Olivia’s POV

Five Years Later

“Mommy, wake up, please! You need to take me to daycare!” My daughter’s sweet voice pulled me from sleep, and I opened my eyes. She was sprawled across me, planting adorable little kisses on my face.

At five years old, Mia was utterly charming, with turquoise-blue eyes that sparkled like gems. Every time I looked into them, they reminded me of Alexander, as if he’d left an indelible mark on our daughter.

“Good morning, my love,” I said, rubbing my eyes to shake off the drowsiness. “What time is it?”

“Good morning! It’s already 7:15, Mommy. Time for daycare,” she replied, checking the time on my phone with an endearing seriousness.

“Oh, we’re late!” I exclaimed, leaping out of bed to get ready for work.

Mia and I lived in a peaceful Staten Island neighborhood, in a cozy, medium-sized house. I took pride in having rebuilt my life from scratch. Today, I felt fulfilled, raising my little princess and showering her with all the love she deserved.

“Mommy, can we go to the amusement park this afternoon after you finish work?” she asked as I drove to her school. I patted her head, keeping my eyes on the road, and smiled.

“Of course, my sweet angel. I think I’ll be done early today, so we’ll have time,” I answered, and she clapped her hands in delight.

“Yay! Thank you, Mommy, I love you so much!” she beamed, her smile lighting up my world. Thank goodness Mia inherited my kindness and not her father’s arrogance.

As I parked in the school courtyard, she gave me a tight hug and said, “Bye, Mommy, see you later!”

“See you later, my darling. Have a great day. I love you,” I replied, reluctant to let her go, but she had to get to class, and I had to head to work. She ran off to her friends, grinning, and I sighed, relieved knowing she was safe. I got back in the car and drove to work.

I couldn’t deny that the early years were tough—almost unbearable. There were days when I found myself holding a tiny baby, scraping by with barely enough money for food or essentials like diapers and milk. Those were dark times, but I never gave up. I fought with everything I had.

I returned to college to finish my digital marketing degree, which I’d abandoned to marry the man who hurt me so deeply. I picked myself up from the ashes, and slowly, things started to turn around. I landed a job at SparkVibe Studio, a marketing and advertising company, where I was hired and still work today.

Now, I could provide far more than the basics for Mia and myself. My dedication to my job helped SparkVibe Studio grow year after year, thanks to the projects my team and I developed.

Honestly, I was in the best phase of my life. I was an independent woman, thriving as a mother and professional, and learning to love and value myself more every day.

I arrived at SparkVibe Studio, stepped out of the car, and entered the building. Everyone at this small but thriving company treated me warmly because I treated them with respect, from Mr. Garcia, the janitor, to Ethan Brooks, the company’s owner and executive director.

“Good morning, Mrs. Thompson, you’re glowing today!” Jessica, our receptionist, greeted me with a warm smile. I was dressed in a sharp professional outfit: a knee-length pencil skirt, a light blue blouse, a matching dark blazer, comfortable heels, and my wavy brown hair cascading softly to my mid-back. My smile was bright and approachable, a reflection of how easily I connected with people.

“Thank you, Jessica, you look lovely too,” I replied, returning the compliment, and headed to my office. As one of SparkVibe Studio’s partners, I co-led the company alongside Ethan, who had been an incredible support.

I had just sat down to start work when Ethan walked in after knocking twice on the door.

“How do you manage to get more stunning every day?” he asked with a playful, flirtatious tone, making me chuckle. Ethan was young, handsome, and successful, with light hair, bright eyes, and a charismatic presence.

Since I met him, he’d been a lifeline, supporting me when I needed it most and believing in me when no one else did. I admired him deeply. Beyond being my boss, he was a close friend, and his romantic advances were so frequent I’d be rich if I saved a coin for each one.

“You’re exaggerating, Ethan. It’s just a quick touch of blush,” I teased, turning my attention to my computer screen as work emails began to pour in.

“No exaggeration here. You know what gets me out of bed and into the office every day? Knowing you’ll be here,” he said, his charm unrelenting. Ethan was a bachelor who never settled down, claiming he was waiting for me.

Some time ago, he confessed his feelings, saying he wanted me to be his girlfriend. I explained that a relationship wasn’t something I was ready for, still healing from the wounds of my marriage to Alexander.

Ethan wasn’t the kind of man women typically turned down, especially as my boss and friend, so I worried he might be upset or even fire me for rejecting him. Instead, he was kind and said he’d wait as long as it took—a gesture that touched me deeply.

He was also incredibly supportive, and Mia adored him. Grace kept urging me to give him a chance. I admitted I needed time to move past my previous marriage, but after five years, I was a new woman with fresh ambitions. Though still cautious, I was starting to consider opening my heart to Ethan.

“Well, it’s a good thing I keep showing up to work, then, so we can make SparkVibe Studio even more successful,” I joked, steering the conversation elsewhere. He caught on and shifted gears with ease.

“Speaking of success, guess who responded to our latest project?” he said, sparking my curiosity. Weeks earlier, my team and I had created an innovative advertising project and sent the pitch to major local brands, hoping to secure a sponsor.

“Really? A company responded?”

“Not just any company—the company,” he said, his eyes gleaming. “Elysium Designs sent us an email saying they’re interested in our project.”

“My goodness, that’s amazing!” I exclaimed, stunned to see an email from Elysium Designs, one of the region’s most prestigious fashion brands. If they approved our project, SparkVibe Studio could become a leading name in months. I was thrilled, as the project was my creation.

“I knew you’d nail it, darling,” Ethan said, taking my hand with enthusiasm. He was as excited as I was.

“Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” I said, trying to temper my excitement. “They still need to officially approve the project.”

“Right, but one of their representatives wants to meet us in Manhattan at lunch today,” Ethan revealed.

“Manhattan?” My stomach tightened. That place held painful memories.

“Don’t worry, there’s no need to fear the big players. It’ll be at a neutral location, and I’ll be right there with you,” he reassured me. “If Elysium Designs reached out, it’s practically a done deal. They likely just want to meet us in person.”

I took a deep breath, considering his words. Manhattan still stirred unease in me, but I wasn’t the same Olivia from years ago. I was no longer the frightened, tearful woman who begged for her ex-husband’s attention.

Today, I was confident, self-loving, and determined to prioritize myself. I was ready to face Manhattan if it meant chasing my dreams.