Chapter 38

~ Octavia ~

My desk phone rang, cutting through the hum of the office. "Hello?"

"Miss Herman? This is Steph at the front desk. You have a parcel waiting for you."

"I’m on my way," I said, heading for the lobby.

The parcel was small—a single, perfect red rose and a handwritten note.

I opened it and read the elegant script: "You kept me up all night because you were in my dreams again."

A smile tugged at my lips.

I called Clinton immediately, and he picked up on the first ring.

"You didn’t have to do this," I said, leaning against a marble pillar in the lobby.

"I had to," he replied, his voice a warm caress.

"Just so you have something to remember me by today."

I smiled, but then a realization hit me. I hadn’t given him my office address.

"Not to be rude, Clinton, but how did you get my office address?"

There was a pregnant pause.

"I think you mentioned it in one of our conversations," he said finally.

"I remember our conversations vividly, Clinton. I definitely didn’t tell you where I worked."

Another pause followed.

"Are you there?" I asked.

"Yeah, I’m here," he sighed.

"Okay, you caught me. I didn’t want to say anything, but I have to come clean."

"Come clean how?"

"I... cyber-stalked you a little. I checked your Instagram and saw the pictures you took in front of your building, so I traced the address. I should have just asked you directly, but I wanted the rose to be a surprise. I just wanted to make you happy."

I went quiet. Stalked. The word sent a cold shiver down my spine, reminding me too much of the shadows I had tried to outrun.

"Almost like..." I trailed off.

"Almost like what?" he asked.

"Nothing. Never mind. Thank you for the gift, but next time, just ask me. I prefer honesty over investigation."

"My bad. I’m sorry, Octavia."

"It’s fine," I said, shaking off the unease.

We talked for a few more minutes—he asked for lunch, but I had a board meeting I couldn’t skip.

We settled on a raincheck, and he promised to call me tonight.

When I returned to my desk, Tina, one of my nosier colleagues, was already hovering. She eyed the rose and the note with hungry curiosity.

"From Mr. Flemington?" she chirped.

"Yeah," I lied. The lie felt like ash in my mouth.

I wanted Franklin to announce the divorce to the whole world, but until he did, I was trapped in this web of "perfect marriage" pretenses.

"Funny thing, Octavia,"

Tina continued, her eyes dropping to my hand. "I don’t see your rings anymore."

"My rings?" I feigned confusion.

"She means your wedding band and that massive rock," a sharp voice interrupted.

I looked up to see Bella approaching, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face.

She was practically glowing, likely because she knew she finally had Franklin all to herself. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Yeah," Tina nodded.

"Where are they?"

"It’s none of your business where my jewelry is, Bella," I said coldly.

"Of course it’s our business," Bella countered, her voice loud enough to draw a crowd.

"Mr. Flemington is a partner of this company. We have a right to know if there’s trouble in paradise."

I didn’t answer. I turned back to my monitor, but Bella wasn’t finished.

"Seems like you’re hiding something, Octavia. Did something happen? Or did you finally extort enough money that you decided to leave him dry?"

The room went silent. Every head turned. The judgment in their eyes was the final straw.

"Shut up, Bella! You don’t know a damn thing!" I snapped, standing up so abruptly my chair skidded back.

"I don’t?" she gasped dramatically. "Then tell us. We’re all ears."

"Whatever is going on between me and Franklin Flemington is nobody’s business! I don’t know a single detail about your personal lives, so stop being nosy and mind your own goddamn business!"

The outburst stunned them.

I was usually the quiet one, the one who took the hits. I didn’t wait for a reaction; I scurried off to the restroom, my heart pounding against my ribs.

I stared at myself in the mirror, splashing cold water on my face. Was it a crime to marry a famous man? Was I destined to be a target forever?

The door swung open. Bella walked in, her eyes narrowed like a predator.

"I am not in the mood for you, Bella. Leave me alone." I tried to push past her, but she shoved me back against the wall.

I groaned as my shoulder hit the tile.

"What the hell, Bella!"

"Listen to me, you little martyr," she hissed, leaning into my personal space.

"Whatever game you’re playing to get Franklin’s attention by leaving, stop it."

"I’m not playing a game! I filed for divorce. I’m the one who wants out!"

"You left the estate and now he’s distracted," she spat.

"He’s not focused."

I scoffed. "Well, that sounds like your problem, doesn’t it? He belongs to you anyway." I stepped closer, lowering my voice. "If you see your ’beloved’ Franklin, tell him I’m still waiting for him to sign the papers. He shouldn’t test my patience."

I brushed past her and walked out, leaving her fuming in the silence of the restroom.

Back at my desk, my boss, Miranda Lawson, emerged from her office.

"Miss Herman? A word in my office, please."

I sighed, expecting a lecture about the shouting match. Instead, she looked at me with a soft expression.

"You have a visitor waiting in the conference room."

"A visitor? Is it Franklin?"

"Mr. Flemington’s grandfather," she clarified. "The Chairman is waiting for you."

I walked to the conference room, my confusion mounting. What could Frederick want? When I entered, he stood up, looking healthier than he had in months.

"Frederick... good morning," I greeted him. We shared a warm hug and the customary kiss on the cheek.

"Good morning, Octavia. How have you been?"

"I’ve been... okay. Seeing you without your glasses, I assume the surgery in Hong Kong was a success?"

"It was, thank you," he smiled, then his expression turned serious.

"Sit, please."

I sat across from him.

"Why did you come all the way here, Frederick?"

"I heard you left the estate. That the two years are up."

"They are. And so is the contract," I said firmly.

"My dear, you know I love you like my own granddaughter."

"I know, and I love you too."

"Then give him a second chance," he pleaded. "Before you sign anything, just... try again."

"I can’t. Franklin treated me horribly. He made me feel like I was nothing."

"But you are something. You are exactly what he needs. He just doesn’t see it yet because he’s blinded by that... woman. Bella Washington."

I blinked.

"You know about her?"

"Of course. Franklin introduced us once. She has no manners and the soul of a gold digger. I’ve told him to leave her, but he’s stubborn."

"If he’s so adamant about staying with her, why do you want me to stay with him?"

"Because I believe, in time, he will fall for you," Frederick said, his eyes full of hope. "I’m asking you to come to the estate for dinner tonight. One last meal with the family."

"Frederick, I can’t..."

"Please, Octavia. If not for him, then for me. For old times’ sake."

I looked at the old man, seeing the genuine affection in his eyes.

I couldn’t say no to him. Not today.

"I’ll think about it," I whispered.

"Please do. I’ll be waiting."

As he left, I sank back into my chair.

One dinner. Just one meal to say a proper goodbye to the only Flemington who had ever been kind to me. I made up my mind. I would go.