Chapter 7
I had memorized every part of Graham’s daily routine. I even tracked his meal times down
to the minute, making sure everything ran like clockwork.
Some days, I was so busy I didn’t even have time for lunch, rushing back home after work just to prepare his dinner.
But Graham’s mind was always elsewhere, focused only on work or Emily.
He never once acknowledged the effort I poured into him.
After chatting a little more with Rachel, I ended the call.
Inside the conference room, Graham slammed a report on the table. “Can’t HR find a
decent secretary? The one you hired can’t even sort files properly.”
The HR team exchanged awkward looks. Finally, the department lead, Julia Marks, couldn’t hold back anymore and snapped, “Mr. Ashford, she has no trouble sorting files. You just never gave her clear instructions!”
Graham’s expression darkened, but the HR lead didn’t flinch. She continued, “This is the best secretary we’ve been able to recruit. If she’s not good enough for you, there’s nothing
more we can do.”
The room went dead silent.
Graham waved them off. “Fine. You all can go back now.”
Everyone practically bolted from the conference room, sighing with relief.
Graham slumped in his chair.
Ever since I left, everything around him had spiraled into chaos. Work kept piling up, and some nights, he was stuck at the office late.
1/3
Chapter 7
I used to know exactly what he needed with just a glance, and I’d hand him the report
before he even asked.
Only now did he finally realize that no one else could take my place.
+25 Bonus
Graham stared at the towering stack of reports on the table. His mind wandered back to those times he chose to spend his nights with Emily, while I stayed behind, taking care of his entire workload on my own.
Just then, the conference room door creaked open. A young woman peeked in, gave a sheepish smile, and hurried inside to grab a file she’d forgotten. Then,
she spun around and dashed out like a startled rabbit.
“Wait a minute.‘
Graham recognized her right away. She was one of the interns I had trained.
Rachel froze, looking over her shoulder nervously. “Yes, Mr. Ashford?”
“Do you know where Nora went?”
She blinked, stunned. “You don’t know? She took a job in Eldham.”
Graham’s face darkened instantly.
Seeing this, Rachel quickly said. “Mr. Ashford, do you need anything else? If not, I’ll just go.”
He shook his head.
She let out a sigh of relief and hurried out of the conference room.
I didn’t know how Graham found me. But when I saw him standing outside my office building, my chest tightened.
He put out his cigarette and froze when he saw me.
272
Chapter 7
“Nora…”
I gripped Naomi’s hand tighter and turned away, heading in the opposite direction.
He caught up in a few long strides and grabbed my arm.
+25 Bonus
“Mr. Ashford, I’m not your employee anymore. Please stop bothering me,” I said coldly.
He looked at me and asked desperately, “Nora, are you really going to break up with me?”
I scoffed. “Isn’t it obvious, Mr. Ashford?”
Naomi peeked out from behind me, her fingers curling into my coat.
Graham reached out, trying to touch her, but she shrank back quickly.
“Hello, Mr. Ashford,” she greeted him politely.
But to Graham, it felt like a punch to the chest.
His heart ached, but he still forced himself to stay calm and said, “Naomi, I’m your
your father.”
She blinked at him and pressed her face against my side. “But you didn’t want to be my father. You don’t even like Mommy.”
Graham’s throat tightened. “I…”
Naomi lowered her eyes and said, “My teacher said parents like smart kids. I got a perfect score, but you still didn’t want me to call you Daddy.
“I guess Mommy and I aren’t good enough for you. But it’s okay. People here like us. They all say Mommy is the best in the whole
office.”
Support
