~Adeline~

The following day, in preparation for my return to the company, I woke up earlier than usual. As I got ready, I printed the divorce agreement Mikaela had sent me the night before.

Once I was done, I stood still, my gaze fixed on the name written on the page.

Adeline Carter.

That phase of my life was officially over.

Without hesitation, I signed my name, removed my wedding ring, and placed it on top of the document.

Then I turned and walked out of the room.

Making my way downstairs, I found Adrian already seated at the dining table, sipping his morning coffee while scrolling through his tablet.

He looked up at the sound of my footsteps, his eyes sweeping over me as he took in my appearance.

Usually, I moved around the house in loose gowns that allowed me comfort without irritating my skin. But today, I wore something more fitted, something that subtly highlighted my figure.

His gaze lingered for a moment before he spoke.

"Are you going somewhere?"

In the past, I might have mistaken that for concern. Now, I knew better. He was simply keeping track of my movements so he could freely spend time with his old flame.

"Work," I replied flatly, picking up my bag from the table.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him pause, then give me a once over again before he snorted calmly.

"What type of work can a mere housewife like you do?"

The words stung, but ny expression remained neutral.

"You don't need to worry about that," I said evenly.

He stared at me for a second longer before turning his attention back to his tablet.

"Did you prepare the porridge for Zora?" he asked.

"There are leftovers in the fridge," I said as I walked towards the door. "Your mother can warm it up for her. If she needs anything else. I'm sure you'll handle it. Excuse me."

Without waiting for his response, I walked out of the house and hailed a cab.

The drive from the Carter mansion to Norvax Institute took less than two hours.

The moment I arrived, I headed straight for the reception desk.

The girl behind it was on her phone, chewing gum lazily.

As I stepped up to the counter, I spoke, "Good morning. I'm here to see Thomas Kensington."

She paused whatever she was doing and looked up. Her eyes swept over me briefly before she lowered her gaze again, clearly dismissing my presence.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her tone laced with snark.

"No," I replied calmly. "But he knows I'm coming."

She paused, then looked up at me again.

"Mr. Kensington knows everyone is coming," she said dryly. "A lot of your type show up here. If you don't have an appointment-" she pointed an overly manicured nail toward the entrance, "get out."

Her rudeness didn't faze me.

I didn't react. Instead, I reached into my purse, pulled out my phone, and dialed Thomas's number, lifting it to my ear.

The moment the call connected, his voice came through.

"Lina, are you here?" he asked.

Keeping my gaze on the receptionist, I answered with a single word.

"Yes."

"Alright, give me a second."

The call ended.

The receptionist looked up again, unimpressed.

"Still not leaving?" she scoffed, picking up the phone. "Security to the front desk." She demanded.

From the distance, I spotted two guards appeared and marched towards me.

At the same time, the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and Thomas stepped out.

The moment the receptionist saw him, she straightened.

"Mr. Kensington, I was just about throw this disturbance-"

She didn't get the chance to finish. Thomas ignored her completely and walked straight toward me, a smile spreading across his face.

"Lina," he greeted warmly. "How was your trip? Smooth, I hope?"

"Everything was fine," I replied, then let my gaze shift toward the receptionist. "Except your receptionist wasn't particularly hospitable."

Thomas's expression changed instantly as he looked at her.

She visibly shrank back.

"Sir, I-"

"Don't bother packing your things. You're fired," Thomas said flatly.

Then he turned to the approaching guards. "Just in time, escort her out."

I watched as the color drained from the receptionist's face. In the next second, the guards who had initially been confused, grabbed her by both arms and began dragging her away.

"Mr. Kensington, please don't fire me! Please, sir!"

Her pleas echoed down the hallway as she was pulled out.

The commotion drew attention, and a few people turned to look in our direction, whispers spreading quickly.

"Who is she?"

"This is the first time I've seen Mr. Kensington treat a woman so well."

"Is she his girlfriend?"

Thomas ignored them all and simply gestured toward the presidential elevator. "Lina, come on. This way."

I gave him a small smile and followed, ignoring the curious stares.

"I have your office ready," Thomas said as we stepped into the elevator. "Your letter of inauguration should be ready anytime soon."

I nodded, taking his words in. "Thank you, Thomas."

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out.

Thomas led me down the hall to my office. As I walked in, my gaze swept across the room.

It was exactly as I had left it all those years ago-only now, it was spotless. Not a speck of dust in sight.

The realization that he had kept it that way all this time made my chest tighten with guilt.

