3
638words
I didn't frantically call him, didn't cry and promise to be nicer to Isabella.
Sophia didn't ask about her father either.
She just silently took the framed photo of her and Liam from her bedside table while I was packing.
We fell into a silent treatment.
A week later, Sophia's school sent home a permission slip for a field trip that required a both parent's recognition signature.
I tried to call Liam, only to find he had blocked my number.
Left with no choice, I drove to his office.
I didn't have to wait long before I saw a familiar figure slip into his office.
The assistant, pouring a glass of water, looked at me guiltily.
"Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Hayes gave instructions that Isabella can enter his office whenever she likes."
That "privilege" was my fault, in a way.
I used to bring Liam lunch every day.
We'd eat and talk for an hour.
One day, Isabella came to see him and was stopped by the assistant.
By the time Liam walked me out, Isabella and Lucas were shivering in the hallway, their lips blue with cold.
That was the first time Liam had ever truly lost his temper with me.
He yelled that my daily visits were a waste of his time.
He fired the assistant who had stopped Isabella.
From that day on, everyone at the company knew, who was the most important woman in Liam Hayes's life.
I never came back to the office again.
I gave the new assistant a small smile and walked straight toward his office.
Liam was in a meeting.
He looked surprised to see me.
"What are you doing here?"
Isabella was perched on the arm of his chair, their bodies so close they were almost touching.
He saw me looking and started to stammer.
"Emma, don't get the wrong idea. Isabella was also a part of this project, so..."
I nodded and handed him the tablet.
"Sophia's field trip. It needs your signature."
"You came all this way just for that?"
"Why else would I be here?"
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
I knew Liam well enough to know that he was in a very bad mood.
Isabella scoffed.
"Honestly, what's so important about a signature? Liam, she's just looking for an excuse to make up with you. You've been staying at my place for days. It's probably time you went home to see Sophia."
Liam's brow smoothed, and a smug, playful smile appeared on his face.
He tossed the tablet onto the coffee table.
"Emma, now you're using our daughter as an excuse. Apologize to Isabella. Otherwise, I'm not signing anything."
Hearing those words used to infuriate me.
I'd be furious that he cared so little for his own daughter, and even more furious that he was doing it for Isabella.
But now, I felt nothing.
My only thought was that without his signature, Sophia couldn't go on the trip, and she would be disappointed.
I looked at him, then at Isabella, she still leaned back in her chair like a queen on her throne.
Without another word, I turned and walked out.
I'd just tell the school Sophia didn't have a father.
I'd only taken a few steps when a clear, cool voice stopped me.
"If you don't mind, Miss, perhaps I could offer a signature."
It was the other man from the meeting.
"After all, I've been an unwilling audience to your family drama for a while now."
I finally got a good look at him.
He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his features cool and aristocratic.
He radiated an aura of wealth and power.
I simply handed him the tablet.
The authorization went through instantly.
On the paper, a bold, elegant signature appeared:
Alexander Prescott.
