The afternoon light was mellow, slanting through the cafeteria windows as laughter filled the space. James sat across from me, his sleeves rolled up, his tone easy and playful. We’d been talking for almost an hour — mostly about Paris. He spoke about it with so much life that I could almost see it through his words — the quiet cafés, the art streets, the way the city seemed to glow at night.

He told me about the markets near the Seine, where people played music, danced, and painted under the open sky. About Montmartre — “the artist’s hill,” he called it — and the peaceful morning walks he took when he lived there.

“Maybe you should visit sometime,” he said, sipping his coffee, his accent brushing softly at the end of every word.

“Paris?” I laughed lightly, shaking my head. “That sounds like a dream.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” he said, smiling. “Everyone deserves a break. Maybe one day, you’ll see it for yourself.”

I smiled faintly. The way he said it — warm, simple — made me forget everything for a moment. Forget the pain, the tension, even the label of “Mrs. Vincent.”

When we finally stood up to leave, we were still laughing, our conversation drifting between jokes and small stories. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so freely at work.

But as soon as we stepped out of the cafeteria, the entire atmosphere changed.

The once-lively corridors were suddenly filled with people hurrying back to their departments, their faces serious, movements sharp. Even the janitor stood straighter than usual, as though trying to appear invisible.

“What’s going on?” I murmured, watching the sudden flurry of activity.

James glanced around too, puzzled. “Looks like something big is happening.”

I frowned. “But what? Everyone’s acting like we’re about to be audited.”

I stopped one of the employees rushing by, a young man straightening his tie as he adjusted his shirt collar. “Hey, excuse me. What’s happening?”

“CEO Vincent is back,” he blurted, still fumbling with his buttons.

“What?” The word left my mouth before I could stop it.

The air around me seemed to still.

I froze in place, the world suddenly spinning a little slower. I turned slowly, and there he was.

Vincent.

Tall, composed, dressed in a dark striped suit that fit him perfectly. His aura was sharp, commanding — the kind that made the air itself hold its breath. His face… God, it was even more striking than I remembered. Strong jawline, deep-set eyes that carried a quiet fire, lips pressed into a faint smirk as if he already knew the effect he had on people.

By his side walked Noah, his assistant, as always — calm, efficient, carrying a folder. And on the other side… Lilian.

She was radiant in a long, red dress, her hair perfectly curled, lips glossed in the same shade as her gown. The smug smile on her face told me everything — she’d dressed to be seen, to be noticed, to be *his companion.*

My heart skipped painfully. I didn’t even know why.

Around us, employees straightened instantly, bowing slightly as they greeted, “Good afternoon, CEO Vincent.”

I stood still, my hands tightening around my folder. I hadn’t expected him — not today, not this soon.

James looked between us curiously, then smiled politely. “CEO Vincent. I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”

Vincent’s lips curved slightly as he replied, “James. Long time no see.” His tone was smooth — too smooth — and then, to my shock, he switched languages.

“*Ça fait longtemps, mon ami,*” Vincent said in perfect French.

I blinked, stunned. My eyes darted between the two men as James smiled in return, replying easily in the same language.

They were conversing in French. Like old friends.

When did they even know each other?

My mouth parted slightly in disbelief. Vincent chuckled softly, and I could see the way his eyes lingered — not on James, but on me.

That gaze. Sharp. Deep. Possessive.

James must have noticed, because he looked between us, a brow raised. “Do you two… know each other well?” he asked lightly.

The question made my stomach twist.

Vincent didn’t say a word, but the faint curl of his lips told its own story.

I forced a small, nervous laugh. “No, not really. I mean— I’m not close to the CEO or anything. We don’t have any… connection.”

Vincent’s smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with silent amusement.

James looked at me, then at him. “Oh? You sure about that?”

I felt my cheeks heat. “Yes, I’m sure,” I said quickly, glancing away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me—”

Before I could finish, I felt a strong grip on my wrist.

The entire room went still.

Vincent had reached out — right there, in front of everyone — and pulled me back gently but firmly, his fingers wrapping around mine.

