Chapter 8 - The Transformation
Six months passed.
My life completely changed.
I moved out of the staff quarters and into a small, beautiful apartment in a safe neighborhood.
Lily started attending a wonderful preschool.
At work, I threw myself into every project.
I worked late. I solved problems. I proved that Marcus’s gamble on me was worth it.
But I rarely saw him.
He was always traveling, closing deals, expanding the empire.
Until the Christmas Gala.
It was a mandatory corporate event.
I bought a simple, elegant black dress.
When I arrived at the ballroom, I felt completely out of place among the glittering elite.
I stood by the buffet table, holding a glass of sparkling water.
“You’re hiding.”
A deep voice spoke right behind me.
I turned.
Marcus stood there in a tailored tuxedo.
He looked dangerously handsome.
“I’m not hiding,” I lied. “I’m observing.”
He chuckled.
“Walk with me, Maya.”
He led me to the terrace, away from the loud music and flashing cameras.
The winter air was crisp. The city lights sparkled below us.
“You’ve done incredible work this quarter,” he said softly.
“I had a good teacher.”
He turned to face me.
The distance between us suddenly felt very small.
“How is Lily?” he asked.
“She misses you,” I blurted out.
Instantly, I felt my cheeks burn.
“I mean, she misses playing in the gardens. We both do. Sometimes.”
Marcus reached out.
His fingers gently brushed a stray curl away from my face.
My breath caught in my throat.
“I miss her too,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “And I miss her mother.”
Before I could process what he said, the terrace doors flew open.
May you like
A woman stormed out.
Vanessa.
