Kiara's pov

I stood in the corner of the office, watching the whole drama with amusement. Miriam was clinging to Leo like her life depended on it, for whatever reason; she really did seem incapable of letting go.

"Leo, forget about Kiara," she purred with a sweet yet controlled voice. "I will come up with another project, I'll lead it myself and bring Williams & Co. back on its feet."

She fluttered her lashes as if to ply him with that, but it only darkened Leo's expression. He did not even attempt to mask his irritation.

"That's enough, Miriam," he commanded and brushed her off so forcefully that she stumbled backward.

I smirked at the sight of her faltering. Miriam, always acted like she was untouchable. How satisfying it felt seeing her caught off guard.

"You know what Miriam," I said with my arms folded. "Your designs are trash just like your ideas. If you worked more and schemed less, probably you wouldn't be making a fool of yourself this way."

Her face turned red and anger surfaced. "You!" she snapped, taking a closer step to me.

I raised an eyebrow, daring her to do something but Leo stopped her before she could even react.

"Leave," he said sharply, his voice cutting straight through the tension.

"But babe-"

"Don't," he cut off, this tone warning her not to test his patience any further. "Just leave. Now."

Miriam stood there for a second with her lips very thinly pressed, but she finally turned and stormed out of the room.

"Good riddance," I muttered under my breath before I could also make my exist as well, Leo's voice stopped me.

"Kiara."

I turned to him with my arms still crossed. "What now?"

"We need to talk, just the two of us," he said, softer now.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Look, Leo, I told you before; I am not going to change my mind. And there is nothing to discuss."

I was about to take another step but Leo grabbed my wrist. his grip wasn't harsh but It was strong enough to stop me.

"Leo, let go off me," I said, glaring at him.

But he didn't let go. instead he continued to pull me along with him.

"Leo, what are you doing?" I asked, stumbling slightly in an attempt to keep up with him.

Not a word came from his mouth. Before I knew it, we were in a small, empty room. He closed the door behind us and faces me with an inscrutable countenance.

"Let me go," I said with a yank to my arm.

"Kiara," he started in a low-yet-intense voice, "what are you doing? Are you trying to punish me for past mistakes?"

I laughed bitterly. "Punish you? Don't flatter yourself, Leo. You're no longer that important to me."

He flinched at my words,but he continued. "I've apologized a hundred times. I still want you...my wife."

I stiffened, my jaw tightening. "Don't you dare call me that," I hissed. "You're only saying this because of the project. Admit it."

"No kiara," he said, eyes locking into mine. "It's not just about the project. I still love you. I came back for you that day, but you were gone. I've been searching for you ever since."

"What am I doing with that information? ohhh am supposed to feel good that the Almighty Leo has been searching for me."

"And did I hear you mention Love?" I said, the word bitter on my tongue. "That word died long ago, Leo. Just like-"

Before I could finish, he closed the gap between us, kissing me passionately. For a moment, I stood frozen, caught off guard by the sheer suddenness of it. But then, reality set in, and I shoved him away with all my energy.

"Don't you dare," I spat, wiping my lips as if they'd been tainted by his touch.

"Kiara, I-"

"Let me go!" I commanded, my voice sharp and unwavering.

When he still didn't release me, I raised my knee and stroke him hard on his third leg.

He groaned with pain and stumbled back, clutching himself.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" I mocked him with a smirk on my lips.

"Kiara, what the hell is wrong with you? " he snapped, voice strained.

"What is wrong with me?" I shot at him. "And what's wrong with you? Pretending to want me when your mistress is just outside waiting for you?"

"Kiara, I--"

"Save it," I interrupted, raising my hand, i turned to leave but on reaching the door nob, he rushed to block my exit.

"Move," I said pushing him aside.

He stumbled but quickly grabbed my leg in a gesture of clear desperation.

"What is this?" I snapped, gazing at him in disbelief. "This pathetic, and I haven't even started yet."

"Please, Kiara," he begged, his voice low. "Don't give up on the project nor refuse to work with me. I'll do anything you want me to do-anything. Just don't walk away."

His touch still has an effect that it used to have over me back then but I quickly shook it off, kicking his hand off me.

"You think you have the right to ask for help from me?" I said, my voice filled with anger. "After everything you and your mistress put me through? Do you even know how close I came to dying five years ago "

His face paled and guilt clouded him. "Kiara, I... I'm so sorry. I never-"

"Save your apologies," I spat, shoving him aside. "I don't need them. I don't need you. Stay away from me."

I turned to leave but he stopped me with his next words.

"I'll do anything you want," he said again, voice trembling. "Anything at all. Just name it."

I stopped, a slow smile creeping on my face as I turned to face him "Anything?"

