Chapter 15: Suspended for now

Wale felt a soft touch on his shoulder, but his mind was still racing from Liam's words. Liam had spoken to him in a way no one ever had before, raw, unfiltered, leaving him unsettled. He barely noticed the presence behind him, so lost in thought that the touch seemed almost familiar.

“Kate?” He murmured, turning slowly, surprised to see her standing there. The woman before him wore bold, red lipstick, the shade he always admired, and her low-cut dress revealed her intentions as clearly as her gaze, which lingered with a seductive glint. She took a step closer, her posture suggestive as she leaned, adjusting her dress just enough to expose more of her legs.

“Stop pretending, Wale,” she whispered, her voice soft and alluring. “I know you want me, and I know you’re hurt because of what has happened.”

Wale’s heart clenched. He felt the weight of his grief, and yet here she was, assuming she could fill a void that went far deeper than she seemed to understand. His eyes hardened as he took a step back when he stood up.

“My wife is dead…” he said, his voice low, the words heavy.

Kate didn’t miss a beat. “That’s exactly why I came, darling,” she purred, but Wale’s glare silenced her. He loathed being interrupted, especially now.

“Who gave you the right to cut me off?” His tone was cold, sending a shiver through her. He saw her falter, her confidence fading, and she took a step back.

“Why are you treating me like this?” she whispered, and there was pain in her words. “You promised me, Wale. You always said we’d be together. You swore you would leave Maya. Now that she’s… gone, why are you.”

“Shut up Kate!” His voice made the room go still. “Don’t you know that when a man loses his wife, he mourns?”

Tears welled up in Kate’s eyes, her composure crumbling. This was not how she had imagined this moment; she had come here certain he would embrace her, certain he would want her now more than ever. Her voice shook as she choked out, “Since when do you care about all this?”

Wale’s face remained unmoved, cold and distant. “I told you to stay away from me,” he reminded her, gesturing toward the door. “I have no space right now. Our relationship is suspended.”

“Why, Wale?” she pleaded. “Do you care so little about me? I was there at the hospital, and you didn’t even ask why I came!”

“If you need a doctor, you know where to find one,” he retorted, his words like poison. Kate’s heart broke at his unfeeling reply. It was as if every word he spoke was another stab to her chest. This was the man she had counted on, the man who had promised her a future. Now, he seemed like a stranger.

The words of his rejection were too much, and she sank to the floor, unable to support herself under the crushing disappointment. Her dreams shattered, and she felt betrayal in every cell of her body. He had been so sure of their future together, always talking of a divorce from Maya. Why was he turning on her now, as if everything between them had meant nothing?

Wale turned his back on her, facing the window. Maybe if he looked away, he could hold onto his control. But her quiet sobs grated on him, and he felt the irritation rising. His hand moved to his phone, and he dialed Asher’s number, barely pausing before speaking.

“Come to my room,” he said shortly. “And get her out.”

He hung up, and a thick silence filled the air, broken only by Kate’s soft cries. She felt the humiliation already, knowing she’d be escorted out like an unwanted guest. Trembling, she stood up, and in one last desperate attempt, she reached out to him.

“If you never wanted me, why did you keep calling?” she asked, her voice breaking.

“I called to tell you to stay away, but you refused to pick up my call,” Wale replied coolly. “I’m grieving my wife, and her burial hasn’t even taken place.”

The reality hit her like a slap. “Can’t we continue as we were, in secret when the burial had gone?” she begged, her tone desperate now.

But Wale’s patience was gone. “This is the last time I’ll say it. Our relationship is…” He stopped as the door swung open, and the security guards entered. He glanced at them, nodding toward Kate, who realized it was truly over.

She turned to leave, each step feeling like a lifetime, carrying the broken pieces of what she had thought would be her new beginning. Wale didn’t look back, lost in his own thoughts, unaware of how deeply his rejection had marked her. How could Wale do this? How could he treat her like she was nothing? Kate’s heart raced, her thoughts filled with disbelief. She was his secret love, the one he had spent countless nights with when Maya thought he was busy in his office.

