Sarah stared at herself in the mirror, her reflection betraying the exhaustion she felt deep inside. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of rejection, loneliness, and fear for the future. John was still gone, and with the baby growing inside her, she was running out of time. Every day without a solid plan brought her closer to desperation. She couldn't just sit back and wait for things to magically get better,she had to act.
After her father had turned her away, and with no support from her family, she had only one option left. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but the baby inside her gave her no choice.
The next morning, she dressed carefully, trying to push away the nausea that crept up on her as the reality of her decision settled in. She pulled on a professional outfit,one that made her look strong, in control, even if she didn't feel that way. With a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and headed out the door.
She was going to Oliver.
The corporate building loomed tall as Sarah walked through the glass doors. Her heels clicked against the polished marble floors, and she felt her nerves tighten with every step. She hadn't been to Oliver's office since before she married John, and the thought of walking into his world now, asking for help, made her stomach turn.
But what choice did she have?
She approached the front desk, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "I'm here to see Oliver McCarthy."
The receptionist, a woman with perfectly coiffed hair and a bright smile, looked up from her screen. Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized Sarah's name. "Oh, Ms. Lance," she said smoothly, "Mr. McCarthy has been expecting you. You can go right up."
Sarah frowned slightly. Expecting her? She hadn't told anyone she was coming, but then again, Oliver had always been a few steps ahead. She thanked the receptionist and made her way to the elevator, her hands trembling as she pressed the button for the top floor.
When the elevator doors opened on the executive level, Sarah stepped out, her heart pounding as she approached Oliver's office. The door was slightly ajar, and she paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts before knocking.
But before her knuckles hit the wood, she heard something that made her freeze.
Soft moans.
Her heart skipped a beat, her brow furrowing as she stood there, unsure if she was imagining it. But no,the sounds were real, and they were coming from Oliver's office.
Sarah hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing the door open just enough to see inside. What she saw sent a cold wave of shock through her.
Oliver was seated on the edge of his desk, his hands buried in the hair of a young woman who was half-perched on his lap. The woman's blouse was unbuttoned, her hair disheveled, and Oliver's lips were pressed firmly against her neck. His hand slid down her back, gripping her waist as she squirmed slightly, her body tense.
But as Sarah watched, something struck her as off. The woman's face wasn't one of passion or desire,it was one of discomfort. Her eyes were half-closed, not in pleasure but in a strange mix of resignation and unease. She wasn't leaning into him; she was pulling away, if only slightly.
Sarah's hand gripped the doorframe, her stomach churning. She didn't want to be there, didn't want to see this, but before she could move, Oliver looked up.
His eyes widened with surprise, and for a brief moment, he froze. The woman, sensing something was wrong, pulled away from him, quickly buttoning her blouse as she glanced nervously at Sarah. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but there was something more in her expression,fear, maybe?
As the woman stepped past Sarah, her eyes darting to the floor, Sarah noticed her name tag: Stella. Something about the way Stella moved, her hurried steps and anxious glance over her shoulder, made Sarah's skin crawl. She could tell that whatever had just happened between them, it hadn't been entirely consensual. But now wasn't the time to dwell on it.
Oliver stood up from his desk, straightening his tie, his face quickly returning to that calm, polished demeanor he always wore. "Sarah," he said smoothly, as if nothing had happened, "I wasn't expecting you so soon."
Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, her voice cold. "I see you haven't changed a bit."
Oliver chuckled, his usual smugness returning as he leaned casually against his desk. "Come on, Sarah. Don't act like you didn't know what kind of man I am. We've known each other long enough." He waved a hand dismissively, as if brushing off the incident with Stella entirely. "What brings you here today?"
Sarah took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She couldn't lose focus now, not when she was here for a reason. She needed something from him,and she knew that came at a cost. "I need a job, Oliver."
Oliver's eyebrows shot up, clearly intrigued. "A job?" He smirked, walking toward her with slow, deliberate steps. "Sarah Lance, asking me for help? Now this is a surprise."
Sarah clenched her jaw but stood her ground. "You know as well as I do that I'm running out of options. I'm not asking for charity. I'm willing to work for it."
Oliver stopped in front of her, his eyes gleaming with interest. He studied her for a moment, clearly enjoying the power shift. "Well," he said after a moment, "I think we can come to an arrangement."
He walked back to his desk, leaning against it again, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp. "How about I make you manager of one of my companies? You've always had a sharp mind for business, Sarah. I could use someone like you."
Sarah's stomach twisted. She knew Oliver too well to think that his offer was made purely out of kindness. He wanted something in return, and she could feel the weight of his manipulation pressing down on her. But what choice did she have? The baby was on the way, and she couldn't afford to be prideful now.
"Fine," she said, her voice steady. "I'll take the job."
Oliver smiled, that smug, predatory smile that made Sarah's skin crawl. "Good," he said, clearly pleased. "I think you'll find it to be a very… rewarding position."
Sarah turned to leave, ready to escape the tension that seemed to cling to every corner of the room. But just as she reached the door, Oliver's voice called out, stopping her in her tracks.
"Sarah," he said smoothly, "before you go, there's something you should know."
She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "What is it?"
Oliver's smile widened, his eyes gleaming with a sick kind of satisfaction. "I've heard some things about your husband while he's been away. Rumors, you know. Word is, John might not be as faithful as you think."
Sarah's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest. She stared at Oliver, her mind racing. "What are you talking about?"
Oliver shrugged, playing the role of the concerned friend. "I'm just saying… I wouldn't put too much faith in him. Men like John,they're weak. Vulnerable. Easily tempted." He smiled again, that cold, knowing smile. "You might want to ask yourself what he's really been doing all this time."