Reborn Heiress

Rose's POV I stared at my parents' frame one last time with tears welling up in my eyes. I can't believe they are both leaving me in this dark world. All alone. “Rose, crying won't bring back the dead. They are gone forever,” my boyfriend, James, spoke warmly as he cleaned the tears I didn't know had reached my face. “All you have to do now is think about your future—your future without them.” I did not need further explanation before I understood what he meant. My parent's departure left a huge burden on me, especially when everything they had was willed to me. I have always lived a carefree life with my parents doing everything. All I ever did was live a luxurious life off their hard-earned money… and now? What am I supposed to do when I don't even know what it means to work with effort? “Rose,” as if reading my thoughts, James called out, snapping me out of my thoughts. “If you can't handle the company management, I would help out. At least for now.” His offer made my eyes widen. Did he just say he is willing to help me out? “I would be so grateful if you could,” I muttered calmly, a faint smile brightening my pale face. “I would have to see my family lawyer—” “What for?” James asked curiously. I hesitated before replying, “If you want to know why, just follow me.” Since the funeral was over and almost everyone had left, I walked out of the hall, James holding my hand as we walked side by side. Arriving at the spot where I parked my car, he opened the door for me. “I would drive. Just set the direction,” his voice echoed before I could talk. I didn't argue with him. I got into the car before setting the direction. All he did was follow the directions. The ride to the law firm where my family's lawyer works was a hectic one, but with James by my side, I wished this moment wouldn't end. “Won't you come out?” James' voice distracted me from my thoughts. I got out of the car without saying a word, leading the way as we entered the law firm. I headed to Barrister Bryan's office. I knocked twice before getting a response to enter. James exchanged an unpleasant look with me, wondering what I was up to. “James, I won't eat you up,” I teased before entering the office. “Rose, I am sorry I couldn't make it to your parent's funeral. I hope you are fine." Barrister Bryan asked calmly, leaving the files he was going through. I smiled faintly before replying, “It would take me time to be fine.” I tried not to burst into tears before I continued. “I want to hand over a branch of my father's company to Alexis, and my father's shares to James.” My words made both James and Barrister Bryan gasp, wondering if I was out of my senses or just too generous. “Rose, is that—” I was quick to cut James off. “James, I know you aren't the kind of guy who would betray our love. Everything I have belongs to you, and everything that belongs to you is also mine,” I said calmly. Before I knew what was happening, I felt my body embraced in a warm hug. “Thank you for believing in me, Rose. I would make sure not to disappoint you.” “Rose…” Bryan's voice made us disengage from the hug, reminding us we were in his office. “Are you sure of this decision you are taking?” I couldn't be any surer. With James leading my father's company, I know there won't be any problem. Also, I overheard him planning to propose to me at my 28th birthday party. Couples are meant to support each other, right? “Barrister Bryan, you know I am not capable of leading my father's company. Instead of a stranger—” “Rose, that isn't what I am talking about. You are giving everything to this man, and besides, your father has never introduced him to me as your fiancé,” his voice echoed, sounding as if he foresaw an impending disaster. I understand what he meant, but James is way different than other men. He treated me like I was the only one that mattered in his life. He is always there for me at my lowest. “Must you know everything that goes on in my life?” My brow raised as I spoke coldly. “All I ask for is transferring my father's shares to my man and a branch of the company to Alexis, and not talking me out.” “I apologize, Rose,” his voice was cold, sounding professional. “We can finalize everything today, but he can't make use of the company shares until your 28th birthday. That was what was in your father's will.” His words reminded me of my father's will reading, which happened days ago. “Sure, that won't be a problem.” Barrister Bryan brought out a document before handing it to me, with a space where I and James would sign. After signing, we handed the document back to him. “The company branch you want to extend to your sister has nothing to do with me. Since he is now the major shareholder of your father's company, the power lies in his hand,” Barrister Bryan informed. *** Days went by, and finally, it was my birthday. After much preparation, I changed into the gown James bought me for my birthday. The makeup artist styled my hair into a free run before applying makeup on my face and dolling me up. A bright smile made its way to my face as I stared at my reflection in the mirror—a part of me I had never shown to James since I hardly put on makeup. “Ma, you look amazing,” the makeup artist complimented. “Thank you,” I muttered before I stood up, leaving for Alexis' room. She was to take me to the living room, where my birthday would be held, but there weren't any traces of her. I wonder if she was busy trying to look better than me. “James, when are you going to end things with her? You already got everything; what else is delaying you?” Alexis' words made me gasp. My gaze landed on them; Alexis in James' embrace, staring at her lovingly. He has never looked at me that way. He always looks at me like someone who understands me... just not this way. “You don't have to bother about her. I would end everything with Rose in a grand way.” I felt my heart rip into a million pieces upon hearing James' words. Ending things with me in a grand way? So this was all his plan? To take everything from me when I was voluntary and grandly end things? So I was being deceived all along! “James, I trusted you! I loved you!” Those words force themselves out of my throat, tears forcing their way down my cheeks. James turned to face. His bright smile darkened as it changed into a frown. He didn't look apologetic or guilty of being caught. “Haha, rich dummy,” he laughed at my words before walking up to me. “Do you think I would fall in love with a lazy lady like you? Not only are you lazy, you are stupid. You are not even my type to begin with!” Each word of his felt like a knife slicing through every piece of my already shattered heart. I didn't expect this from him. I loved him. I trusted him. I f*****g gave him everything! “Oh, poor Rose.” I raised my gaze to look at Alexis, who was teasing me, but I couldn't find the perfect words to reply to her. “You think you have everything? Rose, don't be deceived. You are just our little catch, Alexis said before wrapping her hand around James. My chest tightened at her words. I ignored her, directing my questions to James. “James, was everything a lie? Were you acting like you cared just to stab me in the back? Was I a big catch to you? And why did you bother hosting this birthday party!?” I didn't know when another round of tears began streaming down my face. Only if I had listened to Bryan's words… “Birthday party? This is a farewell party, Rose,” there was a dark smirk on James' face as he spoke. And before I realized what he meant, I felt a hard force, causing me to lose my composure. I fell to the ground, rolling down the stairs. When I finally landed on the ground of the living room, causing the guests present to gasp, reality hit me. I was going to die all because I loved the wrong man. If I could go back in time, love would be the last thing I would ever indulge myself in! In the end, I am dying because I fell in love.