ACCIDENTALLY YOURS

CHAPTER5

FIVE YEARS LATER

LENA’S POV

“NOAH! Don’t run into the road!”

My little brother burst into laughter as he Sprinted across the small Sidewalk with his backpack bouncing wildly behind him.

“Catch me first!”

“Oh my God,” I muttered under my breath, already exhausted at Seven in the morning.

I hurried after him while balancing my work bag, lunch Container, and his water bottle all at once.

“Noah Cade!”

He Stopped dramatically near a Parked car before turning toward me with a grin too adorable for his own good.

Five years old.

And already a Professional troublemaker.

I finally reached him, breathing hard.

“You’re trying to kill me before breakfast.”

Noah giggled as I Crouched in front of him and fixed his Crooked School uniform tie.

“You’re old.”

My mouth fell open.

“Excuse me?”

“You Said your back hurts yesterday.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“You’re disrespectful for Someone who still watches Cartoons.”

“I’m a big boy now.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you Cry because your sandwich was cut into Squares instead of triangles?”

His face immediately Scrunched up in offense.

“I will tell mummy that you're bullying me.”

I burst into laughter.

God.

I loved this Child so much.

Noah Crossed his tiny arms dramatically while trying and failing to look angry.

“You laugh too much.”

“And you Complain too much.”

A small Smile tugged at his lips.

Then suddenly he wrapped his little arms around my neck tightly.

The Softness of the unexpected hug instantly melted Something inside me.

“You okay?” I asked quietly.

He nodded against me.

“Love you, Lena.”

Emotion warmed my Chest immediately.

“I love you more, troublemaker.”

Noah Pulled back with a grin.

“That’s impossible.”

I smiled Softly at him before Standing again and taking his hand.

People walking Past us glanced our way with familiar expressions.

Some Smiled warmly, others judged quietly.

Because like always they assumed Noah was my son.

At twenty-seven years old, I’d gotten used to the whispers by now.

Too young to have a five-year-old.

They think I'm a Single mother and Pobably irresponsible.

The rumors used to hurt more.

But not anymore…

Because Noah was worth every assumption People made about me.

And honestly?

Correcting everyone got exhausting after a while.

“Lena!”

I looked up as Mrs. Carter from the nearby Convenience store waved at us.

“There’s my favorite little man.” She grinned at Noah.

Noah immediately brightened. “Hi Mrs. Carter.”

Mrs. Carter Smiled warmly at him before looking at me.

“You heading to work after dropping your son off?”

There it was again.

Son…

I opened my mouth automatically to Correct her then stopped.

I'm too tired for that today so instead I simply Smiled politely.

“Yeah.”

Mrs. Carter nodded approvingly.

“You’re a strong mother.”

Something inside me twisted Painfully at the word mother because technically… I wasn’t.

I was just an older Sister trying her best.

Still, I smiled.

“Thank you.”

Noah Squeezed my hand tighter as we continued walking toward his school.

The morning air was chilly, Carrying the scent of fresh Coffee and rain from earlier.

Five years.

Five whole years Since that night.

Sometimes it felt like a lifetime ago…

Other times…

It felt like yesterday.

I still remembered waking up in Ethan’s car.

I still remembered the Panic. The regret. The confusion.

For months afterward, I Couldn’t even think about him without my Stomach twisting.

Then life happened.

My mother remarried barely a month later.

Then Noah Came unexpectedly and just as things finally Seemed stable, her husband died in an accident.

Everything Collapsed after that.

Money became tight. Mom fell into depression.

And Somehow, without even realizing it, I became responsible for everyone.

Work, school, bills and a baby.

My own heartbreak disappeared beneath Survival.

Still… Sometimes late at night I wondered about him.

About Ethan….

Did he ever find Someone else?

Did he forget me immediately after?

Did he regret that night too?

“Lena?”

Noah tugged my hand.

“You’re thinking again.”

I blinked.

“How do you know?”

“You make that face.”

“What face?”

“The Sad one.”

My Chest tightened Painfully.

Children noticed everything.

I forced a Smile quickly.

“I’m okay.”

He looked unconvinced but thankfully didn’t push further.

After dropping him off at school, I Stood outside the gates for a moment watching him run toward his Classroom happily.

Then my Phone rang.

JUNE…

A Smile immediately appeared on my face.

I answered.

“Good morning, Chaos.”

“Excuse you,” June Scoffed dramatically. “I am elegance and class.”

I laughed while walking toward the bus Stop.

June had Somehow remained exactly the same over the years.

Bold, loud and Sharp-mouthed.

And honestly?

I didn’t know what I’d do without her.

“You ready for today?” she asked.

My Stomach instantly tightened.

Right… The interview.

Calloway Enterprises.

One of the biggest Companies in America.

I still Couldn’t believe they’d even called me back.

“I’m nervous.”

“You’re overqualified.”

“Stop joking.”

“I’m Serious.”

I sighed softly.

“I really need this job, June.”

“I know.”

And She did know…

My Current nutritionist position barely Covered expenses anymore.

Noah’s School fees were increasing.

Mom’s medications weren’t cheap.

