The CEO I Left Behind

The moment the plane touched down, my heart tightened. Seven years. Seven long years had passed since I left this city behind. The familiar streets, towering buildings, and cool morning breeze brought back memories I had buried deep inside my heart. Every corner reminded me of the life I once had—a happy family, endless laughter, and the boy who had once promised to stay by my side forever. Before I tell you my story, let me introduce myself. My name is Kathy. Seven years ago, my life changed overnight. My parents divorced after my mother's health began to deteriorate. She had been diagnosed with a late-stage brain tumor, and the constant stress only made her condition worse. After the divorce, I followed my mother to Canada to continue my studies while taking care of her. Leaving my hometown wasn't my choice, but I had no other option. The hardest part wasn't leaving my father. It was leaving Luther. He was my childhood best friend, my first love, and the boy everyone believed I would marry one day. We were inseparable. At school, people envied us. They said we were the perfect couple before we even admitted our feelings to each other. But before I boarded that plane, I destroyed everything. I looked into his eyes and said words that no one should ever say to someone they love. Words that I could never take back. Since that day, I have carried the weight of my regret. Now fate had brought me back. Not because I wanted to relive the past... But because I needed a fresh start. My mother's condition had worsened, and the hospital bills continued to pile up. Every treatment drained what little savings we had left. I needed this job more than anything. Apex Technology. One of the largest technology companies in the city. Getting hired there felt like a miracle. I stared at my reflection in the mirror of my small apartment and forced myself to smile. "You can do this, Kathy," I whispered. "No mistakes." After putting on my white blouse and black pencil skirt, I grabbed my handbag and rushed out the door. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. Traffic was terrible. Every red light seemed determined to make me even later. I glanced at the dashboard clock for what felt like the hundredth time. "Oh no..." My first day at work... And I was already late. The thought made my stomach twist with anxiety. When the taxi finally stopped in front of Apex Technology, I hurried out, paid the driver, and sprinted toward the towering glass building. The company was even more magnificent than I had imagined. Employees in expensive suits walked confidently through the revolving doors while security guards greeted them politely. I barely had time to admire the place. "I'm sorry! Excuse me!" I called as I hurried past several employees. The receptionist was busy helping someone else, so I quickly glanced around for the elevators. There were two. Without thinking twice, I rushed into the one that had just opened. The polished silver doors slid shut behind me. I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. "Thank goodness..." Maybe no one would notice I was a few minutes late. Just then, the elevator stopped. The doors opened again. A pair of shiny black leather shoes stepped inside. Then came long legs, a perfectly tailored black suit, and broad shoulders that filled the entire space. I slowly lifted my eyes. The moment I saw his face... My heart stopped. Luther. It was him. Seven years had changed him. The cheerful teenage boy I remembered had become a strikingly handsome man. His curly hair was darker now, neatly styled to match his powerful appearance. His sharp jawline gave him a mature, commanding presence, while his golden eyes—the same eyes I had once gotten lost in—were colder than winter. He looked breathtaking. And completely unreachable. Fear rushed through me. Please... Don't recognize me. I lowered my head immediately, praying he wouldn't look too closely.