Daniel stood still. The silence after the door closed was deafening. It wasn't just the absence of her voice, it was the echo of everything she didn't say.
She didn't shout, she didn't cry, she didn't even look at him with anger.
Just calm. Steady. Unflinching.
And that hurt more than rage ever could.
His hands dropped to his sides, clenched loosely. That wasn't how he pictured it going. He had expected resistance, sure. But not that quiet finality in her tone. Not that devastating calm.
For the first time in years, Daniel Lewis, confident, calculated, in control, didn't know what to do.
But he knew one thing:
She had walked away once.
If he wanted her back, this time, he'd have to earn it.
No shortcuts. No apologies dressed in charm.
He'd have to prove it, through action, through time, through truth.
"Why am I even here again?" Dija muttered, scanning the sterile, sleek walls of Daniel's office, walls she'd seen a dozen times before but which now felt unwelcoming. Cold. Too quiet.
It was three in the afternoon. She should have been out enjoying her day, maybe catching up on skincare routines or dodging Sarah's never-ending drama. But instead, here she was, standing in the lion's den, trapped in the icy calm of the infamous Daniel Lewis.
Her eyes flicked, yet again, to the man behind the desk. He hadn't said a word since she came in, just stared at his screen like some brooding monarch on a leather throne.
Dija huffed and crossed her arms. "Uncle D, I have a life, you know. I should be at brunch or flirting with Thomas, or both. Can I go now?"
She took a step toward the door, only for Thomas to block her path with a sheepish smile.
"Seriously?" she groaned, glaring at him. "You too?"
Daniel finally stirred. His chair creaked as he turned, eyes locking with hers. "I need your help winning Esther back."
Dija blinked. Then scoffed. "Oh, hell no." She formed an 'X' with her fingers. "Wrong girl, wrong mission. I am not doing this."
He raised a brow.
She took a step back. "Nope. Not happening. I'm not getting involved in your emotionally confused love life." Her arms folded across her chest. "That girl was crushed, Uncle D. Crushed. And now you want me to play Cupid? Sorry, friend over uncle. Every single time."
She shook her head and glanced around the office. Something about his sudden request to see her hadn't felt right from the start, and now she understood why.
"I'm not asking, Dija," he said quietly. "I need your help."
She rolled her eyes. "Try therapy instead."
"If you don't help me, I'll cancel your internship," he said coolly.
Dija gave a dramatic gasp. "Wow. Threats? Really?"
She turned sharply to Thomas. "You're hearing this, right?"
But Thomas avoided her gaze, shifting uncomfortably. Getting caught between his boss and the girl he was dating was dangerous territory, one wrong move, and he'd end up on the bad side of both. So, he said nothing.
"Also, no more dates with Thomas." Daniel added.
This time Dija nearly exploded. "What?! That's so low! Just because you screwed up your own relationship doesn't mean you get to ruin mine. That's cold. Despicably cold."
"Dija," Daniel said again, this time softer. "I'm being serious."
He stood, walked around the desk, and for a moment… he didn't look like the Daniel she was used to. Not the powerful, aloof tech mogul who always had a comeback. Just a man, tired, raw, and maybe, for the first time, really sorry.
"I know I hurt her," he said. "But I didn't realize just how much until today. She looked at me like I was a stranger… like I didn't matter. And I deserved it. But I can't let it end like that. Not without trying. Not without fighting for her."
Dija swallowed, watching him closely. She knew Daniel. He didn't beg. He didn't open up. He didn't talk like this.
"And why now?" she asked, her voice quieter.
"Because," he said, eyes lowering briefly, "she gave me something real. And I threw it away, thinking I was protecting what was left of my past. But all I did was lose my chance at something honest. I don't just miss her, Dija, I regret losing her."
Silence stretched between them.
Dija exhaled loudly, still skeptical. "She's moved on. You know that, right?"
"I know," he said. "But I'm not asking her to come back to me today. I'm asking for the chance to prove I deserve to be in her life. And I need your help to do that."
Dija stared at him, her heart tightening, not for Daniel, but for her best friend. Because despite all the pride and pain, Esther wasn't truly over him. Not completely. And maybe, just maybe, this time Daniel was ready to earn her love. If he was serious, if he really meant it, then maybe it could finally end the storm inside Esther, and spare Dija from the late-night calls and scolding rants about the infamous Mr. Lewis.
"I'm not doing this for you," Dija muttered, eyes narrowing. "I'm doing it for her. Because if you so much as blink the wrong way and hurt her again, I swear, not even your bodyguards will save you."
A small smile tugged at the corner of Daniel's lips. "Fair enough."
Dija groaned again. "God, I must really love that girl." she muttered finally grabbing a seat. "Fine. Let's make a plan."
Daniel exhaled like he'd been holding his breath. "Thank you."
