Chapter 123

Angela POV

The next morning, I found Christopher already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast for the children. He'd woken up early to make pancakes and set out fresh fruit.

"Good morning," he smiled, pouring me a cup of coffee. "I thought I'd give you a break. Mornings with kids can be hectic."

As we finished breakfast, Christopher offered, "Let me take the children to school today."

"That's not necessary," I replied quickly. "You must have your own affairs to attend to."

Christopher gently took my wrist, his eyes searching mine. "I know you can't fully accept me yet, but at least give me a chance, won't you?"

His words caught me off guard. I thought of what Aria had said yesterday about being teased at school for not having a father.

Perhaps letting Christopher play temporary dad wasn't such a bad idea. But a wave of guilt followed immediately-was I using him?

It didn't seem fair to Christopher to let him fill a role when my feelings remained so complicated.

"Fine, you can take them to school today," I finally agreed. "I happen to have an important meeting this morning anyway."

As I watched the three of them leave together, Ethan walking close to Christopher while Aria skipped ahead, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was crossing a line I'd promised myself I never would.

The gleaming doors of Lawrence Capital reflected my tense expression as I approached. I'd rescheduled my meeting with Tristan after yesterday's debacle, determined to secure the investment my fledgling company needed.

I knocked firmly on the office door, mentally rehearsing my pitch once more.

"Come in," called a deep, familiar voice from inside.

My hand froze on the doorknob. That voice-I'd recognize it anywhere. Sean.

I pushed the door open and felt my face drain of color. Sean Shaw sat behind Tristan's desk, his emerald eyes fixed on me with predatory intensity. My initial shock quickly transformed into burning frustration.

Without a word, I turned to leave.

"Not even staying to see who you came for? Leaving so soon?" Sean's voice stopped me in my tracks.

I paused, remembering why I'd come. My company's future depended on this meeting.

I turned back, my voice glacial. "Where is Tristan Lawrence?"

"Looking for him to discuss business? Seeking investment?" Sean's tone was dangerously light.

My expression must have betrayed me, because his eyes narrowed with satisfaction.

"He won't cross me," Sean stated flatly. "If you want investment, you should come to me."

"That won't be necessary," I replied, straightening my spine. "If Mr. Lawrence is afraid to offend you, I can find other investors."

Sean's expression darkened, his voice dropping to a frosty timbre. "Without my approval, who do you think will invest in that little company of yours?"

"Are you deliberately trying to sabotage me?" I demanded, frustration boiling over.

"Am I sabotaging you," he countered, "or are you desperately trying to erase any connection between us?"

I frowned. "We don't have any connection."

A mocking smile curved his lips. "Is that so? Two years together-kissing, embracing, sharing a bed-and somehow we have no connection at all?"

I felt heat rise to my face, both from anger and humiliation. My lips parted, then pressed together before I finally managed, "Sean, you're despicable."

His behavior was unconscionable. With Christina in his life, how dare he pursue me this way? Hadn't he caused enough damage five years ago?

Sean advanced toward me, backing me against the wall, his arm blocking my escape. "Despicable? You didn't call me that when you were in my bed."

Something snapped inside me. My palm connected with his cheek before I'd even registered the decision to strike.

Sean's head jerked sideways with the impact, shock evident in his expression. When he recovered, he captured my wrist, leaning down as if to kiss me.

Panic surged through me. I slapped him again with my free hand. "Sean, don't you dare! That's all in the past! We've been divorced for five years!"

Something in my words seemed to affect him. He froze, staring at me with an intensity that made me shiver, his breath coming fast.

I seized the opportunity to push him away, turning quickly toward the door.

"Angela," his voice followed me, hard with accusation, "you just walk away. Your heart is ice cold."

I nearly laughed aloud. Who was he to talk about cruelty? He had rejected our children, filed for divorce-and now he dared to call me heartless?

"Don't you care about anything?" he pressed. "Not even Elizabeth?"

The name stopped me mid-step. Elizabeth. My throat tightened with unexpected emotion.

"She misses you," Sean added quietly.

Those three words nearly crumbled my resolve. I'd thought of Elizabeth countless times over the years, had almost called her so many times. But I forced myself to harden my heart.

"So what?" I turned to face him, fighting to keep my voice steady despite my burning eyes. "From the moment our divorce was finalized, she ceased being my grandmother. She's your grandmother-you take care of her."

Sean stood motionless, seemingly stunned by my declaration.

After a moment, his lips twisted into a sardonic smile. "Is that so? Well, I'll be sure to relay your sentiments to her. Save her the trouble of thinking about you."

Pain lanced through my chest, as if something vital had been torn. I didn't mean it-Elizabeth had been more of a mother to me than my own had ever been. But I couldn't take the words back now.

I bit my lip, forcing out the final blow. "Do whatever you want."

As I turned to leave, Sean grabbed my arm. "If you walk out of this office now, I guarantee you won't get Lawrence's investment."

I met his gaze defiantly. "You think you can threaten me?"

"Why are you so stubborn?" His voice softened slightly. "Just come back to me, and you can have all the investment you need."

Anger flared hot and bright within me. "After all these years? You still see me as nothing but a commodity?"

I wrenched my arm free and walked out, closing the door firmly behind me.

In the car heading home, Sean's words echoed in my mind. She misses you.

I knew Elizabeth would think of me-our bond had been special. During my years in Italy, I'd often composed messages to her in my head, picked up the phone to dial her number. But the risk of Sean discovering the twins had always stopped me.

Did she hate me for leaving without saying goodbye? Was she well? Did she truly miss me, as Sean claimed?

My thoughts shifted to my failed meeting with Tristan. Without Lawrence Capital's backing, I'd need to find another investor quickly-a daunting prospect if Sean was determined to stand in my way.

Why couldn't he just let me go? Why, after five years, was he so intent on disrupting the life I'd carefully rebuilt?