My breath caught. The air around us thickened as whispers broke out across the hall. People stared openly, eyes wide, mouths half-open in disbelief.

I froze, staring at him in shock.

“Vincent—” I hissed under my breath.

He looked at me calmly, almost teasingly. “What’s wrong? I can’t hold my wife’s hand?”

His voice was low but enough for those nearest to hear.

Murmurs rippled through the hall like waves.

*Wife? Did he just say wife?*

My heart raced in panic. He was really about to do this — expose everything, our marriage, right here, right now.

Without thinking, I stepped closer, covering his mouth with my hand. “Stop!” I whispered urgently, my face burning.

Everyone stared.

Before the whispers could grow louder, I grabbed his arm and pulled him away, dragging him through the hallway as fast as I could. People parted in silence, exchanging glances of pure shock as we passed.

Behind us, Lilian stood frozen, her smile faltering. Her eyes darkened, and her perfectly manicured nails dug into her palm.

She forced out a tight smile for the crowd. “Everyone, get back to work,” she said sharply, her voice sweet but strained. “And remember — whatever you saw here, I don’t want it leaving this building.”

Her smile faded the second she turned away, stomping her heel against the floor as she walked off, her dress swaying angrily.

James stood near the entrance, silent and confused.

---

By the time we reached Vincent’s office, I was fuming.

I pushed him inside and shut the door behind us — hard. The sound echoed in the room.

Only then did I realize I’d locked the door.

He leaned back slightly, chuckling. “What the hell was that?”

“What the hell was that ?” I shot back, glaring at him. “What were you thinking? You almost exposed us in front of everyone!”

He shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets, that infuriating smirk still on his lips. “So what if I did? Aren’t you my wife?”

I clenched my fists, trying to steady my voice. “For now, yes. But you seem to forget — we’ll be divorced in seven months.”

The air shifted. His smile faded slightly, his jaw tightening as his eyes darkened.

He turned away briefly, adjusting his cufflinks with slow, deliberate movements. “Make sure you’re ready tonight.”

I frowned. “For what?”

He turned back to me, his voice calm but commanding. “You’ll accompany me to a business meeting tonight.”

I let out a short laugh, more disbelief than humor. “Oh, really? Why don’t you take Lilian instead? You always take her with you anyway.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Jealous?”

I scoffed, crossing my arms. “Of what?”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Of her being near me.”

I clenched my fists tighter. “Can I leave now?”

I turned toward the door, my fingers reaching for the lock — but before I could turn it, he caught my wrist again, pulling me back.

I gasped softly, eyes widening as he spun me toward him.

In a breath, his lips crashed against mine.

It was sudden, demanding, full of everything unsaid. I tried to push him away, my palms pressing against his chest, but he only tightened his hold, the kiss deepening for a second before I finally tore free, breath uneven, fury burning in my veins.

“Vincent, you—” I began, my voice shaking with anger.

Bang!

The door flew open.

“CEO—holy cow!” Noah blurted, freezing at the doorway, eyes wide as he took in the scene.

I stepped back instantly, heart pounding, glaring at Vincent before Noah began to bow repeatedly.

“I’m sorry, sir! I’m sorry, ma’am! I didn’t mean to— I’ll just— I’m leaving!” He stammered, turning so fast he almost tripped before slamming the door shut behind him.

Silence filled the room.

I turned on Vincent, eyes blazing. “You—”

But I couldn’t even finish. I just shook my head and pushed him away, storming out of the office.

By the time I reached my own department, my face was flushed, my hands trembling slightly.

I sat behind my desk, my assistant looking at me in concern.

“Miss Alice, is everything alright?”

I forced a small smile, shaking my head. “No, everything’s fine. Just… a long day.”

He nodded slowly and returned to his work.

As for me, I leaned back, letting out a deep, shaky breath.

How was I supposed to face Noah now?

The thought made me groan softly as I rested my forehead against my hand. My mind was a mess, my heart an even bigger one.

I glanced down at my designs, the sketches that had once brought me peace.

But today, all I could see — all I could feel — was the way Vincent had looked at me, the way his words had burned through the air.

I sighed deeply.

It was going to be a long evening.