The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

Engaging in debates with Philip is so draining that I’d rather maintain silence. I have my workload to focus on, and I’m not up for conversing with him. Yet, upon entering Philip’s private office, I was swept back in time. Memories of the betrayal resurfaced when he cheated on his secretary.

‘Sara, you need to let go,’ I reminded myself, attempting to purge those memories and the accompanying anguish. Seating myself on the couch opposite his expansive desk, I set up my laptop on the coffee table, focusing on anything but Philip’s presence in the room.

After a few minutes, Philip broke the silence. “Anything you need?” he inquired.

“I need you to arrange my return to Henderson.”

He brushed off my request, instead instructing his assistant, “Please fetch your Madam’s favorite snack.”

Meanwhile, a message popped up from Jakob.

Jakob: So, you’re planning to stay in Henderson?

Me: Yes! My insane ex-husband is dead set on keeping me here. Boarding a plane feels impossible because I’m sure Philip will stop me at the airport. Please arrange to pick me up the day before Jessica’s bridal party.

The Cornell Family practically runs this city.

Jakob: Why not take a private jet?

Me: As if I have one. Just hitching a ride with friends (with a grin emoji.)

Jakob: Fine! It’s a long drive. I’m just not sure if you can escape your ex-husband.

With a sudden creak, Philip’s office door swung wide, revealing the formidable figure of my former mother-in-law. Behind her, like a shadow, trailed Megan. Our eyes met in a moment of tension and history.

“What are you doing here?” Megan inquired.

Madam Cornell gritted her teeth and then glanced at Philip. “Why is she here?”

“She’s working. Don’t mind Sarah,” Philip interjected, not breaking his focus on his laptop.

As they bickered, I sent Jakob a message.

Me: BRB. The monsters are here. I want to find out what Madam Cornell is up to. I know I can rely on you for that.

Jakob: I thought I was your boss? Why does it feel like the roles are reversed?

Me: I completed 50% of the game design, while you managed 20%. Do you want me to stop?

Jakob: Augh! You’re not one to be underestimated. I’ll deliver your ex-mother-in-law’s report on a silver platter!

Me: Perfect!

Megan’s voice trembled with hurt as she confronted me. “You left me at the event because of Sarah?”

I closed my laptop with a sigh, rising from my seat. “I need some air. It seems like quite the family gathering is happening here.”

Madam Cornell’s sharp retort pierced the tense atmosphere. “That’s right, you should keep your distance from my son!”

“Mom!” Philip interjected, attempting to diffuse the escalating tension.

Madam Cornell softened her tone, addressing Philip directly. “Son, this woman is unstable! Why would you believe her? Megan told me you left her at the event, and now we find out you were with Sarah?”

“Don’t make it seem I’m irresistible enough to snatch Philip’s gaze away from Megan,” I quipped. “But then again…” I shot Megan a playful glance, subtly asserting my allure and youthfulness!

I realized then that I couldn’t avoid these two women. Madam Cornell had even meddled with my medication, a clear attempt on my life. So, my strategy became clear: to confront them until they were the ones avoiding me.

Megan’s face flushed with anger. “You’re shameless bitch!”

“Megan, please,” Philip interjected with a note of frustration.

“It’s Sarah’s fault, Philip! She insulted me,” Megan added tearfully, further stoking my ex-husband’s ire.

I made my way to the door, exiting Philip’s office. Let them bicker all they want. Outside, I found Philip’s new secretary at her desk.

“Excuse me, is there a quiet conference room available that I could use?” I inquired of the secretary.

She informed me, “Yes, you can utilize that conference room. The boss occasionally occupies it.”

“Thank you,” I acknowledged.

Following the secretary’s directions, I went to the designated conference room and resumed my work undisturbed.

After a few minutes, the door creaked open, revealing Philip’s uncle, a distant relative of Mr. Cornell. On numerous occasions, when I attended gatherings with Philip, I noticed this uncle’s unwelcome stares directed at me.

“So, it appears you’ve returned,” he remarked, his tone laden with insinuation.

“I suggest you leave the room,” I retorted firmly, refusing to entertain his implications.

His tongue circled his lips, and he ignored what I said. “Are you back because you need money? How about I’ll give it to you? Just let me fvck you for at least a night!”

