Chapter 2: She’s on Forbes

Three years later

Noah sat in his study, staring at the glossy Forbes magazine in his hands.

On the cover was a woman in a sleek black suit, her confidence almost leaping off the page.

Maya Bennett—CEO of M.B Studios.

The Fastest Growing Fashion Brand of the Year.

His ex-wife.

He blinked, rereading the headline again as if it would change.

Three years. That was how long it had been since he last saw her.

The memory came back like a sharp breath. She'd shown up at the courthouse in a plain dress and thick glasses, quiet and composed. No tears. No begging. Just her signature on the divorce papers before she walked out silently.

He had expected her to cry, to plead for another chance. But she didn't.

And after that day, she disappeared completely.

And now, she was on Forbes.

Noah rubbed his temples, a heavy ache pressing against his chest.

The door to his study suddenly swung open.

Vanessa walked in, heels clicking against the floor, her perfume filling the room. She was dressed up, makeup perfect, her expression sharp.

"It's been a week, Noah" she started, arms crossed. "You still haven't sent the money for the bag I want"

He looked up from the magazine, already tired "Are we still talking about that? You know my company's under backlash. I can't just throw money around right now"

Vanessa rolled her eyes "I don't care about your company. I need that bag. The Elite gala is next week…every major name in fashion will be there."

Noah exhaled deeply. There was no winning with her. "Vanessa, please…"

She cut him off with a glare. "Don't please me, Noah."

He pushed back from the desk and stood, picking up the Forbes again. But as he tried to walk past her, she grabbed his arm.

The magazine slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.

Vanessa's gaze followed it and froze when she saw the cover.

Her expression darkened. She bent down, picked it up, and stared at it before lifting her eyes to him.

"Really?" she scoffed. "Don't tell me you're missing your ex-wife now"

Noah reached for the magazine, his jaw tight "Vanessa, it's not..”

"Not what?" she snapped, cutting him off again.

"You're sitting here staring at her face like some lost puppy. Don't even think about it, Noah. I'm not Maya. I won't sit quietly while you cheat"

Her lips curved into a cold smirk "Try it, and I will destroy you”

She turned to leave but stopped when she saw their little boy standing at the doorway, his small hands clutching the doorframe.

Kian's eyes were wide, confused.

Without another word, Vanessa brushed past him and stormed down the hall.

Noah crouched beside his son, forcing a tired smile. "Hey, champ. How long have you been standing there?"

Kian rubbed his eyes. "Why do you and Mommy always fight?" His voice cracked slightly, and that simple question hit Noah harder than he expected.

He ruffled the boy's hair gently "It's nothing, buddy. Grown up stuff”

But even as he said it, he knew that was a lie. His marriage to Vanessa had been falling apart for months, maybe it was never whole to begin with.

Now, with his company on the verge of collapse, everything he'd once thought was perfect was crumbling around him.

The silence lingered until his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He pulled it out—his secretary, Mike.

"Boss" Mike's voice came through. " finally got the invitation to the Business Typhoon Party. It wasn't easy, so we better not miss it tonight”

A faint smile tugged at Noah's lips. "Good job, Mike. I will be there"

As the call ended, Noah exhaled, finally, a chance to fix things. To meet investors, maybe even secure new partnerships.

For the first time in months, he felt a spark of hope. He glanced one more at the magazine on the floor.

Maya's photo stared back at him. He picked it up, his thumb brushing over her printed face.

She's really doing it, he thought. Without me.

He had no idea they would meet sooner than he ever expected