And I was tired… So tired of Constantly Struggling.

This interview mattered a lot…

“You’ll do amazing,” June said Confidently. “And if they don’t hire you, I’ll burn the building down.”

“That’s Comforting.”

“You’re welcome.”

I Smiled despite my anxiety.

“Okay, I need to go get ready.”

“Call me immediately after.”

“I will.”

“And Lena?”

“Yeah?”

“You deserve good things too.”

Emotion Caught me off guard unexpectedly.

“Thanks, June.”

The call ended… I Stared down at my phone for Several quiet seconds before Slipping it back into my bag.

Then I exhaled Slowly… Time to focus.

No distractions. No memories. No Ethan.

Just the future.

Three hours later, I Stood in front of the massive glass building of Calloway Enterprises trying not to throw up from nerves.

The Place was enormous, elegant and intimidating.

Employees in expensive Suits walked confidently through the entrance while luxury Cars lined the front driveway.

I looked down at my own outfit anxiously.

Simple Cream blouse, black skirt and low heels.

Professional enough hopefully.

I swallowed hard before finally walking inside.

The lobby alone looked bigger than my apartment building.

Modern Silver designs were everywhere.

I Suddenly felt Painfully out of place.

“Can I help you?” the receptionist asked Politely.

“Yes.” I adjusted my folder nervously. “I’m here for an interview. Lena Hart.”

Her fingers moved quickly across the keyboard.

Then she Smiled.. “Twentieth floor.”

“Thank you.”

The elevator ride felt endless.

By the time the doors opened, my Palms were sweating.

A woman in glasses greeted me warmly.

“Miss Hart?”

“Yes.”

“This way Please.”

I followed her through a long hallway while trying not to visibly Panic.

The interview itself lasted nearly forty minutes.

By the end of it, my throat was dry from talking.

One older man reviewed my file Carefully.

“You have impressive recommendations.”

“Thank you.”

“And you’ve balanced work while Caring for a child?”

Ah.

There it was…

I Smiled Politely. “My younger brother.”

Understanding Crossed his face immediately.

“I see.”

The woman beside him Smiled warmly.

“That’s admirable.”

Relief loosened Something inside me.

Maybe they weren’t judging after all.

The older man nodded slowly.

“We’ll Contact you soon.”

I stood quickly.

“Thank you for your time.”

Then I left before my nerves Completely consumed me.

Two days later, I got the Call and for several seconds… I genuinely Couldn’t Speak.

“You’re offering me the Position?”

The HR woman laughed Softly.

“Yes, Miss Hart. Congratulations.”

Tears instantly filled my eyes.

“Oh my God.”

My knees nearly gave out.

After years of struggling…

Finally.

Finally Something good was happening…

“We expect you on Monday morning.”

“Yes. Yes absolutely.”

The moment the Call ended, I Screamed.

Noah nearly dropped his juice box in shock. “LENA!”

“We got the job!”

He blinked rapidly. “WE’RE RICH NOW?!”

I burst into laughter.

“No!”

June Screamed through the phone speaker Simultaneously.

“CALLOWAY ENTERPRISES?!”

“Yes!”

“Oh my God, marry a billionaire while you’re there!”

“JUNE.”

“I’m serious!”

I laughed so hard tears filled my eyes again.

For the first time in years…

I felt hopeful.

Like maybe life was finally Changing.

I had no idea fate was already laughing at me.

Monday morning arrived too quickly.

I adjusted my ID badge nervously while walking through the Company lobby.

The elevator doors opened.

Employees rushed around Carrying files while conversations echoed through the hallway.

My nerves returned instantly.

A woman from HR handed me Several folders.

“These need to go upstairs to the executive office.”

“Oh. Okay.”

I balanced the files Carefully against my chest before turning the Corner quickly and I nearly collided with a woman rushing past.

“Sorry!” she whispered frantically before hurrying toward the elevator with two other employees.

I blinked in Confusion.

The entire floor Suddenly felt… different.

Busier. Tense and excited.

People were whispering everywhere.

Phones ringing nonstop.

Several employees hurried past Carrying documents while fixing their Clothes and Checking their appearances nervously.

“What’s happening?” I asked quietly to no one in Particular.

A brunette woman beside the Printer immediately leaned Closer.

“You haven’t heard?”

“Heard what?”

Her eyes widened dramatically.

“The new CEO is here.”

My grip tightened Slightly on the folders.

“CEO?”

She nodded excitedly.

“Mr. Richard Calloway officially retired yesterday.”

Another employee joined instantly.

“And his son just got back from overseas last night.”

“Apparently the board handed him the company immediately,” the brunette whispered. “Like instantly.”

“God, he must be insanely good.”

“Or insanely rich.”

They both laughed nervously.

I Stayed quiet.

The elevator dinged loudly.

Silence Spread across the hallway almost immediately.

Everyone Straightened. Conversations Stopped, even the air suddenly felt heavier.

Curiously, I glanced up.

And froze…

A group of men Stepped out of the elevator first.

Security, assistants and executives Surrounded them.

Then finally, I saw HIM…

My heart Stopped.

No.

No no no.

The folders nearly Slipped from my hands.