Chapter 15 : Rise of the Lady Boss The morning air was crisp , and for once , the kitchen wasn't steeped in that familiar , exhausting tension . I buttered Liam's toast as he recited his spelling words , the lightness in his voice a rare and welcome sound . Then I heard it - footsteps from the hallway . I turned , eyebrows raised , when Zach walked in wearing a navy polo and jeans , holding Liam's lunchbox like it was the most natural thing in the world . " I thought I'd come with you today , " he said , sliding onto the kitchen bench . " You know . Bonding time . " I paused , butter knife mid - air . " Since when do you join school drop - offs ? " He shrugged , his eyes fixed on Liam . " Figured I've missed enough . " " Cool ! Dad's coming with us ! " Liam beamed . I forced a smile and handed him the lunchbox . " Fine . Just ... don't slow us down ." I didn't have the emotional bandwidth for this kind of domestic performance . Not with Celine breathing down my neck in the same house , not with my bank account barely surviving , and definitely not with the whiplash of Zach's selective presence . During the drive , Liam chattered non - stop in the backseat , talking about a science project while pointing out random road signs . Zach responded with ease , listening , laughing . But I could feel him sneaking glances gradually . Not sharp or judgmental. Softer yet hesitant . When we reached school , Liam hugged us both and ran off . As we walked back to the car , Zach glanced at me . " You free after this? " " I've got an interview ," I replied , smoothing down my blouse . He blinked . " Interview ? " " I need to start working again . Real job . Real pay . I can't keep staying in that house playing tug - of - war with Celine over who owns the hallway ." A small smile tugged at his lips . " You always did look good in power mode . " I unlocked the car . " This isn't about appearances . It's survival . " " I wasn't talking about appearances ," he said quietly . I turned my head to look at him , frowning . " You know , " he added , leaning against the car door , " I could drive you . Wait outside . Or take you to lunch after . Just as ... old friends . " " Old friends , " I echoed , uncertain . He grinned . " Friendly friends . With a shared history . A brilliant son . And ... maybe a shot at not hating each other . " I crossed my arms . " What does Celine think about you chauffeuring your ex - wife to job interviews ? " His eyes darkened for just a moment . " Celine doesn't decide what I do anymore . " There it was a shift in his tone . Something buried under layers of guilt and regret . " You offering a ride or a bribe? " He laughed . " Ride . Unless you count lunch as a bribe . But it's the good kind . " Despite myself , I nodded . " Fine . But don't wait for me . This place might chew me up . " Zach opened the passenger door for me like it was still the past . " You're unchewable . You'll walk out with the job and the manager's seat . " I smirked . " That wasn't even a word ." " Still true though ." The interview was in a sleek glass building uptown . A digital consultancy firm . It felt almost too ambitious . The elevator dinged on the 20th floor . I stepped out , heels clicking across the polished tiles of the sleek media firm's hallway . I was ten minutes early , clutching a folder of my updated résumé , a mock strategy pitch , and an uneasy mix of nerves and determination . As I entered the glass conference room , I pulled my shoulders back and smiled with just enough warmth - not too timid , not too eager . The hiring panel was a mix of mid - level execs and one stern - looking woman who eyed me like I owed her a personal explanation for the last two years of my life . " Tell us why you think you're a good fit , " she said after the small talk faded . " I used to manage image crises before I started living through one , " I replied honestly , surprising even myself . " Now I'm more than qualified . I know how headlines twist , how rumors spread , and how to build trust when people think you're at your worst ." They exchanged looks - impressed or skeptical , I couldn't tell . I continued . " I believe PR isn't about perfection . It's about truth - packaged smartly, yes , but rooted in something real . And I know what it's like to rebuild a reputation ... because I'm doing it ." I left it at that . Let them feel the weight of my honesty . By the time I stepped out of the building , I was shocked to see Zach , leaning against the hood of the car like a scene from a corny memory . He even had a coffee with him . " Well ? " he asked , eyes scanning my face . I didn't say anything - just gave him a thumbs - up . " Told you ," he said , handing me the cup . " Don't get cocky . " " Too late . Always had good taste in women with brains . " I raised a brow . " I don't wanna put colors into this ... but the way you act ... " He cleared his throat . " What ? " " Are you flirting with me ? " " I'm ... reminding , " he replied , voice a touch softer . " Of who you were before everything fell apart . That version ? Still in there . " I took a sip of my coffee , trying to hide the warmth rising to my cheeks . " Zach , don't start this . " " I'm not starting anything ," he said , hands up . " Just helping . " " I didn't ask for your help though . " He didn't say anything but his eyes told otherwise . We got home and for once , Celine wasn't waiting at the door like a watchdog . The house was still . Quiet . A gift . I slipped upstairs to change , heart a little lighter , and when I came back down , Zach was still in the hallway , smiling to himself . Later that afternoon , I got the call . I stared at my phone for a moment , hands trembling , then bolted down the stairs . " You're looking at the newest strategist for Nuveo Digital . " Zach looked up from cutting apples and whooped like a teenager . " Ari , that's amazing ! " Liam heard the commotion and ran in . " You got a job , Mom ? " I laughed , grabbing him in a hug . " I did , sweetheart . " Zach stood nearby , arms crossed but grinning wide . " See ? Told you . Unchewable . " " That's still not a word , " I groaned , but I couldn't stop smiling . For the first time in a long while , our house didn't feel like a battleground . It felt ... almost like home . Meanwhile , in the dim corner of the second floor balcony ... Celine stood with her arms crossed , hidden by the shadow of the drapes . She had returned home earlier than planned and had caught just enough of the scene downstairs to twist her gut into knots . Arianne smiling heartily . And Zach ? Sitting across from her , making that steak he only ever cooked when he was trying to fix something . Celine's fingers curled tightly around her phone . She had spent weeks playing the perfect second chance - taking care of Liam when convenient , whispering soft manipulations into Zach's ear , planting seeds of doubt wherever she could . She also heard about the job interview . Had even tried to stall the process with a few whispered words to a contact . But Arianne still showed up . The bitch still had that damn glow when she walked away from him . She scoffed . She wasn't used to losing . She would twist every small kindness into guilt . Every laughter into doubt . Because no one steals the spotlight from Celine Lovelet without paying for it in full . A Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!