Page 54 of Love Me Again

“Yes, Mr Hoult. I’ll alert the concierge,” Jess answers before she gets up and walks out of my office. I pick up my phone and see a good morning message from Sophie. I delete the message and block her number before I delete it from my phonebook. I don’t know who the hell she thinks she is, talking to Shayla in such a repulsive manner and plotting to get pregnant like she didn’t lose a baby a couple of months ago. She truly is as delusional as Shayla says if she thinks I’m stupid enough to fall for that trap. I look down at the wedding band on my finger and brush my thumb over it.

“Do you have any idea the hell you’ve put me through? You need some serious mental help! I can’t believe I ever fucking loved you! You make me sick.”

I frown and close my eyes when I get a brief flash of Sophie and I arguing before it disappears. That must have been the moment Josh was telling me about it, the moment I found out she was lying to me. There’s no emotion behind the memory again, but it was clear I was livid. I can’t believe how wrong I was about her. How could I have been so damn blind?

I sigh and shake off the annoyance that I was suddenly feeling and focus on the positive. I’m starting to remember things more and more, which is a blessing with or without emotions.

While I force my brain to focus on work, Jess notifies me it’s time for our meeting. I felt a nervous pull in my stomach at seeing Shayla again. I didn’t know how I would feel seeing her after I saw her kissing Blake, but I don’t have the luxury to dwell on that at the moment. It was a minor setback. That’s all.

I gather my papers and walk through the office to the conference room. I walk in, and my eyes zero in on Shayla instantly. She’s staring down at the table, her mind off far away someplace, it seems. I wonder what she’s thinking about. She lifts her eyes and looks at me, straightening in her seat. I, of course, didn’t miss the look of surprise that flashes in her green eyes as she watches me walk past her to take my seat at the table beside her.

“Shall we start?” I ask, looking her directly in the eyes, and she blinks and nods.

“Sure, go ahead.” She replies, her brows fused together while she eyes me warily. I start the meeting, talk through all the projects and where we currently stand with each one.

“Shayla and I are currently working on the hotel in Dubai and the Mall in Madrid, so Adrian and Emily, I expect the both of you to pick up the slack and familiarise yourselves with this project because you will be taking over the account once the baby is born. As you all are aware, our baby is due in the next couple of weeks, so I don’t want Shayla unnecessarily stressing leading up to birth.” I assert and look at Shayla, who looks at me surprised. “Can you spend some time with Adrian and Emma to catch them up?” I ask her, and she nods, looking at the two in question with a smile.

“Of course.” Shayla agrees, leaning back against her chair, and I nod, closing the file in front of me.

“Do any of you have any questions before I end the meeting?” I ask, looking at my watch briefly and glancing around the room; everyone shakes their heads. “Shay, do you have anything to add, sweetheart?” I question, looking at her pointedly, and she blinks and shakes her head slowly.

“No, you’ve covered everything.” She replies, her eyes narrowing slightly, and I nod, looking around the room before I stand up.

“Excellent. Have a great day, everyone. Shayla, can I please see you in my office?” I utter, and she frowns a little but nods, watching me as I walk out of the conference room.

I turn and face her as she walks into my office, looking at me expectantly. God, she’s beautiful. I couldn’t tell if it was just me or what, but she’s glowing like an angel in that red dress she’s wearing. For a woman who is eight months pregnant, her bump isn’t that big. It’s about the size of a basketball, cute and round. She looks damn good. Then again, she always does. “Cole? What did you want to see me about?”

I blink and snap out of my thoughts when I hear her call my name. “Oh, right,” I pick up the envelope off my desk and walk over, handing it to her. Shayla looks at it and then looks at me before she opens the envelope, pulls the diploma out, and gasps. “Congratulations.”

“Oh my God,” She whispers, looking over her diploma, her eyes filling with tears. “I can’t believe it. I mean, I knew it was coming but to actually have it, it doesn’t seem real.”

I couldn’t contain my excitement for her. I grin proudly. “It is real. You did it, Shay, you worked hard and never gave up on your dreams, and the result is right there in your hands.” I tell her, reaching up and brushing her tears away. Shayla looks up into my eyes as I stroke her jaw. “You should be proud of yourself,” She smiles, and her whole face lights up.

“Actually, we did it. You probably don’t remember, but I couldn’t have done it without you, Cole. You were honestly so supportive and helpful. You stayed up late nights helping me with assignments, and when I was ready to give up, you wouldn’t let me. You always reminded me who I am and kept me on track.” Shayla says with a sigh. “No matter what has happened between us, I want you to know that I’m grateful to you and all the opportunities you and Cult Designs have provided me.”

I smile and brush my fingers through her hair, my eyes on hers. “I can’t think of a single person more deserving than you. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart.” I declare earnestly before I drop a gentle kiss on her forehead. Shayla smiles, closing her eyes for a second before they open, and she looks up at me while I draw back a little.

“Thank you,” She whispers, holding my gaze steadily. I trail my thumb along her jaw, drawing gentle lazy circles as I gaze into her beautiful jade eyes. “Cole, there’s something I really want to talk to you about. Can we talk later?”

“We can talk now. I’m free for the next hour before my conference call,” I suggest and notice the sudden apprehension in her eyes. “What is it?”

Shayla closes her eyes and heaves a sigh, “There’s no easy way for me to say this— in fact, I never thought I would have had to, but…” She drops her gaze and bites her lip. “I want a divorce.”

I stare at her, unblinking for a while. Did I just fucking hear her right? My heart drops to the deepest core of my stomach. “You want a...what now?” I sputter, dumbfounded as I look at her. Shayla finally lifts her gaze to mine.

“Cole, this wasn’t an easy decision for me. I thought long and hard, and this is what’s best.” She explains sullenly, averting her gaze again to the envelope in her hands.

I scoff, watching her, “Best for who, Shayla? You and Blake?” Her green eyes snap up to mine, and she frowns, shaking her head.

“No, Cole, best for the both of us. What do our problems have to do with Blake?” She questions, dropping the envelope in her hands on my desk and placing them on her hips while she glowers at me.

“Oh, I don’t know, maybe you want to be able to kiss him more freely without feeling guilty, although you didn’t seem all that guilty last night.” I retort dryly, and she frowns.

“How did you— were you following me?” Shayla crosses her arms over her chest.

“No, I wasn’t following you! I was coming to tell you— you know what, it doesn’t even matter why I was there. The fact is, I saw you kissing him, and suddenly now you want a divorce? What the fuck Shay?!”

“My decision has nothing to do with Blake and everything to do with us, Cole! This isn’t something I decided on a whim overnight. It just doesn’t feel right anymore.” She states with a shrug, and I shake my head.

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