Chapter 124

Angela POV

Christopher's car glided smoothly through the morning traffic.

I gazed out the window at the towering buildings, my mind consumed with worry about my company's investment problems.

After yesterday's disastrous meeting where Sean had interfered, I was back to square one.

Despite my repeated insistence that I could take a taxi, Christopher had insisted on dropping me off after taking the twins to school.

"You're especially quiet today," Christopher observed, his voice breaking through my thoughts. "Still thinking about yesterday?"

I shook my head slightly, returning to the present. "Just mentally preparing for the meeting. Lawrence Capital might be our best investment option."

His eyes studied me with that penetrating gaze that always seemed to see through my carefully constructed facades. "If you need investment, why not consider my firm? I could arrange it."

"Christopher, we've discussed this," I replied softly. "I need to establish my business independently."

He sighed, something unreadable flickering across his expression. "You know I came back from London for you, right? I'm tired of waiting, Angela."

I knew exactly what he meant. For the five years I'd spent in Italy after fleeing New York, Christopher had patiently waited, never abandoning his pursuit. Yet the wound Sean had left in my heart hadn't fully healed.

"I just need more time," I said quietly, turning back to watch the city blur past.

"Is it because you saw him yesterday at the riding club?" Christopher asked, his tone carefully neutral.

Before I could respond, my phone vibrated. Marcus's name flashed on the screen-a call at this hour had to be important. I answered immediately, only to be overwhelmed by his excited voice.

"Angela, you won't believe this!" Marcus was practically shouting. "Shaw Group just invested fifteen million dollars in our company!"

I felt my blood freeze, nearly dropping the phone. "What? Why would they-"

"The terms are minimal. They only want one board seat, and Sean Shaw himself will take it."

My heartbeat accelerated instantly. Sean Shaw, the man who had once dominated my life, was now inserting himself into my company, my new beginning.

Ending the call, I found Christopher watching me intently, clearly reading the shock in my expression.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice unnaturally calm.

"Sean invested in Wilson Advisory Partners." I told him directly, seeing no reason to hide it.

Christopher slammed on the brakes, pulling sharply to the curb. My body jerked forward before the seatbelt snapped me back.

"Christopher!" I gasped. "Be careful!"

He took several deep breaths, quickly regaining his composure. "I'm sorry, I overreacted." His eyes met mine with an intensity I'd rarely seen. "Does he know about the children?"

"No," I shook my head immediately. "I'm certain he doesn't."

"Are you going to see him?" Christopher asked, staring directly into my eyes.

I nodded. "I need to understand his intentions."

After a moment of tense silence, Christopher spoke again, visibly controlling his emotions. "I know I shouldn't interfere with you meeting him, but you understand Sean. He wouldn't invest in your company without a reason."

"I know," I assured him softly. "I'll be careful."

In the taxi heading toward the hotel, streets rushed past in a blur. My thoughts were in chaos. Sean Shaw-the name I'd worked so hard to avoid for five years-had forcefully re-entered my life.

My fingers drummed nervously against my knee, a habit from childhood. Yesterday's encounter at the riding club lingered in my mind; I couldn't deny Sean still affected me. More worrying was his complete ignorance about the children. If he discovered Aria and Ethan were his...I couldn't bear to imagine the consequences.

"Ma'am, we've arrived," the driver announced, pulling me back to reality.

I looked up at the hotel's imposing facade, taking a deep breath to steady myself. Whatever Sean Shaw had planned, I needed to remain calm-for myself and for my children.

Thomas had texted me the penthouse suite number. Standing before the door, I composed my expression and rang the bell.

No answer. I tried twice more, still receiving silence. Just as I turned to leave, the door swung open.

Sean Shaw stood before me, barefoot, shirt half-buttoned, hair disheveled-completely unlike his typically impeccable appearance.

"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice low and raspy. The commanding man from yesterday's riding club seemed to have vanished, replaced by someone I barely recognized.

"You invested in my company. As CEO, I naturally came to discuss the situation," I replied evenly.

He simply stared, making no move to invite me in. I noticed tiny beads of sweat on his forehead and an unnatural pallor to his skin. His hand gripping the doorframe trembled slightly-a stark contrast to the nearly invincible Sean Shaw I remembered.

"What exactly are you trying to do, Sean?" I asked, meeting his gaze while fighting to keep my voice steady. "We've been divorced for five years. Why suddenly interfere with my company?"

"I don't want to discuss this now," he answered tersely.

"Yesterday you threatened that without your approval, no one in New York would invest in my company. Today you directly invest fifteen million. What's your endgame?"

He frowned slightly, a flash of pain crossing his features as the perspiration on his forehead became more prominent. "I invested... what more do you... want from me?" His speech became increasingly fragmented, his breathing labored.

I instinctively stepped closer. "Sean, are you alright?"

"Not quite... well enough... for your interrogation, Ms. Wilson." Even in this state, he attempted to maintain his sardonic tone, but before he finished speaking, his body began to sway.

The air between us seemed to solidify. Where was the domineering Sean from yesterday's changing room? The man before me was clearly unwell, possibly seriously ill.

"We can talk another day," I said, turning to leave while suppressing the concern rising in my chest. "When you're feeling better."

Just then, I heard a dull thud behind me. Instinct made me turn quickly, only to see Sean collapsed in the doorway, his face ashen, forehead burning hot.

"Sean!" I cried out, rushing back to his side.