Back then, both Thomas and Mikaela had opposed my decision to abandon my career for love. But I had insisted, convinced that marriage and motherhood would bring me greater happiness than anything else.

So even when the company the three of us had built together was just beginning to grow, I left them behind.

Yet, it was clear they'd never for once stopped believing in me.

Even when i stopped believing in myself.

"Everything's just as you left it," Thomas said.

I turned to him and smiled softly. "Thank you, Tommy."

The use of the familiar nickname brought a smile to his lips.

"And I'm sorry," I added softly.

His expression gentled as he stepped forward and patted my head. "You did nothing wrong," he said. "Sometimes in life, we all make mistakes-and we learn from them eventually. Isn't that right?"

I smiled faintly and nodded.

He returned the smile before stepping back. "As much as I'd love to keep you all to myself,"

A knock sounded on the door. It opened, and a young, bubbly-looking girl walked in. She had glasses, soft curls, and an overall adorable appearance-if not for the heavy stack of files piled in her arms.

"I have to leave you to this," Thomas continued.

He stepped aside and gestured toward her. "This is Tilda. She'll be your assistant from now on. And these," he pointed at the files, "are documents you need to familiarize yourself with. Think you can handle it?"

My eyes swept over the stack before I nodded. "I can."

"Good. Then I'll leave you to it."

With that, Thomas walked out.

I turned to Tilda and offered her a polite smile. "Let's work well together, Tilda."

She nodded eagerly. "I'm in your care, Vice President Hayes!"

The title brought a small smile to my lips. It had been a while since I last heard it.

With that thought, I turned toward my desk. "Let's get started."

~☆~

The rest of the day passed in a blur of work. By the time I had gone through half of the documents, it was already evening.

My phone vibrated on the desk just as I closed the last file.

I picked it up and glanced at the message.

[Lina, let's have a meal together!]

It was a message from Mikaela. A smile touched my lips as I read it and typed back.

[I'd love to, but I have some shopping to do. I need a few essentials for my new place.]

A second later, her reply came in.

[Ohh, I'll join you. Let's meet at Regal Haus, okay?]

[Sure.] I replied and stood up.

Glancing at Tilda, I said, "Let's stop here for today."

She looked up and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Have a pleasant evening."

I sent her a smile as I packed up my things and sent Thomas a quick message.

[Heading out for the night. Let's have a meal and catch up sometime.]

Tucking my phone away, I walked out.

~☆~

Mikaela was already waiting in front of Regal Haus by the time I stepped out of the cab. Leaning casually against a car, she seemed completely oblivious to the attention her beauty was drawing.

"Kayla," I called as I approached.

She looked up, and her face lit up instantly.

"Lina!"

She rushed toward me without hesitation. I let out a soft chuckle and caught her in a hug, wrapping my arms around her.

"Hi, Kayla," I said gently.

"Lina, it's been so long," she murmured, pulling back to look at me. Her smile softened, tinged with sadness. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

She stepped back, her gaze sweeping over me before her expression darkened into a frown.

"That bastard has drained the life out of you," she muttered. "I should go give him a good beating."

I smiled faintly and started walking into Regal Haus.

"After everything," she continued, clearly annoyed, grabbing a cart, "he still dares to treat you like this? Divorce?" She scoffed, offended.

As we turned into one of the aisles, I pulled out a list and began picking items off the shelves.

"It was only a matter of time," I said calmly, offering her a small smile. "A marriage like that was bound to fall apart sooner or later. I was just the one foolish enough to hold onto it."

I paused briefly before adding, "But I'm done now."

The moment those words left my lips, we turned the corner and I stopped.

Right ahead stood Adrian, holding Zora in one arm and pushing a cart with the other.

And beside him was the woman who had haunted my marriage. The woman who had taken my daughter's affection.

Elizabeth Sterling.

My chest tightened, but before I could react, Adrian's gaze landed on me. His expression immediately turned cold.

"Adeline," he said, his voice sharp. "What is the meaning of this?" His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Are you following us?"

~Adeline~

Adrian's cold words drew a slight frown from me. However, just as I opened my mouth to respond, Elizabeth stepped forward.

"Adeline," my name rolled off her tongue, laced with feigned innocence I saw right through. "Please don't misunderstand what's going on here. You weren't around, and Zora really wanted to go shopping after being discharged from the hospital, so I agreed to accompany them."

Before I could react, she reached out and took my hand. I immediately tried pulling back, but her grip was firm and her smile gentle as she continued.

"Even though Zora likes me a lot, I'll never try to take your place or anything, after all, Adrian and I are just friends. Please understand, Lin."

