The CEO I Left Behind

Chapter 16: The Night Everyone Was Watching

Kathy's POV

I stared at the dress hanging in front of me and wondered how my life had changed so much.

A few months ago, my biggest concern was finding a job and paying my mother's hospital bills.

Now I was standing in front of a mirror, preparing to attend a business event with the CEO of Apex Technology.

Luther.

Even after all these years, his name still had the ability to make my heart uncomfortable.

I touched the necklace around my neck.

A habit I had never been able to break.

Some memories stayed with you no matter how far you ran.

A knock came at my door.

I quickly opened it.

It was Emily.

She smiled when she saw me.

"Wow."

I laughed awkwardly.

"What?"

"You actually look like someone attending a CEO's event."

I rolled my eyes.

"Thanks, I think."

Emily walked inside.

"You know, you don't always have to look like you're carrying the weight of the world."

I lowered my eyes.

"Sometimes we don't get to choose."

Her expression softened.

She knew there was something I wasn't saying.

But she never forced me to talk.

---

When I arrived at the event venue, I immediately felt out of place.

The room was filled with businessmen, investors, and people dressed in expensive clothing.

Everyone looked like they belonged.

Except me.

I adjusted my dress and reminded myself why I was here.

Work.

Nothing else.

"Kathy."

I turned around.

Luther stood behind me.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

He was wearing a black suit that fit perfectly, his dark curly hair slightly styled, and his golden eyes looked sharper than ever.

Seven years ago, he was a boy with dreams.

Tonight...

He looked like a man who had achieved all of them.

"You are late."

His words immediately brought me back.

I checked the time.

"I'm two minutes early."

A small flicker of amusement appeared in his eyes.

"You still argue."

I froze.

Still.

That word meant he remembered.

Before I could respond, he walked away.

---

Throughout the evening, I stayed close enough to assist him but far enough to keep my distance.

Luther was completely different here.

Confident.

Respected.

Everyone listened when he spoke.

I watched as people approached him, congratulating him on his achievements.

He deserved it.

Despite everything...

I was proud of him.

"Mr. Ashford."

A woman's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned.

Victoria.

My expression changed.

She looked stunning in a red dress, standing confidently beside several executives.

"Kathy."

Her smile was polite.

Too polite.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"I work here."

"Of course."

Her eyes moved toward Luther.

"Interesting."

I didn't like the way she said it.

Before I could reply, another voice interrupted.

"Victoria."

She turned immediately.

Luther was standing there.

His expression was cold.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?"

The smile disappeared from her face.

"Of course."

She walked away.

I looked at Luther.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

I hesitated.

"Nothing."

He looked at me for a moment.

Then he walked away.

---

Luther's POV

I noticed everything that night.

The way Kathy felt uncomfortable around wealthy people.

The way she kept trying to disappear into the background.

The way she smiled politely even when people looked down on her.

She wasn't the same person who left.

I hated that I kept noticing.

A woman approached me.

"Mr. Ashford."

I turned.

Elena.

Kathy's stepmother.

"I didn't expect to see your company here tonight."

"It is a business event."

She smiled.

"Of course."

Her eyes moved toward Kathy.

"Your secretary seems interesting."

My expression changed.

"Why?"

"No reason."

But her smile said otherwise.

I watched her walk away.

Something about that conversation bothered me.

---

Later that evening, Kathy and I stood near the entrance waiting for the car.

The silence between us was heavy.

Finally, she spoke.

"You've done well."

I looked at her.

"What?"

"Apex Technology."

She smiled faintly.

"You achieved your dream."

For some reason, those words affected me.

Because seven years ago, she was the person I wanted to share my dreams with.

"You remember?"

Her smile faded slightly.

"Some things are hard to forget."

Before I could ask what she meant, the car arrived.

She stepped inside.

As the vehicle drove away, I stood there watching.

For the first time in years...

I didn't see the girl who hurt me.

I saw the girl who looked like she had been hurting too.

And that scared me more than anything.