Replaced by His First Love, I Found a Better Match

Chapter 7

Layla had no desire to return to Briar Cove so early, so she worked on the proposal at a coffee shop until dusk. Then Olivia called and offered to take her out for dinner.

Olivia's voice burst through the phone. "What are you working on? Come out. Dinner's on me!"

Layla smiled and sent her location.

Olivia arrived in a rush. "This is amazing! I finally get to watch you shine in AI again!"

She gave Layla a big hug.

Layla wasn't nearly as optimistic. "I've been out of the industry for 3 years. I don't know if I can make a name for myself again. You know how fast AI is evolving."

Olivia gave her a look brimming with confidence. "So what? You have an instinct for AI. Professors wanted you to go to graduate school, but you were determined to start earning money. Then you kept placing in international competitions. You may not have worked these past 3 years, but you never stopped following the industry—if anything, you're even better than you were before."

Warmth spread through Layla. At a moment like this, her friend's unwavering faith meant everything.

"By the way, I'm free this Saturday. Let me take you to a movie."

Layla gently shook her head. "Sorry. Saturday is the anniversary of my mother's death. I need to go back to Maple Hollow."

Olivia tapped her forehead, looking guilty. "I can't believe I almost forgot. I'll drive on Saturday. We'll visit her grave together."

"All right. Thank you, Olivia." Layla had never been good at expressing herself, but she was profoundly grateful to have a friend like Olivia.

Olivia waved the thanks away. "We're way past being polite with each other."

After parting with Olivia, Layla walked along the sidewalk, mentally working through the details of the proposal. Once it was approved and she secured the Stratos Group partnership, she would receive $6 million and finally sever every tie binding her to Gavin!

The thought lightened her steps.

A car horn sounded behind her.

Layla stepped aside and raised a hand in apology to the driver.

Inside the car, the man reviewing financial reports in the back seat frowned slightly. His deep, piercing eyes lifted with an almost suffocating intensity.

In the front passenger seat, Trevor Lane hurried to explain. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sinclair. A woman accidentally wandered into the lane."

Damian glanced into the rearview mirror, but she was already too far away for him to see clearly.

He dismissed it, rubbed his forehead, and asked wearily, "What have you found on the person we're looking for?"

Trevor replied. "So far, we've only confirmed that he's in Bayhaven. We still don't have an exact location."

Damian's gaze turned cold. "Put more people on it. Anyone who finds him gets $1 million."

"Yes, sir."

"How is the Bayhaven office doing?"

"The executives have been eagerly waiting ever since they heard you were coming. Several heads of local corporations have also asked to have dinner with you, including Richard Weston—the richest man in Bayhaven. Would you like...?"

Damian frowned. "Turn them down. I don't have time."

Trevor understood. Officially, Damian had come to Bayhaven to expand Stratos Group's East Coast operations. In truth, he was following a lead tied to someone from his past. Damian's younger brother had been abducted shortly after birth, and Damian had always blamed himself. The trafficker was later convicted and imprisoned, but the baby was never found. The man claimed the baby had died, yet Damian refused to believe him and had spent years investigating in secret.

A month earlier, the trafficker had been released ahead of schedule, only to vanish without a trace.

Damian was certain there was more to the disappearance, so he sent people to investigate. The trail led straight to Bayhaven.

Trevor continued through the schedule for the next few days. "On Saturday, the project director would like to discuss the Bayhaven office's AI initiative with you. There's also..."

Damian raised a hand and interrupted him. "I'm busy Saturday."

Trevor paused and checked the calendar.

Damian's voice remained indifferent. "It's personal."

He lowered his gaze and took a vintage green-stone pendant from inside his jacket.

The stone was a rich green. Anyone familiar with jewelry could tell at a glance that it wasn't particularly valuable, but years of handling had polished its edges smooth and bright.

On the way home, Layla opened her feed and found a new post from Sabrina.

Thank you for believing in me, Mr. Weston! Looking forward to Monday!

