WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN.

KRISTABEL’S POV

No matter how hard I tried, I could not get him out of my mind. His scent, voice, presence, and every single thing about him just stayed in my brain.

I sat in the backseat of one of Damien’s expensive cars, wondering how different my life would have been if things had gone differently seven years ago. Roy, my personal bodyguard and unofficial driver Damien had insisted follow me everywhere must have witnessed at least a part of the entire fiasco that had just happened. Still, if he did, he made absolutely no indication of this.

I slumped into the fine leather seats, letting my thoughts fly into the thousand what-ifs that plagued the four walls of my mind. Thinking about how different everything would have been if Liam had not betrayed me the way that he had, if he hadn’t left me pregnant without any plan, remorse, or explanation.

After he disappeared, I spent most of my time pretending that he had only been a figment of my imagination, but seeing him at the party earlier made him real again.

Seven years ago, I remember staring down at the double lines on the pregnancy test kit. I remember the fear and trepidation, I remember wondering how I was going to tell my parents. I remember visibly shaking as I thought of what was going to happen, about my parents throwing me out and possibly disowning me, because I could not imagine my overly strict parents accepting my pregnancy.

Liam had just been accepted into Stanford to study business on a full scholarship. Everything was so hazy and uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure: no matter what happened, Liam would be there for me. I soon found out how wrong I was for thinking that.

The day I told Liam about my pregnancy was the last time I ever saw him, until, of course, a few hours ago. I knew he had fled like a coward when I went to his place the next day, only to be met with an empty apartment. No note, nothing.

I wiped off the tears that had somehow escaped my eyes. It had been a long time since I moved on; he has too. I am happy, I have Damien now, and nothing else matters

“Ma’am, we are here.” I heard Roy say, jerking me out of my thoughts.

“Right,” I said, holding back whatever tears threatened to escape.

“I did the right thing,” I whispered as I entered the mansion.

“Talking to yourself again?” Damien’s playful jibe and chuckle startled me a bit.

“I thought you’d be asleep by now,” I replied as I moved closer to hug and kiss him. After the kiss, he held me for longer.

“I’ve been thinking of you all day. It did not help that I had to watch you go about your day in that sexy dress, but anyway, you’re home now, so I get to take it off.,” he whispered. Usually, I would immediately get turned on by his rough but silky voice, but tonight, I felt next to nothing. His lips traced their way down my neck as his hands found my zipper.

“You are so fucking beautiful Kristabel,” he said as his hands touched my bare back as his lips found mine again. I wanted to want this— to like him, but I could not get the thoughts of Liam out of my mind.

“I have to shower,” I said abruptly, moving away from him.

“I can help you with that,” he said in a suggestive tone, pulling me back to him.

“I’m way too tired, Damien. I’m sorry,” I replied, forcing my voice to stay soft and playful.

“Oh, okay, I have to rest anyway,” Damien smiled before heading to the bedroom.

I nodded, feeling horrible for pushing him away like I did. I just…couldn’t focus on anything else but the thoughts of Liam. I did not want to think about him. I really did but I couldn’t stop.

I took a quick shower, changed, and fell asleep, thinking about the next day and how working would hopefully remove Liam's thoughts from my mind…

With the new deal coming up, I had a lot to check. I had to work hard, especially after hearing about this new collaboration. According to everyone, he is nothing but a self-obsessed narcissist, and unluckily for me, I would be working closely with him. I hope I survive somehow.

The next morning, I was dressed in my power outfit— a black pencil skirt and a cream silk shirt ready to take on the day with the night’s event behind me. I piled up a bunch of paperwork that had to be signed by Damien. I picked up this pile and headed for his office when I was done.

I had gotten close to Damien’s office when I bumped hard into someone, which caused the documents to fall to the ground.

“I’m so sorry,” I said as I bent to pick them up before looking up to see the one person I had hoped never to see again. Liam.

How the fuck is he here?!

Is he stalking me?!

“What are you doing here?” I whispered, yelling at him with a frown, looking around to make sure we were alone.

“Why are you asking me that? It’s not like you own the place,” he replied.

“I kinda do because this is my fiancé's company,” I retorted.

“So you’re Damien Bach’s fiancée?” He asked, eyes widening in surprise.

“Yes, I am,” I replied matter-of-factly, glad my response wiped the smirk off his face.

“That's how it is, huh? You leave me and then move on to the next big thing? I thought you were better than that, Kris.”

“Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare talk to me like you are an innocent man who got used!”

“Isn’t that what happened? Didn’t you use me?” Liam said, holding my wrist tightly. The sound of someone walking in our direction made him release me. We both turned to see Damien standing there.

“Oh, perfect! Just the people I wanted to see,” Damien said with a smile.

“Kris, allow me to introduce you to our new head legal advisor, Liam Connor, who will oversee our partnerships. You both will be working closely together from now on,” he added.