Her Billionaire's Final Victim

Adeline's POV I stood there, staring at Theodore as he smirked, infuriatingly, The noise of my bakery was drowned out by the pounding in my head and heart, I can't believe I allowed him to stick around for so long, but today I would end it I don't care how good he was in bed. "I can't believe you're serious, Adeline" he started in his suddenly annoying voice "This confrontation because of some stupid invoices?" "Stupid invoices?" I snapped taking a step closer to him "You deliberately falsified them, Theo! You were trying to take money from my business that I built from scratch!" He didn't deny it at all he just leaned against the counter and crossed his arms as though we were having a casual conversation "Well, you can afford it, can't you? Business is booming, this place is crawling with millionaires, billionaires everyone wants a taste of whatever little touch you add to your cakes, what's a little money between lovers?" "I was never your lover and you know that! We were friends with benefit only and now I'm starting to see that as the biggest mistake of my life!!" I hissed Theodore merely shrugged "A mistake, huh? Really? Well at least I'm not the one obsessed with finding a man who doesn't even know she exists!" That, hit a nerve, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment, He knew all about my search for my father, about the diary and the locket my mother left behind after she died, and how I had to survive on my own. Theodore had never understood that part of my life, never supported it to him it was a foolish, childish attempt, and I didn't care what he thought but to me, it was everything "I don't need your approval for anything Theo, and most importantly I don't need you" I said steadily "Get out of the bakery" He looked at me and then snapped "You know what your problem is? You are a self-centered narcissistic, selfish person! Maybe if you stopped being so obsessed with yourself and let people in, you wouldn't be so damn lovely" "Get out" I repeated, pointing to the back door of the bakery. "You're making a mistake, Adeline, you are nothing without me you'll instantly come crawling back" He said and I scoffed in disbelief Naria, the head of my kitchen and my closest friend had appeared in the doorway "Maybe you should leave, Theo" she said visibly annoyed Theodore looked at her, then back at me "So you're letting Naria do your work for you, she's the one you should be worried about not me!" I ignored him and shoved his shoulder pushing him toward the back door "Out.Now." "Fine, I can only ever be with a deranged person like you for so long" I ignored him again and reached for the door handle yanked it open, and stepped aside for him to go. Theodore looked at me expecting me to say something but when I didn't he walked out into the alley then I slammed the door shut and turned the lock. I stood there for a moment, trying to catch my breath. My bakery The Silver Olive Cafe was my pride and joy. The place I had poured my heart into ever since I got out of the foster system. No one was going to threaten it Naria came up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder "You okay?" I nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine, I just..." I shook my head "I just need a minute" She gave me a small smile "Take all the time you need" I smiled a little "He's wrong you know" she says and I knot my brows in confusion "What he said about your father, is not stupid, it gives you purpose in my life and that's a good thing because many people like Theodore just exist without a purpose in life" Now I have her a full smile "Thanks" I said and squeezed her shoulder "I'll be in my office I just need a minute," I say already heading to my office The moment I was alone, I sank into my chair and buried my face in my hands Theodore's words replaying in my head. I reached into my desk drawer and pulled out the small leather- bound diary that had belonged to my mother. It was worn, but I had read it so many times that I could recite certain passages by heart. My mother had written about the man she loved, the man I suspected to be my father, but she had never mentioned his name, only inexplicit details and clues that had led me nowhere Alongside the diary was an old locket with a crest engraved at the back and a faded photograph inside. My mother had always worn it, but she had never told me who the man in the photograph was. I had assumed it was my father, but the image was so blotchy and faded it was impossible to make out specific features Theodore's words replayed in my head again, and I returned the diary and locket to the drawer in frustration. What if he was right? What if my father didn't even know I existed? What if I was chasing something that wasn't there? I stood up and stopped in front of the window, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I couldn't let Theodore's words get to me. I had come too far to let someone like him tear me down. I wasn't that scared, vulnerable girl anymore. I was Adeline Troy, the owner of one of the most successful bakeries in the city. I had built this life from nothing, and I wasn't about to let anyone take it away from me. Not even stupid Theodore, so I went back to my chair and sat in it then turned on my laptop and started answering some work emails and sorting out some orders