Chapter 18 chapter 18
Chapter 18 chapter 18
In Love with the CEO
Chapter 18
Author:
ALEX
Julia, turning to me: “Why are you crying?”
I glance at her father, who’s pleading with his eyes, before kneeling to her level: “It’s because I’m sad, my darling.”
Julia, wiping my tears: “Did Daddy make you sad?”
Me: “No, no, not at all, my darling.”
Julia: “Then what’s making you sad?”
Me, taking a deep breath before answering: “I’m sad because I have to leave you for a while. My mom needs me.”
I felt so ashamed lying to her face like that, but I have no other choice if I don’t want to break her heart.
Julia: “So you’re leaving me too? Did I do something wrong?”
Me, aching for her: “No, no, not at all, my darling. It has nothing to do with you. You’re the best little girl in the world. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Julia: “Then why does it feel like you’re not coming back?”
Me: “No, my darling, I’ll be back soon. My mom needs me, so I have to go take care of her for a while, and then I’ll come back.”
Julia, jumping into my arms, crying: “Don’t go. Please don’t leave me.”
Me, trying to hold back my tears: “My darling, please stop crying.”
Throughout this conversation, he stands there, motionless, not saying a word. I don’t know what to say to make her let me go without hurting her. I’m so torn right now—stay for her and keep being miserable, or leave for a while to clear my mind and figure out what I need. I’m caught between my heart and my reason.
My heart’s choices led me to this unbearable situation I’m living in now. What I know is that an unhappy mother can never provide a stable or joyful home for a child. A child needs calm, happy parents who can share that love, but I’m so lost right now. I need a break, even if it hurts her now.
Julia: “Promise me you won’t be gone long and that you’ll visit me and call me every day.”
Me, despite myself: “I promise, my darling. You won’t even feel my absence. I’ll always be there to pester you.”
Julia, tightening her embrace: “Come back soon, Mommy.”
Mommy? It’s the first time she’s called me Mommy. She’s always called me Alex. This little girl who sees me as a mother today—am I making the right decision? Should I leave my child and go? These questions swirl in my mind. If I keep listening to my heart, I might abandon this idea, and it could cost me dearly. I hug her tightly, as if to show or make her feel all the love I have for her. We stay there, in each other’s arms, shedding silent tears.
I came into this house full of dreams I nurtured. I thought I could make the man I love fall in love with me and form a real family, but I failed. Instead, this marriage only created more distance between us and worsened our relationship. Today, I’m leaving broken, my dreams shattered. I’ve learned you can’t always get what you want in life. Sometimes you achieve your dreams, and sometimes you don’t. When you try to move forward and can’t reach the end of the path, sometimes you have to accept you took the wrong road and choose another.
Today, I’ve reached the end of my short journey with the man I love. Even if this marriage wasn’t what I expected, it made me a mother, and that’s a bond even this divorce can’t break.
I grab my suitcase and head for the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs is Mina, who asks what’s wrong and where I’m going with my suitcase.
Mina: “Where are you going with those suitcases?”
Me: “I have to go back home.”
Mina, surprised: “What went wrong?”
Me: “Nothing, I just need to go for a while.”
Mina: “I know you’re not telling me the truth. What could he have done to make you decide to leave today?”
Me: “Nothing, he didn’t do anything.”
Mina, in a gentle tone: “I know how difficult my son can be when he wants to be, but what saddens me most is that so much has happened for you to decide to leave, and I knew nothing about it. You never trusted me enough to tell me about your problems.”
She pauses before continuing: “Still, I can’t force you to stay in a place that doesn’t bring you the inner peace you need. I hope this was a well-thought-out decision and not made on impulse. This will always be your home—don’t forget that. I hope it’s temporary because, even if you didn’t give her life, you’ve become the mother of that little girl who loves you as such.”
She pulls me into her arms and whispers in my ear, “You’re my son’s last chance. Please don’t abandon him. With you, he was becoming my son again, but if you leave, he’ll become a shadow of himself. Take time for yourself, clear your mind, and come back to us soon.”
When I turn around, he’s still behind me, silent, his gaze darkened. I calmly pull my suitcase out of the house under their watchful eyes. He doesn’t try to stop me either—I think it’s for the best. I’m going back home. Even though I spent months in that house, it was never my home.
ALEXANDER
Inside, I’m boiling right now, consumed by an anger I don’t understand. I can’t bear the looks from my daughter and mother. I don’t want to see the disappointment on their faces. I can’t face them right now—it’s too hard. Even if it’s cowardly, I’d rather slip out of the house for a few hours.
I grab my car keys and head to my friend’s place. I need to vent and talk to someone who won’t judge me. If only I’d controlled myself last night. If only I hadn’t touched her, she’d still be here now. I hate myself so much.
When I arrive, I go straight up, hoping he’s home since I didn’t call ahead. When I reach the door, I ring the bell, but he takes a while to answer. Who knows, maybe he’s with that girl he didn’t want to talk about. I ring one last time, and there he is, coming out in sweatpants, shirtless.
Me, in a teasing tone: “I see you’re busy.”
William: “What are you doing here at this hour? It’s not even 8 a.m.”
Me, running my hands over my face: “You’re receiving me at the door?”
Before he can answer, a feminine voice behind him calls out, “My love, who is it?” I feel like I know that voice. I hope it’s not what I think. But when I see who it is, my blood runs cold. She’s wearing his shirt—am I dreaming?
Me, in a harsh tone: “What the hell is going on here?”
William: “I can explain everything…”
I don’t let him finish before my fist connects with his face, knocking him to the ground.
Me, with all my rage and anger: “How dare you? How could you?”
Thea: “What’s your problem? Why did you hit him? Who gave you that right?”
Me, in a harsh tone: “Are you serious? He watched you grow up! Since when have you been sleeping with my sister, you?”
Thea, shouting: “So what if he watched me grow up? We have almost the same age gap as you and your wife, and that didn’t stop you from marrying her. What’s so shocking about this?”
Me: “It’s not the same.”
Thea: “Oh, bravo, you’re the only one who gets to do whatever you want, huh? When it’s you, there’s no problem. Let me live my life.”
William, getting up: “It’s not what you think. I wanted to tell you everything.”
Me: “You dared to touch my little sister? You and I have nothing left to say.”
I’d rather walk away before I say or do something I’ll regret.