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Novel Catalog
Chapter_15
A Chance Encounter
Johnson, our company’s Marketing Director, greeted us with his usual warmth. The moment he saw us, he reached over to pinch Ava’s cheeks, his playful demeanor immediately easing the tension in the air. He had always been a natural when it came to people, effortlessly making connections wherever he went.
It was me who had brought Johnson into the company years ago. Back then, the marketing department had only five people, and I had been the one overseeing it all. But when I got pregnant, Matthew had taken the reins and let Johnson step into my role. In the years that followed, Johnson had blossomed under Matthew’s guidance, becoming the force he was today.
I knew Johnson was a frequent patron of this restaurant, so when he arranged for us to have a private room, it spoke volumes about his thoughtfulness. In contrast, Matthew barely even remembered to make dinner plans for us.
As we made our way into the private room, I felt the weight of the changes in my life, particularly as I watched Melanie exchange a knowing glance with Johnson. They were both familiar with each other, but I didn’t care to delve into their dynamics. Instead, I focused on Johnson as he took a seat beside me.
We started with casual conversation about the company. He answered with the careful tone of someone aware of his position, often glancing at Matthew as if seeking approval. It was clear—this was no longer the young man I had hired. Johnson had changed, and so had his view of me. I had once been his boss, but now, under Matthew’s leadership, I was just a “former boss,” someone who had been eclipsed by the new president.
It stung. I had built Tanum Corporation from the ground up, bled for it, sacrificed countless hours of my life, and yet now, in this new world, I was just a relic—an antique. The respect people showed me, calling me “Madam,” felt hollow. It was all formalities, a polite gesture in the face of someone whose influence had long since faded. And if Matthew and I ever parted ways, I doubted anyone would remember the woman who had made Tanum what it was.
The bitterness was hard to swallow. My contributions, the late nights, the sacrifices—none of it seemed to matter anymore. As time passed, I had become more aware of how quickly people forget. Even Matthew seemed to have forgotten, his attention elsewhere as he moved forward with his career. The fruits of my labor, the company I had founded, were no longer mine to enjoy. It was a sobering thought that weighed heavily on my chest.
But there was no time for self-pity. The world was fickle, and I realized something important: no one was going to look out for me. I had to take care of myself. The idea made my heart ache, but it was becoming clearer every day.
Could Matthew really be so ruthless? Despite everything we had been through, despite the struggles and the love we had shared, I was starting to question whether he would truly stand by me in the end. I wanted to believe he wouldn’t forget the woman who had stood by him all these years. I wanted to believe that he wasn’t capable of being that heartless.
Johnson excused himself when the food arrived, but my mind was still in a fog of confusion and disappointment. As we settled in, Matthew’s phone began to ring—business calls, mostly. But then, there was one call that caught my attention. Matthew glanced at me before stepping outside to take it, his expression guarded.
My stomach tightened as I watched him leave. My curiosity piqued, I excused myself to use the restroom. When I stepped into the corridor, I found Matthew talking on the phone, his voice low, only responding with a distracted “Mmm.” The scene felt eerily familiar—the same kind of detachment I had witnessed during his video call from the hotel just days ago.
I watched him for a moment, wondering why he had to step outside for this call. It seemed odd, unnecessary even. It was just business, or so I thought.
I made my way to the restroom, but as I was about to finish, I heard footsteps approaching. Two people entered the bathroom, their voices muffled as they spoke. My heart skipped a beat, and I paused, wondering who it was.
The uneasy feeling in my stomach only deepened.