Chapter 46

"Are you serious? Where did you even hear that?" Liam and Janiya stared at Tricia, both visibly stunned.

Tricia offered a sly smile. "Just some whispers floating around. But think about it-every time Jeremy shows up at a banquet lately, Zoe's there too. It has to mean something."

Liam frowned, mentally retracing recent events.Jeremy had been unusually quick to defend Kayla on several occasions. If it was because of Zoe, then it all made sense. It wasn't about any romantic entanglements.

Janiya, on the other hand, gripped his hand tightly,her voice urgent. "Liam, you can't divorce Kayla now."

Tricia's smile faltered, but she held her tongue.

Liam exhaled wearily. "Mom, I never wanted a divorce.Kayla's the only one I've ever loved. Do you know how much we've been through just to get here?"

Janiya threw a pointed glance at Tricia. "You should get back to work."

The message was clear. Tricia straightened her blouse,masking her hurt with a polite nod before quietly leaving the room. As the door clicked shut, Janiya leaned in, her tone low and serious. "I don't care how many women you've fooled around with in the past. This is different. If we want to secure the Perennia Group's future, you need to lock down Kayla's loyalty. She has ties to both Jeremy and Archie. That's leverage we can't afford to waste."

Liam's jaw tightened. "Mom, I've told you-I love her.Stop meddling. I'll handle it myself."

Janiya snorted. "You love her? Then what was Tricia,a phase? Spare me the talk about love-men throw that word around too easily. I've lived long enough not to be fooled."

Liam flushed,her blunt words hitting a nerve. "Enough,Mom. I'll take care of it. You should go home."

"If you don't get Kayla back, there won't be a company to save." WVith that, Janiya swept out of the office.

Left alone, Liam stared at a framed photoon his desk -he and Kayla during their university days, smiling,happy. How had it all unraveled so badly?

Just then, Tricia reentered. Seeing him fixated on the photo made her stomach twist. "Liam? What's wrong?"she asked gently.

He snapped out of it, his voice distant. "Nothing."

She moved toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, her voice soft and reassuring. "Whatever happens-divorce or not-I'll always be here for you."

His expression darkened. Memories of Kayla's accusations of betrayal during their arguments surfaced in his mind.

Abruptly, he pushed Tricia's hands away.

She blinked,stunned. "What's wrong?"

Liam stepped aside, waving her off. "Make a reservation. I'm taking Kayla to dinner tonight."

Tricia's heart sank, but she forced a smile. "Alright. I'll take care of it."

"Ah-choo!" Kayla sneezed, sitting at her desk as evening fell. She reached for a tissue, rubbing her nose and glancing out at the darkening sky.

It was nearly seven. Most of her colleagues had already left, but she wanted to stay a little longer to finish her work.

Her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a reminder from the hospital app-her prenatal checkup was coming up.

She stared at it, one hand instinctively brushing over her stomach. With everything going on, she'd nearly forgotten.

"Kayla? You're still here?" Archie passed by,noticina Checkup the light still on in her office.

Quickly locking her phone, she stood. "I just have a few things left to wrap up. I'll be heading out soon."

Archie walked in, offering a kind smile. "There'll be more work tomorrow. I don't want my team burning out. Go home and rest."

"It's alright. I'll leave by 7:30-just need a bit more time."

Seeing her resolve, he nodded. As he turned to leave,he paused and looked back. "By the way, your planning insights have been excellent. I want you on the team managing our collaboration with North Investment. Since you already know Jeremy,it should be a natural fit."

Kayla's smile froze. She had been trying to keep her distance from Jeremy, but now she was being drawn right back in.

"Great. I'll introduce you to the team tomorrow."Archie took her silence as agreement. With that, he left.

Kayla sank back into her chair, exhaling heavily."Great. Now everything's ruined."