As she spoke, her nails dug sharply into my skin.

The pain made me instinctively pull my hand back as if I had been burned. Right on cue, Elizabeth staggered backward as though I had pushed her.

"Elizabeth!" Adrian stepped forward at once, abandoning the cart to steady her.

I watched as his eyes softened, roaming over her with concern while she cradled her hand against her chest.

Beside me, Mikaela rushed up to me. "Lina, are you okay?" She asked, worried, but I didn't answer.

My gaze remained fixed on the scene in front of me.

Elizabeth looked like the perfect victim, the corners of her eyes reddening as she leaned into Adrian's arms.

"I. I'm sorry, Adeline," she said softly. "I didn't realize seeing me like this would cause a misunderstanding. I didn't mean to upset you."

Adrian's head snapped toward me the next second, icy glare in his eyes.

"Adeline, what is the meaning of this behavior?" he demanded. "What is there to misunderstand about a simple outing? Since when did you become so insecure and jealous?"

In his arms, Zora frowned at me.

"Why do you always have to be so mean, Mommy?" She pouted. "I was the one who asked Aunt Beth to come shopping with us. Why did you bully her?"

Watching both father and daughter defend Elizabeth, the pain in my hand felt insignificant compared to the ache spreading through my chest.

Beside me, Mikaela frowned, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"You-"

She had just taken a step forward when I reached out and grabbed her hand, shaking my head.

There was no point in trying to correct Zora.

As her mother, I had tried many times before, but with Adrian's mother, Lyla, constantly spoiling her and stepping in whenever I attempted to discipline her, Zora had grown into someone many adults would frown upon.

Even so, I had loved her.

But what did I receive in return?

Unwarranted resentment and unfiltered ingratitude.

How ironic.

"And who is this?" Adrian asked, giving Mikaela a brief once-over once he took nothing of her presence.

A frowned a second later, clearly unfamiliar with her.

"Mommy, did you bring this aunt here to bully Aunt Beth?" Zora asked with a frown and I noticed Adrian's hand tighten instinctively around Elizabeth.

Once again, both of them were only thinking about her.

In the past, that would have hurt.

Now, I felt nothing but a strange, steady calm as I met Zora's gaze and spoke.

"You seem to like Elizabeth very much, Zora."

A bright smile spread across her face-so cheerful that, for a fleeting moment, I wished it had been directed at me.

"Aunt Beth is really cool. Everyone likes her. Of course Zora likes her too," Zora said proudly.

I smiled, though there was no warmth in it.

"You like her that much." I paused slightly. "Do you like her more than me?"

The question left my lips with a trace of fragile hope.

The next second, Zora's grin widened.

"Of course," she answered without hesitation. "Aunt Beth is way cooler than you. I wish she were my mommy instead."

Her words struck deep and my fingers twitched at my sides.

So this was it, I thought to myself as the corners of my lips twitched faintly.

All through last night, I had held onto a fragile hope.

Even if I had lost Adrian-or rather, even if he had never truly been mine from the beginning-I still had Zora.

Something could still be fixed. Something could still be salvaged.

But now, after hearing her answer, everything became clear.

I'd also lost the child I carried for nine whole months.

Beside me, Mikaela scoffed under her breath.

"This brat." She muttered, clearly infuriated. I however, remained calm-strangely, almost unnaturally so-and nodded.

"I see," I said quietly. "Then. have fun with Elizabeth."

After that, I turned to Mikaela, ignoring Adrian's gaze on me.

"Come on, Kayla."

She looked both dissatisfied and irritated, but she didn't resist as I took her hand and led her away.

I cast one last glance at Zora-and then at Adrian-before walking past them.

"You're seriously just going to leave them like that?" Mikaela asked as we approached the counter.

I hadn't gotten everything I needed, but I had the essentials.

"Yes," I replied, placing the items down and paying for them, ignoring the surprised look she gave me.

On any other day, I would have done exactly what she expected-fought for my family.

But now.

As I packed my things and walked toward the exit, Mikaela following behind me with a troubled expression, Zora's words replayed over and over in my mind.

When I stepped outside, I paused and glanced back one last time.

Through the glass, I could see them-Adrian, Zora, and Elizabeth-standing together, smiling and laughing like a perfect family, while I felt like nothing more than an outsider in my own marriage.

The sight settled like a river freezing over and in that moment, I made a decision.

I was going to give up custody of Zora.

Since she liked Elizabeth so much, she could have her as her mother.

There was no place in my life for an ungrateful child who saw me as less than a substitute!