The attached photo clearly showed an offer letter from Weston Group for a senior algorithm engineer position.

Layla's fingers trembled as a dull ache spread through her heart.

During the 3 years since their marriage, Gavin had never once allowed her to visit Weston Group. One day, he left his phone at home. Afraid he might need it urgently, Layla took a cab to the office and ran the rest of the way. The receptionist didn't recognize her. Layla couldn't reach Gavin's assistant and waited for ages before the man finally came down.

As she handed him the phone, Layla couldn't stop herself from asking, "Is Gavin busy?"

The assistant answered respectfully. "Mr. Weston is reviewing documents."

He hadn't been busy. He simply hadn't wanted to come down to see her. That night, Gavin returned home and told Layla flatly, "Don't come to the office again—if I need anything, I'll have my assistant contact you."

Yet the moment Sabrina returned, she was handed a position at Weston Group. Gavin had clearly arranged it for her.

So this was the difference between being loved and being unwanted.

Layla opened the front door at Briar Cove and met Gavin's eyes in the mirror. She glanced at her watch. It wasn't even 8 p.m. Ever since Sabrina and Milo moved in, Gavin had come home early every day. Apparently, he had simply never wanted to leave work early before.

Sabrina had been waiting for this moment. She rushed over, spun around in front of Layla, and smiled brightly. "Layla, I'm starting at Weston Group next Monday. Does this outfit look right for the office? I've never worked here. Could you give me some advice?"

Gavin smiled. "You're asking the wrong person. Layla has never worked either."

Sabrina covered her mouth in surprise. "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd never had a job. So you became a full-time homemaker right after graduation."

Layla widened her eyes as if she had missed the insult entirely. "Are you... sure you want to wear that? Never mind. I probably shouldn't say anything."

Sabrina's smile faded, and her eyes quickly filled with tears. "Ms. Bennett, I know you don't want me here. But Gavin..."

"Ms. Cole," Layla interrupted. "What you wear has nothing to do with me. I'm merely curious when Weston Group began waiving interviews for algorithm applicants who haven't worked for 3 years."

Sabrina's face stiffened. She glared at Layla as her nails dug into her palms.

Layla looked away and went upstairs. True contempt wasn't an insult. It was refusing to acknowledge someone at all.

Gavin comforted Sabrina. "You look good in casual clothes."

"Really?" Sabrina blinked at him with wounded innocence. "You're not just saying that, are you?"

"Of course not."

As Gavin looked at the woman before him, he was transported back to the moment he had awakened in a hospital at 18 and seen her for the first time.

He hadn't yet known she was the person who had saved his life, but he had fallen for her at first sight. Unfortunately, they had missed their chance.

Sabrina waved shyly in front of his face. "Gavin? Why are you staring at me?"

Gavin snapped back to reality and looked away in embarrassment. What was he thinking? Sabrina was his best friend's widow, and he was legally married to Layla. There could never be anything between them.

"Nothing. It's getting late. Get some rest."

He turned and hurried upstairs.

After shutting the bedroom door, Gavin removed his jacket and headed for the bathroom. The door opened before he reached it, and Layla stepped out wrapped in a towel.

He should have given Layla a proper wedding night. Instead, he had spent hours coaxing Milo to sleep and hadn't returned to the bedroom until late. Guilt rose in Gavin's chest, making Layla's unusual behavior over the past few days easier for him to understand.

"Gavin, are you free this Saturday?"

After a moment of silence, he replied flatly. "I have something to do."

Layla lowered her eyes, and the faintest smile curved her lips.

As the shower began running, Layla leaned against the cold door and slowly slid to the floor. Saturday was the anniversary of her mother's death. When she and Gavin married 3 years ago, he had promised to accompany her to Maple Hollow every year to visit the grave. But this year...

Layla raised her hand and studied the faint mark on her right ring finger. She found it almost funny that she had ever expected this man's promises to hold even the slightest value.

She could visit her mother perfectly well without him.