"But I'm only doing this for Esther," she warned again, wagging a finger. "So don't think for one second you've charmed me. I'm still mad at you."
"Noted." Daniel said, giving her his complete attention.
She leaned forward, crossing her legs as she thought for a second. "Okay, first of all, you're lucky. Her birthday is in a week."
Daniel blinked. "It is?"
Dija rolled her eyes like it was the dumbest question she'd heard all week. "And you call yourself a man in love."
She couldn't help the dramatic sigh that escaped her lips. For a tech genius, her uncle was clueless when it came to matters of the heart.
"Yes, it's next Friday. She doesn't make a big deal out of it, never has," Dija explained, finally dropping into the chair across from him. "Not because she doesn't care, but because she's always secretly hoped for something special. A fairy-tale moment. If you want to win her back, you give her that dream. No shortcuts."
Daniel straightened in his chair, already jotting down notes like his life depended on it. In some ways, it did.
"And don't wait till her birthday," she continued. "You've got the whole week. Start soft. Send her little romantic gestures, remind her she's seen, wanted. Esther's a romance girl, Uncle D. Buy her ice cream or give her a teddy bear and she's halfway in your arms already."
Daniel looked up from his notes, his brows furrowed. "So… I should buy her teddy bears and flowers?"
"Win her the teddy," Dija corrected, giving him a sharp look"Take her to a park. One of those cheesy booths. Win her the biggest one there. Make it a moment. You don't just hand her a stuffed toy,you win it for her. And the flowers? Yes, buy those. But think color, think detail, don't just show up with supermarket roses."
He nodded seriously, scribbling that down too. "Got it. Park. Win teddy. Buy detailed flowers. Anything else?"
"God, haven't you ever watched a romance movie?" she muttered, leaning back in her chair.
He gave her a look. "Do I look like someone who watches those?"
Exactly. The great Daniel Lewis just wouldn't make time for such leisure things.
""Gosh, I've really got my work cut out for me," she muttered under her breath, rising to her feet "you know what," she sighed, already regretting her life choices, "I'll send you a list. Watch every single one of them. Study them. This is your Esther survival guide."
Daniel looked genuinely grateful. "Send me whatever you think will help. I mean it."
For the first time since she walked in, Dija's expression softened slightly. The sincerity in his voice wasn't something she heard often, not from him. Maybe he really was trying.
"And the birthday?" Daniel asked, standing after her, notebook still in hand.
Dija smirked. "That's next week's mission. Right now, your goal is to get her attention and forgiveness."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, already bracing herself for the emotional chaos she had volunteered to manage.
The moment she was out of her love-struck uncle office, a sigh of relief escaped her lips as she strode down the hallway, only to come to a halt as a figure stepped into her path.
She groaned internally, already exhausted. "What do you want, Sarah?" she asked, not even trying to hide her annoyance.
"What were you discussing with Mr. Lewis?" Sarah asked, her tone sharp as she fixed Dija with a hard glare. She had seen Dija walk into Daniel's office earlier, and something about her presence at the company, especially on her day off, didn't sit right with her. Suspicious, Sarah had lingered near the door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.
Unfortunately for her, the office was soundproof.
"You were listening, weren't you?" Dija raised a brow. Of course, she would eavesdrop. The woman had no boundaries.
"That's not your concern. I just want to know what you discussed with Mr. Lewis," Sarah demanded, her voice low and sharp with barely masked hostility.
Dija let out a slow eye roll, folding her arms across her chest as her lips curled into a mocking smile. "Look at me, Sarah. Do I look like someone you can intimidate?"
Sarah's expression didn't change. "I'm not here to intimidate you. I just want answers," she replied coolly, stepping closer, her presence deliberately blocking Dija's path.
"Oh, I'll give you an answer," Dija said sweetly. "Since you're dying to know, yes, it was about Esther. Your dear boss was in there practically begging me to help him win her back. Imagine that." She took a step forward, voice thick with mock sympathy. "The man you've drooled over for years wants your little sister instead."
Sarah's fists clenched at her sides. Her chest rose and fell too quickly.
Dija leaned in, twisting the knife. "Just a matter of time before Esther becomes the next Mrs. Lewis. And guess what? You'll be calling her madam."
Sarah's nails bit into her palm. "Watch your mouth, Dija."
"No, you watch yours," Dija snapped, her voice sharp with disdain. "Instead of obsessing over other people's lives, maybe you should focus on your own, because frankly, it's pathetic."
She took a bold step forward, her gaze locked on Sarah's. "You're not even Uncle D's type. Face it."
Her words cut deep, and she knew it. If it weren't for the fake identity and doctored certificates, Dija was certain Sarah wouldn't even be in Daniel's orbit, let alone in his company.
Sarah's lips trembled for a moment before she composed herself. "Thomas only went on those dates with you because I turned him down. If I wanted him, I could have him."
