Nelson arrived at the office earlier than usual, catching Cora off guard. She hadn’t even had time to prepare his breakfast before he was already seated at his desk.
Flustered, she hurried to prepare his usual coffee and toast. Nelson’s demanding schedule often meant he didn’t have time for a proper meal.
“Mr. Oconnor, I apologize for being late. Here’s your breakfast,” Cora said cautiously.
Nelson, without looking up from the new season’s financial report, replied, “I came in early. I’ve already eaten. Take it away.”
Already eaten? Cora was surprised. “Alright.”
As she picked up the tray, she glanced at Nelson and noticed a ring on his left hand’s ring finger.
A ring on that finger could only mean one thing.
Cora was so shocked that she dropped the tray, spilling hot coffee all over herself. “Ah!”
Nelson looked up, frowning with displeasure. “What’s going on?”
Cora was always meticulous and had never made such a mistake before, so her misstep just now puzzled Nelson.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Oconnor. I didn’t sleep well last night and I’m a bit out of it. I’ll get someone to clean this up right away.”
Nelson’s patience was wearing thin. “Fine. If you’re not feeling well, you can take the day off.”
He was always like this, kind but distant, mixing compassion with cold professionalism.
Cora stood frozen, her eyes welling up, her body trembling.
“What is it? Do you have something else to say?” Nelson’s frown deepened.
“No, Mr. Oconnor. I was just surprised. It’s the first time I’ve seen you wearing a ring. Does this mean… there’s good news in your personal life?” Cora asked, trying to suppress her tears.
She knew Nelson hated people prying into his personal affairs, but she couldn’t help asking.
In all the years she had worked for Nelson, this was the first time she felt a genuine sense of threat.
Nelson looked at the ring on his hand, feeling a bit annoyed that he had forgotten to take it off.
He didn’t want anyone to know about his marriage, but since Cora had noticed it, he had no intention of hiding it from her.
“Yes,” he admitted calmly. “I’m married. It’s a secret. You’re the first to know, and I expect you to keep it that way. Do you understand?”
The first… Cora felt like she couldn’t breathe. Being the first to know was more painful than being kept in the dark. How could he be married so suddenly?
“I understand… It’s just that I’ve never seen you close to any woman. How could you be married so suddenly? I don’t understand,” Cora said, pushing her luck.
Nelson clasped his hands together, his gaze icy. “Cora, you’re being unprofessional today.”
“Sorry, I’ll get someone to clean this up right away.” Cora hurried out, closing the door behind her as tears streamed down her face.
She had been too professional over the years, and it had cost her any chance of getting close to Nelson.
She prided herself on knowing him best, but she hadn’t even known he was married.
Cora closed her eyes in despair. Suddenly, the design of the ring flashed in her mind. She opened her eyes, realizing she had seen it somewhere before.
Where was it?
Her chest heaving, an image of someone she had seen just half an hour ago came to mind.
She took a step back, unwilling to believe it.
How could it be?
How could it be Callie?
Callie had only recently started having interactions with Nelson at Oconnor Group.
How could she possibly be his wife?