He didn’t deserve me
Dora’s pov
I froze, my breath caught in my throat as my eyes landed on him. Austin. How was this possible? My heart pounded as I took in his familiar features, the sharp jawline, the way his crisp white shirt hugged his lean frame, his rolled-up sleeves revealing those strong, toned forearms. He had ditched his coat, probably in a hurry, and even in a room full of over a hundred employees, he stood out effortlessly. He still had the same charm. Applause erupted around me, snapping me back to reality. I panicked. Before he could turn in my direction, I quickly ducked behind Douglas, praying he wouldn't notice me.
“Good afternoon, team.” His deep voice filled the conference room, sending a shiver down my spine. “You can call me Austin. I don’t believe in formalities. I believe in hard work and sincerity, and I expect nothing less than your 100%. With a major client acquisition on the way, I want no excuses and no failures.”
Murmurs of agreement filled the room, some nodding, others mumbling a quiet “yes.” But I wasn’t paying attention. My hands were clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. Austin’s gaze swept across the room, pausing slightly at the back. For a moment, I thought he had seen me. But then he continued.
“Once the client visit is over, I will personally review your performances from the past six months. Those who perform well will get bigger opportunities. Those who don’t…” He let the sentence hang, his silence more terrifying than words.
My stomach twisted. Austin glanced around once more, his eyes lingering briefly on a couple sitting at the back, too close to where I was hiding. He looked like he recognized them. I held my breath.
“Well, good luck,” he finally said. “And good day to you all.”
And just like that, he walked out. But I could tell. He was thinking. Something about those two people at the back of the room had caught his attention. Had he noticed me? Minutes later, I sat in the cafeteria with Sienna and Douglas. My fingers toyed with my coffee cup, my mind a storm of confusion.
"Didn't you say he was struggling? That his restaurant was failing?" Sienna asked, her voice sharp with disbelief. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yes. He started the restaurant with his best friend, but it was losing money. I helped him financially many times."
"Then how the hell did he land a management job in just two years?" Sienna scoffed.
I didn’t have an answer. Douglas, who had been quiet this whole time, finally spoke. "When was the last time you talked to him?"
I swallowed hard. The memory still stung. "The day he handed me the divorce papers. After that, I never saw him again."
Douglas’s expression darkened. "You know, I think the reason you couldn’t find him all this time is that he wasn’t even here."
I frowned. "What do you mean?"
"He left the country," Douglas said. "Didn't you hear? The new AVP moved here from the U.S. branch. Dora… Austin was never in the city after your divorce. He had already planned to leave."
I stared at him, my mind reeling. All this time, I had been desperate for answers. Wondering why he left, why he never reached out. And now, here he was. Back. In my office. As my boss. Fate was playing a cruel joke on me.
"Dora, I might not fully understand the pain you went through, and it’s your life to live. But don’t you think it’s time to move on?" Douglas’s voice was gentle but firm as he reached for my hand. "How long will you let him have this power over you?"
I clenched my fists, my heart twisting at his words. "I love him, Douglas. I just... I can’t stop loving him. I wish I could. I wish there was a button to erase him from my heart." My voice cracked as the tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. Douglas gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. "You don’t have to stop loving him, Dora. But you need to love yourself more."
Sienna, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up, her eyes blazing with frustration. "When Allen cheated on me, do you remember what you told me?"
I swallowed hard, avoiding her gaze, but she didn’t wait for my answer.
"You said he didn’t deserve me. That God removed him from my life because I deserved better. You told me I didn’t need anyone’s approval to be enough. Where is that Dora now? Where’s the girl who wouldn’t let a man define her worth?"
I looked away, feeling the weight of her words settle deep in my chest.
"You changed after you married Austin. He broke you. But you promised you’d live for yourself now, remember?"
I gave a small nod, and Sienna smirked. "Good. Now it’s time to bring that badass bitch back and let that asshole burn in hell."
Douglas sighed dramatically. "What will I do with your language, Sienna? I swear, I don’t want our future kids inheriting your personality."
Sienna rolled her eyes. "Children, my ass. First, you need to sleep with me. And even if you get over your conservative nonsense, I am not birthing your child until you marry me. And to marry me, you better propose with a princess-cut diamond ring, nothing less."
Douglas groaned. "I give up."
Watching them bicker, I couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe they were right. Maybe it was time.
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