Claimed by my Ex's Boss

Chapter2

SHAWN’S POV

I had just arrived at the venue when a woman in a white dress came running frantically toward my car. Through the windshield, each step she took drew my attention in a way I didn’t expect.

I had only seen situations like this in dramas. Now it was unfolding right in front of me.

I didn’t pay much attention to it at first. I placed my book beside me as my driver, Andrew, held the door open. I was about to step out when I heard a voice through tears.

“Let’s go…”

I turned toward the intrusion, and my eyes met the same woman who had caught my attention seconds ago.

Then she burst into tears.

I stared at her, surprised, and gestured for Andrew to get back inside the car.

He hesitated briefly but obeyed.

I signaled him, and the car began to move. My eyes stayed on her as she stood there, confused and overwhelmed.

I took out a handkerchief from my suit pocket, tapped her gently, and offered it to her.

She turned to look at me, still in tears.

My gaze lingered and I swallowed hard

Leah.

Those ocean eyes… I hadn’t forgotten them for a single day. The girl who rejected and left me humiliated in the past.

I handed her the handkerchief in silence.

I felt my jaws tighten as I looked away. My heart skipped a beat while I returned to my book, but now I wasn't actually reading it.

No matter how many times I looked down at the page, my attention drifted back to the woman sitting beside me. I looked away again.

A moment later, I heard soft movements beside me.

She tried giving me back my handkerchief which I declined.

She must have regained herself… I thought.

Andrew explained the situation to her briefly, and when we arrived at her destination, she got out.

I found myself watching her again.

Long after she left, my thoughts refused to settle.

Why was she in tears?

What exactly happened to her?

Why had fate suddenly placed her in front of me again after all these years?

Those questions kept circling my mind.

“Mr. Shawn, apparently the wedding is no longer happening. The bride is missing,” Andrew said, interrupting my thoughts.

“Why is that? Did you hear from Luke?” I asked.

“Not directly from him, sir. He informed your assistant. She passed the message to me.”

I leaned back slightly.

“Drive me back home.” I said and gave one more look in her direction.

Then after a pause, I added, “And look into the woman we gave a ride.”

The car pulled away.

But my eyes lingered in the direction she disappeared into for a second longer than necessary.

*********************

The air fell silent as I stared into nothing, rummaging through my own thoughts.

I couldn't help but recall the moments Luke and I had, if only the bastard hadn't cheated! I let the tears pour freely again.

“I'm getting married” those words which now terrify me had rolled freely when I told Daddy about my marriage plans with Luke.

“What is the meaning of such nonsense!!” My dad had thundered in disbelief regarding my actions. “That good-for-nothing boy?” he had added.

But all his words fell on deaf ears as I was determined to go ahead with the plans and even threatened to elope with him if he didn't give us his blessings. Silly me. Daddy never liked him; he saw him as someone who wasn't capable of loving me properly. Now I wish I had listened but it was too late, too late, I repeated. Now I'm left with a broken heart and a humiliated image of mine.

The continuous knocking on the door startled me, and I rose to see who it was. I checked the peephole and unlocked the door, then pulled it open. I saw a worried look on Anna's face. She took my hand and we sat down on the couch.

“What's wrong, Anna? You're scaring me.” I said in what almost came as a whisper.

“Have you seen the news?” she asked, looking at the TV then back at me.

“What news?” I said as she took the remote beside me and tuned to Redline News. I sat quietly at the edge of the couch. My body felt heavy. Slowly, I stood up, but my legs gave in and I dropped back on the couch.

“Reports confirm that Vaughn Group is currently facing severe financial collapse…”

My eyes fixed on the screen. I couldn't even feel Anna's touch, but I knew she was holding me.

“No…” I whispered.

The reporter kept speaking, but the words blurred together.

Bankruptcy.

Debt.

Investigation.

Collapse.

Each word hit harder. I turned on my phone, which I had switched off that day. Then the notification noise came in—lots of messages and missed calls. I even caught sight of a message from Dad:

Anna, where are you…

Then my phone rang. It was my aunt.

“Anna? Oh! thank goodness, honey, where are you?... Your dad collapsed, he's in the hospital, come to…”

My phone slipped from my ear, and my trembling hand clutched it tightly as the voice on the other end kept talking.

I slowly turned to Anna as if to seek validation that it was just a prank. Her worried look was more serious now.

“I shouldn't have left him all alone.”

“What kind of daughter am I?” I thought as I pulled the door open.