Chapter 2
1009 Words
Celine leaned against Luke's shoulder as they watched Barbara walk out of the mansion. She let out a quiet breath before looking up at him.
"Are you sure it's okay to let Barbara leave like this?" She asked worriedly.
Luke lowered his gaze and smiled at her tenderly. “Of course. The only people who matter to me now are you and our baby."
A smile finally spread across Celine's lips. "Thank you, Luke. I was so afraid you wouldn't choose us."
Luke cupped her face in both hands and gently stroked her cheeks. "How could I not?" He said softly. "You're the one I love, Celine. Not Barbara."
Although Celine smiled, the worry in her eyes remained. "But... What if she comes back? What if she changes her mind and takes Oceana Shipping Lines away from you?"
She knew exactly how intelligent Barbara was. Too bad she was also too compassionate for her own good. That was her greatest weakness.
Luke's expression turned cold. "Don't worry. I'll make sure Barbara never gets back on her feet again." His voice was calm, yet filled with determination. "I'll use every connection I have to keep her exactly where she belongs—at the bottom."
Barbara was brilliant. And that was precisely why he despised her.
Even after two years of managing Oceana Shipping Lines, the employees still respected Barbara more than him. She had always been the heart of the company.
But now...
He would prove that he could run Oceana without that self-righteous woman.
Celine wrapped her arms tightly around Luke. As she stared out the window, satisfaction filled her heart.
At last...
She had won.
Everything that once belonged to Barbara was finally hers.
—---------------------
Barbara rented a modest apartment as a temporary place to stay. Exhausted, she sank onto the couch, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Luke and his family hadn't just taken her company. Every property she owned had long since been transferred under Luke's name. The only thing left to her was the private bank account her mother had secretly opened for her years ago.
"So what are you going to do now?" Rhea, Barbara's best friend, asked in disbelief. "Don't tell me you're really going to let them steal everything from you?"
Sometimes Rhea couldn't tell whether Barbara had been blinded by love... or had simply lost all common sense after falling for Luke.
Barbara took a deep breath before picking up the copies of the documents Madam Sofia had given her. She still refused to believe her mother had embezzled company funds.
There had to be another explanation.
"I'm going to clear my mother's name," She said firmly.
She had successfully managed Oceana when she was only eighteen years old, despite having no experience.
If she could do that...
She could rebuild her life from nothing.
"But how?" Rhea frowned. "They control all the resources now."
Barbara lowered her eyes to the documents. If she fought back without evidence, Madam Sofia would expose the allegations against her mother immediately. No matter how wealthy Barbara once was, the Stavros family possessed influence far beyond money.
The Stavros name alone commanded power.
Even though Luke's branch wasn't the one controlling the Stavros Group, one wrong move would destroy both Oceana Shipping Lines and her mother's reputation forever.
"I'll find a job," Barbara answered quietly.
Rhea nodded.
With Barbara's impressive résumé and business skills, any company would be lucky to hire her.
—----------------
That night, Barbara lay awake for hours. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Luke and Celine together. The betrayal cut deeper than she had ever imagined.
Days turned into weeks.
She sent out countless applications to prestigious companies. Every single one rejected her.
Barbara stared silently at the email on her phone. Her divorce from Luke had officially been finalized. Only two months had passed. She couldn't help wondering if Luke had used his influence to speed up the legal process.
"You know what?" Rhea said as she rubbed Barbara's back comfortingly. "Let's go out tonight."
Barbara looked at her.
"We're celebrating."
"Celebrating what?"
"Your freedom." Rhea grinned. "You finally got rid of that cheating ex-husband of yours. And don't worry—you'll find someone who deserves you."
Barbara let out a tired sigh. "Where are we going?"
"Leave everything to me."
Without waiting for an answer, Rhea grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door.
—----------------
A little while later, they arrived at one of the city's most exclusive clubs. Barbara had never liked places like this.
But as she watched strangers laughing, dancing, and forgetting their worries, she suddenly wished she could do the same.
The whiskey burned her throat.
Unfortunately...
It couldn't burn away the pain inside her heart.
If only she could forget everything.
Even just for tonight.
"Mind if I keep you company?"
Barbara turned toward the deep voice beside her. The lighting inside the club was too dim to make out the man's features. All she could see was a broad silhouette that radiated confidence and masculinity. His rich baritone alone was enough to make her imagine an incredibly handsome face.
Goodness...
She really was drunk.
But she wasn't looking for a man.
She only wanted to drink until she forgot everything.
"I'm sorry," she said before taking another sip. "I'm not interested."
Instead of leaving, the stranger remained beside her. "You seem troubled," he said calmly. "If you need someone to listen... I don't mind."
Barbara didn't even look at him.
"Look, Mister," she replied wearily, "if you're looking for a woman, find someone else."
A moment later...
She felt warm fingers gently brush against the hand resting on the bar.
A strange sensation shot through her body like a surge of electricity. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before.
Not even with Luke.
The man leaned slightly closer. "But I want you..."
His deep voice sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine.
"And tonight… I can make you forget everything that's been weighing on your heart.”
- Writer
