Chapter 4
After I’d been working for a year, Mackenzie started letting me shadow Ava on client meetings.
Ava was three years younger than me and worked as a project manager. She had the sweetest personality.
She was always so gentle and looked out for me. After we’d wrap up business meetings, she’d grab herself coffee and get me ice cream.
I was happily digging into my sundae when Ava laughed and said, “Mackenzie keeps saying you’re twenty–nine, but I never believe her. Willa, you’re literally like a kid! The most hardworking, well–behaved kid ever.“]
I thought about it for a second, then told her solemnly, “Actually, I have two children.“[]
“Stop messing with me! We’ve been working together for over a year and I’ve never even seen your husband.“[]
“We’re divorced.”
“Girl, you look like you’re still in college.“[]
“Mm… technically I’m a divorced mom of two.“]]
Ava just stared at me in shock. She didn’t believe me, which made me laugh because honestly, I didn’t believe it either.[
In my head, I’d literally just finished high school. How was I suddenly twenty–nine?
But I’d been taking really good care of myself these past couple years, so I definitely looked younger.[]
Apparently I was in pretty rough shape right after the divorce–totally worn down and exhausted. But money really does work wonders.
After I got out of the hospital, Mackenzie put me through this whole self–care bootcamp. She said I was too weak and signed me up for kickboxing classes.]
Eighteen–year–old me had always followed Mackenzie’s lead blindly. Her word was my command.[]
She said kickboxing, so there was no way I was doing karate instead.[]
We hired a housekeeper to make nutritious meals, and gradually I started thriving.
Since I’d lost my memory, I literally had zero stress. I was rich, didn’t have to work if I didn’t want to, could eat whatever I wanted and sleep in–during those first few months, even my hair got thicker.
Honestly, this whole year had been pretty amazing. I’d forgotten all the messy drama from the past decade.
My eighteen–year–old brain was completely clean slate–no pressure, just learning new things every day, with Mackenzie always there supporting and guiding me.
But apparently the universe decided I was getting too comfortable.[]
That day when Ava and I went to a client meeting, we ran into some guy.[]
Ava’s meeting was super confidential, so I couldn’t sit in.[]
She parked me at the coffee shop downstairs with ice cream and a book.]
Chapter 4
I was halfway through a chapter when I felt someone staring at me. I looked up to see this guy in an expensive suit, eyebrows furrowed like he was pissed about something.
He just kept staring at me. I froze–something about him seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place him.[]
When Ava finished her meeting and came downstairs, I grabbed the coffee I’d pre–ordered for her and went to meet up with her.
As I brushed past the guy, I heard him mutter, “Really? We’re gonna pretend we don’t know each other?“]
It was such a random thing to say that I just glanced at him and kept walking with my coffee.[]
But he followed me outside. “Willa, not even gonna say hi?“]
I turned around, and so did Ava.[]
Ava saw the guy and smiled politely. “Oh hey, Mr. Kane! Long time no see.
River ignored Ava completely and kept staring at me.[]
I looked at the guy more carefully. Mr. Kane? Could this be… River?[]
I whispered to Ava, “Is that River Kane?”
“Yeah! CEO of Kane Industries. You know him?”
“Um… I think he’s my… ex–husband…“]
“0
Ava’s jaw dropped. She kept looking back and forth between me and River like she was watching a tennis match.
River was still staring at me, so I thought for a moment and stuck out my hand. “Hi there.“[]
River didn’t shake my hand. He looked at me with this mix of contempt and amusement. “Willa, I underestimated you. I actually thought you cared about being a mother! You fought so hard for custody of Zoe and Max in court, but the second you got your payout, you never came to see them once… Thank God I didn’t let them go with you. Someone like you doesn’t deserve to be a mother.”
I feit this weird wave of sadness wash over me, but when it passed, I still couldn’t picture what Zoe and Max even looked like.
“Willa, you better come by this weekend, or you’ll never see Zoe and Max again.“]]
River walked away, leaving behind a very confused Ava and me lost in thought.
