Sophia's POV

I let the phone ring for a while before it went back to silence. Then the call came in again, this time, Mr. Mark, sensing my hesitation, decided to excuse himself from the room. I picked the call, and immediately I heard Donald bark from the other end, insulting me as always.

"I don't have time for this. What do you want?" I asked after he had finished ranting.

"If you don't return the watch you stole," he paused, his loud breath almost deafening my ear. "I swear you'd kiss your next meal in jail."

With that, he ended the call. He didn't even bother to ask about my wellbeing, he just went about throwing accusations at me.

Typical Donald! Always finding fault in everything that concerns me. But this time around, he's even more bitter. How could a man I've loved over the years accuse me of theft?

A sudden anger surged within me. All the years I devoted to being a good wife was all for nothing. How could I have been so stupid? He didn't even think twice before accusing me of theft.

That was the height of it. I'm no longer going to take his insults. Not anymore!

"Doctor says you'll be discharged soon."

I looked up to see Mr. Mark walking into the room.

"Okay." I managed a nod.

"Is anything the problem?" He asked, observing me keenly from where he stood.

I shook my head but he didn't seem to buy my response. How was I to tell him my ex-husband just accused me of theft? It sounded so embarrassing. I couldn't bring myself to do that. Not even if I wanted to.

******

I settled in my mini apartment, taking a long exhausted breath. The ride from the hospital was a long one. I had rented this apartment before my marriage and I had kept paying even while living with Donald.

Mark had pleaded with me to move in with him but I had declined. I still needed to get used to the realization that he's my real father.

He had specifically instructed the driver to drop me at my apartment, promising to reach out soon. In his words, he had an important meeting he needed to attend.

I still needed to collect some of my things at Donald's home. I haven't had the chance to take most of my stuff as I'd have been in the hospital for days.

The interior of the apartment was still as cozy as I had known them, even though it's a sharp contrast to the opulence in Donald's mansion.

Yet, I feel totally at peace here. My head, once clouded with thoughts of Donald, was clearing up.

At least, the heaviness I felt in my heart was beginning to diminish.

The past few days had been like hell for me, but I realized I had to pick up the pieces of my life and stand firm once again.

It's stupidity mulling over someone like him. Not when he hadn't even taken pity on me for losing our baby. Instead, he became colder. He fucking pointed all the blame at me.

What a cruel joke!

How could I have intentionally lose my own baby? The one thing that should have been a source of happiness in our marriage?

Still lost in my thoughts, my phone rang, instantly jolting me out of the raging thoughts in my head.

The name on the screen instantly brought fresh worry to my mind. I hesitated a bit, and soon the phone went back to silence. My father-in-law was the one calling.

I didn't know how to deal with him yet, concerning the divorce. He might have heard about it and wanted to plead with me to come back. Unlike Donald, his family adores me, especially his father.

He checks up on me frequently, and I was wondering if this call was one of such routine checkups.

My phone buzzed again, this time I picked it up without wasting much time.

"Mrs. Briggs, I apologize for the disturbance seeing it's the weekend, but I need to speak with Mr. Briggs urgently."

I took the phone off my ears and brought it to my eye level. I saw Jane, Donald's secretary plainly written on the screen.

'So Donald hadn't informed her about the divorce?' I was surprised.

Jane knew almost everything about Donald, his boss. Donald trusts Jane completely. She is quite one of the most competent staffs in his company. Seeing he had kept that information away from Jane still means he might come back, right?

"Madam, are you there please?" Jane's professional voice brought me back to my senses.

"Yes Jane. Donald isn't here right now, he's having his bath. Is it something urgent?" I lied, curious to know the details since Donald rarely works on weekends.

"His bath? But he told me earlier he'd soon be on the way!" Jane's voice sliced through the phone and I almost feel my eardrum bursting.

She seemed a little agitated knowing Donald was just having his bath. That means whatever she wants to say is quite important.

"He should be done soon. You can tell me the details, I'd let him know."

"Tell him the client is already waiting at 'Hailey's place'. We should try all our best in closing the deal today." Jane responded, then quickly added. "Missing an important deal like this isn't an option." Jane complained.

I became curious, wanting to know the rest of the details. 'Hailey's place' sounds oddly familiar for me to ignore. Mark mentioned something about it while I was still at the hospital. Suddenly, my eyes popped up when I figured out the reality.

"Miss Jane, what's this important deal about anyway." I asked, trying to sound non-chalant as best as I can.

Jane was silent for a while, I almost thought she had ended the call. But checking the phone, it was still reading.

I pursed my lips. She probably wouldn't want to reveal the details of a yet to be sealed deal. But then, she responded when I thought she never will.

"Mark Lance, he can't keep him waiting for too long," Jane explained and I almost couldn't believe my ears. "Please relay my message and tell him to hurry."

With that, Jane ended the call.

