They Man who betrayed me

"Amara."

He says my name in a way that I can't possibly ignore, and worst of all, it makes me pause. And notably, it's always for a split second. Nothing more than a second.

I've worked hard, trained extensively, spent nothing less than six years training myself, ensuring that I won't react to that voice. Not now, not ever again. It was six years of intentionally burying every memory left of the soft whispers he created, the moments of stolen glances, and worst of all, empty promises.

I quickly smoothed my expression into the unknown, something unreadable at a glance, not even with constant beholding. The ever-self-willed Ice Queen. Not only cold, but calculated, and the greatest of her charm, untouchable.

P Mr. "Donovan," I muttered non challently, not caring to look up as I focused on the contract in front of me. "You're horrible with time, and this shows you are five minutes late. I don't have room for tolerating tardiness."

I finally decided it was time to raise my head and give him the shock of his life, and there he is, my most dreaded being in existence, Kian Donovan, all standing confidently in my office like he still makes the rules. That never seemed to have changed about him.

Offensively tall, impeccably dressed in a well-tailored navy suit that its cost could be worth more than most employees' annual salary. Dark hair which did justice to his looks swept back, but something looked off. It was his jaw which seemed sharper than I remembered.

But what caught more of my attention was his eyes. The very pair that could hold the deepest secret, not waving a bit, but the same cold blue eyes that once stared at me lovely, but turned to treat me like a stranger years ago.

It was a perfect replicant of Jayden's eyes.

His sudden surprise turned out to be the satisfaction I had always craved .

I watched his shocked gaze flick in a touring mode round the room. I noticed how he was taking in the reflective glass walls, even the city skyline behind me, and finally, the most satisfying of them all, when his eyes landed on me.

"Sinclair Holdings, the great empire," he says in a very low voice, more to himself than to me. "I never imagined or expected you to build all this, not even in a decade."

"That's because you thought everything resolves around you, and I won't amount anything if not entangled with you."

His jaw tightened as he lacked the right words to defend himself. That's a good start. It would be a great sight to watch him choke on regret.

 "I flew to this place for business, Amara."

I deliberately leaned back in my chair to observe him properly, crossing my legs in a slow motion to see his reaction. 

 "Oh? You came here for business? I'm shocked you came here alone. How is it possible for you to still remember how to close deals without your mother's shadow staying close, whispering in your ear?"

He flinches at my utterance.

I am the one in control of the game now.

He clears his throat trying to shift the flow of the discussion, then places a thick brown file on my desk.

Donovan Tech would be honored to get this, as we need this partnership. Our expansion would not happen if we were not granted permission to access your waterfront properties."

I smirked as I glanced at the horrible file like it was a big joke. Because, as for me, it is.

Exactly six years ago, I lost myself while begging for his trust. It didn't end there as I constantly struggled to get his attention and for his love. He only gave me silence, not minding how I felt about it. The rejection came unexpectedly. I struggled to accept it.

And now, here he is, playing professionally and needing my help.

"And why exactly would I be willing to offer help and save your sinking ship, Kian? "Out of the foolishness or kindness of my cold heart?" I laughed out loud, cold and unapologetically. Aren't you supposed to be aware that I am alone on this journey? I have no one returning to me!

His expression instantly hardened, as if he less expected that.

"Look Amara, I never came here with the intention of rehashing the forgotten past."

"Good one. Because the horrible past you left behind isn't for rehashing." I wasted no time in pushing back the file to him, all smiles. "The past is actually for remembering who was at the forefront of burying who."

But I didn't know the secret I had been hiding for so long was already at my door.

Just then, as I leaned back to observe his facial expressions, there was a tiny knock on the door, and that alone came from only one person.

 "Mom, come and see! I just finished making a sketch for my rocket drawing!"

That was Jayden.

No, this was unexpected. No, no, no, I can't allow this to happen.

Before I could process the whole thing and act on it, the door immediately swung open. And there was Jayden running in his boyish looks, his curls bouncing excitedly, his bright blue eyes refusing to quit emitting light.

Kian turned on, hearing the tiny voice.

And the moment his surprised gaze landed on Jayden, all I could see was instant recognition.

The exact color of the eyes: bright blue. The same carved jawline, and unmistakably the same face.

He was his son.

I could swear his world came crashing at his feet, but I won't be moved to indulge him.

 "Amara…" He started, his voice losing the sharpness it always carried, as he was totally stunned. "Who is...?"

 "My son, Jayden," I said, perfectly interrupting him sharply. I moved at the speed of light, and quickly positioned myself between them.

"Mine, he is the product of my loins."

Kian stared speechlessly at Jayden, his lips slightly open as he lacked the ability to utter any word. 

"How...how ...old...old is he now?" His voice came out strained and lacking stamina. 

I forced a cold and dangerous smile.

 "He's six."

I observed his facial expressions as color drained from his face.

 "He's six years old?"

I tilted my head in his direction. 

 "Yes, he's exactly six years old. Do you have any other questions, or are you not here again for business? Is our meeting done here?"

Kian understood the handwriting on the wall, and that was his mistake. How on it will he think he still has a chance of coming back intoy life?

"Amara, we should have a talk immediately. Right now."

His voice was no longer the one here for business, he seemed urgent and very desperate.

I shook my head pitifully at him as I scooped Jayden into my open arms.

"No, that will never happen. "You totally lost the right to discuss anything personal other than work, which, obviously, I won't grant you a hearing, and it happened that very night. You kept quiet and watched me walk away."

 "But that was..."

"Have your horrible lawyers send a new but better offer if at all you're serious about this business, as I might change my mind any second. And if not so…" I glanced back at him, perfectly displaying my coldest smile,

"Get lost."

And without another word, I turned my back on him. Yes, I turned my back on the man who was once in the forefront of shattering me. He did it once, and I am doing it to him now.

And that's because I'm different from the woman he used to know.

And about taking my son from me? That I would make sure never happens. Watch me frustrate and play him in his own game!