The Bride Widow
Chapter 186 - 184: Unkindly Visit - Part 2

Chapter 186: 184: Unkindly Visit - Part 2

In just about a week, Daniel’s life had crumbled into ruins. What had once been an enviable life of success, wealth, and family had become a nightmare he could no longer escape.

The fallout from his divorce with Anabella spread like wildfire, tarnishing his reputation in the business world. Rumors of his inability to maintain both his personal and professional affairs reached his colleagues and competitors.

Clients pulled out of deals, investors withdrew their support, and his once-thriving business started falling apart at the seams.

Daniel tried to salvage what he could. He attended meeting after meeting, but no one trusted him anymore. Every conversation felt like walking on broken glass.

He spent sleepless nights trying to find a solution, but his exhaustion only deepened his frustrations. His mother, who had initially stood by him, now came to him with harsh reality.

"You’ve made a mess of things, Daniel," she said, her voice cold and devoid of sympathy. "It’s not just you anymore—your failures have hurt this family. We’ve lost face, and James... He deserves better than this chaos."

Daniel stared at her, slumped in his office chair. "What are you saying?"

She didn’t hesitate. "I’m taking James. He’ll live with me from now on. You clearly can’t focus on being a father right now."

"What?" Daniel’s voice rose in disbelief, but his mother held up a hand to silence him.

"It’s not up for debate. You’ve done enough damage. Besides, I’ve made arrangements for you."

"What kind of arrangements?"

His mother’s lips pressed into a tight line. "You’re going to accept Lola. Her family has enough wealth and influence to save you from this disaster. If you marry her, they’ll back you financially, and you might stand a chance at rebuilding."

Daniel ran his hands through his hair, the weight of her words sinking in. "Lola? You mean you want me to settle with her? For money?"

His mother narrowed her eyes. "This is not about what you want, Daniel. It’s about survival—for you, for James, and for the family. She’s an omega with connections we need. You’ve already lost too much. Do you want to lose everything?"

Daniel’s fists clenched, but he couldn’t argue. His business was in shambles, his reputation ruined, and now even his son was being taken from him. He nodded stiffly, but then he said, "I’ll do it. But I want one thing first."

His mother raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"I want to see Sharon. One last time. Before I... Before I do this."

Her lips thinned in disapproval, but she eventually nodded. "Fine. One last time. But make it quick. You’ve already wasted enough time chasing things that don’t matter."

Later that evening, Daniel found himself outside Sharon’s apartment building. He hesitated before ringing the doorbell. He hadn’t spoken to her since the divorce, and he wasn’t even sure if she would agree to see him.

When Sharon answered the door, her expression was unreadable. She looked at him for a long moment, then crossed her arms. "What are you doing here, Daniel?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "I just... I need to talk to you. One last time. Please, Sharon. I won’t bother you after this, I promise."

She sighed, clearly torn, but eventually stepped aside to let him in. "Make it quick. I’m not interested in your excuses."

The tension in the room was palpable as Daniel sat down, unsure how to begin. Sharon remained standing, her arms still crossed as she watched him with a guarded expression.

"I know I’ve hurt you," Daniel started, his voice low. "I know I’ve made mistakes—too many to count. But I didn’t come here to ask for forgiveness. I came to say goodbye."

Sharon’s eyes narrowed. "Goodbye? What are you talking about?"

"My mother’s forcing me to settle with someone else," he explained, his voice bitter. "Lola. You remember her, don’t you? Her family has money, and apparently, I need their help to fix the mess I’ve made."

Sharon’s expression softened slightly, but she didn’t move. "And what do you expect me to say, Daniel? That I’m sorry for you? That I wish things had turned out differently?"

"No." Daniel shook his head. "I don’t expect anything from you. I just... I needed to see you one last time. To tell you that you were the only thing that ever felt real in my life. And I ruined it. I ruined us."

Sharon’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond.

