Mrs Hayes, The Baby Is Mine!

The room was cold, not from the temperature but from the silence that stretched between them. Yura sat at the edge of the chair in the lawyer's office, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She refused to meet his gaze. Across from her, Yichen, the man she once thought she'd spend forever with, sat with his arms crossed, his jaw tight. The air between them was suffocating, heavy with words left unspoken.

"It's done," the lawyer announced, sliding a stack of papers toward them. "Once both parties sign, the divorce will be finalized."

Yura's hand trembled as she reached for the pen. Her heart screamed at her to stop, to fight for the love they once had, but her mind knew better. Six months of endless arguments, cold shoulders, and broken promises had stripped her of the hope she once carried.

Yichen broke the silence first, his voice a sharp edge. "This is what you wanted, isn't it?"

She finally met his eyes, a mixture of anger and pain reflecting in their depths. "What I wanted?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "All I ever wanted was for you to love me."

Yichen flinched but quickly masked it with a scoff. "Love? You think running away and filing for divorce is love?"

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I ran because I couldn't survive in a marriage where I was invisible, Yichen. You hated me at the end, and I-" Her voice broke, and she shook her head. "I couldn't stay."

He didn't respond, just leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. Yura signed the papers with a shaky hand and pushed them across the table, feeling as if she'd signed away a part of her soul. When Yichen signed his name without hesitation, the finality hit her like a wave.

The lawyer collected the documents, but their conversation barely registered in Yura's mind. Yichen stood abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. Without a word, he left the room, leaving Yura alone with her shattered heart.

Six Years Later

The rhythmic hum of the airplane's engines was both soothing and nerve-wracking. Yura stared out the window, her reflection faintly visible against the clouds outside. Beside her, her five-year-old son, Yu'an, was fast asleep, his small hand clutching hers even in his dreams.

She brushed a strand of hair from his face and smiled softly. Yu'an was her entire world-a bright, curious boy with a mischievous grin and dark eyes that mirrored someone she tried hard to forget. But no matter how much she had run, traces of Yichen lingered in their son.

As the plane began its descent, Yura's stomach churned. She had avoided returning to country C for years, but her promotion demanded it. The company's new branch needed her expertise, and she couldn't let her past dictate her future.

"Mommy, are we there yet?" Yu'an's sleepy voice broke through her thoughts.

"Almost," she said, kissing his forehead. "We're going to start a new adventure, okay?"

Yu'an nodded, his excitement returning. "I hope it's fun! Country S was boring.."

"...."

Yura smiled, hiding her nerves. Fun was the last thing on her mind. She had prepared for every scenario, every potential bump in the road-except one.

She hadn't expected to walk into her new workplace on the first day and find Yichen standing there, his commanding presence filling the room.

His sharp suit and piercing gaze hadn't changed, but the way his eyes locked onto hers-full of recognition and something darker-sent a shiver down her spine.

"Welcome to Hayes Corporation," he said, his voice as smooth and cutting as she remembered.

And just like that, the past she thought she'd left behind came crashing into her.

Earlier On

Yura stepped into the building, feeling a knot tighten in her stomach. The Hayes Corporation headquarters loomed above her, glass and steel reflecting the bright sunlight. She couldn't help but notice how the building looked seemingly normal, but every inch of it was a reminder of the power Yichen had built.

She walked up to the receptionist desk, trying to ignore the unease creeping up her spine.

"Good morning, Ms. Yang. Welcome to Hayes Corporation," the receptionist said with a warm smile. "I trust your flight was comfortable."

Yura nodded, forcing a smile in return. "Yes, thank you. It was fine."

The receptionist glanced at her screen, then looked back up. "Before you get started, all the general managers meet with Mr. Hayes first. He's expecting you, so if you'll follow me, I'll take you right up."

Yura's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Yichen's name. Of course she would have to meet him first. She had known this day would come, but now that it was here, her nerves were getting the best of her. She nodded and followed the receptionist to the elevator, trying to keep her composure.

As the elevator doors closed, Yura leaned back against the wall, trying to calm her racing thoughts. It's just a meeting. Nothing more. She repeated this to herself, but the words did little to settle her nerves.

The elevator stopped, and the doors opened to a sleek, modern floor. The receptionist gestured toward a pair of glass doors at the far end of the hallway.

"Mr. Hayes' office is just through there. He's expecting you."

Yura nodded and walked toward the doors. Her steps felt heavier with each one, but she pushed them aside. She had a job to do, and no matter what, she couldn't afford to be distracted by memories of the past.

She paused just outside the door and took a deep breath, readying herself. The door swung open, and she stepped inside.

Standing near the window was a man she never thought she would see again. Yichen.

His back was to her, but it didn't take long for him to sense her presence. He turned around, his sharp eyes locking onto hers, and for a moment, neither of them said anything.

Yura felt like the years melted away in that single moment. He looked the same-still commanding, still that same presence that once made her heart skip. The suit he wore was impeccable, the dark hair as neatly styled as she remembered. And yet, seeing him again felt like a shock to her system.

"Yura," he said, breaking the silence, his voice as smooth and calm as ever. "Welcome to Hayes Corporation."

The words, simple and straightforward, landed on her like ice water. She hadn't expected him to sound so casual. It almost felt like nothing had changed. But everything had.

She forced herself to smile and stepped forward, extending her hand. "Thank you, Mr. Hayes. I'm looking forward to working with you.