Chapter 18
+20 Bonus
Andera’s pov.
Thane walked into my meeting room, dressed in the same colors as Timmy this morning, navy blue suit with a black tie, his hair
sleekly styled; all I could think about was the striking resemblance between him and his son. The son he is not aware of.
My heart ached, not for Thane, but for my little man, Timmy. I could picture them together, Thane in the middle, in this exact
outfit, Timmy by his side in his school uniform and his usual beaming smile, Tiffany at his other side in her uniform, high heels
shoes, and wearing mommy’s make–up.
My throat bobbed. That is what my kids deserve. All the happiness in the world.
During my drive here after dropping them both at school, I wrestled with the idea of revealing our children’s existence to Thane.
The prospect filled me with anxiety. If Thane rejects Tiffany and Timmy as his children, it would devastate me more than any
other heartless thing he’s ever done. On the other hand, if he accepts them, I’d be forced to spend the rest of my life co–parenting
with a man I despise.
Despite my reservations, my desire for revenge remains unwavering. But for a moment, I’m struck by a pang of guilt.
While other families live happily together, I keep my kids away from their father while planning to take revenge on him in a very
painful way.
I push the thought aside.
“So how soon can we expect the supply of materials from your side?” I point towards the file he’s been looking at for a couple of
minutes.
My words seem to pull Thane out of a trance.
“What?” His voice is a bit hoarse. Thane studios me with those brooding gray eyes.
“The deal with the DEC. They want my company to power small towns in Washington DC, and I need your facilities. You’re the
best supplier when it comes to hydropower, solar panels, etcetera. Not to mention we signed a partnership.
With you providing the right materials, and my finest technologies doing what they do best, both our careers would skyrocket. “I
explained.
Thane leans back into his chair and smiles at me. That kind of smile a parent would give a child when they have good grades.
“Congratulations Andera. Barely five months, and you’re already endorsing such a big deal; most companies wait a lifetime for this.” His eye lit up as he spoke.
I’m taken aback by the genuineness of his compliments. During my time as Thane’s wife, I could count on one hand the number of times when he was proud of me or something I did.
Butterflies start spreading their wings in my belly, ready to flutter and throw me off balance, but I don’t give room for it.
1/3
+20 Bonus
This is Thane. The man who threw me out to the streets, the man who hurt my feelings, and also the father of my two angels.
I need to get my revenge.
I need to tell him about our children
I also need him to stay as far away from me as possible because he makes my feelings and thoughts complicated.
My life is nothing short of a soap opera.
“I think we can start right away, you send me a list of all that your technologist would need, and I will see to it that you get all your required materials before the end of the week. “Thane finishes.
“Alright. I already have that written out, I’ll forward it to Paul before the day runs out.
“No!” He shouts. Making me draw back my head in surprise.
“What is it with you and Paul?” Thane growls. My eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“He’s your PA. I’m supposed to send it to him. “I counter.
“From now henceforth, any issues or conversation concerning our partnership will be between me and you, Andera. No third
parties. “He orders.
My lips form into a thin line, did he and Paul have a fallout? Thane, I remembered, was very close to his cousin. What could have happened between them?
y so.”
“If you say
His chest heaved for a moment before he comported himself.
Alright Andera. I’ve finished what I came here for. We would have another meeting, maybe in two weeks to see how much
progress we’ve had with the DEC.
Thane begins to button his suit and stands up. I muster up courage at the last minute; if I must tell him about our kids, it has to be
now when my heart is still being burdened by Timmy and Tiffany’s dreams of their daddy coming back soon.
I know this isn’t the right place for this, but if I don’t tell him now, I probably never will.
“Thane wait.” I ordered
Thane pauses, and his gray eyes grow impossibly darker.
His imposing frame towers over me. Thane is a whole foot taller than me, and his standing erect while I’m seated doesn’t just
make me look small but rather invincible.
Andrea.” He breathes, his gray eyes still holding mine.
“There’s something else we need to discuss. Something very-” I swallow.“–something very important.”
+20 Bonus
He nods and sits back down. Curiosity keeps him quiet.
“That day…” I swallow another lump forming in my throat.
“The day of our divorce. “I begin. Thane grimaces and looks away. He covers his face with one of his large hands.
“Andera, I swear I thought you had somewhere to stay. I never knew you were homeless then…”
“Don’t.” I stop him before he finishes.
“You’re five years too late for that. Besides, you only keep making excuses for the wrong things. You talk about my homelessness when what I need to hear is how fucked up you were to think your wife would stoop so low and steal from you.
Anyway, that is not what I want to discuss with you.
I would require a great deal of strength to tell Thane what I’m about to tell him. His eyes return to me. Thane leans forward in his
seat.
“I’m listening. ”
I exhale.
“That day, after I left your home, I was on my
He draws in a breath but doesn’t interrupt me.
way to the emergency shelter when I fainted.
“When I woke up, I was admitted to a hospital and…
A smooth, robotic voice chimes, making me pause. It’s the AI assistant on Thane’s phone.
“Incoming call from Melissa, with a single red heart emoji.”
I froze, Thane froze, Nothing moved, I couldn’t feel anything, see nothing until my senses came back to me.
“Melissa?” I whispered, my eyes already burning with fury as plece by piece fell into place.
“You’re back with Melissa?”
46
