~Adeline~
The following day, in preparation for my return to the company, I woke up earlier than usual. As I got ready, I printed the divorce agreement Mikaela had sent me the night before.
Once I was done, I stood still, my gaze fixed on the name written on the page.
Adeline Carter.
That phase of my life was officially over.
Without hesitation, I signed my name, removed my wedding ring, and placed it on top of the document.
Then I turned and walked out of the room.
Making my way downstairs, I found Adrian already seated at the dining table, sipping his morning coffee while scrolling through his tablet.
He looked up at the sound of my footsteps, his eyes sweeping over me as he took in my appearance.
Usually, I moved around the house in loose gowns that allowed me comfort without irritating my skin. But today, I wore something more fitted, something that subtly highlighted my figure.
His gaze lingered for a moment before he spoke.
"Are you going somewhere?"
In the past, I might have mistaken that for concern. Now, I knew better. He was simply keeping track of my movements so he could freely spend time with his old flame.
"Work," I replied flatly, picking up my bag from the table.
From the corner of my eye, I saw him pause, then give me a once over again before he snorted calmly.
"What type of work can a mere housewife like you do?"
The words stung, but ny expression remained neutral.
"You don't need to worry about that," I said evenly.
He stared at me for a second longer before turning his attention back to his tablet.
"Did you prepare the porridge for Zora?" he asked.
"There are leftovers in the fridge," I said as I walked towards the door. "Your mother can warm it up for her. If she needs anything else. I'm sure you'll handle it. Excuse me."
Without waiting for his response, I walked out of the house and hailed a cab.
The drive from the Carter mansion to Norvax Institute took less than two hours.
The moment I arrived, I headed straight for the reception desk.
The girl behind it was on her phone, chewing gum lazily.
As I stepped up to the counter, I spoke, "Good morning. I'm here to see Thomas Kensington."
She paused whatever she was doing and looked up. Her eyes swept over me briefly before she lowered her gaze again, clearly dismissing my presence.
"Do you have an appointment?" she asked, her tone laced with snark.
"No," I replied calmly. "But he knows I'm coming."
She paused, then looked up at me again.
"Mr. Kensington knows everyone is coming," she said dryly. "A lot of your type show up here. If you don't have an appointment-" she pointed an overly manicured nail toward the entrance, "get out."
Her rudeness didn't faze me.
I didn't react. Instead, I reached into my purse, pulled out my phone, and dialed Thomas's number, lifting it to my ear.
The moment the call connected, his voice came through.
"Lina, are you here?" he asked.
Keeping my gaze on the receptionist, I answered with a single word.
"Yes."
"Alright, give me a second."
The call ended.
The receptionist looked up again, unimpressed.
"Still not leaving?" she scoffed, picking up the phone. "Security to the front desk." She demanded.
From the distance, I spotted two guards appeared and marched towards me.
At the same time, the elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, and Thomas stepped out.
The moment the receptionist saw him, she straightened.
"Mr. Kensington, I was just about throw this disturbance-"
She didn't get the chance to finish. Thomas ignored her completely and walked straight toward me, a smile spreading across his face.
"Lina," he greeted warmly. "How was your trip? Smooth, I hope?"
"Everything was fine," I replied, then let my gaze shift toward the receptionist. "Except your receptionist wasn't particularly hospitable."
Thomas's expression changed instantly as he looked at her.
She visibly shrank back.
"Sir, I-"
"Don't bother packing your things. You're fired," Thomas said flatly.
Then he turned to the approaching guards. "Just in time, escort her out."
I watched as the color drained from the receptionist's face. In the next second, the guards who had initially been confused, grabbed her by both arms and began dragging her away.
"Mr. Kensington, please don't fire me! Please, sir!"
Her pleas echoed down the hallway as she was pulled out.
The commotion drew attention, and a few people turned to look in our direction, whispers spreading quickly.
"Who is she?"
"This is the first time I've seen Mr. Kensington treat a woman so well."
"Is she his girlfriend?"
Thomas ignored them all and simply gestured toward the presidential elevator. "Lina, come on. This way."
I gave him a small smile and followed, ignoring the curious stares.
"I have your office ready," Thomas said as we stepped into the elevator. "Your letter of inauguration should be ready anytime soon."
I nodded, taking his words in. "Thank you, Thomas."
