Sara lay on the bed with her baby boy curled against her chest, clinging to her as if he could hold her together. Since the moment he had seen her tears, he hadn't let go of her for even a second. This little soul couldn't bear to watch his mother cry, no matter the reason.
She gently patted his tiny back, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere. To him. Those green eyes, that face she had once known better than her own reflection. Why did fate have to bring him back into her life? Why him, again?
For a fleeting moment earlier, she had believed the universe was finally offering her a chance at happiness, a good, peaceful life. But no, fate was simply setting her up for another storm. Closing her eyes, she let the silent tears slip free. How many tests would life keep throwing at her? How many times would she be forced to break, and then gather the pieces again?
As she was crying, Zayn stirred in his sleep, as if sensing her pain, and she quickly stilled her breath. He shifted closer, wrapping his small arms around her neck, as though comforting her in ways only he could. Her heart ached at the instinctive love in his gesture. She pressed a soft kiss onto his hair and hugged him tightly, wiping away her tears.
She wiped her tears, steadying herself. Now, she could only think about him. For Zayn, there was no room for shame, no room for pain, no room for exhaustion. Only survival. She promised herself she would give him a better future, and she couldn't back away now. This was her challenge, and she had to face it head-on. Pride could wait; if it ever came down to choosing between her pride and Zayn, she would choose him every single time. He was her everything.
Taking a deep breath, she gently tucked him under the blanket. Even in sleep, his small hand clung to the hem of her top, as though afraid she might disappear. The sight made her smile faintly through the heaviness in her chest.
She reached for her phone, only to be met with a flood of missed calls, messages, and emails. Among them was one that made her heart pound, an email from NovaCore Enterprises.
"Dear Candidate,We are happy to inform you that you have been selected for the role of Marketing Assistant. We were truly impressed by your performance. Please find attached your joining letter and complete the onboarding process at the earliest.Regards,HR DepartmentNovacore Enterprises"
Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the attachment. The salary details and the amount of perks offered made her blink in disbelief. It was higher than what the HR team had initially discussed. Far more.
Why? she thought, her chest tightening. Was this… his doing? If it was, then why would he?
Questions circled endlessly in her mind, but for a moment, she allowed herself to be lured by the offer. The pay, the benefits, the stability, it was everything she had been waiting for. Everything Zayn needed. Rejecting it wasn't even an option.
Her eyes softened as they fell on her son again. He was the reason she would walk through fire if she had to. She inhaled deeply and whispered to herself,
I'll take this chance. I'll face it. For Zayn.
Later that night, she messaged Nora, thanking her sincerely for connecting her to this opportunity. She also told her about the job offer and the surprising salary package. Nora's response was pure joy, showering her with congratulations.
But Sara kept one truth unspoken. She didn't mention Kairo's name. Not yet. Until she knew what game fate was playing, she wasn't ready to open that wound, even to her closest friend.
Next day
Morning sunlight spilled through the thin curtains of Sara's apartment, but she was already awake. She hadn't slept much. Anxiety and determination had fought through the night, leaving her with restless eyes and a pounding heart.
Zayn was sitting at the table with his little legs dangling as she tied his shoelaces."Are you going to work today, Mumma?" he asked in his baby-soft voice.
"Yes, my love," she smiled, brushing his hair gently. "Mumma's going to a new office today. And guess what? You'll be coming with me and close to me every day. I can come see you whenever I want."
His green pupils widened. "eeally? You won't leave me far away anymore?"
Her chest ached at his hopeful tone. "No, sweetheart. Not anymore," she kissed his nose.
He grinned, hugging her neck tightly, and whispered, "l lob you, Mumma. I don't like when Mumma cries."
Sara blinked hard to keep her eyes from misting over. She kissed his cheek and held him longer than usual before finally letting him go.
She carefully packed everything Zayn might need, his snacks, diapers, extra clothes, and his milk bottle. She didn't know what the daycare at the office would be like, so she wanted to be prepared. Gently, she bundled him up in a big baby jacket, tucking him in snugly. His tiny face disappeared beneath the hood, shielded not only from the biting cold outside but also from curious, unwanted eyes.
By late morning, Sara stood at the gates of Novacore Enterprises. The building loomed tall, glass and steel gleaming beneath the sun, exuding power and intimidation. Her palms were sweaty, but she forced her chin up. She wasn't here for herself; she was here for Zayn.
The little boy nodded, his tiny hands clutching hers before leaning forward to kiss her cheek. That small, innocent gesture melted all her tension away, drawing a soft smile to her lips. She kissed him back, lingering just a second longer, before finally turning to leave.
Inside, the HR team guided her through the induction process. Paperwork, ID card, introductions, all blurred together as she rehearsed silently,
Just focus on work. Don't think of him. Don't remember the past.
But fate had other plans.
At noon, she was led to the director's floor. The space was quiet, almost suffocating, with its plush carpets and heavy silence. The secretary smiled at her politely."The director will see you in a moment, Miss Sara."
Her pulse quickened. She kept her gaze on her hands, unwilling to let her mind wander. But when the door opened, she felt it, an invisible pull, a presence she once knew too well.
She stepped inside.
There he was.
Kairo sat behind the polished desk, his aura sharp, controlled, and unreadable. He wasn't looking like the fuck boy she knew 3 years ago. Confidence rolled off him in waves, but his eyes, the same piercing green that once burned into her soul, betrayed a flicker of something darker when they met hers.
For a moment, the room fell away. It was just him, just her, and years of unshed words.
Sara's throat went dry. She wanted to turn, to walk out again, to refuse fate's cruel joke, but Zayn's face flashed in her mind. Her baby's innocent eyes, his voice saying
I lob you, Mumma. I don't like when Mumma cries. That reminder held her in place.
"Miss Sara," Kairo's voice was calm, too calm, carrying an edge she couldn't place.
"Welcome to Novacore."
Her spine straightened. She forced a neutral smile, her voice steadier than she felt."Thank you, Sir."
But inside, her heart pounded. This wasn't just a job anymore. This was walking straight into the storm she had once barely survived.