The CEO’S Orphan Wife

After we arrived at the rented apartment, I settled onto the sofa and gazed into the distance. I patiently awaited the delivery of the food I had ordered from Grab, a food delivery app.

It was only then that I noticed Lucinda sitting next to me. She was sporting a smile as she handed me the paper bag that Ivan had given me.

“Why?” I inquired, crossing my arms.

“Open it, I’m excited.”

“Why don’t you open it?” I suggested. I wasn’t particularly eager to open it; she had been the one making all the noise earlier, and now my plan had been disrupted.

“Are you sure?” I didn’t respond. Lucinda, unable to resist her curiosity, opened the paper bag and revealed a moderately sized jewelry box.

Lucinda gasped, but my expression remained devoid of enthusiasm.

“A set of diamond jewelry!”

It included a ring, a bracelet, a pair of earrings, and a necklace adorned with numerous precious stones. This set was worth millions. Why had Ivan given such costly jewelry to me?

Tsss!

“It’s beautiful! You should wear it tomorrow.”

“I’d rather not…”

Lucinda frowned. “You said so. Very well, I’ll place it in your suitcase.”

Wearing it was not my intention at all; rather, I planned to present it as a gift to Heather. I was convinced that she would cherish it, particularly because it was a heartfelt gesture from her father.

Lucinda and I enjoyed a nice dinner before retiring to our separate rooms for the night. As I stepped out of the shower, I noticed three missed calls on my phone from an unfamiliar number, though I had a pretty good idea of who it was.

I didn’t see the need to save the number earlier, since I didn’t deem it of significance. After all, both Heather and Ivan possessed their mobile phones and could easily reach out to each other once we were back on the island.

I couldn’t help but wonder about Ivan’s intentions now that he was aware of our child. Specifically, I pondered how often he planned to see his daughter. The idea of traveling with Heather just to facilitate three or four days a month with her father was both mentally and physically draining.

But, at that moment, I decided to let it be. I lay down on the bed, clutching a pillow, and felt the absence of Heather sleeping beside me. It’s been several nights since she chose to be with her father instead, and it left me feeling somewhat lonely.

Just as I was settling into bed, my phone rang, and it was Ivan on the line. I thought perhaps Heather wanted to say goodnight, so I answered.

“Hello, Heather?”

“She’s already asleep. She drifted off just now…” If my daughter was already asleep, I couldn’t help but wonder why he had called.

I cleared my throat. “Alright, goodnight…”

“Myla, wai-”

I disconnected the call, but he dialed back.

“Yes?”

“I’m on my way to your apartment…”

“What? Why?”

“I want to talk to you…”

“What’s it about? Can’t we do this tomorrow? I’m getting quite sleepy, Ivan.”

I feigned a yawn.

“Okay, let’s plan for tomorrow.”

“Alright, if it pertains to your responsibilities as Heather’s father, I’ll make the necessary preparations. Goodnight.” I hung up the call and attempted to get some sleep.

***

My enthusiasm for getting out of bed was quite low. I went through the motions of taking a shower with a somewhat absent mind, dressed myself, and enjoyed a cup of coffee before departing from my home. Lucinda was engaged in lively conversation, yet her words seemed to elude my full comprehension.

I didn’t have a strong desire to go to the Grecos’, but it was inevitable that I would see my child. When I got there, they had already assembled in the dining area, having risen earlier than me. I struggled to turn down their offer to have a meal together.

Heather sat between Ivan and me. I ate in silence while Heather continued her animated chatter about various topics.

“Mommy, I want to go with Daddy to work again…”

I nodded slowly, taken aback by Heather’s unexpected request. “Why didn’t you sleep with me and Daddy, Mommy?”

Heather’s curious question paled me.

“Don’t you miss my daddy?” she inquired innocently.

My heart skipped a beat, realizing the delicate situation. My cheeks flushed with a mix of emotions.

“Just focus on finishing your meal, baby.”

I grappled with how to broach the subject with Heather, explaining that her father and I had been separated for a significant period. Their reunion had caught me off guard, as I thought I’d wait a few more years until I believed she could fully comprehend the complexities of our situation.

“Daddy, haven’t you missed my mommy?”This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Ivan cleared his throat. I expected he might dismiss his daughter’s question, but he replied,

“Of course, I miss her, baby. I miss both of you.”

Heather giggled. “I haven’t seen you hugging and kissing each other. Shouldn’t you be hugging and kissing, like, all the time?”

What the-!

Laughter erupted around the table. Ivan chuckled with a mischievous glance in my direction. I concealed my emotions behind a composed expression. I was nearly done with my meal, and when I finished, I politely excused myself.

“I must take my leave now. Thank you for the breakfast,” I conveyed my appreciation to my former in-laws.

“Do you have work today, dear?”

“I have a meeting, Auntie,” I responded, my attention not drawn to Ivan’s clinking silverware. Was that bothering him? I chose not to acknowledge it.

“Heather, baby… you must behave, okay?”

“Yes, Mommy! I love you, Mommy…” After kissing Heather, I exited the dining area and made my way out of the mansion. However, Ivan caught up with me.

“Why?” I inquired.

“You can join us, and we’ll take you to your meeting place.”

“I have a different route to the company; I don’t mind commuting.”

“Come on, Myla…” He appeared to be growing impatient as he massaged the back of his neck.

“It’s truly not a problem.”

I turned away, but he grasped my arm.

