Chapter 179
Chapter 179
OLIVIA’S POV
He laughed. “Hey, I’m just saying–you threw up the first time you were on a jet. That was unforgettable.”
“I was pregnant and nauseous,” I said, rolling my eyes while crossing my legs. I reached for the tablet beside me and powered it on. “And besides, I’ve been flying more than you lately. I’m practically a pilot now.”
“Right, right,” Damien said with a soft chuckle, reclining comfortably into the leather seat. “Chairwoman Olivia Blake–CEO, mom, and certified jet–settar. What can’t you do?”
I smirked. “Get five hours of uninterrupted sleep, for one.”
We both laughed, the jet humming steadily beneath us as the engines roared to life, signaling our imminent departure. The sun was still trying to rise, casting a soft pink hue over the edge of the clouds outside the window.
Just then, my phone buzzed on the armrest. I glanced at the screen–it was exactly 6:30 a.m., right on time.
The moment tugged at my heart.
This was the exact time Charlie came running into my room each morning, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, his backpack crooked on his back, and a hundred questions ready to pour out of his mouth before breakfast. This morning, things were a little different.
I picked up the video call. Rosa, the maid, appeared on the screen holding the tablet.
“Hello, Madam,” she greeted politely, standing in what looked like the dining room.
“Hello, Rosa,” I replied, already softening. “Is my son next to you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, then handed the tablet over.
The second his little face popped onto the screen, I felt my heart twist.
“Hey you,” I said, smiling, hoping to keep my emotions buried. “Good morning.”
His bottom lip jutted out, eyes narrowed with that half–pout, half–suspicious look he always gave when he was upset.
“Mom,” he began, “you left without saying goodbye.”
There it was. I had expected this moment, dreaded it even, which was why I’d left so early in the first place. I knew if I’d stayed and let him wake up to see me off, he’d cry. Probably beg me to stay. I also knew I wasn’t strong enough to walk away if that happened.
“I know, baby,” I said softly. “And I’m so, so sorry. But Mommy couldn’t miss her flight. I had to leave early.”
From the corner of my eye, I caught Damien glancing at me with that sarcastic ‘really?‘ look on his face. I ignored it. Charlie didn’t need to know that the jet would’ve waited for me as long as I wanted.
Charlie’s expression dropped again. He looked down, away from the camera, fiddling with the edge of his sleeve.
“Hey, listen to me,” I said gently. “I meant what I said last night. I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me too much. Seven days, remember? And I’m going to bring you so many gifts you’ll forget ever left.”
He looked back up, and the smallest smile formed on his lips. “Promise?”
“I promise,” I said, pressing a hand to my heart. “Pinky promise, even.”
He held his little pinky up to the camera and I mirrored it with my finger on the screen.
1/3
14:44 Mon, 7 Jul
Chapter 179
“I see you’re dressed for school,” I said, noting his neat white shirt and blue checkered tie. “Did you have breakfast?”
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned the camera around to show me the dining table, where the maids were bustling around setting down his plate–eggs, toast, and a small glass of orange juice. The sight made me feel both proud and a little sad. He looked so grown.
I smiled. “Wow, you’re living like a king.”
“I’ll be sure to double your pancake allowance when I’m back,” I laughed.
He nodded seriously, then looked straight into the screen. “I miss you already.”
I swallowed hard, fighting the lump rising in my throat. “I miss you too. But remember, we’re going to video call every single day, okay? Even when you’re at school, if you want.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she replied, giving me a respectful nod before the call ended.
The moment the screen went dark, I felt a tiny ache in my chest. That call with Charlie left me a little hollow. I hated leaving him, even for a short while. But + knew I had to do this–for myself, for the company, and for everything I had built over the last five years.
Just then, my phone lit up with a message. I picked it up, and my heart skipped slightly when I saw it was from Julian. I had texted him a few hours ago to inform him I was coming to New York, and unsurprisingly, he was shocked.
Verify captcha to read the content
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Goodbye Forever Ex-Husband (by Ammund)