Dear Ex, You Are Late!

Chapter Six

Zahra's POV

Morning...

I opened my eyes to the warm morning sunlight streaming through my bedroom window. Slowly, I sat up in bed and stretched, taking in the peaceful silence around me.

Unlike the Cole mansion, where I woke up to endless chores every single day, I was finally free here, in the Hale mansion. My home.

My gaze drifted toward the window as the pale morning sunlight filtered through the soft linen curtains, painting golden streaks across the wooden floor. It was a beautiful morning, the kind I used to admire from the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Cole mansion while waiting for Adrian to come downstairs for breakfast.

Back then, every sunrise felt like another chance to make him notice me a little more... to love me a little more.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

The thought of how completely I'd lost myself for a man who never gave a damn about me settled heavily in my chest. I had sacrificed my pride, my happiness, and years of my life loving someone who never once looked back at me with the same affection.

All that love... had been in vain.

I let out a slow breath and shook my head, disappointed in myself.

No more.

That chapter of my life was over.

Stretching my arms, I climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom for a shower. Today was the first day of the challenge my mom had given me, and I couldn't afford to be lazy.

After my shower, I dried myself and walked over to my closet. It was filled with elegant corporate outfits in every color imaginable.

After a moment of consideration, I picked out a black wrap V-neck dress and paired it with a set of black stiletto heels. Once I was fully dressed, I grabbed my phone and walked downstairs.

"Oh, here she comes, all dressed and ready," my mother beamed as I stepped into the dining room.

"Good morning, Mom. Good morning, Dad," I greeted them with a smile before taking the seat beside my mother.

"Good morning, sweetheart," my father replied, folding the newspaper in front of him. "Someone looks ready to conquer the world today."

I laughed softly. "I don't know about conquering the world. Surviving my first day would be enough."

"You'll do just fine," my mother said, placing another pancake onto my plate before pouring me a glass of orange juice. "Just don't let those nerves show."

"I'll try."

For a few minutes, the three of us ate in comfortable silence. It felt... nice.

I couldn't remember the last time I'd shared breakfast with people who genuinely cared whether I'd slept well or eaten enough.

My mother dabbed the corner of her lips with a napkin before setting it neatly beside her plate. The warmth in her expression remained, but there was now a seriousness in her eyes.

"Zahra."

"Yes, Mom?"

"Today isn't just your first day at Hale Group. It's the beginning of the challenge I gave you."

I nodded.

"I know."

She leaned back slightly.

"When you walk into that company, I don't want you introducing yourself as my daughter unless it's absolutely necessary. To everyone else, you're simply another employee trying to earn her place."

"I understand."

"I won't be giving you special treatment, either," she continued. "If you make a mistake, you'll correct it yourself. If someone criticizes your work fairly, you'll accept it and learn from it. The business world doesn't reward pride."

"I wasn't expecting special treatment."

"I know." She smiled. "I'm saying it because I believe you're capable enough to succeed without it."

Her confidence in me warmed something inside my chest.

"There are a few things I want you to remember."

I straightened instinctively.

"First, listen more than you speak. Your first few weeks aren't for proving how much you know. They're for learning."

I nodded carefully.

"Second, treat everyone with respect. The receptionist, the janitors, the interns, the managers... every single person. A company doesn't run because of one person. It runs because everyone plays their part."

"I will."

"And lastly..." She paused.

"Never let your emotions make your decisions. Your heart is kind, Zahra, but kindness without wisdom can become a weakness."

Her words lingered in my mind.

She wasn't just talking about business.

She was talking about the mistakes I'd made with Adrian.

As if sensing my thoughts, she reached across the table and gently squeezed my hand.

"You've spent years putting someone else before yourself," she said softly. "Now it's your turn. Focus on becoming the woman you're meant to be. Build your confidence. Build your career. Everything else can wait."

For the first time in a long while, I didn't feel like someone who had lost everything.

I felt like someone who was finally beginning again.

My father cleared his throat dramatically.

"And one more thing."

Mom and I both turned to him.

"Don't skip lunch."

I blinked.

He nodded solemnly.

"You can't become a successful businesswoman if you faint halfway through the day."

I couldn't help laughing.

"I'll make sure to eat, Dad."

"Good." He smiled proudly. "Now go show them why you're a Hale."

A wave of determination washed over me.

"I won't let either of you down."

"You don't have to prove anything to us," Mom said gently. "Just prove it to yourself."

I smiled, grabbed my handbag from the chair beside me, and stood.

As I walked toward the front door, my heart pounded with anticipation.

Today wasn't just my first day at Hale Group. It was the day I finally stopped living for Adrian...

And started living for myself.