Dija burst out laughing. "Oh please. You think he'd choose you now? You've lied about being an heiress, faked credentials, tried to play the rich girl card. Pathetic."
"Shut up!" Sarah hissed,cautiously scanned the surrounding "Don't you dare mention that again."
Dija gave her a deadly smile. "You should be grateful Esther is your sister. If not, I'd have gone to Uncle D ages ago and told him everything."
Sarah's face paled.
"She begged me to keep quiet, for your sake. But don't push me. Your luck is running out. My advice?" Dija moved in close, eyes cold. "Work on yourself. Stop scheming your way up the ladder, you're not good at it."
She shoved past Sarah without another word.
Barely an hour after her confrontation with Dija, Sarah stormed into her family home like a hurricane in heels. Her steps were quick and angry, her chest tight with rage that had been bubbling ever since Dija's smug words haunted her thoughts, Daniel Lewis fancied Esther. Her own sister.
The man she had built a castle of lies around to get closer to, the one she had set her sights on for months, was slipping through her fingers… to Esther?
Not if she had anything to say about it.
"Esther! Esther!" she called out, her voice sharp and slicing through the quiet house like a knife. The volume and chill in her tone jolted both their mother, who had been napping on the couch, and Zainab, who stepped out of the kitchen, wiping her hands with a kitchen towel.
They exchanged a look of concern. Something was clearly wrong.
"Esther! Come out here now!" Sarah shouted again, already kicking off her shoes in frustration.
"What is it now?" their mother asked, her voice heavy with worry. "Why are you shouting like this?"
But Sarah didn't answer. Her blood was hot, and her tunnel vision focused on only one thing, Esther. If she didn't come out, Sarah would tear down her door herself.
Zainab stepped forward, annoyed. "Sarah, will you stop yelling? What's this about?"
Just then, Esther emerged from her room, brow raised, curious but visibly unbothered. Before she could utter a word, a loud smack echoed through the living room.
Sarah had slapped her.
Esther's head tilted to the side, stunned more by the audacity than the sting.
"How dare you?" Sarah seethed, stepping in close. "How dare you go behind my back and seduce the man I want? After everything we talked about!"
Zainab sprang forward, grabbing Sarah by the arm and yanking her back. "Are you insane?" she snapped. "What gives you the right to raise your hand at your sister?"
"Why don't you ask her what she did!" Sarah barked. "Ask your perfect little sister how she went behind my back and threw herself at Mr. Lewis! She knew I liked him. She knew he was mine!"
Zainab looked at Esther, confusion flickering across her face. "Essie… what's going on?"
Esther met her gaze, calm and steady. "I honestly don't know what she's talking about."
"Oh, don't you dare pull that act!" Sarah yelled. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from him? Didn't you promise me? Then tell me, why is he thinking about you? Why would he be asking about you, if you hadn't seduced him?"
She paced in frustrated circles, her words spitting out like venom.
Zainab had had enough.
"Will you just shut up and let someone else talk for once?" she yelled. "Why is it always something with you? If it's not your pen missing, it's someone stealing your man or copying your ideas. Can't we have a moment of peace in this house without your drama?" Zainab continued, her voice rising with frustration. She was tired, tired of Sarah's endless complaints, her self-centered drama, and the chaos she always seemed to bring.
"Ma…" Sarah turned to their mother now, her voice suddenly softer, more calculated. "You tell me. Is it right for Esther to steal the man I'm interested in?"
Their mother looked between her daughters, too stunned to speak.
"I didn't steal anyone," Esther finally said, her voice low but firm. "Mr. Lewis is your employer, Sarah. That's all he's ever been."
Sarah's face tightened. Her fists curled. "Right. Then let's tell Ma how you really got her medical bills paid, shall we?"
"Don't you dare," Zainab snapped, stepping between them. "I swear I'll break your jaw if you say another word." Her voice trembled with fury. She knew exactly how far Sarah was willing to go, knew she would burn the whole house down if it meant hurting Esther. Even their mother's health wouldn't stop her.
But Sarah wasn't done.
"Ma," she said, ignoring Zainab's warning and Esther's silent pleads. Her voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a knife. "You should know what your precious daughter did." She turned to Esther, eyes blazing. "While you were away getting treated, your little angel here was out selling herself. A slave to some man, just to pay your bills."
"Sarah, stop!" Zainab shouted.
But it was too late.
The room fell into stunned silence.
And then, like a candle blown out, the light in their mother's eyes faded. She swayed, her body going limp before collapsing to the cold tiled floor.
"Mama!" Esther screamed, rushing to her side in panic.
Panic seized the room. Esther held her mother's frail frame, shaking, while Zainab dialed emergency services.
And Sarah just stood there, eyes frozen in horror, as the weight of her words came crashing down.