Billionaire’s Unfinished Business Vow

Lena’s POV “You’re late, Ms. Ava .” I took a breath and pushed open the big, heavy doors to the boardroom. My high heels clicked on the gleaming marble floor. I didn't want to appear uncertain or anxious. I relaxed in the comfortable leather chair at the head of the table and smiled effortlessly. “Traffic," I said, trying to sound calm and confident. It was a small lie, but it was better than admitting I was running a bit behind schedule. This meeting was a big deal. The moment we have been looking towards for months. Every late night call, every early meeting, every sacrifice and effort– it all came down to this. Once everything goes as planned, Ava & Co. would be among the top major players in the business world. My team was gathered around me, looking professional and prepared. We had all the contracts and papers ready, and across the table were the investors we'd been trying to impress for what felt like forever. The investors were important people who could assist me and take my company to the best level. My team and I have been working non stop to get these deals, and now that they are here, I wanted to make a good impression. I step forward and take a deep breath, stretch my shoulders, and prepare to make my presentations. And that was it – the moment of truth. Would we seal the deal and make our company a success, or would we fall short? I smiled again, feeling a surge of determination. We were going to make this happen.“Shall we begin?” I say, clasping my hands together, projecting cool, unbothered confidence. That’s when the doors open again. And the air leaves my lungs. Damien Blackwood steps inside. No. No, no, no I feel the blood drain from my face as his tall frame fills the entrance, the same arrogance, sharp jawline, dark hair swept back like he owns the nation. He’s dressed in black, of course. Expensive, tailored, merciless. His piercing grey eyes sweep the room — and land right on me. “Hello, wife.” The word hits me like a slap. I force my mouth to stay closed, force my fingers not to tremble as I grip the edge of the table. We haven’t seen each other in five years. Five years since I walked out, pregnant and terrified, telling myself I will rebuild, I will survive. I thought I had. But now Damien Blackwood, billionaire tycoon, destroyer of hearts — destroyer of my heart — is standing in this room, looking at me like I’m a puzzle he’s already solved. I stood up and cleared my throat. “I think you made a mistake, Mr. Blackwood. We—” “That's not true, sweetheart,” he cuts in smoothly, turned into the seat across from me. “There’s been no mistake.” He throws a folder onto the table. It slides across the polished wood and stops right in front of me. I flip it open, fingers numb. My eyes scan the document — and I feel the floor tilt under me. Marriage certificate. Still active. We’re still married. I whip my head up, fury and disbelief crashing through me. “We filed the papers!” I hiss under my breath. Damien relaxed his back in his chair, looking super calm. He stretched his arms along the back of the chair, like he was sitting on a throne, he felt totally in charge. "The court papers have been filed, truly," he said with a smirk. "But finalized? No way. It turns out, one tiny missing signature can cause a huge delay." I balled my hands into fists under the table and did not want to show how angry I was. My heart thumped in my chest and galloped wildly. I had no doubt that it could be heard by everyone in the room. Though they were attempting to be kind, the investors appeared perplexed. They looked at one another, obviously not understanding what was happening. My team appeared to want to be somewhere else as they shuffled uneasily in their chairs next to me. Damien's grin grew wider, as if he's hiding a secret and enjoyed watching me struggle. "Shall we proceed, sweetheart?" he said with sarcasm in his voice. "We have a lot to... discuss." There was amusement in his eyes, which made my cheeks hotter with every second. What was he playing at? Why was he being so obstinate? I took a deep breath and tried to stay calm, but I was fuming inside. This wasn't going according to plan at all..” Stay calm, Lena. I force my stiff lips into a smile. “Of course,” I murmured. “Let’s proceed.” Inside, I’m screaming. Because Damien isn’t just here to humiliate me — he’s here to destroy everything. And I can’t let that happen. I nod to my assistant to continue the presentation. As the slides click on the screen, I barely hear a word. My eyes darted to Damien. He’s watching me, not the numbers. Not the pitch. Just me. The weight of his gaze is suffocating. Five years. Five years of crawling my way up, building this company from scratch, raising and taking good care of my son — our son — on my own. And now this man, this gorgeous, infuriating, dangerous man, craws back into my life and drops this bullshit? My stomach twists. He doesn’t know. He can’t know. I press my palm flat on the cool surface of the table, grounding myself. Just a little longer. Get through this meeting. Smile. Breathe. Survive. The moment the final slide clicks, I stand. “Thank you, gentlemen. I believe we’ve covered everything today. We’ll send over the revised terms by the end of the week.” I don’t wait for their polite goodbyes. Immediately I grabbed my files and nodded at my team before taking the exit out of the room. I was moving fast, my high heels clicking on the floor. Every moves felt like a challenge, like I was fighting the urge to look back. I didn't want anyone to see that I was angry. But I didn't even get two steps down the hall before he caught me and grabbed my arm. His grip was firm, but I wasn't going to let him pull this off. "Let go!" I said loudly, pulling my arm free from his grasp. But Damien just smiled, looking relaxed and calm. It was really annoying. "You didn't even say hello properly, Lena," he said, his voice smooth and friendly. And for sure I knew he was just teasing me. I turned around to face him, my files clutched tightly in my hand. I tried to hit him to show him that I wasn’t afraid of him. My pulse sped up, and heat ran through my face. Why was he always so hard to deal with? I gave him a hard look, challenging him to say something again. But he just continued smiling, like he believed the whole situation was funny. I didn't find it funny at all. I whirl on him, shoving the folder hard against his chest. “What the hell is up, don’t you think?” My throat tightens. “We are not unfinished.” “Funny,” he murmurs, stepping closer. “Because that’s not what the paperwork says.” I swallow a shaky breath, standing up on my toes. "This doesn't change anything. Whatever game you're playing—" “Stunt?” He laughs softly, a low, dangerous sound. “Oh, sweetheart. You think this is a game?” His eyes flash, just for a second, and the mask slips. Underneath the smooth charm, the billionaire polish, is the man I once loved — the man who shattered me. I grit my teeth. “Stay out of my way, Damien.” He leans down, voices a whisper against my ear. “Not a chance.” And suddenly he's disappeared, walking away like he owns the building, the city, the world. I collapse against the wall, my heart pounding. God. I slide a shaking hand into my purse, pulling out my phone. The lock screen glows — a picture of the one thing that matters most. Ethan. Our son. My throat closes as I gaze at his little smile, his bright eyes, his rumpled dark hair exactly like his father's. Damien can never know. I won’t let him. Because five years ago, I made a choice — to walk away, to protect my baby, to build a life without the man who broke me. I thought I was strong enough. But Damien Blackwood is back. And this time, he’s definitely not leaving without a fight.