Chapter 161 Seeing Him Again
+8 Pearls
It had been some time since I last saw him. He looked leaner, sharper, and somehow more attractive. The light gray–blue shirt he wore seemed to emphasize the tone of his skin, and when his eyes met mine, they lingered for just a second longer than necessary. He settled into his seat at the head of the table, his presence commanding attention without a word. “Let’s get started,” he said, his voice even.
“Mr. Mayfield, you … “A senior executive stammered, clearly unnerved. Perhaps Shawn’s imposing presence had unsettled him. He hesitated before subtly gesturing to me, signaling that I should take the lead.
It was only natural. After all, I was his wife. My words would likely carry more weight in this room.
Shawn’s gaze remained fixed on me, but it wasn’t entirely clear what he was thinking. He seemed to be sizing me up. wondering if I could handle the responsibility of leading this meeting. To him, I might still be the quiet, reserved woman who preferred the safety of the shadows, the one who let him take the spotlight.
I stood up, feeling the weight of his stare as I walked to the front. The projector hummed to life, casting the key points of the meeting across the screen. I took a steadying breath and began to speak. My voice was calm and clear, flowing easily as 1 presented the information–like a breeze stirring the leaves
Shawn didn’t look up. His attention remained fixed on the papers in front of him, flipping through them with mechanical detachment. He rarely glanced my way, and I wondered if he was even listening. His indifference made it hard to tell.
The meeting stretched on for more than an hour, most of the time consumed by my team’s presentations. Shawn and the other two decision–makers said little, only offering an occasional nod when they agreed, or a brief remark if they had a point
to make
When the meeting ended, I started gathering my things, ready to leave. But before I could make my escape, Shawn’s voice sliced through the silence. “Tiffany, stay for a moment.”
The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. Everyone else seemed to linger for a moment, as if wondering what was going to happen next, as though we were about to have some private, whispered conversation right there in the open.
Once the room had emptied, I turned to ask him what he wanted, but before I could speak, Shawn moved swiftly, closing the door behind me with a soft click.
I frowned. It would have been easier to talk with the door open. Now, with it shut, the air felt thicker, charged with something unsaid. Whatever he wanted, it was clearly important.
Shawn looked at me, his eyes shadowed with something unreadable, like a storm barely contained. “Has checking the market been too much for you? Are you exhausted?”
I shook my head, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips. “No, it’s been great. I’m really enjoying it.”
Shawn blinked, caught off guard by my response. Then, in a softer tone, he spoke again. “Your presentation was excellent. You’ve really developed a professional charm. You’ve changed a lot.”
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for the compliment.”
Shawn asked, “The name ‘Lumen Dreams Hotel–was that your idea?”
I shook my head, the corner of my lips twitching. “No, it was chosen by a fortune teller. He worked it out for us.”
For some reason, Shawn let out a soft, amused laugh. “You’re even using metaphysics now?”
I nodded. “You have to choose the right date for a wedding, don’t you? With a hotel this size, how can we ignore geomancy?”
His eyes softened, warmth flickering in them as he studied me. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. I’ve missed you.”
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Chapter 161 Seeing Him Again
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Finished
“What do you miss about me?” I asked. My voice was steadier than I expected, a far cry from the shy woman I used to be. All those experiences had stripped away my insecurities.
Shawn seemed taken aback by the question. He froze, caught off guard, before speaking in a low voice. “I miss everything about you. The house… it’s too quiet without you there.”
I raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk creeping onto my face. “Ah, so you’ve gotten used to my care, and now you can’t stand it when I’m not around?”
“No, that’s not it,” Shawn protested quickly, but his words faltered. He sighed deeply, his voice lowering. “How about coming home for dinner tonight? Yuna wants to see you.”
I looked down, the words coming out flat, detached. “Maybe it’s better if I don’t see her. She has you and your family. She’s fine without me.”
“Tiffany, why are you being so cruel?” Shawn’s frustration flared. This was their daughter, and her mother just brushed her aside like the girl was some dust on her shoulder.
I met his gaze, steady and cold. T’m not being cruel. I’m being honest. I’m hard on myself too, you know. But I’ve gotten. through it. Life keeps moving, even without one person. Yuna will grow. She’ll have her own friends, her own life. She doesn’t need ΠΕ like that anymore. And honestly, to her, I’m just a high–end babysitter. And that thought just doesn’t bring me any joy
“No, you’re her mother,” Shawn insisted, his voice laced with a desperate edge.
“Yes, I’m her mother. And if she ever needs me, I’ll be there.” I spoke calmly, before turning and walking away, leaving him standing there, his face a mask of tension
Back at the office, I couldn’t shake the hollow ache in my chest. Sometimes, I thought that if I hadn’t had a child, maybe no one would be able to hurt me. But now, with Yuna in the world, things were different. Once a child is born, you can’t undo it.
As
parents, we often try to control every little detail of their lives–making plans, shaping their futures, trying to protect them. But we forget that once they enter this world, they’re their own person. Our over–involvement doesn’t always help them.
As for Yuna, I had made up my mind. I’d step back and let her grow on her own. No matter who she became, I would watch from the sidelines, a spectator. Nothing more.
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