Chasing The Woman He Lost

Two

Nick’s POV

Three years had gone by, but the instant she walked into that room, I knew.

Chelsea.

Same warm brown skin. Same sharp, watchful eyes that always caught me off guard. She held herself like she had everything under control, though I knew that was a mask. She used to do that—pretend nothing could shake her, even when she was breaking inside.

And just like that, the air in the boardroom changed. Nobody else noticed, but I did. Oh, I felt it deep in my chest.

My executives shuffled papers, ready for another pitch. But all I saw was her. The woman I had loved. The woman who left me when I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet. My ex-wife.

I leaned back in my chair, jaw loose, face calm, even though my insides were anything but. If anyone noticed the way my hand tightened on the armrest, they kept quiet.

“Chelsea Dawson,” I said at last, my voice cutting through the stillness. “Or should I say… my runaway wife.”

For a fraction of a second, her eyes slipped. But then she lifted her chin, unbothered. Defiant. Always defiant.

“Mr. Bennett,” she said, smooth as ice water. “Didn’t expect to see a ghost this morning.”

Her words landed hard, but I didn’t flinch. A ghost, huh? So that’s what I was to her.

I gave her a thin smile. “Funny. I could say the same.”

Beside me, Marcus shifted in his chair. He’d been the one to recommend this place to me, unknowingly handing me my past on a silver platter. He had no idea who she really was.

Chelsea walked forward, heels echoing across the marble floor. Shoulders squared, back straight, tablet in hand like it was armor. She didn’t stumble, didn’t falter. But I knew her tells. This was her mask.

She began her presentation—clear voice, steady tone, her words painting a picture of growth, stability, and long-term gains. She spoke of communities that thrived, families who built roots, developments that lasted decades instead of being flipped for a quick buck.

It was polished. Too polished.

I wasn’t listening to the pitch. Not really. I was watching her. Studying every detail, searching for cracks in that carefully built wall.

Because three years ago, I woke up in wreckage.

Broken ribs. Foggy memory. The sound of machines keeping me alive.

And she was gone.

By the time I came back to myself, the accounts were empty, the house stripped of her, and my marriage dissolved. Divorce papers with my name already signed were shoved in my face.

The tabloids feasted. Headlines screamed that she abandoned me. My mother said she left when things got hard. Marcus said she had planned it for months. What choice did I have but to believe them?

And now here she was. Standing in front of me as if none of it ever happened.

“…our focus will be retention and long-term reputation,” she was saying. “This isn’t just about profits. It’s about permanence.”

The words hit too close. I couldn’t stop myself.

“Permanence,” I cut in. “Sounds rich, coming from someone who knows how to run when it stops serving her.”

Her eyes snapped to mine, cool and unwavering. “No, Mr. Bennett. I’m talking about something solid enough to be unforgettable.”

The room went heavy. Nobody else understood, but she and I did. A duel in plain sight.

I leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. “Interesting shift. Last I recall, your projects were all quick flips. Detached. Convenient.”

Her lips curved into a sharp little smile. “Markets change. People change.”

“Or maybe,” I said quietly, “people just run from who they really are.”

Her jaw tensed, but she didn’t answer.

She finished her pitch soon after. The room filled with polite applause, nods, whispers of “impressive.” My team was clearly taken by her.

Not me.

Brilliance didn’t erase betrayal.

“We will offer you the contract,” I said flatly facing the board members.

Her eyes widened just slightly before she schooled her face again.

“On one condition,” I continued, “she’s to be in charge.” I said referring to Chelsea. “You’ll work out of this office,” I continued. “Weekly meetings. Full access to files. No excuses. No disappearing.”

Her voice was low, even. “Is that part of the official terms?”

“No,” I said. “That’s part of mine.”

For a split second, her eyes flashed, anger, maybe even fear. Then it was gone. “Fine.”

I didn’t smile. “Welcome back, Chelsea.”

She left the room, heels cracking against the marble like gunfire. My executives filed out after her, murmuring to each other. Marcus lingered.

As soon as the door shut, he turned to me. “Okay, what the hell was that?”

“She’s the best for the job,” I said, steady as stone.

He gave me a look. “Cut the crap. You knew her.”

“I didn’t know she’d be here.”

“Then why are you acting like you’ve seen a ghost?”

Because I had.

I walked to the window, staring at the skyline. My reflection stared back, colder, darker than the man I used to be.

“She left you in that hospital, Nick,” my subconscious screamed at me. “Don’t forget that. She emptied your accounts. She humiliated you. The world saw it.”

I haven’t forgotten.

But the question burned anyway. If she got away clean, why resurface now? Why risk showing her face? Because I’m sure my company’s name— our company was clearly stated in the contract document.

“We need to get back to the office.” Marcus muttered.

I clenched my jaw. “She needs something, and I’ll find out what.”

“If you knew her before now, I’m sure it didn’t end well, saying from what I saw just now. Don’t let her get into your head again,” he warned. “Not with the press breathing down your neck after that merger stunt. The last thing you need is someone dragging you into another scandal.”

I didn’t answer. Marcus didn’t meet her then. I hired him after the whole accident to help my company from going into the grounds and he did just fine.

My fists curled as I kept my eyes on the skyline.

Chelsea thought she could walk into this room with her calm voice and her sleek pitch, like nothing happened. Thought she could erase the past with bullet points and pretty slides.

No. Not this time.

Once, I had loved her so much I didn’t protect myself. That mistake cost me everything.

But I wasn’t the same man anymore.

She tore me apart.

Now, maybe it was my turn.