"What is Director Wyatt’s condition?"

Jason stared deep into Shawn’s eyes. "His condition is that you divorce and stay away from my sister, Janice and never have anything to do with her again."

"Can you do that? Once you agree to his condition, the contract will be signed and the collaboration will begin."

As soon as Jason finished speaking, a deep boisterous sound that seemed to bounce off the walls reverberated in the quiet room.

Jason was taken aback by Shawn’s sudden but strange laughter. Each chuckle was slow, dripping with so much sarcasm that it practically dripped onto the floor and it ended as abruptly as it started.

"We both know that that is impossible. You had better come up with something worth considering. How can he give such an absurd condition?"

"What do you mean?" Jason asked, his tone laced with anger. How dare he make fun of his father’s words!

"Little brother, divorcing your sister is non negotiable. Even death has tried several times but didn’t succeed, so I’m sure nothing will be able to come between us. Not in this life, nor in the one to come."

Jason chose to ignore Shawn’s address and asked, "Are you saying that you would rather give up on the collaboration and continue in your foolish pursuit for my sister?"

A ghost of a smile appeared on Shawn’s face. "Pursuing your sister is the most noble thing I have ever done in this life."

"But my sister no longer loves you."

"That is the lie she has made all of you believe. Her heart belongs to me alone."

Jason’s nose turned up in a sneer. "Stop fooling yourself, if she still loves you she will never do the things she is doing to you now."

"Things like what?" Shawn’s eyes had a challenging look as he held Jason’s gaze.

"Making me believe she was dead for several years and causing me to lose my sanity? Making me lose billions of dollars by interfering with my business? Having a child with someone else?"

Shawn’s expression was filled with determination and love as he said. "All these are her revenge on me and they are justifiable."

Jason’s forehead puckered as he found it hard to believe what Shawn was uttering.

"President Hudson, it’s not as simple as you think. We are all against her getting back with you and as it is, it is not going to be easy winning back my sister’s trust."

"I understand, but my feelings for Kathleen, they’re unwavering, and I also know what she thinks of me."

"I’m aware of her anger which is as a result of my past foolishness and betrayal, but I’m ready to wait for her forgiveness. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my sincerity and commitment to Kathleen. I can’t just walk away."

"I admire your determination, President Hudson. But this is more than just your own feelings. It could affect your career, your future, the collaboration.

"Damn the collaboration," Shawn interrupted passionately. "I love her, Jason. It’s as simple as that. Kathleen means everything to me. I can’t give up on us because of any collaboration."

Jason’s gaze was full of pity as he said,

"But there is no "us" as far as my sister is concerned. She has moved on already and has two children that you are not aware of."

"I’m already aware of..., What?!" Shawn’s words caught in his throat, halting his words in mid-sentence, "they are two?"

Jason’s brow rose in mock surprise. "Oh, you didn’t know? They are a boy and a girl. They are the cutest children I’ve ever seen."

Seeing Shawn’s dark look, he decided to rub it in. "And they look so much like their father, who is one of the most handsome men I’ve come across." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Except for me of course, I don’t think anyone can compare with him in this world. So you see, no one in his right mind will abandon such lovely children and outstanding man for a failed marriage."

"Our marriage never failed, Jason. We only have challenges, which is normal in every marriage."

He didn’t want to dwell on Jason’s deliberate attempt to make him jealous.

"And as for her having children with another man, do you want to know how I feel about it?"

"Go on, I’m listening," Jason said.

"Well, I don’t care anymore. Hard as it may seem, I might even help her take care of those children since they are from the woman I love."

It was now Jason’s turn to be stunned.

"What did I hear you say? You are ready to take care of the children that you don’t even know who their father is? I don’t believe your sentimental nonsense."

"You may find it hard to believe but it doesn’t change the fact that I am being serious and will stand by my word if Kathleen will give me the chance."

"All I ask for is a chance from her and your entire family to prove that I am a changed man and ready to make amends."

If Johnson, his assistant were to be present at this moment he would have passed out from shock.

Shawn has never begged any man in all his years of doing business or any other thing. But now he was ready to beg a junior and his entire household just for the sake of a woman.

"You are also a man. Now tell me, how would you have felt if you had seen the woman you are ready to lay down your life for, in bed with another man?

"Would you have applauded and calmly taken your wife home with a smile on your face?"

He paused and allowed his words to sink in before continuing.

"All I did was on the spur of the moment and before I could get the chance to rectify my mistake it was already too late. But fate gave me another chance. Please don’t deny me this second chance."