Chapter Two.

Zoe’s POV

FIVE YEARS LATER

“We’ll be meeting with the investor today,” Levi said, and I nodded.

This was one of the biggest projects I’d ever worked on since I had been with Levi. According to him, the company decided that they will be building a real estate, the lands were readily available already and that'd be the biggest project we will ever work on.

And he will be putting me in charge alongside with a business partner who has also invested a lot in the future project.

It was kind of surprising how a single person would donate that much into a project that might not even turn out well. An individual and not a company!!!

“Around what time?”

“He’ll be here soon. He’s someone you know, which should make it easier for you to work with him till the project is completed,” he added.

I squinted at him.

“Someone I know? What do you mean?” I asked, dropping the files on the table. He held my gaze for a few seconds, then picked up the documents and walked out of the office.

I hurried after him.

“Will you say something, please?” I pressed, curiosity getting the best of me.

We entered the conference room. The chairs were neatly arranged around a large wooden table that could seat thirty people, and a wide screen was mounted on the wall for presentations. Most of our major meetings were held here.

The room was brightly lit and had a professional atmosphere.

It was just the two of us, and judging by how Levi was adjusting things, it seemed like the investor would arrive any moment.

“Just calm down. You’ll see him soon. There’s nothing to panic about.” A call interrupted our conversation. He raised a hand, signaling me to stay quiet while he answered.

“He’s here already,” he said once the call ended.

The double doors opened, and a woman walked in. She looked stunning—elegant and confident. Was she the one I’d be working with? She smiled brightly as she approached.

I reached out to shake her hand, but then someone else walked in.

My hand froze mid-air.

My jaw dropped.

Ethan.

He was the investor?

Our eyes locked. He just stood there, staring at me. My chest tightened as memories from that night came rushing back.

The night he left me bleeding on the floor. The night he chose anger over truth. My pulse quickened, unsure if I should run or pretend to be fine.

“Let’s have our seats,” Levi said, breaking the tension and giving me a moment to breathe.

Ethan avoided my eyes as he walked in. I sat down in the nearest seat, trying to steady my breathing.

Blood rushed to my ears. My heart hammered against my chest.

---

The meeting finally ended. I closed my tablet and stood up, hoping to leave without another word. This was the most awkward moment I've ever had in my life, and I hated every part of it.

“Hey! Where are you going?” Levi called after me.

What the hell was he doing? Why bring Ethan into this? After he asked me to marry him that night, I couldn’t give an answer. I wasn’t ready.

How could I possibly marry my husband's brother even when we haven't finalized the Divorce yet?

Levi promised me that he'd do anything for my child and, and he also stopped me from getting the abortion which was really great.

We had only lived together. He had supported me throughout my pregnancy and after childbirth, and doing all of these was the little I could do to repay him.

A lot of rumors went round between the both of us, but I could accept that I didn't have any feelings for him, everything was platonic.

The way he has also treated my kid like that was his too, some would even mistake him as the father.

But now all of this happening?

Was he trying to bring Ethan and me back together? Despite everything he knew? Despite the fact that has told me he'd protect me?

“I think I should excuse myself,” the woman who walked in with Ethan said, stepping out and leaving just the three of us.

“What else do you want to say?” I asked, glaring at Levi. I wanted to talk to him privately, but not while Ethan was here.

“I’ll leave you two to talk. Figure things out. We can’t afford to ruin this deal,” Levi said before walking out, leaving me alone with the man I never truly stopped thinking about.

We had never officially signed the divorce papers. He walked away that night and never came back. I never heard from him again, and now he suddenly appeared out of the blue?

“Fate has a twisted sense of humor,” I said, breaking the silence. My nails dug into my palms.

“Unfortunately, I have to work with you,” he sighed.

Unfortunately?

“Isn’t there a way we can avoid working together? Can you make that happen?” I asked quietly.

“You’re the only one my brother trusts for the job. I don’t have a problem working with you,” he replied, stepping closer. “I bet you still haven’t moved on from me. Is that why you find it hard working with me?” He clicked his tongue, his eyes drifting over me.

He still looked as good as ever. This was the man I once loved deeply. Five years had passed, yet my heart still betrayed me with its racing.

There was something about all of these. It seemed like he was lying to me. Ethan wouldn't possibly allow me work with him, there were also several people Ethan trusted.

This was also the man who humiliated me without a second thought.

“I haven’t moved on from you?” I scoffed. “I have. It’s funny how you keep lying to yourself. I can’t do this with you. I'll try speaking with Levi to see if he could have a change of mind or something.” I tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him.

"Then you'd be wasting your energy, he can't do anything." Ethan shrugged.

There was something about his eyes. He seemed pretty satisfied with all of these, which shouldn't be.

It was like he wanted these to happen, and that made it more unbearable thinking about it alone.

Our bodies were close too close. He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin as he whispered into my ear.

“I look forward to working with you, Diana.”