The CEO’S Orphan Wife

“Do you still feel like eating?” Ivan turned to me, while I shifted my gaze to Heather.

“I’m sleepy already, Daddy…”

“Alright, let’s head home.” Ivan lifted his daughter when he noticed her eyes welling up from a repeated yawn.

She seemed genuinely exhausted. Fortunately, the Greco mansion was conveniently close to the mall we were at.

Upon our arrival, Heather struggled to keep her eyes open. Though her grandparents welcomed her with affectionate kisses, she found it challenging to articulate her words to them.

I accompanied Ivan as we guided Heather to his room, gently encouraging Lucinda with a subtle pinch when she hesitated to join us.

“Why am I included? I’m not part of the family…” she whispered as she ascended the stairs with me. Teasingly, she added, “Are you afraid of being alone with Ivan?”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

I shot her a glare. She grinned and playfully gazed back at me.

Heather requested my help with freshening up. I swiftly attended to it as she was feeling very drowsy.

“Mommy, sleep here…” Heather spoke with her eyes closed. I kissed her on the forehead.

“Goodnight, baby…”

As her breathing became steady, I stood up.

“We need to talk,” Ivan said. He sat on the sofa near the large window.

I yawned. I’m genuinely sleepy, not just putting on an act.

He sighed. “Okay, just go to sleep. You can sleep beside our daughter. I’ll sleep here on the couch if you’re not comfortable sharing the bed with me and our daughter.”

“I’ll return to the rented apartment, Ivan,” I insisted.

“You’ll still have to travel.”

“It’s fine. Furthermore, I need to wake up early to review some documents…” I paused. Why am I even mentioning these things? I continued, “I’m leaving.”

“I’ll take you.”

“No need. I’m fine. Heather might wake up and look for you.”

His jaw tightened, revealing a subtle display of frustration. It was evident that he harbored a genuine desire to engage in conversation with me, yet my persistent avoidance seemed to wear on his patience. His gaze briefly shifted to our peacefully sleeping daughter before he released a sigh.

“Sure, let’s talk another time. What about tomorrow? Until what time will your work be finished?”

“I don’t know…” It’s only until three o’clock, but, of course, I won’t tell him that.

Earlier, I contemplated entrusting a lawyer with the task of managing Ivan’s visitation rights concerning our daughter. Ivan could have custody of Heather for a duration of five days and four nights each month.

I must limit the visitation to that duration, since he already has his own family. I want to avoid being the source of any discord between them and my child. I am determined to shield Heather from any potential complications arising from Maureen’s reservations, should she harbor any.

“I’ll walk you downstairs.”

“No need…” I said, but he had already walked ahead of me.

Lucinda, the gossipmonger, wore a grin as she trailed behind Ivan. In irritation, I rolled my eyes and reluctantly followed them outside.

“Dear, it’s late. We have a guest room here if you don’t want to sleep in your and Ivan’s room,” my ex-mother-in-law suggested.

Lucinda cleared her throat, and amid her cough, I found myself unexpectedly choking on my saliva.

“I have something to attend to by four am, Auntie,” I explained.

“Alright, dear. Have the driver take you, so your dad and I can relax,” she responded.

After exchanging kisses, they headed upstairs to their room. Ivan and I then made our way outside. The driver awaited us, offering a slight bow before opening the door for me. Ivan observed until the car disappeared from his view.

Feeling the weight of fatigue, I closed my eyes. I was truly, utterly sleepy.

“Hey, you know,” Lucinda started, and I let out a sigh as she continued, “Your strategy of playing hard to get was effective. Ivan seemed to fall for it.”

I opened my eyes, the drowsiness fading away with Lucinda’s words. A mischievous grin adorned her face.

“What playing hard to get?” I shot her a glare, but she brushed it off.

“You deserve to be courted and pursued,” she declared, firmly shutting her eyes.

She’s truly out of her mind! Probably influenced by the romance novels she’s been immersed in. She believed life was akin to a novel with a guaranteed happy ending, but reality is far from that.

***

This morning, I had a little detour to see Heather at the Greco Mansion but left promptly as I had an early meeting. I simply nodded at my ex-husband. They didn’t press me to join them for breakfast, understanding that I needed to leave.

Upon reaching my destination, Ivan sent me a text.

“Don’t skip your meal. Take care.”

Well, well! Was he showing concern?

I disregarded his message. I was caught up with work, and I didn’t check my phone until around two in the afternoon. Lucinda had sent multiple texts, providing yet another update on Ivan’s personal life.

“A woman visited-she’s beautiful and sexy, but the secretary clarified that she was not Maureen.”

Oh, so now she’s close to Ivan’s secretary!

“Let the person do her job,” was my response to Lucinda.

“It seems something is happening between the woman and Ivan,” Lucinda continued.

I shook my head. “So? It’s none of my business, Lucinda.”

“Of course, you should care because you have a child with Ivan.”

I didn’t reply to that comment.

“You should be aware of the women involved with the father of your child.”

She makes a valid point, but I find it unnecessary, or perhaps I simply don’t want to delve into this matter. That’s why I tend to avoid conversations with Ivan. Discussing things, especially his personal life, makes me uncomfortable.

