She Was Never Mine

The Spark of Regret

Everyone had returned to their homes after a long day. The Lancaster family was gathered around the dinner table in a tense silence. Ethan broke the stillness with a firm tone, directing his words to Leo:

“You will come with me to the company tomorrow.”

Leo looked at him in confusion. “Why?”

Richard answered seriously, “To learn discipline and commitment. You need to become like your brother, who carries responsibility without complaint.”

Leo snapped back angrily, “But I don’t want to work at the company! I hate corporate life!”

Ethan responded firmly, “The decision is made. Prepare yourself. A major deal will be finalized tomorrow, and you will attend the meeting.”

Before Leo could argue further, the maid—Mirna—rushed in, her voice filled with panic:

“Mr. Richard… Mr. Richard!”

Everyone stood up from the table in alarm. Sophia asked anxiously, “What’s wrong, Mirna?”

The maid gasped, “The police are at the door… They want to arrest Mr. Leo!”

Leo’s eyes widened in shock. “Me? Why? What did I do?”

Suddenly, a police officer stepped forward from behind the maid and said sternly, “Come with us. You’ll find out soon enough.”

Ethan tried to calm the officers with his usual grace, hoping to get some answers, but they refused to reveal anything and took Leo with them despite his protests.

The family quickly got ready and rushed in Ethan’s car to the police station, leaving Mirna behind in the house, worried and confused.

Upon arriving, they were allowed in. Leo sat inside the investigation room, pale and disoriented. Ethan sat beside him and whispered, “Don’t worry. Just be honest.”

Then, the judge entered, and an old man named Carl was brought forward. He looked badly injured, with visible bruises and fractures.

He began to speak in a trembling voice, “I was crossing the street when this young man hit me with his car. He didn’t stop or look back—just drove off. If it weren’t for some witnesses who caught his license plate, I’d never have found him.”

The judge looked at Leo and asked, “Didn’t you see the man?”

Leo hesitated, stammering, “I... I was just...”

Richard interrupted coldly, “He was drunk, Your Honor.”

The judge was surprised that the father confessed against his son. Still, he showed no reaction and asked Leo, “Is this true?”

Leo lowered his head in shame and replied, “Yes, it’s true.”

“Arrest him,” the judge ordered.

After numerous efforts, Ethan managed to post bail and get Leo released.

On the way back home, silence filled the car until Ethan finally exploded, “What were you thinking, Leo? Who drives drunk? Are people’s lives toys for you to risk?”

Sophia tried to calm him, “Enough, Ethan. It’s over now. It’s time for bed, and tomorrow is a big day for you…”

She smirked at Leo and added teasingly, “And a big day for you too—it’s your first day at the company.”

Leo stormed off to his room in anger. One by one, the rest went to their rooms, sinking into deep sleep.

---

Meanwhile, at the Rivers estate, the family had just finished dinner. They were sitting together when Emma said cheerfully, “Today, I met a very sweet girl at the university. Her name is Sophia.”

Jack joked playfully, “And I met a very attractive girl too!”

Everyone laughed at his usual sarcasm. Eleanor then turned to her father and said excitedly, “Tomorrow, our company will sign a merger agreement with a major firm. It will boost our capital and profits significantly.”

George smiled at her warmly. “I’m proud of you, my daughter. You carry a burden heavier than your years.”

The evening came to a quiet close. One by one, they made their way to their rooms, each drifting into a deep sleep—unaware of what tomorrow would bring.

To be continued...