"Yes," he said; with a desperate-sounding voice: "Just don't make them remove me from the contract."

"Fine," I said, folding my arms. "If you're serious, you'll transfer to me 55% decision-making rights and shares in Williams & Co. for the duration of this project."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't be serious!"

I smirked, stepping closer. "Oh, I'm dead serious. Take it or leave it, Leo. Your choice."

Leo's pov

I could hear the door slamming after her, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. I was unable to move, her words playing inside my head. Fifty-five percent?

The next voice I heard,made my skin crawl.

"Isn't this pathetic ?"

Miriam.

I could bet my last buck that she was standing arms folded, her face twisted in a cruel smirk and the chuckling accompanied by that annoying drawl of her voice said, "Leo Williams," dragging it out like it was some kind of hilarious joke. "The mighty CEO, crawling on the floor for his ex-wife's approval. Gosh! I wish I had a camera."

I forced myself to stand, brushing off my pants as I turned to face her. "Miriam, not now."

"Oh not now?" she said, her voice rising in mock disbelief. "Not now? Leo, do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? Crawling to her after everything we've done to build this company?"

"Everything we've done ?" I let out a dry, humorless laugh. "You mean everything you've done to destroy her? Don't act innocent here."

She smiled and shakes her head for a moment and focused on me almost immediately. "Oh, please. Don't act like you're some saint. Were you not the one that was desperately looking for proof of her cheating so that you can send her packing,just because you are having an affair with her step sister? That was all you, Leo. Don't pin this mess on me."

"Enough!" I snapped. My patience was thin. "You are more evil than I thought Miriam and I regret ever leaving Kiara for you. but you see, this isn't about the past anymore. This right now concerns the future of Williams & Co. And unless you have some genius plan to fix this, I suggest you step aside and let me handle it."

Her eyes narrowed. "Fix it? By begging her for help? She is not going to forgive you, Leo. She has move on with her life, so she ain't coming back to you. Even if you give her the control and shares of your company she asked for, do you think that will change her mind? You must be delusional."

I took a step closer towards her and said, "yes I know I want her forgiveness but the main thing at stake right now is saving my company and If you can't see that, you may be the one that is delusional." 

She was about to talk back at me when the door to the conference room swung open.

it's Kiara.

She stood poised and composed, cutting through the tension with her gaze like a blade. 

"Wow,  What a touching scene."her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Should I come back later, or are you two done arguing?"

Miriam turned to her with a disgusted face and said, "Don't flatter yourself, Kiara. You're not as important as you think."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, I am not? Then why is your loving husband Leo, on his knees, begging me to save his company? Face it, Miriam, You're irrelevant around here."

Miriam stepped forward, her face flushed red with rage. "You little..."

You guys should stop! I shouted, stepping between them. My voice echoed through the room, sharp and commanding. I turned to Miriam, pointing toward the door. "Get out. Now." 

"What?" she gasped, her voice trembling with anger. "You're sending me out? because of this bitch?" 

"I said you should leave," I growled, my tone leaving no room for argument, "this isn't about you, Miriam; it's about the company.Try to handle your emotions but if you can't then there's the door." I said pointing in the door direction.

She stood for a moment, looking at me with a stunned betrayal. Then with a sharp huff, she stomped out, slamming the door behind her. 

After she left, the silence was utterly deafening.

kiara leaned casually against the door frame, arms crossed as she studied me with an amused expression. "Well, that was dramatic." 

I ran a hand through my hair, heavy with a sigh. "Kiara, I-" 

"Save it," she interrupted in a clipped tone. "If you're about to plead again, save your breath. My offer still stands. " 

"Fifty-five percent?" I asked, disbelief flooding my voice. "Do you even know what you're asking for?"

Without breaking eye contact, she shrugged. "I know what I'm asking, and if it is too much of a burden for you, please leave."

"You're asking me to give up control and shares of my company," I said, stepping closer. "That's not leverage, Kiara. That's extortion."

She smirked, tilting her head slightly. "Call it whatever you want, Leo. The fact is, you need me more than I need you. So, are you in or out?"

Her words was like a slap to the face, but I wasn't able to back down also. Not when everything was on the line.

"You're doing this just to punish me," I said, my voice low, "Admit it." 

"Punish you?" she repeated, a bitter laugh escaping her mouth. "You think it is about a bloody revenge? Don't flatter yourself, Leo. You don't worth the stress." 

"Then Why?" I asked. "Why are you making everything so damn difficult?"

"Because I can," she said it so simple, her expression cold. "Because for once, I'm the one in control. And you? You just have to deal with that." 

