"Please don't go," Willow said in desperation, her voice cracking slightly as she gripped Alder's waist from behind, her slender arms trembling with a quiet urgency.
Alder's body stiffened beneath her touch. He stood there for a moment, tension radiating from his broad shoulders. Then, in a voice that was low, steady, and final, he spoke:
"If this relationship isn't ending in marriage, then I don't want it."
He gently pried her arms from around him, his fingers brushing against her skin with an almost sorrowful tenderness. Not once did he turn around. He walked to the door, his tall frame moving away from her like a fading dream. His hand lingered on the doorknob for a brief second.
"When you're ready to build a family with me, I will always be ready... waiting for you."
And then he left, the door closing softly behind him, though it felt like a thunderclap to Willow's heart.
She stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. Her gaze stayed locked on the now-empty doorway, eyes wide with a silent, hollow sadness.
Due to her childhood trauma, tears rarely came to her anymore. Even now, as her heart cracked open, her eyes remained dry.
She hugged her own arms around her body. She wanted to build a family with him. She wanted it more than anything. But how?
How would she ever tell him she had less than two months to live?
Wouldn't it be cruel to promise a future she could never give him?
Isn't it better not to promise… than make an empty promises?
A shuddering breath escaped her lips. Her voice was a broken whisper to the empty room:
"I'm sorry, Alder."
For several long minutes, Willow didn't move. Part of her hoped — foolishly — that the door might open again. That maybe... just maybe... he would come back.
But the seconds dragged on. The silence thickened.
He wasn't coming back.
A sharp pain curled through her stomach like a twisting blade, dragging her out of her daze. Her body bent slightly with the ache. Gritting her teeth, she moved slowly to the dining table, her steps unsteady, and picked up her medication with trembling fingers.
She swallowed the pill without water, the bitter taste burning her throat. She sat down heavily in the nearest chair, resting her arms on the table. Her breath was shallow.
The drug would numb the pain — but it couldn't prolong her life. It's can't stop her death from coming to her.
A soft chime from her phone broke the silence. A message from Cloud Shoes and Bag Company blinked on her screen. She had received it yesterday. She needed to attend today.
Business could not wait.
Forcing herself upright, Willow moved toward her room to get dressed.
She chose her armor carefully. An army green palazzo pant that flowed elegantly with every step, paired with a vibrant lemon green fitted shirt that added a pop of life to her weary body. A black scarf tied casually around her neck lent a touch of sophistication, while her black heels clicked crisply against the floor. Her sleek black bag completed the ensemble.
In the mirror, she looked poised and stunning — no one would guess that she was standing on the edge of death.
---
The eyes in the company followed her the moment she stepped in.
Her heels echoed confidently through the reception area, her chin held high. She was an enigma today — graceful and unreadable.
No one could tell she was on her deathbed.
When she reached the designing team section, Elizabeth spotted her first and rushed toward her.
"Miss Willow!" she exclaimed, hugging her tightly.
Willow smiled, but her lips barely curved. The smile didn't touch her eyes.
"Welcome back, Miss Willow," Elizabeth beamed, her pure-hearted joy shining through.
A sneering voice broke the moment.
"Look who's back," Clara said, her tone thick with mockery. "The abductor." She chuckled.
"Actually, she is also an adulteress who eloped with someone else's man," Wren added, both women bursting into cruel laughter.
Willow's gaze flicked to them, cool and detached. Her expression was unreadable, calm as still water. She wouldn't stoop to their level.
Elizabeth turned, glaring at the pair. "Don't mind them, Miss Willow. I believe in you," she said with quiet conviction, her bright smile lighting her face like a girl meeting her idol.
Willow gave her a soft smile in return. Elizabeth's faith was touching, though Willow no longer placed hope in loyalty.
"Where's Jasmine?" Willow asked politely.
Elizabeth hesitated, her smile fading. Wren and Clara snorted.
Jasmine had just returned from the restroom and froze when she heard Willow's voice. She remained still at the corner, guilt written plainly across her face.
"Even your so-called friend turned against you when she heard you are nothing but an abductor," Clara mocked, laughter trailing after her words.
"Actually, she's now a mistress who stole people's men on their wedding," Wren added with another burst of laughter.
Elizabeth snapped, "Can you stop repeating one thing like a broken radio?" Her annoyance was clear.
Willow gave her a faint, distant smile — her signature mask. She turned to leave for the meeting, only to hear Wren's voice rise again.
"Now we all know the reason why you are able to get to the top so fast and become the top designer here at Cloud. Isn't it because of Mr. Alder?"
"Exactly! If not for being his mistress, would you ever be able to be the top designer at such a young age?" Clara chimed in.
