My Ex-Husband Became My Boss | He Left Me 5 Years Ago, Now He Wants Me Back
Chapter 2
Emma arrived early the next morning.
She had barely slept.
She expected Alexander to move her out of the company.
Instead, Laura handed her a folder.
“You’ve been promoted.”
Emma stared.
“What?”
“Project leadership.”
“Why?”
Laura smiled.
“Because the CEO chose you.”
Emma looked toward the glass office at the end of the hallway.
Alexander stood inside, speaking to a senior executive.
She walked straight toward him.
She didn’t knock.
“I need an explanation.”
Alexander looked up.
“Good morning.”
“Why am I leading the project?”
“Because you’re the most qualified person.”
“No.”
He leaned back.
“You’re very direct.”
“You’ve never seen my work.”
“I’ve seen your work.”
“How?”
“I’ve followed your career.”
Emma’s heart skipped.
“You followed me?”
“Occasionally.”
“Why?”
He was silent.
Then he said:
“Because I wanted to know you were okay.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Five years of silence, and now you’re checking on me?”
“I didn’t know how to approach you.”
“You could have started with hello.”
He looked down.
“I should have.”
Emma’s anger returned.
“Don’t do this.”
“Do what?”
“Act like you care now.”
“I do care.”
She stared at him.
“You don’t get to decide when to care.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
She placed the folder on his desk.
“I don’t want the project.”
“You need the promotion.”
“I don’t need anything from you.”
“This isn’t about me.”
“It becomes about you when you make me take it.”
Alexander stood.
“Emma.”
“What?”
“You’re good at what you do.”
She looked away.
“I know.”
“And this project could change your career.”
“Then let someone else lead it.”
“I want you.”
The words landed differently than he intended.
Emma froze.
He immediately corrected himself.
“I want your expertise.”
She stared at him.
“Right.”
Alexander exhaled.
“I didn’t mean—”
“You never do.”
She turned to leave.
“Emma.”
She stopped.
“I’m not asking you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
“I’m asking you to work with me.”
She looked over her shoulder.
“For how long?”
“Six months.”
“Then I leave.”
“If that’s what you want.”
Emma nodded.
“Fine.”
The project was enormous.
Reed Global was acquiring a luxury hotel chain.
The deal was worth over $400 million.
Emma’s role was to lead the branding and customer strategy.
It meant working directly with Alexander.
Every day.
Every meeting.
Every decision.
It was torture.
But it was also strange.
Alexander never treated her unfairly.
He never gave her special treatment.
He never mentioned their marriage at work.
He was professional.
Calm.
Focused.
Sometimes almost too distant.
Then one evening, they worked late.
The office was nearly empty.
Emma was reading financial reports when she noticed Alexander standing by the window.
“You okay?”
He turned.
“Yes.”
“You’ve been staring outside for ten minutes.”
He smiled faintly.
“Old habit.”
“What habit?”
“Thinking about things I can’t change.”
Emma looked back at her laptop.
“Then stop.”
“I’ve tried.”
She didn’t respond.
A few seconds passed.
Then he asked:
“Do you remember our first apartment?”
Emma’s fingers stopped.
“Yes.”
“Do you remember the kitchen?”
“Yes.”
“The broken sink?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“You hated that sink.”
“I hated cooking beside it.”
“You still burn toast.”
Emma looked up.
“How do you know?”
Alexander’s smile disappeared.
“I know.”
She stared.
“How?”
He didn’t answer.
Then his phone rang.
He picked it up.
“Yes?”
He listened.
His expression changed.
“What?”
Emma watched him.
He hung up.
“What happened?”
“My father is in the hospital.”
She stood.
“Is he okay?”
“I don’t know.”
Alexander grabbed his coat.
Emma hesitated.
Then said:
“I’ll drive.”
He looked at her.
“You don’t have to.”
“I know.”
She reached for her keys.
“I’m driving.”
He didn’t argue.
They left together.
For the first time in five years, they were sitting in the same car.
The silence felt almost familiar.
And neither of them was prepared for how quickly old feelings returned.
