JAKE'S POV
It had been five years yet I had not been able to shake off the feeling of depressing loss. Now, it was eating so deep into me that it was affecting my business.
Tiffany was my dream woman. She was the one my heart wanted ever since I had seen her again.
True, she had left me all of a sudden without any closure, and that had led me to get married to Eva who simply loved and adored me.
But my anger for her had dissipated the movement I saw her again, so fragile and innocent, just as she was when she left.
She explained everything to me, that her family had faced bankruptcy and because of that, she was moved to the country for over five years.
She had worked hard to make enough living to come back to me. But she was heartbroken to see that I had gotten married to Eva instead and broken my promise to love only her instead.
I couldn't watch her leave me again, and obviously I couldn't let Eva keep her away from me. It was a good thing she agreed to a secret marriage anyway. It made it easier to dump her when the rightful owner of my heart came back.
But now, I couldn't help but feel like I had made a huge mistake. Especially since Tiffany had been no help to me. She barely cared about me. All she did was spend my money on keeping herself pretty.
She had even lost the baby she was carrying for me despite how much I had spent to ensure that she had a healthy pregnancy journey.
She made me miss having Eva around sometimes. Eva was the perfect wife. She would cook, clean, perform her widely duties and still brainstorm my business with me in the nights after her own hectic day. She literally put her life on the line for me.
I shook away the depressing thoughts of guilt. I was with my first love now. That should be enough for me.
But as I trudged into the living room after a long day at work, the sight that greeted me was Tiffany watching television, surrounded by many shopping bags.
"Welcome, babe. There's pizza in the fridge if you care for some. The maids are off today and I couldn't cook because I just got my nails done."
The anger that swirled inside of me threatened to explode but I restrained myself, heading to my room. Of course she had had another large shopping spree. It told on my bank cards.
I threw myself into my bed in frustration. At this moment, I wanted nothing more than to see Eva walk in and tell me that she had prepared a good meal for me. I wanted nothing more than for her to use her perfect IQ to tell me what to do about my business which was slowly drowning in debts.
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling when a notification dropped in my phone.
It was from Mr. Hart, a businessman who was also very prominent in the popular Whitestone Conglomerate. Getting a partnership with him would be a damned jackpot.
He was the surest person I could meet, since a meeting with the powerful CEO, Ms. Eva White was almost impossible for me.
'Meet me at the business conference and dinner at Aurelia's tomorrow night so we can discuss.'
My heart leapt for joy. Was this finally my ticket to freedom?
I hurriedly typed in a response and sent it to him in a flash.
Finally, I was on the unrestricted path to greatness.
*
The event came quickly and as I drove, all I could think about was leaving a good impression on Mr. Hart. Perhaps he could even introduce me to Ms. White and seal our partnership for a few more years.
I had heard about her search for a father for her kids but I obviously couldn't be that, not when I had Tiffany. Besides, I wanted a real business partnership, not just to be some baby daddy.
As I pulled up, at the gates and handed my invite to the bouncers at the gate, I caught sight of a familiar face but I shook my head.
Surely, Eva couldn't be here. She was far too low to be here. Maybe if she was still married to me, she might have had the chance to be at such an event.
I shook my head and walked in with Tiffany clinging to my arms. All that was on my mind was meeting Mr. Hart.
After a moment of searching, I caught sight of him in a corner of the room.
"Mr. Hart. Good evening, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you," I greeted curtly.
His sharp eyes scanned me for a moment before warming up. "Nice to meet you too, Mr. Donovan. Shall we have our seat."
I followed Mr. Hart to a quieter corner and Tiffany still glued to my side. As we settled into the seats, I straightened my posture, ready to impress.
Mr. Hart wasted no time, diving into business talk. I tried to keep my focus sharp, but Tiffany's constant fidgeting and chiming in with irrelevant comments began to grate on my nerves. I suddenly wished I had left her at home. Eva would be perfect for this moment not Tiffany.
Midway through our conversation, Mr. Hart's gaze shifted, his expression brightening with genuine admiration.
"Ms. White! How wonderful to see you here!" he called out.
I froze, my heart pounding as I turned in the direction of his gaze. My heart skipped a beat. Seeing her up close, my eyes widened.
Ms. Eva White was no other than my Eva!
She looked so different. She stood out beautifully in a sleek, elegant gown and she exuded power and grace. Her hair was swept back, accentuating her sharp, determined eyes.
She moved with a confidence I had never seen before. The woman I had underestimated now seemed untouchable.
Eva's eyes landed on Mr. Hart first, a smile touching her lips as she approached. My heart stuttered in my chest. For a brief second, our eyes met, and an indescribable tension crackled between us.
"Good evening, Mr. Hart. I hope I'm not interrupting," she said warmly, ignoring me for a moment. The dismissal sent a sharp sting to my chest.
"Not at all," Mr. Hart chuckled. "In fact, it's perfect timing. I was just discussing potential business partnerships with Mr. Donovan here."
Eva's gaze slid to me, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something — recognition, surprise, maybe even disdain. It all passed so quickly, replaced by a poised smile.
"Mr. Donovan," she acknowledged curtly.
"Eva..." I managed, my throat dry. I rose to my feet sharply. "I—I didn't expect to see you here."
Perhaps this was my chance again, my chance to make things right and win her back.
Her smile didn't waver, but her eyes remained unreadable. "Well, I am the CEO of Whitestone Conglomerate. It would be odd if I wasn't present at an event hosted by my own company."
Her own company. The weight of those words sank in slowly. Whitestone Conglomerate... Her company. How had I been so blind?
Tiffany shifted beside me, her hold tightening on my arm as if sensing the sudden tension. But I couldn't tear my gaze away from Eva.
The woman I had taken for granted, discarded so easily, was standing here in all her success and glory.
As if reading my thoughts, Eva's expression hardened subtly, her voice steady and composed.
"Alright. Mr. Hart, you can continue with him. I have other businesses to attend to," she stated. I didn't miss the coldness in her tone.
The weight of guilt and regret clawed at my chest. My mind spun with questions, regrets, and a desperate need to understand.
A man rushed up to her. "Ms. White, please grant me the chance to be your children's father. I can be the best man ever, I swear."
My heart hammered in my chest. She had put out the notice looking for a father for her children. She didn't have any children before she left me. She wasn't remarried either.
My chest tightened as realization dawned, the truth hitting me with a force that nearly staggered me.
I took a shaky breath, my words raw as I grabbed her wrist. "Eva... they're my children, aren't they?"
Her eyes met mine, unwavering and cold. I could feel waves of anger roll off her. She shrugged her wrist from my grip. "They are my children, Jake. Mine! Say those words again and I will get you arrested!"