Not a sound could be heard. Not even the light breeze made a traceable whisper. Everything was silent, but not in a cold way, but with a warmth that only Andreas and Vlora could feel.
Minutes passed. Andreas lifted his hand and reached for Vlora’s hand, which was tending to the wound on his face. He held Vlora’s fingers with the utmost gentleness, and Vlora’s gaze shifted to his eyes.
Two pairs of eyes met. They stared at each other. For a moment they were silent. Then Andreas tried to swallow the bitterness and gathered his courage.
“Vlo-”
“It’s going to be okay, Reas,” Vlora quickly interrupted before Andreas could finish. She smiled weakly. “We’ll get through this.”
Andreas took a deep breath. Heat surged through his chest and the air felt like it was on fire. But when he looked into Vlora’s clear eyes, the fire was replaced by a crushing pain. His heart felt squeezed, painfully.
“Thank you, Vlo.”
Andreas realized how lucky he was to have Vlora. He couldn’t imagine what would have happened if Vlora hadn’t come at the right time. Vlora calmed him down, and instead of fanning the flames of anger, she extinguished them. Vlora saved him from a bad decision. He had almost done something fatal that could have led him astray.
Vlora put the cotton and the medicine aside. She moved closer to Andreas. She laid her head on Andreas’ chest. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the beat of Andreas’ heart, peaceful and soothing. She wondered, since when had Andreas’ heartbeat become a beautiful symphony in her ears? It sounded so melodious and she couldn’t imagine losing it. Luckily, she found Andreas before it was too late.
Andreas’ hand rose. He embraced Vlora. Then peace enveloped them both.
“Everything you’ve done so far has been right, darling. So don’t ruin it.”
Andreas closed his eyes as well. He cradled Vlora’s upper arm to strengthen his own heart. At that moment, he truly felt useless as a man. He could not protect his wife and their child.
“Don’t ruin everything, darling.”
Vlora sank into Andreas’ embrace. She faced the reality that the sense of loss had visited her again and again. Her life had been marked by tragedy, the loss of her parents and siblings. More painfully, she had to let go of the child she had just discovered. So she couldn’t imagine losing Andreas as well. Maybe she would really live in death.
“Because I won’t be able to enjoy sleep without your embrace.
*
It didn’t take Andreas long to straighten his posture. With a straight back and a raised face, he was ready to face everything. Ignoring a few wounds and bruises on his body, he stepped onto Progun with Frans.
Security guards intercepted them. It seemed that the employees there were still unaware of the situation and were still following Jonas’ previous orders. Frans stepped forward and took immediate action. He signaled to a group of men in black suits with tall, imposing figures who had been hired. They turned to detain the security officers and cleared the way.
Andreas entered. Ignoring the curious looks of the employees, he made his way to the elevator. His destination was undoubtedly the CEO’s office. When he arrived, he spoke to Alan.
“Remove all of Jonas’ belongings from here.”
Alan nodded. “Yes, sir.”
The arrival of Andreas and his entourage caused a commotion. So it was understandable that the news reached Bryan’s ears immediately.
“What does this maniac think he’s doing?”
Bryan slammed the table. He looked at his secretary with intense eyes.
“Then where’s Jonas? Why is Andreas messing up his office?”
The secretary swallowed nervously. “Mr. Jonas is unavailable, sir.”
“Unavailable?”
The secretary hadn’t had a chance to answer before the office door opened. Bryan turned to see that it was his mother who had arrived.
Noelle walked confidently. She was accompanied by a personal assistant and a lawyer.
“Mama…”
Noelle’s hand rose, cutting off Bryan’s words. “You are no longer my child, Bryan. The day you hurt my grandson and daughter-in-law, that was the day I stopped considering you my child.”
Bryan tried to remain calm. He held back, even though it was difficult. How could Noelle come at such an inconvenient time? He was confused about Jonas’ situation right now.
“You know, Bryan? This is the day I’ve been waiting for. The day when you can’t do anything anymore.”
Bryan furrowed his brow. “What do you mean, Mama?”
Noelle didn’t answer, but gestured to her personal assistant and attorney. They nodded and approached one by one.
“This is Mrs. Amanda’s divorce petition.”
Bryan’s eyes widened. “A divorce petition?”
“Yes, sir. Please read it.”
Bryan grabbed the letter. He read it quickly and tension began to set in; he became uncomfortable.
Divorce? How could Amanda want a divorce? She had never wanted a divorce.
But that wasn’t the only thing that caught Bryan’s attention. It was something else that Noelle’s personal assistant mentioned.
“The shareholders have filed a class action lawsuit demanding that you resign your position immediately.”
Bryan’s fear became reality. He suddenly stood up with a pale face, incredulous.
“W-what does all this mean?”
Noelle growled with a hateful expression. “Don’t you understand? Amanda wants to divorce you, and I can’t sit back and let you continue to be the CEO, Bryan. Do you remember the wins and losses that were part of your marriage to Amanda?”
Bryan didn’t answer, but he wouldn’t forget. In his heart he could only curse. He really hadn’t expected Amanda to take such extreme measures. Besides, what could be the reason? Why could Amanda make such an extreme decision when she had put up with Bryan’s infidelity all this time?
“Your divorce will surely anger the Billings and Morales families, and they will surely take action. I won’t let those two families attack my family. I won’t let others suffer the consequences of your actions, Bryan. So, before you take the Sanders Group down with you, you better resign immediately.”
“No,” Bryan refused, shaking his head. He wiped his face, which had begun to soak with sweat. “That’s not possible. I’m not leaving the Sanders Group and we’re not getting divorced.”
“Face the reality, Bryan. You’ve lost Amanda, and soon you’re going to lose everything. There is something you need to know. I am the most grateful person if Amanda decided to divorce you.”
“Mama!”
Noelle screamed. “Silence! I am not your mother anymore!”
*