Daniel continued, his voice breaking. "I don’t know what’s going to happen to me. But I just wanted you to know that you mattered. You still do. And I hope... I hope you find someone who can give you what I couldn’t."

For a moment, the room was silent. Then Sharon sighed and sat down across from him. "Daniel, I don’t hate you. I hate what you did, but I don’t hate you. Maybe I did love you once, but that’s over now. You need to let go of the past and move on. I have."

Her words stung, but Daniel nodded. "I understand. Thank you... for hearing me out."

Sharon stood and walked to the door, opening it for him. "Goodbye, Daniel. Take care of yourself. And James. I hope we never see each other again.

Daniel hesitated, then walked out without looking back.

When Daniel returned home, his mother was waiting for him. "Did you get it out of your system?" she asked coldly.

Daniel nodded. "Yes."

"Good. Then it’s time to focus. Lola’s family will be expecting us for dinner tomorrow. Don’t mess this up."

As his mother walked away, Daniel sat down in his empty living room, staring at the walls. He felt hollow, as if he had nothing left to give. But deep down, a part of him still clung to the hope that he could rebuild—if not for himself, then for James.

Even as he prepared to follow his mother’s plan, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he had reached a crossroads. And for the first time in a long time, he didn’t know which path to take.

When Daniel arrived home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky awash in shades of gray and deep purple. The quiet of the evening did nothing to calm his fraying nerves, but he felt a pang of dread as he noticed a familiar figure standing just outside his front door.

Lola.

She was dressed immaculately, as always, her blond hair perfectly styled, and a radiant smile graced her face. She looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine, not standing on the steps of his crumbling life. The sight of her happy, expectant expression only deepened the pit in Daniel’s stomach.

"Daniel!" she exclaimed, walking toward him with open arms. "I’ve been waiting for you. Your mother told me the news, and I couldn’t be happier. We’ll finally be able to make things right for your family."

Daniel forced a smile as she hugged him. Her floral perfume, though pleasant, felt suffocating. He couldn’t help but feel the walls closing in around him, each moment with her a reminder that his happiness was no longer his to control.

"Lola," he said softly, pulling back from her embrace. "It’s... good to see you."

Her blue eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together. "I’ve already started making plans for the engagement. Your mother and I have been working on the details, and it’s going to be perfect. I know this isn’t how you imagined things, but trust me, we’ll make it work."

Daniel nodded absently, not really hearing her. Her voice faded into the background as his thoughts spiraled. How had it come to this? How had he allowed his life to unravel so completely?

Once, he had everything. A thriving business. A son who looked up to him. And Anabella.

His mind drifted to her, unbidden. He remembered her kind eyes, her soft laughter, and the way she had always tried to make their house feel like a home. He had taken her for granted, convinced that she would always stay, no matter how poorly he treated her.

And now she was gone.

As Lola continued to speak excitedly about their future, Daniel’s thoughts turned darker. He realized with bitter clarity that he had no one to blame for his downfall but himself. He had let his ambition blind him, let his pride drive a wedge between him and the people who had cared for him.

Anabella had deserved better.

He had seen it too late, but it was undeniable. She had tried to make things work, tried to bridge the gap between them, but he had ignored her efforts. He had been cold, dismissive, and, in the end, he had pushed her away.

"Daniel?" Lola’s voice snapped him back to the present. She was looking at him with concern now. "Are you okay?"

He forced another smile. "Yeah. Just tired."

Her smile returned, and she took his hand, leading him inside. As they stepped through the door, Daniel felt a deep sense of finality settle over him.

His happiness was over.

He was bound to Lola now, bound to the life his mother had planned for him. There was no escape, no turning back. As he sat down on the couch and listened to Lola talk about wedding venues and guest lists, his mind drifted again to Anabella.

He wondered, not for the first time, how things might have been different if he had treated her better.

If he had listened.

If he had cared.

But those thoughts brought no comfort. They only deepened the regret that now weighed on him like a chain he would carry for the rest of his life.