"Actually, you should be ashamed to ruin a relationship of two years just for your selfish gain," Clara spat.
Elizabeth's voice rang out again. "Can you both just shut up!" she shouted, her face flushed with anger. Even if they are senior at work,she could take anyone insulting her Miss Willow.
For the first time, Willow laughed — a loud, rich sound that echoed through the room like breaking glass. The unexpected laughter froze everyone, even Clara and Wren, whose smug faces faltered.
"Relationship of two years?" Willow asked, turning to face them fully. Her laughter faded into a smile — one that held no warmth.
"I have known Alder for eight years now. Can your Miss Flora ever compare to this?"
A shocked silence fell over the room. Even Reed, who had been watching quietly with Alder nearby, was surprised.
For the first time in 4 years, Willow had publicly acknowledged her relationship with Alder — and for eight years.
Yet Clara, stubborn as ever, refused to back down.
"Even if he had known you for years, he still won't marry you. You still lose to Miss Flora, and you can only be a mistress while she will be the wife," Clara said.
Alder prepared to step forward, ready to defend her — but Willow's next words stopped him in his tracks.
"Some relationships don't necessarily need a happy ending. What matters is the time spent together," Willow said softly, turning away and walking toward the meeting room.
As she passed, she caught sight of Jasmine standing in the corner, her face shadowed with guilt.
Willow didn't care. Jasmine's loyalty — or lack of it — meant nothing now. She had no time left for false friends.
Jasmine watched Willow walk out of sight, guilt weighing heavy on her heart.
---
Cloud Boardroom
Willow entered, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her face was calm, her body poised — but each step felt as though she were walking through fire.
The shareholders' eyes turned to her, some polite, others sharp with suspicion.
She took her seat, her back straight, hands folded lightly on the table.
Reed entered next, followed by a familiar silhouette behind him.
Alder Smith.
Willow allowed herself one brief glance before looking away.
Isn't it better to just give up when there's really no hope anywhere?
Reed gave her a small nod of encouragement before taking his seat at the head of the table.
Alder chose to sit directly opposite Willow. He didn't look at her — as though she didn't exist.
Bryce, husband of Reed's sister Ocean, cleared his throat to begin the meeting.
"Miss Willow," he said formally, "thank you for coming today despite the... recent situation. We would like to understand the nature of the incident involving Mr. Alder. As a company associated with you, clarity is essential for our reputation."
Willow exhaled quietly, her voice composed.
Mr. Hartley followed. "We're not here to assume guilt. However, your name has been circulating online, and questions are being raised about the company's relationship with you."
Willow sat gracefully. "I understand completely. First, let me clarify: I did not kidnap Alder. The situation was personal and consensual. We were together of our own will, away from the public eye. No crimes were committed."
It was a lie — but one that honored Alder's public words.
Mrs. Terrence pressed further. "And yet, the media paints a different picture. You vanished for days with one of our board members, and that has brought scandal to this company."
"That's a personal matter," Willow replied calmly. "And it has nothing to do with my contributions to Cloud Shoes. My designs, my ideas, and my results speak louder than any gossip headline."
A man scoffed. "Nepotism. If not for Mr. Reed and Mr. Alder, would you even be in this room?"
Before Willow could respond, Alder's voice cut through the room.
"She's in this room because she earned it," Alder said coldly. "Her designs drove a 12% increase in quarterly sales—an achievement any company would fight for. She also brought Cloud Shoes into international fashion columns for the first time in years. You want to talk business? Then speak in facts, not in petty rumors."
Reed added smoothly, "We are a company that values innovation. Willow brings that. Her personal life—especially when nothing illegal occurred—is not our concern here. The question is: do we want to keep the talent or let the media dictate our boardroom decisions?"
A thoughtful silence followed.
Ocean cleared her throat. "Since it has been settled and Miss Willow and Mr. Alder have both spoken, we shouldn't continue interrogating. Let's focus on peace and profit."
"I second what Mrs. Ashwood said," Bryce agreed.
Ocean Cloud became Ocean Ashwood since the time she married Bryce Ashwood
Bryce really love calling her that even though others still refer her as Miss Cloud
Everyone nodded — after all, their profit mattered most.
"Miss Willow, let's see after the meeting," Reed said.
Willow rose, leaving the room with quiet grace. Before stepping out, she spared one glance toward Alder — but he continued to treat her as though she didn't exist.
---
Willow returned to the designing section to wait for Reed.
She spotted Clara and Wren hovering near the boardroom door, whispering to each other.
"Can this two just let me be?" Willow thought coolly.
As soon as they saw her, Wren snorted loudly.