A Love I Shouldn't Feel
Chapter 261: No Second Chances ( 261 )

Chapter 261: No Second Chances ( 261 )

Haruki sat quietly at the long table inside the sleek, modern meeting room. The air conditioner hummed softly above, and the low murmur of department heads presenting their quarterly reports filled the space. At the head of the table, Mr. Yamashita observed the presentation with a calm, unreadable gaze.

Haruki, seated near the front, reviewed the documents on his tablet while his own neatly compiled project files already handed directly to Mr. Yamashita, rested beside him.

A pause came in the room, and then.

Mr. Yamashita looked up again, as if recalling something.

"Oh, by the way, Haruki-kun?"

"Yes, Mr. Yamashita?"

"If you have some time while you’re in Okinawa, do drop by our main branch there. I believe Chief Kajima would be pleased to see you again."

Haruki gave a respectful nod. "Yes, Mr. Yamashita. I’ll be sure to visit the branch while I’m there."

"Good," Yamashita said with a brief smile. "You left quite an impression during your three months there. Don’t let them forget it."

Haruki gave a modest chuckle. "I’ll try not to."

With that, the meeting resumed, and Haruki returned his focus to the reports.

After the meeting concluded, Haruki stood up with the others and gave a polite bow toward Mr. Yamashita. The room echoed with the quiet rustle of suits as every attendee offered the customary sign of respect.

Mr. Yamashita gave a satisfied nod and rose from his seat, stepping aside to speak briefly with his executive secretary.

Haruki turned, and as expected, several department heads and senior staff approached for casual post-meeting conversation. Despite his relatively young age, Haruki’s reputation was solid.

He wasn’t just a reliable project lead, he was also one of the smaller shareholders of the company, a status that placed him high in the internal hierarchy.

"Another flawless delivery, Nakagawa-kun," one of the senior engineers said with a pat on the back.

"You make the rest of us look lazy,"

Haruki smiled modestly, offering nods and short responses while navigating the subtle layers of seniority. Though Mr. Yamashita was the owner and CEO, the next ranking position. Executive Director, was held by Yamashita’s eldest son, who only appeared for corporate-level meetings.

Haruki, despite being third in line, was often referred to informally as shachō no hishi, for his reliability and discretion.

Even without seeking the spotlight, Haruki’s presence stood out. Clean work, sharp thinking, and the quiet charisma of someone who didn’t need to boast.

After a few minutes of polite conversation, Haruki excused himself, glancing at the time.

"I’ll see you all next week. I have a flight to catch tomorrow morning."

"Going to Okinawa, right?" someone asked.

"Yeah. Just a short visit."

With a final nod, he turned and headed toward the elevator.

Once Haruki stepped out of the elevator and entered the lobby, his pace quickened slightly.

He was ready to go home.

To see her.

To hold her again.

But.....

"Oh? Haruki?"

A voice stopped him cold.

Haruki turned.

There she was.

His ex-wife.

Satomi.

Dressed in her typical office casual, face painted in expensive makeup, yet still carrying the same empty expression. The daughter of the woman he now loved—the daughter of the woman who taught him what true love was.

"Hello, Mrs. Harusawa," Haruki greeted calmly. Polite. Emotionless.

"Haruki-kun~ Looks like you’re doing better," Satomi said with an overly sweet smile, brushing her hair back.

"Yeah," Haruki replied flatly. "No thanks to you."

Satomi blinked, unsure if that was a joke or a jab. Haruki didn’t give her time to guess.

"You look different," she said. "Are you... seeing someone?"

"You could say that," Haruki answered with a slight smile. "Someone you know."

Satomi perked up. "Oh? Don’t tell me it’s Sakura? Or the Fat bloat girl, Asami? Or that overly serious girl... what’s her name... Chinatsu?"

Haruki stayed silent, that calm smile still on his lips.

"Hayase? The one with the big glasses? No, you were never into nerds... Or—Akane? Don’t tell me it’s that flat-chested Umeko? Gross."

Satomi smirked and folded her arms.

Haruki still didn’t answer.

Satomi leaned forward slightly. "Wait... don’t tell me..." Her expression darkened for a flicker. "You’re with a man now?"

Still, Haruki said nothing.

"Ah... you know her, Harusawa-san," Haruki said with a calm smile.

"Oh? Really?" Satomi smirked, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Or is that just an excuse? It’s okay, I understand. It must be hard to forget me. Still dreaming about me, aren’t you?"

Haruki didn’t answer.

She leaned closer.

"Here’s a fun idea. How about this~ You kneel right here and beg. Maybe I’ll consider it. Remarrying, I mean." She let out a small laugh. " After all, I am the only prettiest girl you’ll ever get, Haruki-kun. You know that."

Haruki chuckled, softly at first, then shook his head.

"You?" he said, voice calm but cutting. "Pretty?"

He looked her up and down casually. "Compared to the girl I’m with now?"

He laughed again, just enough to sting.

"You can’t even beat your mother in beauty."

Satomi froze.

Haruki tilted his head slightly, letting the words sink in.

"Let’s see," he continued. "Curve? Nope. Youthful appearance? Not even close. Elegance? Serene presence? She wins...by a landslide."

"You’re joking. My mother? She’s old."

Haruki gave her a knowing look.

"Is she?" He leaned in a little closer, lowering his voice. "Funny... Fujiwara’s dinner party says otherwise."

Satomi’s smile faltered.

"I clearly remember all those rich men circling someone. Dressed up in that black dress, Radiant, graceful...no make up.." He clicked his tongue softly. "Ah. And you? You were sulking alone at the event, weren’t you?"

"Shut up," she hissed.

Haruki smiled gently. "Too bad."

He stepped back and adjusted his coat.

"And compared to my current girl... should we even try? Cooking? Cleaning? She runs the household like a queen. She makes meals from scratch. Organizes everything. You... can barely boil water."

Satomi’s face turned red.

Haruki tapped his chin with a mock-thoughtful look. "Or maybe we compare something else? Beauty? Mm. Already lost. Personality? Lost harder. Or maybe... in bed?"

He smiled wider.

"Ah. She wins."

"You—!"

But Haruki had already turned.

He raised a hand casually as he walked away. "Take care, Harusawa-san. Don’t forget your appointment."

Satomi stood still. No more smirk. Just a stunned silence.

Haruki stopped a few steps ahead.

Then, slowly, he turned his head and looked back at her—his eyes calm, but cold.

"If you think I’m going to crawl back to you?"

A small smirk touched his lips.

"Dream on, bitch."

Satomi’s mouth parted slightly, stunned.

"You?" Haruki chuckled softly. "You’re nothing but a bad memory. A mistake I’ve already thrown into the trash."

He took a breath. Then, his next words came sharper.

"And you know what’s funny? I do know. About the abortion."

Satomi’s eyes widened in horror.

"I know exactly what you did. You killed the child without even telling me. My child. My blood." His jaw clenched, but his voice remained steady. "And yet you pretend like you were the victim in our marriage?"

She stepped back, mouth trembling.

"So if you think you have even the slightest chance of getting me back," Haruki continued, voice low and final, " Begone, bitch."

He gave her a smile. One without warmth.

"I never want to see your face again."

He turned, took a few more steps, and then paused, just once more.

"Ah... maybe once."

He glanced back.

"You’ll see me again—during my wedding."

A flash of cruel, calm satisfaction flickered in his gaze.

"And don’t worry. You’ll definitely recognize the bride."

He walked away, leaving Satomi standing there, completely shattered.

( End Of Chapter )