UNWORTHY LOVE

CHAPTER 9:RISKING IT All FOR LOVE (FLASHBACK)

The room was dimly lit, the faint hum of the city outside barely audible through the cracked windows. William stood in front of Jessica, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to contain the excitement coursing through him. In his hands was a thick folder filled with papers—proof of the lengths he’d gone to secure their future together.

“I’ve done it, Jess,” he began, his voice trembling slightly but resolute. “I liquidated everything my father had put in my name. Stocks, properties, accounts—all of it. And that wasn’t enough, so I took a loan.” He paused, swallowing hard as he glanced at her. “It’s not a small loan, Jessica. I had to use my parents as guarantors. They don’t even know yet.”

Jessica’s eyes widened, her lips parting in shock. “William… what have you done? If your father finds out—”

“I don’t care!” William’s voice cracked, but his determination didn’t waver. He dropped the folder onto the coffee table and crouched down in front of her, taking her hands in his. “For years, I’ve lived under his thumb. Everything I have, everything I’ve achieved—it’s always been him pulling the strings. I’m done, Jess. I’m choosing my life. I’m choosing you.”

She stared at him, her hands trembling in his grasp. “You did all this… for me?”

“For us,” he corrected, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “This is our chance to get away from everything. To start fresh. No more judgment, no more control. Just you and me, building the life we’ve always dreamed of.” He squeezed her hands, his eyes glistening. “We’re leaving for America in two days.”

Jessica looked down at the papers, her emotions swirling—a cocktail of hope, fear, and gratitude. “Will… this is a lot. You’re risking everything.”

“I know,” he admitted, his voice softening. “But I’d risk it all a thousand times over for you. I’ve thought this through, Jess. I’ve spent weeks making this happen—selling assets without raising suspicion, convincing the bank to give me that loan, and making sure no one could trace our plans until it’s too late.”

Jessica blinked, her tears spilling over. “You thought of everything.”

He nodded. “I had to. This isn’t just about me rebelling against my father. It’s about us having a real shot at happiness. And Jess…” He hesitated, his voice lowering. “If this doesn’t work, I’ll figure it out. But I need you to trust me.”

Jessica threw her arms around him, burying her face in his shoulder. “I trust you,” she whispered. “More than anything.”

William pulled her closer, holding her tightly as though the world outside would steal her away if he let go. But even as he reassured her, a flicker of doubt lingered in the back of his mind. What if his father found out before they left? What if the loan backfired? He shoved the thoughts aside. They had to make this work.

The next morning

The morning sun cast its golden rays over the city as Mr. Oscar’s sleek black car pulled into the expansive driveway of his empire’s headquarters. Stepping out with his usual air of authority, he adjusted his suit and strode toward the building, expecting another day of managing his vast fortune,But something was off.

The usual crowd of staff hurrying to greet him was absent. The security personnel at the gate exchanged uneasy glances as he approached. Finally, one of the guards stepped forward, blocking his path.

“Excuse me, sir,” the guard said hesitantly, “you’re no longer permitted on these premises.”

Mr. Oscar’s eyes narrowed, his commanding presence unshaken. “What are you talking about? I own this company.”

The guard hesitated, his gaze faltering. “The company has been sold, sir. It’s under new ownership.”

A chill swept through Mr. Oscar as disbelief and fury clashed in his chest. “Sold? That’s impossible! I didn’t authorize any sale!” His voice thundered across the quiet entrance.

Before the guard could respond, Mr. Oscar’s phone buzzed. The notifications came in a relentless stream, each one reporting a new debit transaction. His bank accounts, drained. His assets, liquidated. His stomach dropped as he scrolled through the messages, the weight of realization dawning on him.

“No,” he whispered, barely audible. “This can’t be happening.”

Fighting to keep his composure, he rushed back to his car, barking orders to his driver. “Take me to the properties—all of them!”

One by one, he visited his estates and businesses, each stop revealing the same story. Signs declaring “Sold” hung where his empire once stood. Workers whispered in hushed tones as he passed, their pity cutting deeper than any insult. His hands trembled as he gripped the car door, his mind racing.

By the time he returned home, the weight of the betrayal was unbearable. The world he had built brick by brick had been dismantled in a matter of weeks,But the nightmare wasn’t over.

A sharp knock on the door broke the oppressive silence. Two uniformed police officers stood at the entrance, flanked by a stern-looking loan representative.

“Mr. Oscar,” one officer began, his voice firm but not unkind, “we need you to come with us to the station.”

“For what?” Mr. Oscar demanded, though his voice betrayed his mounting dread.

The officer held up a document. “Your son, William, listed you as a guarantor for a substantial loan. The repayment hasn’t been made, and the lender is pressing charges.”

The words hit like a hammer. He swayed, his world spinning. His wife, Rachel, rushed to his side, her face pale with fear.

“What has he done?” Rachel whispered, her voice shaking.

With no time to process, Mr. Oscar was escorted out. As he stepped into the waiting police car, his heart felt as though it had been ripped from his chest. Behind him, Rachel stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her face, alone in the empty shell of what had once been their life.