“I’m not going anywhere!” Kate cried, her voice cracking as her desperation filled the room. “I belong here!” She dragged herself towards Wale.

But the guards remained silent, gripping her arms firmly, their faces expressionless as they dragged her toward the door. She struggled, her voice growing louder, trying to reach Wale one last time. “Are you really letting them do this to me?” Her tone pleaded, her words heavy with hurt. Yet Wale stood there, his gaze fixed coldly out the window, showing no trace of the man who once held her close and called her his only.

The betrayal in his silence broke her spirit, but just then, she noticed a familiar car pulling into the driveway. She blinked through her tears, recognizing it, it was Rex, Wale’s half-brother, arriving. His car stopped just as the guards forced her out of the building, a strange timing that seemed like fate itself.

“Kate?” Rex’ voice was surprised and was filled with concern. She froze, turning to see him stepping out, his gaze quickly assessing her distress and the guards’ tight hold on her.

“Let her go,” Rex commanded, his voice calm but firm.

One of the guards looked uncertain. “Sir, Mr. Wale asked us to take her outside the building,” he explained, his grip loosening just a bit.

Rex stepped closer, his eyes steady on Kate, and nodded. “Let me have a moment with her,” he insisted. He extended a card to her, his gaze warm yet unreadable as he held it out. “Call me if you need anything,” he said, his tone softer, almost inviting.

Kate hesitated, but as she took the card, she felt some kind of hope. She barely knew Rex, but his intervention made her heart lift, if only slightly. She quickly adjusted her dress, feeling a sense of anger but also relief. Wale had betrayed her, but here was his brother, reaching out in a way she hadn’t expected. She turned and walked out of the building, clutching the card as if it were a lifeline.

Rex watched her go before he turned back, after a satisfying look, he turned and entered the house.

Inside, Wale was waiting in the sitting room, his face set in a guarded expression. As Rex approached, they exchanged a tense embrace, each testing the other’s intentions without a word.

“Brother,” Rex said softly, “I’m truly sorry for your loss.” He patted Wale’s back with a gentleness that felt strange between them. Pulling back, he met Wale’s wary eyes.

“Have you set a date for the funeral?” Rex asked, his tone unusually gentle, lacking the sharpness Wale had expected. Something was different in his voice, a softness Wale hadn’t heard from his brother in years.

“The arrangements are still being made,” Wale replied tersely, his distrust unmasked. “Is that all you came here for?”

Rex hesitated, then leaned forward slightly. “Are you still angry about what happened at the hospital? Simon was the one pushing that agenda, not me. I never wanted things to escalate like that.”

Wale raised an eyebrow with a doubt, followed by a slight smile. “Really?” he asked, keeping his tone light but clearly skeptical.

“Yes,” Rex replied with sincerity. “I know how much you’ve invested in Father’s business. Your work, your dedication, it’s been a strength to everyone, and I’ve never wanted you to feel unappreciated. I came here to tell you that.”

Wale nodded slowly, taking in Rex’ words. This was unexpected, but something about Rex’ tone suggested that he was being truthful. Wale’s stance softened, if only a little.

After a moment, Rex rose as if he had said his piece, extending a hand to Wale. They shook hands, each feeling a silent tension that neither could quite ignore. But just as Rex turned to leave, he hesitated, glancing back as if he had remembered something important.

“By the way,” Rex added with a touch of casualness, “about the annual mega business summit… With you mourning, I thought it might be best if I represented our father’s corporation this year. You’ll have your hands full.”

Wale’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he studied Rex. Is this why he came? Something in his brother’s request felt calculated, as though there was more at stake than just representing him as the CEO of their dad's company. Will Wale approve of it?

“Is this why my dad wants to see me?” Wale quickly thought.