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.