What kind of a dunce am I? I should have figured this out for a while. Donald had mentioned something about securing a deal with Mark Lance sometime ago.

I'm not the one to play dirty but maybe it's time I stop being a soft girl.

A sinister smile formed on my face as I picked up my phone.

Donald's POV

I clenched my teeth as I drove through the streets like a possessed demon.

My frustration had begin from the moment I called Sophia. Thereafter, my father had called to threaten me concerning my divorce with Sophia.

Imagine ordering a grown ass man like myself to get back with a woman I didn't love? Where's the sense in that? And to think he'd threaten to take over the company if I don't comply, it's something I really can't place.

I find the whole thing complicated, yet annoying. How come the witch had warm her way into the hearts of my family that much? Particularly my father, is something I still find hard to understand.

I had argued with him and then ended the call before putting the phone on DND (DO NOT DISTURB). I would deal with him later. I need to win this deal first, and I can only do that with a clear head.

I steered the car to the right, taking the last bend that will take me to 'Hailey's place', but my jaw instantly dropped.

In front of me was a long queue of cars moving at a really slow pace. I take a quick glance at the Richard Mille wristwatch on my wrist.

Fucking hell!

I was already fifteen minutes behind the set schedule of meeting Mark Lance. Messing with Mark Lance is not something I should be doing. I can't possibly delay any more time.

It's just ten minutes to get to my destination. I need to make a change of plan. And I need to do that fast!

I picked up my phone, there was over ten missed calls. Two from my father and the rest from Jane. Jane never calls more than twice, unless it's really urgent.

I knew instantly Mr. Lance must have been waiting. Looking ahead from inside the car, the traffic was still moving at a really slow pace.

I dashed out of the car, I couldn't afford to waste any more time.

Looking around as I walked, everyone seems to he minding their business. I break into a jog. That's the only way I can cover the remaining distance within this short period.

In no time I was panting in front of 'Hailey's place'.

My upper body was covered in perspiration and my shirt was completely soaked.

People around were giving me weird looks but I didn't spare them a glance. I have other worries - Mr. Lance! His car was already parked outside the restaurant's compound.

I got into the restaurant and head up towards the VIP section but someone stopped me.

"Restricted area, please head back downstairs."

The man on glasses stopped me with a hand on my chest. I gave him a quick look. He was heavily built and was putting on a black suit. His look portrayed him to be a bodyguard.

I cleared my throat looking at his hands that was still on my chest. "I'm here to see Mr. Lance."

He looked at me from head to toe as if I had lost my mind. "What business do you have with him?"

I clenched my fists then closed my eyes. When I open them back, the man was looking at me as if I've gone nuts. Is there a slight chance this hunk didn't know who I am?

"I am Donald... Donald Briggs."

Immediately I mentioned my name, the guard ran his eyes over me, then as if suddenly recognizing me, he gave a quick bow.

"I apologize Mr. Briggs. I didn't recognize you at first."

"It's okay, take me to Mr. Lance." I commanded, waving off his apology.

He led me straight inside the VIP and I saw Mark Lance sitting at a corner.

Even for a businessman like me, I still felt nervous. Two things contributed to my nervousness. One, I was drenched with sweat after jogging all the way here. Two, I was rich in my own right, but Mark is the richest man in the country.

I composed myself immediately I was in front of him.

"Mr. Lance, I'm sorry I didn't arrive earlier," I apologized, taking a seat opposite him. "I'm Donald..."

He waved me off then extended a hand, "It's okay Briggs, I know who you are. You aren't hard to miss in the business world."

I was flattered to receive such a compliment from Mark Lance. Only that, I didn't show it. I only nodded and flashed him a quick smile.

"Here's the document containing the proposal." I said, handling him a brown envelope.

I observed him keenly, his eyes seem to dart about the pages for a while before it settled back on me.

"Two years is all you need to carry out this project?"

"Certainly, Mr. Lance." I nodded confidently.

"Very well then. That's commendable."

I knew instantly I had sealed the deal with him. The smile on his face was all the confirmation I needed. I didn't think of anything otherwise, afterall I spent sleepless night personally drafting and reviewing the proposal.

This deal would not just top my rating in the business world, it would also earn me more respect from my father. He had been trying to land a deal with Lance while he was in charge of the family business, but all his efforts proved abortive.

The shrill ringing of a phone interrupted my train of thoughts and I looked up to see Mark pull out his phone.

"I have to take this, sorry." He apologized but I only gave a quick nod.

I hate having phone calls during a business meeting but who am I to set rules for Mr. Lance?

"What!" He exclaimed, instantly drawing my attention. The calm look on his face had suddenly turned to a scowl.

I suddenly became alarmed as he dropped the phone without another word, then his eyes settled on me.

"Donald Briggs," he called my name out coldly. "This deal is impossible!"

His last statement filtered into my ears and I instantly felt like a dagger was plunged into my heart.