Chapter 14

Angela POV

Morning light filtered through the penthouse windows, casting long shadows across the hardwood floors.

My phone buzzed for the third time - Sophie, again. I'd been avoiding her calls since our conversation at dawn, but she was nothing if not persistent.

Finally, I answered. "Sophie, please..."

"Just hear me out." Her voice carried that fierce protectiveness I'd known since our college days. "You're not thinking clearly. Even if these two years of marriage mean nothing, you and Sean were classmates since primary school. Doesn't that count for something?"

I cut her off, my voice carefully controlled. "Sophie, don't. Please."

The silence stretched between us, heavy with all the things she wanted to say. Finally, she sighed. "I hate seeing you like this."

"I'm fine." The words came automatically, a shield I'd perfected over the past two years.

"No, you're not. And that's okay. You don't have to be strong all the time."

"I have to go," I said quietly. "Work's waiting."

The Shaw Group offices hummed with their usual morning energy, but today it felt like every eye followed my movements, every whispered conversation died as I passed.

I locked myself in my office, pulling up investment reports that needed reviewing.

I typed "Hospital OB-GYN" into my browser. The appointment system loaded, looking at next week's slots.

Should I really give up this child? The thought came unbidden.

But what's the alternative? Let them grow up carrying the stigma of being unwanted? Watch them reach for a father who's already chosen another family?

A knock at my door made me quickly close the browser. Emily entered with a stack of files, her usual efficient smile in place.

"The Lawrence Capital merger documents," she said, placing them on my desk. Then she hesitated. "How are you feeling? After the other day, when you fainted..."

"I'm fine."

"Mr. Shaw was so worried," she continued. "I've never seen him like that. He dropped everything - even cut short the Hong Kong conference call - the moment he heard you'd collapsed."

"He spent the entire day with Christina yesterday, didn't he?" My voice was cool, controlled.

Emily's smile faltered. She shifted uncomfortably, suddenly very interested in straightening the already perfectly aligned files. "I should get back to work."

I returned to the hospital website. The cursor blinked over next week's slots.

I clicked "Confirm."

"Lunch?" Nathan appeared in my doorway just before noon, his golden curls catching the sunlight. "You've been staring at that screen for hours."

I started to refuse, but remembered how he'd covered for me yesterday while I was... indisposed. "Give me five minutes."

He took me to an elegant restaurant hidden away on a quiet street.

"Here." He placed an elegant silver box on the table. "For you."

Inside was an assortment of herbal supplements, each carefully labeled. "You need to take better care of yourself," he said softly. "For those of us who still care about what happens to Angela Wilson."

The gentleness in his voice made my throat tight. "Nathan..."

"The loyalty we shared at Wilson Bank - that doesn't just disappear." He reached across the table, his hand warm on mine. "No matter what name you're using now."

I watched Nathan as he studied the menu. With his talent and background, he could have had his pick of positions at any top firm. I knew he'd chosen Shaw Group because of me.

I used to see him as just an arrogant boy, an immature younger brother figure. But these past two years had proven me wrong - he'd grown into someone far more capable, more caring than I'd ever expected.

"You're very gentle, Nathan. Your future wife will be very happy," I said, trying to keep my tone light.

"Of course she will." His response was immediate, confident.

"So, anyone special in your life lately?"

He gave me a long, meaningful look. "No one."

"Really? There are so many beautiful young women at the company. None of them catch your eye?"

A slight smile played at his lips. "The best one's already been taken."

His words left me speechless.

I managed an awkward smile, grateful when the waiter arrived with our first course. "The foie gras looks good," I said quickly, desperate to change the subject.

But before Nathan could respond, movement outside the window caught my eye.

A car pulled up, and Sean stepped out. He turned to help Christina, wrapping his arms around her waist and lifting her from the car as if she weighed nothing. Her gorgeous dress caught the sunlight as her laughter floated through the windows.

He carried her towards the restaurant entrance, cradling her against his chest like something precious.

Sean didn't notice me, but Christina did. Her eyes found mine through the window, and she flashed a triumphant smile.

Then, deliberately, she tightened her arms around Sean's neck, pressing her face against his throat in what looked like an intimate kiss.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The Sean I knew had always been reserved, polite, careful about public displays of affection. This man who let a woman hang all over him in broad daylight - he was like a stranger to me.

"Angela?" Nathan's voice snapped me back to reality. "You're spacing out."

He followed my gaze, his expression darkening when he spotted Sean and Christina.

"How could he do this?" Nathan's voice was tight with anger. "So... are those office rumors true?"

I looked up. "What rumors?"

"I heard some gossips at the office today talking about Christina and Sean being together." He hesitated, watching my reaction carefully.

"It doesn't matter," I said quietly. "What people say about me has never mattered."

"That's not true and you know it." Nathan's voice carried an edge of frustration. "Why are you still protecting him? After everything..."

"I'm not protecting anyone." But even as I said it, my hand drifted to my stomach.

Nathan's eyes followed the movement, something like understanding dawning in his expression.

"Angela..." His voice softened. "Is there something you need to tell me?"

I pulled my hand away quickly. "No."

Through the window, I could see Sean helping Christina into her chair, his hand lingering on her shoulder.

"You deserve better than this," Nathan said quietly. "Better than watching your husband parade around with his... whatever she is."

"She's his soulmate." The words tasted bitter. "The girl who saved his life, who holds his heart."

"Who showed up conveniently just when his family needed a society marriage?" Nathan cut in. "Who disappeared to Paris the moment you and Sean were married, only to return now that Elizabeth's surgery is approaching? Don't you think that's a bit too perfectly timed?"

I stood abruptly, unable to bear another moment of watching Sean and Christina's intimate lunch. "I need to get back to the office."

Nathan caught my arm as I turned to leave.

"Just... promise me you won't make any major decisions without talking to someone first. Someone who actually has your best interests at heart."

Nathan's eyes held mine , his expression unreadable.

"When were you planning to tell me?"