Chasing Light Through Darkness By Caleb Snow 10

Chasing Light Through Darkness By Caleb Snow 10 Summary

 

After finalizing her divorce from Xavier, Vivian faced ongoing malicious gossip at work, with some employees spreading cruel rumors about her unborn child and the reasons behind her split. Determined to end the toxicity, she instructed HR to immediately dismiss those responsible, refusing to tolerate baseless slander. Yssa, an employee who had previously caused tension, resigned on her own, sensing the futility of staying.

 

Despite past insults, Vivian showed unexpected kindness when Lexie Lane from Marketing and Frank Walters from Sales came to apologize for their previous behavior. She listened but made it clear that gossip and disrespect had no place in her company. The main culprit behind the rumors, Wendy Adams, was already being terminated. Vivian emphasized that moving forward, the focus would be on work rather than harmful gossip.

 

Xavier, desperate and unable to accept the divorce, repeatedly tried to reconnect, even begging Vivian to let him return as a supportive husband and father. However, Vivian stood firm, rejecting his pleas and warning him not to follow her or cause further trouble. She made it clear that she had no need for someone who had betrayed her and spread lies.

 

With the divorce decree finalized and Xavier stripped of his previous status and privileges, Vivian prepared to welcome her baby in peace. She entrusted Mason with handling remaining work matters and left the office for the last time before giving birth. Boarding a plane overseas, she was determined to start a new chapter free from Xavier’s influence and the past’s shadows.

 

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Chapter 10

I had let go of several employees who had previously insulted me, trying to clear the toxic air around the office. Yet, even after the divorce was finalized, a few still lacked basic decency. They continued to spread malicious gossip, whispering cruel rumors that my unborn child was Mason’s illegitimate offspring and that my split from Xavier was because of that supposed betrayal.

That crossed a line I refused to tolerate. I instructed HR to dismiss those responsible immediately—no second chances for such baseless slander.

As for Yssa, ever since that tense day at the police station, she hadn’t waited for me to take action. She packed her things and resigned on her own accord, perhaps sensing the futility of staying.

Mason even stopped by to check in, his voice calm but curious as he asked, “HR wants to know if you’ll approve Ysabelle Lawson’s resignation.”

“Approve it,” I replied, my gaze drifting toward the window as if to clear the fog clouding my mind. “At least she has enough self-awareness left. Resigning is far better than being fired.”

For a moment, I was transported back to that police station, where Yssa’s tearful voice echoed, “Xavier clearly said I’m the one he loves.”

Thinking about how she had been discarded like a forgotten toy, I let out a weary sigh.

“She was deceived too. It’s pathetic, really,” I muttered quietly, more to myself than to Mason.

With that in mind, I didn’t intend to make things harder for her. There was no need to deepen the wounds.

The blinds in my office weren’t fully drawn, allowing a slant of sunlight to slice through the room and fall softly over my rounded belly. The gentle warmth was oddly comforting amid the chaos.

I had just finished signing the last personnel order when a soft knock interrupted the quiet.

Lexie Lane from Marketing stepped inside—the same woman who once sneered at me in the break room, mocking that I had “climbed up on my belly.” She carried two coffees in her hands, her smile forced and brittle, like a fragile mask.

“Ma’am, here’s your favorite—thirty percent sugar,” she said, voice trembling slightly. “I was foolish before, fooled by Yssa. Please, be the bigger person and don’t hold it against me.”

I didn’t take the coffee. Instead, I softened my tone and gestured to the chair across from me.

“Sit,” I said simply.

No sooner had she settled into the seat than Frank Walters from Sales burst in, clutching a report with a desperate edge to his voice.

“Ma’am, I was wrong too. I shouldn’t have joined that online mess against you. But look—this quarter’s sales—”

“Numbers follow the usual process,” I interrupted, flipping open the roster I had just organized, letting the facts speak louder than empty apologies.

“The things you echoed before, I’ll pretend I never heard. But some people kept gossiping about my child even after the divorce, assuming I couldn’t stand on my own without Xavier. People like that have no place here.”

Lexie’s face drained of color, while Frank bowed his head, too ashamed to meet my eyes.

They both understood exactly who I meant: Wendy Adams from Administration, Xavier’s distant cousin.

