Chapter 3: Everybody moves on.

Madison sat in the airport's waiting area with her two kids. "Mom, why hasn't Emma come to pick us up yet?" She softly touched her son, Liam Brown's, head. "Sofia's tied up with work. Let's wait here a bit longer." After her divorce, Madison moved overseas. She sold nearly everything to provide for her children. For three years, her life was a mystery to most. Only her close friend, Emma Jones, managed to visit them occasionally. Now that the kids were older and Emma understood Madison's desire to resume her career, she assisted her in securing a job as a jewelry designer. This opportunity brought Madison back to their home country. "Maddie!" Emma exclaimed excitedly from a short distance away. "Emma!" Ava Brown sprinted toward her. Emma bent down to hug her. "You're as lovely as ever, little princess." "I have to be with a mom as pretty as ours!" She replied with a gleaming smile. Liam, looking wise beyond his years, asked, "When will Ava grow up?" Madison laughed, glancing at her son. "Sometimes, I wish you were as carefree as she is." Liam pulled a suitcase taller than him. Madison reached out to help, but he insisted. "I'm big enough to help with these things now, Mom." "Just let me know if it gets too heavy," she replied. Emma chatted non-stop on the way, updating Madison on everything, including Henry's new marriage to Taylor Wilson. "I'm over it. Even if he marries someone really important, it's none of my business." Madison said she was trying to shove the thought of Henry away. Emma held the steering wheel tightly, sighing. "You two were so happy once. Hard to believe how things turned out." "Life's full of surprises. I'm doing okay now." "True. But why would someone from a wealthy family like Wilson go for Henry?" Initially, Madison appeared unbothered by the news. But on reflection, she still felt disgusted by his actions. "Henry always had a way with women. I just didn't see him remarrying so quickly after our divorce." Emma said with disdain, "I bet they were together before your divorce. It all happened too quickly." It had been three years since their divorce. Reflecting on it, Madison started to think that Henry might have planned it all along. She asked, "Do they have children?" kids? That's impossible; Henry can't have kids, right?" Emma replied almost immediately. Madison was taken aback. "How did you know?" She and Henry had kept it secret; not even his mother knew it. "He's been remarried for three years, but no kids. And didn't you use IVF for your children?" Madison had confided in Emma about the IVF. After the divorce, there were rumors of her infidelity. But with Henry still childless, his secret seemed obvious. He once said his condition might be treatable." Enma scoffed. "Sure." They both burst into laughter. By the time they arrived home, it was already late in the evening. After a quick meal, Madison took the kids up for a bath before tucking them in. The next morning, Emma hurried Madison to her job interview. "I took today off to help. I'll watch the kids." "Alright, I'm coming." Madison hadn't been this rushed in years. She quickly did her makeup, changed, grabbed some bread, and left. Madison left her home while Liam and Ava were still sleeping. This made her morning easier, as they usually needed her attention for a while. When she arrived at the company, an employee guided her to meet the boss, Mark Anderson. Mark was Emma's business partner. He needed a jewelry designer, so Emma suggested Madison. Following Mark's assistant, William Murphy, Madison felt a bit nervous. Hey, don't stress it... You'll be fine," William assured her as she noticed how tensed she was. Madison smiled at her with a nod. They came by a door that had a plaque on it: ?CEO's Office." William knocked before opening the door. In a sunny corner of the office, a spacious desk adorned with potted succulents and a sleek desktop computer set the tone for a productive work environment. The ergonomic chair offers comfort during long hours, while a shelf neatly organizes reference books and work essentials. Soft, indirect lighting from modern pendant lamps creates a warm ambiance, complementing the neutral color palette of the walls and furniture. Large window frames allow a scenic urban view, and natural light floods the room. Seeing Mark, she thought he looked familiar. "Hi, I'm Madison Brown. I'm here for the jewelry designer job; Emma recommended me." Mark, poised and sophisticated, nodded. "Please, sit. I saw your resume. You designed the heart of love, right?" "Yes, that's my work. But I've been focusing on my kids for years. I might need to relearn some things," Madison replied modestly. "Finding designers as skilled as you is rare. I'm honored to have you here. Start by getting up to speed with current trends. We have an experienced designer here who can help you." As Madison observed Mark, she understood why he seemed familiar; his looks and demeanor were strikingly similar to her son's. In her mind, she marveled, 'What are the odds of such a coincidence?' "Thank you for this chance to learn and grow. I'll do my best and won't disappoint, she said. Mark responded with a calm nod: "Let William give you a tour. We've set up an office for you. Check it out and tell us if you need anything." "Thank you." Madison left with William, feeling like the job interview had gone surprisingly smoothly, perhaps thanks to Emma. Being out of work for years had made her feel out of touch. Mark's amiability was unexpected. He was polite and respectful, unlike the strict bosses she had known before. William soon showed her to her new office. "Ms. Smith, this is your office. Let me know if anything needs changing." Nestled in an open-concept loft, her office is a symphony of creativity and functionality. A sleek, minimalist desk crafted from reclaimed wood stands as the centerpiece, adorned with a curated collection of design magazines and a dual-monitor setup. Ergonomic furniture, like a designer chair and adjustable desk lamp, ensures comfort during intense ideation sessions. Whiteboard walls invite spontaneous sketches and brainstorming. Shelves showcase design prototypes, color swatches, and a trove of inspirational objects. Large, north-facing windows bathe the space in natural light, illuminating an array of textured fabrics and design samples. A palette of muted tones provides a calming backdrop, allowing vibrant design projects to take center stage. The room resonates with the hum of creativity, blending the precision of technology with the tactile allure of design elements, creating an inspiring haven for innovation. Even the pens and papers were her preferred brands. "Everything's been so thoughtfully arranged. Thank you." Madison turned to William with a smile. William offered a small smile back. "It's our job to ensure you have a comfortable workspace. If there's nothing else, let me show you around the building." "Thank you," Madison responded. William showed her the rest of the building before leaving her to fit in. Madison hasn't been in a work space for a while, so everything felt nostalgic, and she was indeed excited to start working again.