Chapter 1
The air conditioning in the lobby of the postpartum retreat center was cranked up so high that Colette Hale's bare arms prickled with goosebumps.
She instinctively wrapped her work uniform tighter around herself.
The man before her was dressed impeccably in a suit. His posture was straight, and his features were as clean and elegant as she remembered.
It was Wayne Carter.
It has been six years since she last saw him, but time has been kind to him. If anything, it had only carved a deeper, steadier maturity into his features.
On the other hand, all time did was wear her down and change her.
Colette looked down and slid a contract across the table.
"Mr. Carter, your wife has reserved our VIP package. The total cost would be 196 thousand dollars. Please review the document and sign here if everything is correct," she said.
Wayne did not look at the contract. Instead, his gaze landed on her nametag.
"Colette," he said her name slowly. The last syllable was low, carrying a hint of something inquisitive.
"You work here as a sales associate?" There was no contempt in his voice, just incredulity.
After all, the Colette from six years ago was a young mistress of the Carter family. She never got her hands dirty, and her biggest dilemma was which seasonal luxury handbag to buy.
Colette pretended not to hear the weight beneath his words. Her smile was flawless and impenetrable.
"Yes, Mr. Carter, I work here. Please review the contract, sir," she reminded again, her tone polite but distant.
Wayne finally looked away. He picked up the pen and signed the contract. The scratch of the nib against paper echoed in the quiet lobby.
The lobby was so quiet that Colette could hear her heartbeat stuttering.
She thought she was numb and over it by now. It turns out it was just because she had not met him yet.
*****
Wayne signed the contract, but did not leave right away.
He settled into the sofa in the reception area. His legs were crossed, and he looked perfectly relaxed, as if he were in his own office.
"When did you come back?" Wayne asked.
"Three years ago," Colette replied, her voice brief and direct.
"Why didn't you reach out to me?" He asked.
Colette found this question rather ridiculous.
What's the point of reaching out to him? Should she tell him how miserable her life had been and beg for a handout?
She forced a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Mr. Carter, we're divorced."
In other words, they had nothing to do with each other anymore.
Wayne's expression darkened, and the atmosphere around him instantly felt suffocating.
He fixed his icy stare on her. "Colette, do you have to use that tone with me?"
Colette's smile stayed in place, but the last trace of warmth in her eyes faded away.
"Mr. Carter, I'm just stating a fact," she said, her voice flat.
She stood up and gave a slight nod. "If you don't have any other questions, I need to get back to work."
She turned to leave, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed in a firm hold.
Wayne was suddenly behind her, his hand scorching against her skin, sending a shiver through her.
"Colette!" His voice was tight with barely contained anger. "Six years, and you've really toughened up."
Colette tried to yank her arm free, but Wayne's hold was like an iron grip on her arm. It felt like he was about to snap her bones.
"Let go!" she whispered sharply, terrified her coworkers might see.
Wayne didn't loosen his hold. Instead, he dragged her even closer.
The familiar scent of cedarwood mixed with a hint of tobacco filled her senses, instantly pulling her back to those messy, sleepless nights from six years ago.
Her heart lurched, and all the color drained from her face.
"Wayne, are you crazy? This is the office!" Colette snapped in a low voice, trying not to draw attention.
He stared at her pale face, his eyes churned with anger, frustration, and a hint of something else, a quiet regret he himself hadn't noticed.
After a moment of tension, he finally released her wrist. But his deep eyes remained fixed on her.
He seemed to struggle for words, hesitating before finally speaking, "If things ever get tough, my number's still the same."
Colette rubbed her sore wrist and lifted her head, locking eyes with him. Her gaze was icy and unyielding.
"No thanks. I'm doing just fine," she said, her voice calm and resolute.
She really was doing fine. She'd clawed her way up from rock bottom and raised her child alone, one step at a time.
She didn't need anyone's sympathy or pity, least of all from Wayne.
After settling the bill, Wayne didn't linger. He turned and headed for the door.
Just as he was about to push open the heavy glass door, he suddenly paused and glanced back.
The light poured in from behind him, turning his figure into a hazy outline.