Chapter Six
The steady tick of the wall clock echoed softly in Violet's office as she finished organizing her notes and emails for the day. The world outside her window was slipping toward dusk, the city skyline gilded with the dying light of sun. The day's end brought with it a quiet calm she rarely enjoyed—a brief respite from the relentless pace of deadlines, meetings, and balancing the endless demands of motherhood.
Her phone buzzed sharply, breaking the peaceful silence. Violet glanced down, reading the text from her assistant: Please report to Mr. Renshaw's office immediately. An investor is visiting and Mr. Renshaw wants you present.
Her stomach tightened with a flicker of nervousness. Investors were nothing new—often sessions of presentations, numbers, and strategic conversations. But this was sudden, unplanned. She tucked her bag strap under her arm, smoothed her blouse, and rose, matching careful breaths to the rhythm of her footsteps as she walked toward the executive wing.
The hallway gleamed under the overhead lights. The polished marble reflected a corridor of glass walls and sleek office doors, a space designed for authority and power. She paused before the large glass doors etched with "Mr. Renshaw, CEO." Her hand hovered momentarily before pushing open the door.
Inside, Mr. Renshaw sat behind his expansive desk, his presence commanding. Beside him, relaxed but watchful, was a figure Violet's heart jolted to recognize. Alec.
Her breath caught in that instant, memories crashing through years like a sudden storm. Five years ago, this man had been everything—the promise of a shared future, the center of her world—and something equally sharp: the source of a wound she had labored to heal in silence.
Her eyes flicked away immediately, focusing on the carpet pattern rather than the man who had changed the course of her life. Years of distance had woven an invisible barrier between them, one that Violet guarded with resolve. The past might linger, but it was no longer her world.
Mr. Renshaw's voice cut the silence smoothly, warm and unruffled. "Violet, thank you for coming so quickly."
She nodded, slipping into the chair offered. The leather was cool beneath her fingertips as she settled into her measured composure. She felt the slight prick of Alec's gaze—curious, perhaps cautious—but refused to meet it directly.
"We were just reviewing your recent progress on the Kingstone project," Mr. Renshaw began, his eyes gleaming with pride. "The board and our investors are immensely impressed with your leadership. Your strategic insights and hands-on management have been pivotal."
Violet allowed a modest smile, recognizing the weight behind the praise. It was the fruit of countless sleepless nights and quiet determination—a testament to her work ethic amidst the swirling rumors and whispered doubts that had followed her career.
Mr. Renshaw paused, then continued, his voice steady and sincere. "You have maintained grace under pressure and held the team together through some very challenging phases. You've proven yourself indispensable."
The room seemed charged with unspoken tension, but Violet's training in professionalism kept her thoughts locked away. She answered with calm confidence, prepared to discuss figures and forecasts, but with careful detachment from the man whose presence twisted the moment.
Alec shifted slightly, his expression unreadable. When his eyes met hers fleetingly again, she detected a flash of something—uncertainty, maybe regret—but chose not to respond.
The conversation turned back to business and future plans. When it shifted to company growth and new investors, Mr. Renshaw leaned forward, lowering his voice slightly.
"There's a favor I'd like to ask." He paused, looking pointedly at Violet. "Before Alec departs, I want you to show him around the company. You know this operation inside and out, and you'll be able to provide the insight only someone in your position can offer."
Violet blinked, surprise flitting through her. The request unsettled her, but she quickly masked any hesitation with a nod.
"Of course, Mr. Renshaw. I will arrange a full tour and walk him through all our key departments." Her voice was steady, resolute.
The personal and the professional collided briefly. The thought of spending close quarters time with Alec—after years apart—sent a ripple of tension through her spine. Yet she suppressed it beneath layers of duty and self-control.
Mr. Renshaw smiled approvingly. "Good. I trust you'll handle it with your usual expertise."
As the formal meeting drew to a close, Violet rose carefully, each movement deliberate. Alec stood also, offering a polite nod—brief, unsmiling, lacking the warmth or bitterness that filled old memories.
She returned the nod, expression carefully neutral.
At the door, a last glance caught Alec's eyes again. This time, she held his gaze just long enough to convey something unspoken: that the past was closed, that whatever once connected them no longer defined her.
Once outside the office, Violet exhaled the breath she hadn't realized she'd held. The corridor's bright lights felt more bearable now—less stifling with her resolve steeling her for what lay ahead.
She pressed her fingertips lightly to her temple, then squared her shoulders. The past might have drawn Alec back into her life, but it would not pull her under.
She had a family depending on her. Twins who needed her strength, her love, and her unwavering presence.
Business demands and personal histories would intertwine in ways she hadn't yet imagined, but for today, the only truth was this: Violet was the master of her future.
And that future was waiting, just beyond the glass doors.