Chapter 25: She wasn’t ready to let go

Chapter 25: She wasn’t ready to let go
Andrew’s POV

“Good morning Sir!” 

I smiled at her. My heart bubbling with happiness.

Walking into work felt very different today… it felt lighter, brighter and easier.

Maybe it was because for the first time in a long time… I felt her.

Not the walls she built. Not the cold distance she hid behind.

But her.

The woman I fell for long before she ever knew she owned me.

And my staff members noticed.

Every staff member who passed would pause beside me greeting me with smiles… real ones, not the stiff corporate kind I used to get. 

I didn’t hesitate to return every greeting because how could I not? My chest felt full. My hand still carried the phantom weight of the ring I’d placed on her finger.

She was going to be my wife after all these years of craving her.

The elevator doors slid open and I walked in but before it could close, I saw my assistant, Helen, hurried toward me with a tablet in her arms.

“Good morning sir, Welcome back, sir.” She slipped into the elevator before the door fully closed.

“Morning Helen, how was your week?” 

“Very fine sir..” 

“What are the urgent matters I need to handle..” I asked

“There are only a few that require your attention immediately, the rest can be done some other time, sir”

“I’m all ears Helen.. make it fast..” i said

“First.. The legal team needs your signature on the White House defense contract.”

Andrew nodded. “Status?”

“All negotiations have been finalized. We just need your signature for confirmation.”

“Good. Push the board review to Friday. But before then mail me a summary of the contract so I check properly for loopholes.”

She scrolled. “Second… Marketing is waiting for approval on the campaign strategy.”

“Tell them to hold. I’ll review personally, the last strategy I let them handle was a big flop."

“Then finally… The logistics team needs clearance for international distribution.”

“Approved.”

“That will be all for today sir.. the rest are board meeting documents for you to sign..”

I simply nodded and we continued the ride

Helen hesitated, then smiled. “Sir, You seem…different today.”

I exhaled, unable to stop the small smile forming.

“Yeah. I am.”

“Good trip, sir?”

“The best.”

I didn’t explain further, I didn't need to

But I know she understands very well as she put the entire thing together for me.

The elevator opened to my private floor.

I paused just before walking away.

“Helen.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Push the marketing meeting for tomorrow. And have legal re-run the compliance checks for the subcontractors before I sign anything.”

She typed rapidly, nodding.

“Yes, sir. Anything else?”

“That’ll be all.”

She bowed slightly before heading back toward her office.

I turned the knob and pushed open the door to mine…

…and froze.

Someone was sitting in my chair. Back turned. Facing the massive glass wall that overlooked the city.

Every instinct I possessed sharpened.

“Who are you,” I asked, voice crisp, “and how did you get in here?”

Silence.

Then the chair turned.

And I blinked.

“Dad?”

Thomas Collins, my father in law to be gave me a measured smile as he rose to his feet.

“Andrew.”

We met halfway, and I embraced him… not a warm sentimental hug, but the kind two men shared who respected each other deeply.

“You look good,” he said, stepping back to study me. “This Vacation served you well.”

I chuckled quietly and motioned for him to sit. He chose the visitor’s chair rather than the one he’d occupied moments before. A subtle message: I don’t want your throne. I want your time.

“You knew I’d come straight to the office didn't you?,” I said as I lowered into my seat.

“I had a feeling,” he smirked. “Especially with that White House contract is still hanging.”

I exhaled softly.

“Can I get you anything? Whiskey?”

“No. Thank you.”

His tone shifted.

“So. Tell me. How is she? My stubborn daughter..”

My smile softened.

“She’s… lighter. Happier. I can feel it.”

And then quieter, “It feels like the start of something good.”

Thomas nodded slowly.

Then…he said the one thing I didn’t want to think about because I wasn’t sure either.

“Has she agreed to let go of that revenge plan of hers?”

The air shifted.

I leaned back in my chair, eyes falling to the polished desk.

“She hasn’t said anything. But I’m hoping she will.”

Silence stretched…,not tense, just heavy with unsaid truth.

Finally Thomas murmured,

“I want justice for what they did to her. Truly. But I don’t want to see my daughter drown in it.”

My jaw tightened.

“I know.”

“Revenge is a drug, Andrew. And even love can’t always compete with the high.”

I looked up at him.

“But I’ll try,” I said firmly. “I’ll make her see that having a future… with love, with family, with peace… that’s worth more than tearing someone apart.”

Thomas’s expression softened…not approval, not doubt… just quiet hope.

“Thank you.”

“No,” I shook my head. “There’s nothing to thank me for. I’ve loved her long before she ever knew and I’d love her till eternity.”

He stood, smoothing his blazer.

“Well… now that you’re back, the Aston Crime matter should be dealt with quickly.”

“It will be. My men are stationed along the border. Once negotiations settle, they’ll pull back to original jurisdiction.”

He nodded.

We exchanged a firm handshake.

“How about dinner tonight?” I offered. “Come by. Join us.”

“That’s a good idea,” he agreed. “I’ll see you tonight.”

And then he left.



Hours later, 

I drove home with a smile tugging at my mouth. I’d texted her earlier:

“Dinner tonight. Your father’s joining us. Make something special.”

She hadn’t replied but I assumed she was cooking. That was her thing. Her new peace.

The gates opened and the car rolled forward.

Something felt… off.

Her car wasn’t in the driveway.

I stepped out slowly, closed the door, and walked inside.

Staff hurried past, greeting me warmly… but something cold began curling inside my chest.

I reached the living room.

Empty.

No soft humming.

No lingering scent of food.

No sign she’d even been here.

I stopped a maid carrying folded linens.

“Where’s my fiancée?”

She swallowed.

“She… left this evening, sir. She said we should prepare dinner for you, dinner will be served soon sir….”

The cold sharpened.

I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

Switched off.

I tried again.

Nothing.

My jaw locked as I dialed someone else.

Lydia answered on the second ring.

“H–Hello, Sir Andrew…”

“Where. Is. She.”

Silence.

Then a stutter.

“Well… we…we went to dinner with… Mrs. Wayne.”

I stilled.

Every muscle in my body went molten with fury.

Not explosive.

Not loud.

Just.. devastatingly quiet.

And in that silence…

every part of me understood exactly what had just happened.

She wasn’t letting go.

Not yet.

Maybe not ever.