“Ivan!” I reprimanded him firmly. “What are you up to?” I suppressed my irritation, not wanting to lose my temper in front of my daughter.

“And you, what do you think you’re doing?” he asked in response.

I arched an eyebrow. “I need to leave now, Ivan. I’ll be running late.”

“Fine!” He released his grip on me.

I averted my gaze and strolled away, only allowing myself to glance back after I had arrived at the taxi waiting by the gate.

I deliberately refrained from ruminating on my previous meeting with Ivan. I had already progressed beyond it, and I held no inclination to retrace the anguish he had once inflicted upon me.

The following hours were incredibly hectic. It passed lunchtime when I had a chance to eat, and that’s when I read Lucinda’s messages.

“It seems Maureen couldn’t get in touch with Ivan, so she called the secretary’s phone…”

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.

“Lucinda, your responsibility is to keep an eye on Heather,” I reminded her. I didn’t instruct her to report to me about my ex because I genuinely don’t care about that guy.

“I just wanted to let you know. I think Ivan is ignoring her because-”

“Let’s discuss it later; my meeting is starting now.”

That girl is quite eccentric. She’s quite the gossip. I shrugged and finished my meal.

By approximately four in the afternoon, I had wrapped up all my tasks. As Ivan’s office hours were still in session, I found myself with a few hours to spare. Neither did I wish to visit his office, nor was I inclined to head home early.

Therefore, I made the choice to stroll through the mall, and came across some enticing clothing and footwear, prompting me to indulge in a bit of shopping. Following this, I ventured into a nearby coffee shop.

I had already placed my order when Ivan called. Initially, I wasn’t planning to answer, but I thought it might be my daughter who asked him to call me.

“Hello…”

“Where are you?”

I furrowed my brow.

“I’m here at the coffee shop, inside the mall…”

“We’re leaving the office. We’ll swing by your location. Heather wants to buy something…”

I pressed my lips together and remained silent.

After twenty minutes, the three of them arrived.

“Mommy, I want to buy some toys. I saw them online earlier. Daddy said he’d buy me that toy.”

“Okay.” She already has so many toys from the Grecos; she’s getting even more.

“Did you go shopping?” Ivan inquired, eyeing the paper bags I was holding.

“I simply fancied a pair of shoes and some clothing.” And it’s none of your business, I thought silently,

He nodded.

We accompanied Heather to the toy store, and afterward, Ivan took us to a boutique, mentioning that he was going to buy more clothes for our daughter.

“You should get something for yourself as well,” Ivan suggested.

“No, I don’t need to,” I responded. I have plenty of clothing on the island that I haven’t worn yet.

“I think the one on the mannequin would suit you,” he said.

I let out a sigh.

“Miss, please have that wrapped,” he instructed the sales staff.

“Ivan…”

“Go ahead. It’s on me.”

“You don’t have to buy me anything.”

“Why not?”

“Because-”

“Mommy! That dress is so beautiful!”

“It looks good on Mommy, doesn’t it?”

I rolled my eyes.

“Yes, Mommy. Wear

the dress tomorrow. Then go on a date with Daddy. Oops! Sorry, Daddy,” Heather covered her mouth. What is Heather saying?

Ivan chuckled softly.

“Those shoes seem to go well with that dress…” He pointed out.

“That’s enough,” I scolded Ivan firmly. What’s this guy’s deal, taking me shopping? “I can purchase my clothes…”

“I understand, but I’d like to get you some clothing. Come on, Myla. I want to show my appreciation for the sacrifices you’ve made for our child.”

“I’m Heather’s mother. It’s my duty and responsibility to care for her and provide everything she needs to the best of my abilities.”

“That’s a responsibility you didn’t bear alone if-”

“What? Let’s put a stop to this.” I shook my head.

“Are you two arguing, Mommy and Daddy?”

“No, sweetie. We’re just having a conversation. Let’s go now.”

We didn’t immediately head home. Heather suggested dining at Jollibee.

“Your grandparents are waiting for us at home, baby,” I reminded her.

“It’s alright. If she wants to eat at Jollibee, we’ll eat at Jollibee.”

Ivan phoned them and recommended that they go ahead without waiting for us.

As we entered the fast-food restaurant, we attracted attention, especially Ivan, who caught the eye of several young office girls seated at the side.

One of them couldn’t resist and approached Ivan.

“Sir, I saw you in a magazine. You’re an actor, right?”

Ivan laughed, but the smile disappeared from his face when he looked at me. What’s his problem?

The girls asked to take a picture with him. Two of them, one on either side of him, couldn’t avoid touching him.

“Please don’t touch my daddy like that. My mommy will get jealous,” my daughter exclaimed.

My eyes widened. Ivan also smiled broadly.

“Sorry, baby. Sorry, ma’am,” the girls apologized.

I shook my head and smiled quietly. I didn’t want to seem like the villain in this situation. And what’s all this talk about jealousy? My child is making things up, and I’m the one who’s being pointed at as if I did something wrong.

Throughout our meal, Ivan’s smile never faded.

“Why are you so happy, Daddy?” His child was also curious.

He took a sip of juice before answering his child.

“I’m happy because I’m having dinner with you and your mom.”

Lucinda coughed.

“I told you so,” she whispered to me. I subtly kicked her foot under the table.

“I’m happy too, daddy. Mommy is happy too.”

“It doesn’t seem like your mommy is happy,” Ivan remarked.

“Mommy, aren’t you happy?”

Forcing a smile, I said, “Of course, I’m happy. I’m really, really happy.”