She had been the loudest voice spreading venomous lies—claiming the baby in my belly might not even be his, questioning Mason’s interest in me, insinuating an affair, and accusing me of heartlessly divorcing Xavier because I had found someone new and forgotten the past.

Even now, the absurdity of it made me want to laugh.

“HR has already sent the termination notices,” I said finally, leaning back and resting a hand gently on my belly as if to steady myself. “From now on, less gossip in this company, more actual work.”

At that moment, another knock came, and Mason stepped inside.

“Xavier’s at the door,” he said, tilting his head toward the hallway. “He’s yelling that he wants to see you. Do you want to?”

His eyes swept over the others in my office, reading the tension hanging in the air.

“Should I ask them to leave?” he added casually.

Lexie and Frank exchanged a quick glance before wisely standing.

“Ma’am, we’ll step outside,” they said in unison, slipping past Mason into the corridor.

Once the door closed behind them, Mason leaned against my desk, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“His angle,” he said, amusement flickering in his eyes, “is that he wants you back—or at least one more chance. Says a child can’t be without a father.”

I smiled back, picked up my pen, and signed the document in front of me with a confident stroke.

“Tell him a child doesn’t need a father,” I said calmly, “as long as he has his mother.”

By then, the divorce decree had been finalized.

The court’s ruling left Xavier with nothing.

After five years of clawing his way up, he was back to square one.

No more luxurious villas, no more suits worth tens of thousands, no more access to the privileges he once enjoyed in this lifetime.

Only then did he truly understand what betraying me had cost him.

But he couldn’t accept it.

Overnight, it was as if a decade had been etched into his face.

He knelt before me, begging for forgiveness.

But if every mistake could be wiped away so easily, what would be the point of apologies—or even the law?

Besides, his betrayal weighed heavily on my scales of justice.

In this life, he did not deserve my forgiveness.

Even after all that, he lingered near the office entrance multiple times, unwilling to let go.

Finally, he caught me alone.

“Vivian, our baby is eight months now, almost here, right?” Xavier’s voice was rough, desperate. “How can you be without a man at a time like this? Let me come back, please? I promise I’ll never be your company’s CEO again. I’ll stay home and be a househusband, take good care of you and the baby…”

“No need,” I interrupted, my tone gentle but firm.

I watched as the eager light in his eyes faded, dimming little by little.

“I have plenty of nannies and staff at home. I don’t need a man who stabs me in the back and spreads lies. Don’t come again. If I find you following me, I won’t hesitate to call the police.”

With those cold words hanging in the air, I turned and stepped into the RV.

That day marked my final visit to the office before giving birth.

I entrusted Mason with a few remaining matters, confident he could carry the burden.

Then I boarded a plane overseas, determined to welcome my child in peace and begin a new chapter—one where Xavier would never cross my path again.

The End.

Conclusion

 

This chapter closes a tumultuous chapter in Vivian’s life with a profound sense of resolution and strength. Despite the lingering shadows of betrayal and gossip, she stands firm, protecting not only her dignity but also the future of her unborn child. The emotional weight of Xavier’s downfall and his desperate pleas are met with a calm, unwavering resolve that underscores her growth from pain to empowerment. The subtle warmth of sunlight on her belly serves as a quiet reminder of hope and new beginnings amid the storm.

 

Ultimately, Vivian’s journey is one of reclaiming control and choosing peace over chaos. By severing ties with toxic influences and embracing the support of those who truly care, she steps into motherhood with courage and clarity. The chapter’s closing moments, marked by her departure to a place of calm, symbolize a fresh start—one defined by self-respect, resilience, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the emotional aftermath of Vivian’s decisive break from her past life. As she prepares to welcome her child into a world free from Xavier’s shadow, the lingering tensions at the office and the fragile alliances she’s formed hint at challenges yet to come. The uneasy truce with former adversaries like Lexie and Frank suggests that forgiveness and trust will be tested in unexpected ways, raising questions about who truly stands by Vivian’s side.

 

Meanwhile, Xavier’s persistent attempts to reenter Vivian’s life, despite her firm boundaries, set the stage for a complex confrontation between past regrets and future hopes. The emotional stakes are high, and the balance between vulnerability and strength will be crucial as Vivian navigates this delicate terrain. Readers can anticipate a nuanced exploration of resilience, redemption, and the intricate dynamics of love and betrayal as the story moves forward.