I sighed. Be casual, Myla. Be casual. Consider him as a friend.

However, even in that context, he doesn’t quite meet my standards. Despite that, for the sake of our child, I need to ensure proper treatment.

At two-thirty in the afternoon, Ivan texted. They were at the nearby mall, enjoying snacks. I had just finished what I was doing, and it seemed like Ivan finished work early, possibly because Lucinda informed him about my expected completion time.

“Heather wants to play at the Kids’ zone.”

I followed them to the refreshment store they mentioned and halted at my steps when I spotted a bouquet of two-toned red roses elegantly arranged on a table. Heather let out a giggle upon seeing me.

“Daddy, give it to Mommy,” she commanded her father. Without hesitation, Ivan seized the bouquet, rose from his seat, and presented it to me. Though I arched an eyebrow, I didn’t want to let my daughter down, so I mustered a smile and forced myself to convey gratitude.

What does he think he’s doing?

I chose to remain silent, refraining from making eye contact with the man seated across from me. Though a strong urge to nudge his foot under the table surged within me, I restrained myself.

After the meal, we took Heather to the children’s play area, setting a thirty-minute limit as she was keen on exploring the three adjacent play structures. Her dad joined her, while Lucinda and I observed from outside, capturing moments through photos and videos.

Heather thoroughly enjoyed herself, and I couldn’t help but notice a distinct joy on Ivan’s face as they played together.

If only you had chosen me wholeheartedly and without hesitation, our circumstances wouldn’t be as they are now. We could have found happiness together with our child. Unfortunately, you let that opportunity slip away.

I took a sip of water and mustered a smile.

But it was fine. You’re still Heather’s dad, no matter which way the world turns. You can continue to play a role in her life even though we no longer share the same home.

I won’t cast a negative light on you in our child’s perception. I’ll help her comprehend everything thoroughly. My aim is to ensure she doesn’t harbor any anger or resentment towards you.

***

“Daddy, are we returning to this place tomorrow?” The clock had already struck seven in the evening. Ivan had assured his parents that we would head home for a family dinner.

“Yes, baby…”

“Thank you, Daddy. I love you!”

“I love you too, baby…” he responded to our child, then cast a glance in my direction, prompting me to lower my gaze.

Heather regaled her grandparents with numerous stories as we shared a meal. The elderly couple seemed thoroughly delighted.

“Come on, baby. It’s time to tidy up before bedtime.” I rose from my seat and took Heather’s hand.

As I approached the stairs, a shout echoed from the door.

“I knew it!”

Swiftly, I embraced Heather. Ivan hurriedly joined us, acting as a shield against Maureen, who was poised to confront us.

“That’s why you haven’t been coming to see me!”

I didn’t turn to face her; instead, I kept my back turned while tightly holding onto Heather.

“Mommy, who is she?”

“Who is your woman?!” Maureen shouted. Heather broke free from my embrace.

“Heather!”

I confronted Maureen.

“Myla…”

She clenched her fists, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at me and then at the child by my side.

“Who are you, and why are you mad at my mommy?” Heather inquired, her face reflecting both confusion and curiosity.

“Heather, baby…”

“I’m your daddy’s girlfriend!” Maureen declared with a grin, appearing proud.

Girlfriend? Why a girlfriend?

“Girlfriend?” Heather appeared perplexed, her gaze shifting between Maureen and her father. “But Daddy is already married to my mommy.”

“Yes, sweetheart. But unfortunately-”

My in-laws approached, their faces reflecting anxiety.

“Maureen,” Ivan scolded the woman sternly, yanking her hand.

“Why are you hurting her, Daddy? I am talking to her.”

Ivan reluctantly released Maureen’s hand, his face displaying fear, nervousness, and concern.

The woman smiled, a hint of meaning behind it. “Your mommy is your daddy’s wife, but I am the one he truly loves-”

“Maureen!” Ivan scolded her. “Please, just leave,” he said, rubbing his temples.

“Why can’t you tell the truth to the child? Don’t lie to her… I am the one your daddy loves, not your mommy. Didn’t they tell you that?”

I embraced Heather. She didn’t move, not even a blink.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, holding her until her sobs became audible. She started sobbing.

“Let’s go home, Mommy. Let’s go home.”

“Okay, baby,” I said, embracing her. Lucinda approached, looking stunned.

Wasn’t she supposed to defend us against Maureen? She seemed dumbfounded.

“Heather…” Ivan tried to approach us, but Heather buried her face in my neck.

“Myla, Heather…”

I proceeded toward the gate, but Ivan trailed behind.

“Please, don’t leave. Let’s talk this out first.”

I preferred not to express my anger and frustration, especially not in the presence of my daughter.

“Heather, are you going to sleep here?” he asked.

Heather couldn’t bear it. “No. I don’t want to sleep here anymore! I don’t want to be with you! You’re bad, Daddy! You hurt my mommy! You’re like Untie Rema’s husband, a cheater!”

She referred to the cook at the resort who abandoned his wife for another woman.

Tears streamed down her face. “I hate you, Daddy! You hurt my mommy! I don’t want to be with you! I don’t want to be in your house anymore!”