Chapter 3 3

Inside the secretary's office, silence hung heavy in the air.

Darwin Solomon stood motionless, his eyes fixed on Fiona. For a man who controlled boardrooms with his mere presence, he now seemed lost. It wasn't until the realization sank in-that Fiona was truly serious about leaving-that he spoke, his voice unusually subdued.

"You haven't visited your grandmother in a while," he said, suppressing his anger and softening his tone. "I'll give you a month's leave. Think it over before making any final decisions."

Fiona's expression didn't waver. If anything, her resolve hardened.

"There's no need to think it over," she replied evenly, meeting his gaze. "I've already decided."

Darwin's patience snapped. "Fiona!" His tone was sharp, his frustration boiling over.

For five years, she had been his constant-obedient, loyal, reliable. And now, she was throwing it all away.

"You're just a stand-in for Lilian," he hissed, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've used you for five years. Do you really think I can't live without you?"

Fiona flinched inwardly but kept her composure.

"I know my place," she said coolly. "I've never had any illusions otherwise."

Darwin sneered, his anger masking the faintest flicker of something else-regret, perhaps. "Very well." He released her wrist with a sharp motion, his tone turning icy. "You're not the most like Lilian; you're just more obedient than anyone else."

Fiona's stomach churned at his words, but she kept her head high. "Thank you, Mr. Solomon," she said calmly. "I'll finish my tasks and ensure a smooth handover. You won't have to worry about me."

Darwin waved her off, his cold demeanor returning as he turned on his heel and left without another word.

For him, this brief attempt to retain her had been about convenience. She had played her role perfectly for years. But now that she dared defy him, his patience was gone.

Fiona watched his retreating figure, her wrist still red where he had gripped it. Despite the sting of his words, she felt a strange sense of relief. For the first time in years, she was truly free.

---

The news of Fiona's resignation spread through the office like wildfire. Speculation ran rampant. Fiona had been the only person who could handle the notoriously difficult Darwin. Who could possibly take her place?

The answer arrived the next morning, striding into the office with a confident air. Bella Robbins, the new secretary, bore an uncanny resemblance to Fiona-enough to turn heads.

Henry Clark escorted her to the secretary's office. "This is your new workspace," he announced, placing her bag down.

The resemblance wasn't lost on the employees. Whispers circulated in hushed tones. Some remarked on Bella's striking similarity to Fiona, while others theorized about Darwin's motives.

Bella seemed unfazed by the attention, but her eyes gleamed with something sharp and calculating.

---

Darwin, oblivious to the buzz outside, was locked in a marathon meeting with the overseas project team. By the time he returned to his office, it was well past noon.

Bella entered a few moments later, her face clouded with feigned worry. "Darwin, I've taken over Ms. Woods' responsibilities, but she hasn't come to teach me anything. Is she upset with me?"

Darwin barely glanced at her. "Where is Fiona?" he asked curtly, turning his attention to Henry.

Henry hesitated before replying. "She mentioned family matters and left for Serene City. It's my fault, sir-I forgot to inform you amidst the morning's preparations."

"Family matters?" Bella interjected, her voice tinged with concern. "She must have left urgently if she didn't even say goodbye to you."

Darwin's expression darkened. Without a word, he turned back to his desk and opened a file, signaling the end of the conversation.

Bella lingered, hoping for a reaction, but Darwin's silence was impenetrable. She finally excused herself, her cheerful facade slipping as she walked out.

Standing outside the CEO's office, Bella glanced at the secretary's desk-Fiona's old workspace. Her jaw tightened, her cheerful expression replaced by a cold determination.

'Fiona,' she thought bitterly, 'how dare you make me look bad on my first day. This isn't over.'

---

"Mr. Solomon, you have a 3 p.m. golf appointment with Mr. Wallace from Oberlin Construction," Henry reported.

Darwin took a sip of the coffee someone had left on his desk, only to grimace in disgust. His irritation flared.

"Call Fiona," he ordered sharply. "Tell her to come back and hand over her work properly."

Henry hesitated, his hand hovering over his phone.

Darwin sighed impatiently and waved him off. "Forget it."

He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Fiona's absence gnawed at him, though he wouldn't admit it. He told himself she had gone to visit her grandmother, likely because of her failing health. After all, she hadn't visited Serene City in months.

Shaking off the thought, Darwin picked up a document, but his focus was gone.

---

In Serene City, rain fell softly, a light drizzle casting a somber mood over the landscape. Fiona stepped out of the cab, her hands full-roses, purple daisies, and two bottles of wine.

The cemetery caretaker spotted her and hurried over with an umbrella. "Fiona, it's not your usual time. What brings you here today?"

"I just wanted to visit," Fiona replied with a polite smile.

The caretaker nodded and watched as she made her way to the graves, her figure slender against the gray sky.

Nearby, a cleaning lady whispered, "Is she a relative of yours?"

The caretaker shook his head, his voice low with sympathy. "She's had a hard life. Lost her mother as a child, then her grandfather, and recently her grandmother. When her grandmother was buried, she knelt by the grave all day without eating a bite."

---

Fiona reached the familiar tombstone, her steps slowing. Her grandparents rested side by side, with her mother's grave beside them. She knelt, placing the roses on her grandparents' grave.

"Grandpa," she murmured, "I brought roses. Just like you always did for Grandma."

She set the purple daisies beside her mother's grave. "These are for you, Mom. Your favorite."

Finally, she poured a glass of wine and placed it on the tombstone.

"Grandma, Grandpa, Mom," she began softly, her voice trembling. "I came back because I have something to tell you. I'm pregnant. I shouldn't keep this child... But you're all gone, and I have no one left. This baby is my only family now."

Tears slid down her cheeks as she took a deep breath. "The doctor said it would be hard for me to conceive again, so I've decided. I'll keep this baby. I hope you'll bless them to be born healthy and grow up strong."

She stood in the rain, her heart heavy yet resolute, as if the heavens themselves were weeping with her.