."
His jaw clenched. Something flickered in his gaze—anger, maybe pain—but he said nothing.
The silence stretched again until finally, he spoke, his tone colder this time:
"Then why call me here, Audrey?"
I met his eyes, and for the first time in years, I let the truth slip past my walls.
"Because… you were the only one who never disappointed me."
The words hung between us, heavy and irreversible.
My thoughts were cut short by the sudden ringing of my phone. I glanced at the screen. Jason.
"I need to take this," I muttered.
Simon's eyes flickered, but he said nothing. He already knew the drill—once her husband called, Audrey would always go running. Without another word, we both walked out.
At Skylight Corporation, Jason's frown deepened as he scanned the document I had sent earlier. We worked in the same building—he knew that much. But why now? What was I trying to prove?
Was this her way of attracting Jeremy's attention? The thought annoyed him. Childish.
Unable to contain his irritation, Jason stormed straight to the PR department, only to be told I wasn't in today. His jaw tightened. The day was already a mess, and now this. Pulling out his phone, he dialed my number.
"Miss Anderson," his clipped voice cut through the line, "I don't know what game you're playing, but get back to the office immediately."
My eyes darkened. This could only mean one thing—Jeremy. He must have seen the divorce papers. Maybe he wanted to talk. My chest tightened at the thought. Without hesitation, I turned my car around and sped toward Skylight Corporation.
When Jason spotted me rushing inside, his suspicions only hardened. She hasn't changed at all. Still chasing special attention from Jeremy. He could barely hide the mockery tugging at his expression.
"Where is he?" I demanded, breathless. My face felt pale, drained. I still needed to pick up my medication from the hospital. I had been stalling, afraid of my parents finding out. Once treatment began, there would be no hiding from Stefania, from Ethan, from my twin brother Andrew, from Isabel, from my uncles.
Jason arched a brow. "This is Skylight Corporation, Miss Anderson. Do you expect Mr. Gillian to come down personally just to see you?" His tone was all business, his eyes sharp. "He has something for you to handle."
I blinked, confused. "Something?"
Jason's lips curled faintly, as though he enjoyed holding the cards. "It's about Miss Bosten. There's negative press circulating from her birthday celebration last night. People are questioning whether she stole someone else's man. She isn't just anyone—she's about to become the face of Skylight's key project. We can't afford her image being tarnished. Mr. Gillian requested that you handle it. Shut down the rumors. Make sure Miss Bosten's name is cleared.