The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

The secretary who used to work for Philip met me with a defiant look as I approached her in the lobby. Back then, I thought Philip had betrayed me and disrespected our marriage. Now I realize this woman dealt a huge blow to my self-worth.

However, where was Philip when the secretary was having sex with his uncle or whoever it was? And why did she choose my ex-husband's office for their sordid affair? Why was I so foolish to allow these people to oppress me? What was her name again?

"What do you need from me?" I asked, masking my emotions.

She raised an eyebrow, poised for confrontation. "Can I talk to you?"

"What is this about?" I asked, looking innocent like a lost little girl facing the big bad wolf.

"It's about Boss Philip."

"The truth is I'm busy, but I'll give you five minutes if it's brief," I said.

She stared at me intently, likely scrutinizing my reactions. I knew she suspected I would soon be working at Luminary Productions, and I didn't want her interference. It was best to sever any lingering ties with her.

I invited the woman to LM Garden, the very place where I discovered her affair with Philip's uncle-the true father of her unborn child. I made her sit on the bench while I stood before her, a deliberate stance of authority. "Tell me what you want," I demanded, my voice cold and unyielding.

"I need financial support," she replied.

"And why is that?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"I-I'm pregnant," she stuttered, her gaze dropping to her round belly.

"I can see that," I said dryly. Her condition was obvious to anyone with eyes.

"You must help me," she insisted.

Feigning surprised, I raised an eyebrow. "Miss, as far as I know, I'm also a woman. Do I look like the one who got you pregnant?"

Her anger flared, and she stood abruptly. "You know what I mean. Boss Philip refuses to talk to me, and I need financial support for our child!"

I maintained my composure, though her audacity was beyond belief. If I had heard this before, it might have pierced my heart and left me reeling.

"You must be aware that Philip and I are divorced. Why are you approaching me?" I asked.

"Because you must help me! Surely, you received alimony!"

I had received no alimony, no financial support, no compensation for the heartbreak that Philip had caused. What I had wanted was freedom from our bond, to mourn the loss of my baby without his shadow looming over me. I closed my eyes tightly, remembering my child. The pain lingered like a dager in my heart. I truly hadn't moved on yet.

The woman probably misinterpreted my silence, thinking I was affected by her affair with Philip.

"I've met entitled people in my life, but I must say, you are the worst," I said, looking at her with venom.

Her eyes widened in shock. "You-!"

"Whether I received alimony from Philip or not, why would I help you?" I asked, confusion evident on my face. She was making no sense, almost as if she wanted to bewilder me. "Because your husband impregnated me!" she snarled.

"I did not!" a voice interjected.

I was startled to see Philip entering the garden area. The secretary stepped back, eyes widening as she saw Philip flanked by five security guards.

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"B-boss..."

"Get that woman!" Philip ordered. Two guards restrained the pregnant woman by her arms while the others remained alert. "Send her to jail for trying to extort money from Sarah!"

The former secretary panicked. "Ms. Mitchell, believe me. Boss Philip and I had a relationship! You saw it! You saw it that day!"

I forced myself to remain emotionless, knowing I needed to stay calm for my mental well-being.

Philip darkened his gaze at the woman. His eyes seemed almost red with anger after her words. Growling, he asked, "What do you mean Sarah saw something? What evidence?"

"I made sure she saw what we left at your office. You saw it!" the woman insisted.

It's pointless to revisit the past, whether true or not. The undeniable truth remains: Philip and I are destined to part ways because he doesn't love me.

"You're stupid!" I told the woman firmly. "Don't you realize this is precisely what Philip's uncle intended? He desired for you to be trapped in this situation. You fell for his manipulation, didn't you?"

The woman's expression shifted, clearly caught off guard by my insight into her connection with Philip's uncle.

"Tell me. Who ordered you to ruin my relationship with Philip? Who gave you those orders?"

"No one!" she replied. "Boss Philip and I have a relationship! Believe me!" Fear flickered in her eyes.

"I'll offer you a hundred thousand. Is that enough? I want to know the truth!" I said.

Her eyes flickered at the mention of money, clearly tempted.

"What about three hundred thousand?" I proposed. "All I require is a name."

"It's Madam Cornell!" she blurted out, visibly trembling. "S-she's the one!"

Philip's demeanor stiffened at the revelation.

"S-she spotted me with the president's uncle in a hotel lobby before you visited the office. She instructed me to fabricate a relationship with Boss Philip to sow discord. Because I was with Boss's political rival, she knew I was a spy within Boss Philip's team. She threatened me, forcing me to comply.

"With the president engrossed in his own matters that day, I saw an opportunity. Now, I seek only the money! I won't bother you again, but I need it! I don't want to involve your family anymore!" the secretary explained. "Give her the money," I instructed Philip, leaving him speechless.

***

Philip

I looked for Sarah because it was almost time for our meeting, but Jane informed me that my ex-wife had a visitor. Curiosity piqued, I went to see who the visitor was. It turned out to be my pregnant former secretary. The anger that had consumed me dissolved at the sound of Sarah's final words. My mouth fell open, rendered nearly speechless by the nonsensical nature of her explanation.

"Why should I be the one footing the bill for $300,000? Weren't you the one who promised her payment?"

"Firstly, you know I won't pay her the money! Secondly, she was your secretary. Thirdly, Madam Cornell is your mother! And lastly, dealing with this whole situation is your doing!" Sarah retorted. Why am I being blamed for this?

This woman! Her logic seemed to defy all reason. I never imagined being stripped of a $300, 000 lighter simply by walking into this garden.

Defeated, I reached for my phone and dialed Alex, instructing him to settle the secretary's payment and pursue legal action to ensure she never troubled Sarah again.

Sighing, I whispered to Sarah, "I'm sorry," drawing closer to touch her cheek gently. "I'm sorry for my mother's scheme."

I closed my eyes tightly, realizing I must finally face my mother, whom I've been trying to avoid for days.