I stared deeply at her, searching for the woman that once worshipped the foot I match on the floor.. the woman I shared memories with but all I saw was steel. 

"What do you want from me, Kiara?" I asked finally, my voice breaking.

for a moment I thought I saw something in her eyes. I must be hallucinating.

"I want what's mine," she finally said, firmly. "I want control. I want respect. And I want you to know that I don't need you. Not now, not ever." 

I must admit, her words hit harder than it should, but I wasn't going to back down. 

"Fine," I said, letting a deep breath out. "You win. Fifty-five percent is yours."

She blinked, clearly surprised by my sudden surrender. 

She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"Smart choice," she said, turning toward the door.

"And oh, before I forget, I still need one more thing." she said staring at me to see my reaction.

"What could that be again Kiara?"

Kiara's pov

"Why didn't I think of this earlier?" I muttered to myself as I paused my walk. "Miriam..I should have added her to the list. Just imagine her in my office running all the major errands and swallowing down all the insults I will dish out to her. That would be hell for her. I can imagine her face right now"

The thought of it was so satisfying that I couldn't resist to smirk. But no, it wasn't too late. I was in charge here. Leo needed me more than I needed him, and I fully intend to get every ounce of power out of this situation.

I turned back to Leo, who was already sitting down but looking at him, he looked so sad but that shouldn't bother me.

"There's one more thing," I said, folding my arms across my chest.

"What could that be again, Kiara?" he grunted.

"Don't give me that look," I said, arching a brow. "You didn't think this was going to be that easy, did you?"

His glare didn't scare me at all. I leaned against the desk, letting my voice drip with sarcasm for maximum effect. "As I was saying, I want Miriam working under me. Running all the major errands during this project, reporting directly to me, and she follows every order I give her."

Instantly, his face darkened. "You're kidding."

"Does it look like I am?" I shot back at him, matching his gaze without blinking. "She's not contributing significantly to this company, that's part of the reason this company is in shambles, so I'm putting her where she would be useful," I said with a fake smile.

"Kiara, this isn't about justice," he said, voice taut with frustration. "I'm just trying to save my company and you know this is a professional project, not your personal revenge plot."

"Oh, don't you dare educate me on professionalism," I shot back, snapping straight at him. "Were you being professional when you abandoned your wedded wife, just to marry her step-sister huh? "

"That's in the past now Kiara and I'm sorry but you can't expect me to agree to this."

"Then the deal is off," I said as I grabbed my bag to head out. "Let's see how professional Williams & Co. looks when it's six feet under."

"Wait!" he shouted. He was obviously at his breaking point and the struggle in his expression was so entertaining.

After a lengthy, charged silence, he sighed. "Fine. You win. Miriam works under you."

"Oh, what a sweet victory," I muttered to myself. Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. I didn't realize I left it there. Leo's eyes shifted to my device as the name ALEX with a love emoji popped up on the screen.

"Alex?" he asked, voice low. "Is that... the Alex I know, or another Alex?"

I grabbed my phone immediately, trying to pick it up but the call ended. I now slid it into my bag with my eyes fixed on him. "Not that it's any of your business," I said with a sly smile, "but you'll find out soon enough."

His jaw clenched, and his voice dropped even further. "So you've really been cheating on me all this while?"

My face reddened and my eyes were filled with rage as I stepped closer to him. My tone dripped with anger. "Dare say that again to me, and kiss this project goodbye ."

"Wait," he said, staring at me with lots of emotions.

"Is that jealousy I see, Leo? Not like you have ever really loved me."

"I still love you, Kiara," he said, breaking his voice slightly.

I scoffed and shook my head. "Don't make me more upset with those word Leo. You see that version of me that lets you control her? it's long dead and gone, so get used to it."

Just then, my phone buzzed again, and I picked it up. "I'm done here," I said curtly. "You can come now."

Leo's gaze was frozen on me as I hung up. "Is that Alex Carter?" he asked like a little child, that is been denied candy.

Ignoring him, I grabbed my bag and walked out of the room. "Have a good evening, Leo," I said, leaving him to route in his thoughts.

In the parking lot, Alex leaned against his sleek black car. The sharp suit he wore, along with his easy smile, made my heart lighten a bit

"You look fabulous," he said warmly, as he pulled me into a hug. His firm arms and nice-smelling perfume made the hug more comforting.

"Thanks," I smiled and untangled from him as he pecked my cheek.

"Ready to go?" he asked, opening up the passenger door for me like a perfect gentleman.

"Sure," I replied, sliding into the car.

From his office window, Leo stood with his hands pressed on the glass as he watched us. He was not able to hear a word we said, but the sight of Alex hugging me so tight and opening the door for me was simply enough to drive him insane.