My CEO Husband Hired His Ex - Chapter 11: Chapter 11

I paused for a beat before decisively crossing his company's name off the list. "We're steering clear of any financially unstable businesses."
After wrapping up work, I headed home to find my retired parents living their best lives—gardening, doting on their cats, and taking the dogs for leisurely walks.
The moment I walked in, Mom looked up from arranging flowers. "We're hosting dinner tonight, so go get presentable."
"Seriously, Mom?" I groaned. "I just walked through the door and you're already setting me up?"
"Relax, it's just family dinner," she said with that telltale twinkle in her eye. "Though there is someone special coming—someone you'd never expect."
With an exasperated sigh, I changed into something more formal, bracing myself for whatever surprise awaited.
The shock of my life came when our old neighbors from Aveloria walked in—Victor and Olivia, who'd been like second parents when we lived abroad. The flood of nostalgia hit me as we embraced. They'd stayed in Aveloria all these years while we'd returned home—their daughter now married with an adorable toddler.
"But our younger son is still single," Olivia added with a meaningful glance that made me chuckle. I remembered that chubby-cheeked boy who used to trail after me and his sister, patiently enduring our make-believe fashion shows dressed in ridiculous costumes.
The doorbell rang unexpectedly.
"Go answer it," Mom nudged.
I opened the door to find Lance standing there, arms laden with an enormous bouquet and my favorite cake from that boutique bakery across town.
"What are you—we have company!" I hissed, trying to push him back outside.
"Waited an hour for this cake," he said cheerfully, completely unfazed.
Before I could protest further, Mom materialized behind me. "Lance! Come in, come in!"
To my utter bewilderment, he strolled in like he owned the place, greeting everyone by name. When Mom saw my confusion, she whispered, "Don't tell me you don't recognize him?"
Of course I knew Lance—my ultra-competent assistant of two years who handled everything from my schedule to my dry cleaning. But the penny only dropped when Olivia beamed and said, "He's my son."
My jaw actually dropped. That sweet, round-faced boy who used to let us put ribbons in his hair was now this devastatingly handsome man who'd been by my side all this time?
The dinner dissolved into laughter and shared memories. Dad revealed Lance had graduated college and immediately returned to find me—applying to be my assistant when he learned about my divorce.
All those inexplicably thoughtful gestures—the coffee exactly how I liked it, remembering my obscure food allergies—suddenly made sense. "So you came back for me after all," I teased.
Lance's gaze turned serious as he took my hand. "Selene, I've loved you since you let me share your popsicle when I was five. Everyone knew except you." Then he knelt right there between the dessert plates. "After twenty years... will you marry me?"
Tears pricked my eyes as I realized—his "hidden agenda" had been written in childhood crayon all along. When I said yes, our families erupted into cheers and immediately started debating wedding venues.
The next day at a designer boutique, Mom pointed out a woman ruthlessly dismantling her husband's mistress's life. "Guess who got shipped off to some godforsaken place?" Mom whispered gleefully.
"Who?"
"Marina." Mom's satisfied smirk said it all. "Play stupid games, win stupid prizes."
I shook my head at the drama, holding up two pairs of heels. "Focus, Mom. Which ones say 'I'm getting married to my childhood sweetheart'?"