The Vows of Vengeance

The atmosphere in the main conference room at Vale Group was ice cold, Every executive was seated the air was filled with tension, no one dared speak Just silent murmuring. 

 Gregory Alden founder of Alden Dynamics and father to both Lara and Maya sat at the head table , he looked furious as one hand tapped rhythmically against the glass table the other clenched tight over a gold pen.

The room stayed still silent, Lara sat a few seats away her face unreadable, her fingers tapping lightly on her tablet screen as though she wasn't aware of the chaos building around her but her eyes kept flicking to the entrance.

Maya on the other hand looked nervous she kept glancing at her phone like she expected it to ring at any moment her father's rage clearly making her uncomfortable.

Finally Gregory spoke, his voice was low but sharp enough .

"He's late to a board-level investor meeting? That's disrespect! one thing I do not tolerate in business or family"

The silence deepened, Lara didn't flinch

Maya leaned in gently "Dad he must be stuck in traffic or something I'm sure he'll be....."

"Silence" Gregory snapped without looking at her "He knew what time this was set for This was his idea remember? The joined leadership plan"

No one responded, the clock ticked and some were still whispering across the table, Suddenly outside the glass windows of the meeting room the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

A moment later the door swung open and

Ethan walked in breathing unevenly his suit was slightly rumpled and his hair windblown, he looked like a man who had sprinted halfway across the city.

"Apologies" he said smoothly taking his seat "I had an emergency"

Gregory turned slowly to face him eyes sharp.

"Emergency" he repeated "You want to elaborate or should we all just accept tardiness as the new leadership culture"

Ethan forced a tight smile "It won't happen again"

Gregory scoffed but said nothing more for the moment.

Lara glanced at him briefly then looked away her face carefully blank. He hadn't even looked at her since he stepped into the room.

Maya let out a breath of relief beside her father and gently placed a reassuring hand on his arm but Gregory didn't budge.

"Well then" he said leaning back "Let's get started shall we"

Ethan sat up straighter and adjusted his tablet but Lara could tell he wasn't fully present His jaw was tight his eyes flicking around like they were chasing ghosts.

She didn't need to ask what had kept him.

And judging by the guilt shadowing his face so did he.

Mr Alden flipped open the thick merger document on the table.

"Now that everyone's here let's proceed"

His voice was crisp no longer angry just cold.

One of the junior board members began projecting slides on the screen outlining the updated structure of the merged Vale Group and Alden Dynamics

"Effectively this quarter we'll be finalizing the asset alignment and project delegation between departments Both Mr Ethan Vale and Miss Lara Alden will retain executive control of their respective wings"

Ethan nodded barely reacting He didn't even look Lara's way but she felt it.

His eyes flicked to her for just a second like they were drawn their by instinct.

Lara didn't turn her head but her eyes caught his sideways their gaze locked for a moment. Then they both looked away at the same time like it hadn't happened.

Gregory continued talking but Ethan missed half of what was said his mind was still stuck on the way Lara had looked at him....unbothered unreadable and yet something behind those eyes, was it regret?Or temptation?

The second glance came when she was speaking.

Lara stood and addressed the room with effortless grace laying out the financial risks of the Errol Tech withdrawal

She gestured at the chart on the screen pointing out recovery strategies and board reactions.

Ethan looked up, his gaze followed her hand the way she moved the curve of her wrist, the curve of her waist....God she hadn't changed.

She glanced his way while talking and caught him staring again, He looked away instantly his jaw tight and his fingers drumming the table.

Maya noticed she leaned forward just slightly

"Ethan" she said softly just loud enough "You with us"

He cleared his throat "Yeah I'm listening Go on Lara"

Lara didn't miss the way Maya's hand brushed against his elbow under the table, didn't miss the way Maya smiled like she owned him. But when Lara sat down again she didn't look away this time, she let her leg cross over deliberately, slowed her gaze steady on the tablet but her mind elsewhere. Ethan's foot brushed hers under the table like it was an accident, Or maybe not.

She moved her leg back and their eyes met one last time this time longer.

His stare said he remembered every kiss every fight every whisper in the dark.

And hers said she remembered how it ended

But still neither of them looked away, not until Gregory slammed the folder shut.

"Meeting adjourned We reconvene in two weeks, I expect full departmental updates by then"

Everyone stood, Lara stood too her tablet clutched tight against her chest, she walked out first calmly, her head high and heels tapping across the floor.

Ethan watched her go as Maya reached for his hand under holding on to it like a warning, Like she knew what was going on.

They walked side by side down the hallway. Maya's heels clicked a little too loud, and Ethan kept his hands shoved deep in his pockets, quiet.

After a moment, she broke the silence. "You weren't really in that meeting, were you?"

Ethan looked at her, slow blink. "What are you talking about?"

"You were staring at her the whole time."

He frowned. "Who?"

"Lara. Don't play dumb Ethan," Maya snapped. "You kept looking at her like you forgot where you were."

Ethan shook his head. "You're reading too much into it."

Maya scoffed. "Am I? Because I saw it. Everyone saw it. You kept checking her out like a lovesick fool."

Ethan exhaled sharply. "So what if I glanced at her during a meeting? What do you want me to say?"

She stepped closer, voice low. "What do you want, Ethan? Two sisters now? Planning to get both of us pregnant?"

He turned toward her, tired. "Enough, Maya."

But she didn't back down. "Where were you last night? You didn't come home."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Since when do you care where I sleep? You never ask."

"Well, I'm asking now," she said, voice rising. "I'm your wife and I'm carrying your child."

Ethan looked at her like he didn't recognize her. "Now you remember you're my wife? You sure forgot that after the wedding."

Maya's face darkened. "Don't twist this. You're the one who can't stop staring at your ex like you want her back."

Ethan stepped away, voice low. "This conversation's done."

But Maya wasn't done.

She crossed her arms, eyes burning. "If you think you can have both of us, you're wrong. I'm not Lara and I can never be her"!!

Ethan said nothing, he just walked off, leaving her standing there, furious.