I was horrified by his words.

“Uncle, it’s best if you leave, or Philip will find out! This room is private, and I’m occupying it!”

“Philip instructed me to touch you, my dear! I’ve been longing for you for so long, you know?”

I couldn’t figure out if what he said was true or not. Frankly, given the extent of the wrongs Philip had committed against me, I wasn’t sure if I could fully trust him. That realization fueled my anger and heightened my resolve.

Philip’s uncle tried to touch me, but my mind quickly kicked into gear. I grabbed the laptop and slammed it against his head, not wanting to repeat the incident at the motel-my encounter with a man with foul breath almost taking advantage of me.

“Ahh! Ahh! You bitch!” Philip’s uncle screamed, clutching his head and collapsing onto the table.

With the laptop still in hand, I struck him once more, fueled by anger and adrenaline.

“Ahhh!” I delivered a kick to his most vulnerable spot, eliciting another agonized cry. He was torn between the pain in his head and his masculinity.

I seized Philip’s uncle by the hair and swiftly opened the door, drawing employees’ attention in the hallway. Heads peeked out from nearby rooms to witness the scene unfold as I escorted Philip’s uncle out of the conference room, not giving him a chance to retaliate.

I’m curious about the extent of Philip’s involvement in this scheme. My ex is an insufferable control freak, so I’m naturally skeptical of his uncle’s claims.

“Madam Sarah!” Assistant Alex exclaimed in shock as he spotted me approaching.

Philip and two women emerged from the private office upon hearing the commotion.

“What’s going on?!” Philip’s voice thundered, his gaze sweeping the office. Given his role as president, I could sense his concern.

“That’s precisely what I’m trying to figure out,” I said, pushing his uncle forward to Philip’s feet.

“Philip, you have to help me! Sarah suddenly attacked me. I simply went to check on her in the conference room, and she suddenly lost it!” Philip’s uncle complained.

“I’ve been warning you, Philip! That woman is unhinged!”

“Ow, ow! My head is pounding! Do something, Philip! She… she assaulted me!” his uncle whimpered, clutching his head in pain.

Philip’s expression soured, his eyes shadowed with frustration. Meanwhile, Megan wore a smug smirk, eagerly anticipating my response to the situation.

“Are you absolutely certain? Positive I’ve caused me harm without cause?” I challenged Philip’s uncle; my voice edged with incredulity.

“Sarah was attempting to seduce me, and when I didn’t comply, she became furious!” the uncle added, spinning more falsehoods.

Megan’s smirk widened while Madam Cornell shook her head in disbelief.

I countered sharply, “Firstly, you resemble an unkempt ape who hasn’t seen a bath in ten months! Who in their right mind would even entertain the thought of seducing you, let alone get angry over your rejection? No, the real question is, who would willingly choose to be with you?”

With a surge of anger, I snatched up the fallen laptop, fully intending to strike the scoundrel again. My frustration was boiling over.

“Madam Sarah, p-please, you must calm yourself,” Alex pleaded desperately.

“She’s completely devoid of etiquette! Utterly lacking in education!” Madam Cornell added with a disparaging shake of her head.

“Ha! I have evidence! I recorded every moment in that conference room on my laptop!” I proclaimed defiantly.

Philip’s uncle’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Y-you’re bluffing! Prove it! Show us! Show Philip the evidence you claim to have. Present your laptop, even though it’s damaged from your earlier attack!” he challenged, pointing towards my laptop with its exposed wires.

“Philip, we must address the situation with that woman immediately. Her presence is damaging our family’s reputation,” Madam Cornell urged, her tone firm.

With a swift motion, I reached into my pocket, retrieved my phone, and tapped the play button to initiate the recorded message I had set up on my laptop. As the recording played for everyone present, I explained, “You may have assumed my laptop was destroyed, but fortunately, my phone’s files are synced. I recorded this the moment you entered the conference room.”

The revelation echoed through the floor, prompting Philip’s uncle to tremble with fear visibly.

“Philip, listen…” he stammered, his voice tinged with panic. “It wasn’t me. It was Madam Cornell, your mother. She’s the one who instructed me to take advantage of Sarah!”