Chapter 2: A Man Forced to Choose

The tray slipped from Lily’s hands and crashed onto the floor.

No one moved.

The CEO stared at her, his entire world collapsing and rebuilding in the same heartbeat.

“Lily…” he breathed.

The little girl looked scared.

Confused.

“Mom?” she whispered, running toward the chef and wrapping her arms tightly around her waist.

The CEO stepped closer, but stopped himself.

He didn’t deserve that moment. Not yet.

Behind him, the mistress snapped.

“This is insane!” she shouted. “You’re really going to believe this kitchen nobody over me?”

That was the moment he turned.

Slowly.

Deliberately.

And when he looked at her, there was nothing left in his eyes.

No affection.

No warmth.

Only clarity.

“Security,” he said calmly.

Two guards appeared almost instantly.

“Escort her out.”

The mistress’s face drained of color. “You can’t be serious. After everything—”

“After everything,” he interrupted coldly, “you raised your hand against the mother of my child.”

She tried to argue.

To scream.

But within seconds, she was gone.

And just like that, the illusion shattered.

The CEO turned back to the chef—no, not the chef.

The woman he had once loved.

“I don’t know how to fix the past,” he said quietly. “But I want to be part of her future… if you’ll let me.”

The chef looked down at Lily.

Then back at him.

Pain and hope clashed in her eyes.

“You don’t get to walk in and play father overnight,” she said.

“I know,” he admitted. “Then let me earn it.”

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