The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out.
Thomas led me down the hall to my office. As I walked in, my gaze swept across the room.
It was exactly as I had left it all those years ago-only now, it was spotless. Not a speck of dust in sight.
The realization that he had kept it that way all this time made my chest tighten with guilt.
Back then, both Thomas and Mikaela had opposed my decision to abandon my career for love. But I had insisted, convinced that marriage and motherhood would bring me greater happiness than anything else.
So even when the company the three of us had built together was just beginning to grow, I left them behind.
Yet, it was clear they'd never for once stopped believing in me.
Even when i stopped believing in myself.
"Everything's just as you left it," Thomas said.
I turned to him and smiled softly. "Thank you, Tommy."
The use of the familiar nickname brought a smile to his lips.
"And I'm sorry," I added softly.
His expression gentled as he stepped forward and patted my head. "You did nothing wrong," he said. "Sometimes in life, we all make mistakes-and we learn from them eventually. Isn't that right?"
I smiled faintly and nodded.
He returned the smile before stepping back. "As much as I'd love to keep you all to myself,"
A knock sounded on the door. It opened, and a young, bubbly-looking girl walked in. She had glasses, soft curls, and an overall adorable appearance-if not for the heavy stack of files piled in her arms.
"I have to leave you to this," Thomas continued.
He stepped aside and gestured toward her. "This is Tilda. She'll be your assistant from now on. And these," he pointed at the files, "are documents you need to familiarize yourself with. Think you can handle it?"
My eyes swept over the stack before I nodded. "I can."
"Good. Then I'll leave you to it."
With that, Thomas walked out.
I turned to Tilda and offered her a polite smile. "Let's work well together, Tilda."
She nodded eagerly. "I'm in your care, Vice President Hayes!"
The title brought a small smile to my lips. It had been a while since I last heard it.
With that thought, I turned toward my desk. "Let's get started."
~☆~
The rest of the day passed in a blur of work. By the time I had gone through half of the documents, it was already evening.
My phone vibrated on the desk just as I closed the last file.
I picked it up and glanced at the message.
[Lina, let's have a meal together!]
It was a message from Mikaela. A smile touched my lips as I read it and typed back.
[I'd love to, but I have some shopping to do. I need a few essentials for my new place.]
A second later, her reply came in.
[Ohh, I'll join you. Let's meet at Regal Haus, okay?]
[Sure.] I replied and stood up.
Glancing at Tilda, I said, "Let's stop here for today."
She looked up and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Have a pleasant evening."
I sent her a smile as I packed up my things and sent Thomas a quick message.
[Heading out for the night. Let's have a meal and catch up sometime.]
Tucking my phone away, I walked out.
~☆~
Mikaela was already waiting in front of Regal Haus by the time I stepped out of the cab. Leaning casually against a car, she seemed completely oblivious to the attention her beauty was drawing.
"Kayla," I called as I approached.
She looked up, and her face lit up instantly.
"Lina!"
She rushed toward me without hesitation. I let out a soft chuckle and caught her in a hug, wrapping my arms around her.
"Hi, Kayla," I said gently.
"Lina, it's been so long," she murmured, pulling back to look at me. Her smile softened, tinged with sadness. "I missed you."
"I missed you too."
She stepped back, her gaze sweeping over me before her expression darkened into a frown.
"That bastard has drained the life out of you," she muttered. "I should go give him a good beating."
I smiled faintly and started walking into Regal Haus.
"After everything," she continued, clearly annoyed, grabbing a cart, "he still dares to treat you like this? Divorce?" She scoffed, offended.
As we turned into one of the aisles, I pulled out a list and began picking items off the shelves.
"It was only a matter of time," I said calmly, offering her a small smile. "A marriage like that was bound to fall apart sooner or later. I was just the one foolish enough to hold onto it."
I paused briefly before adding, "But I'm done now."
The moment those words left my lips, we turned the corner and I stopped.
Right ahead stood Adrian, holding Zora in one arm and pushing a cart with the other.
And beside him was the woman who had haunted my marriage. The woman who had taken my daughter's affection.
Elizabeth Sterling.
My chest tightened, but before I could react, Adrian's gaze landed on me. His expression immediately turned cold.
"Adeline," he said, his voice sharp. "What is the meaning of this?" His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Are you following us?"
