The coffee mug fell to the ground after slipping out of my grasp.
"What did you just say?" I looked at Maya, my assistant, and hoped I had misheard. I didn't care that hot coffee was all over my office floor.
Maya's face turned white. "Your largest client recently terminated their agreement. Everything. They are withdrawing entirely.
My legs were weak. To prevent myself from falling, I grasped my desk. This isn't possible. Not right now. Not with everything already in ruins.
"That's not possible," I muttered. "Yesterday, we signed the documents. The transaction was completed.
"They mentioned looking for a better partner. Someone more... trustworthy. Maya lowered her gaze. "I apologize, Isabella."
It buzzed on my phone. Then it buzzed once more. And once more. My heart fell when I glanced at the screen. The bank missed seven calls. From my lawyer, three. And one text message that chilled my blood:
*A meeting for emergencies. We underestimated your father's debt. Now come. - James*
I slumped in my seat. Two years had passed since Dad's death, but I was still plagued by his mistakes. Something new always arose when I thought I was free. More debt. More issues. More people vying for my money.
I whispered, "Maya, please cancel my meetings."
"All of them?"
"Every one of them." I picked up my handbag and made my way to the door. "Maya, too? Look for another job. Next month, I might not be able to pay you."
It felt like a funeral march as I drove to my lawyer's office. I could hardly see the road as rain pelted my windshield. My grip on the steering wheel trembled. I was losing everything I had worked so hard to achieve.
James had a pile of papers and a somber expression as he waited for me. "Sit down, Isabella."
"Just let me know how awful it is."
He shoved the papers in my direction. "Your father took out a larger loan than we were aware of. Much more. By the end of the month, the banks require full payment.
I felt nauseous after looking at the numbers. "Two million dollars? That isn't feasible. What happened to all of this money?
"Wrong investments. debts from gambling. He did a good job of hiding it. James gave his forehead a rub. "Isabella, you will lose everything if you are unable to pay this. Your company. Everything, including your apartment.
The room began to spin. I buried my head in my hands. "I am unable to pay this. It wouldn't be sufficient even if I sold everything I owned.
James said slowly, "There might be one way."
I raised my head. "What way?"
"The Hawthorne Group is seeking a collaborator for their upcoming project. The deal is worth $5 million and will last for three months. If you were able to secure that contract..."
I felt sick to my stomach. "The Group of Hawthorne? Do you mean the family of Kieran Hawthorne?
"Yes."
"No." I got to my feet quickly. "Definitely not. Never.
"Listen to me, Isabella..."
"No! You are aware of what his family did to my dad. They ruined him. They are the cause of his death. My voice broke. "I refuse to collaborate with them."
James gently took hold of my arm. "Your father died from a heart attack. You are aware of that.
"A stress-induced heart attack. anxiety brought on by the Hawthornes stealing everything. My eyes were burned by tears. "They seized his company. His standing. His determination to live.
Isabella, that was business. This is how you survive.
I went to the window and gazed at the rain outside. Tired, afraid, and lonely, my reflection gazed back at me. Like Dad used to look before he passed away.
"They hate me too," I muttered. "The Hawthornes attribute their issues to my family. They believe we attempted to rob them.
"Perhaps this is an opportunity to mend the rift between your families."
It sounded bitter, but I laughed. "Repair things? Kieran Hawthorne would rather see me homeless than collaborate with me, James.
"You're unaware of that."
"I am sufficiently knowledgeable." I looked back at him. "Find another way."
"There isn't another option." James spoke in a firm tone. "You have a week before the banks seize everything, Isabella. A week.
My phone rang. My heart raced when I saw the caller ID: *Hawthorne Industries*
I gazed at the phone as if it were a snake. "This isn't feasible. They never give me a call.
"Answer it," James muttered.
I picked up the phone with trembling hands. "Hello?"
"Miss Chen? This is Kieran's mother, Margaret Hawthorne.
I almost dropped the phone. I had never in my life heard from Margaret Hawthorne. My skin crawled at the sound of her icy voice.
I managed to say, "Mrs. Hawthorne."
"I'll do this quickly. For you, we have a business proposal.
"I'm paying attention."
"Come see us at ten a.m. tomorrow. Our workplace. Come by yourself. Her tone was as piercing as ice. "Avoid being late."
The line died.
I gazed at the phone. "She hung up on me."
"What did she say?"
"They would like to meet with me tomorrow." My heart was racing. "There must be a trick involved."
For the first time in the day, James grinned. "Perhaps not. Perhaps you need them just as much as they need you.
"No one is needed by the Hawthornes."
"Isabella, everyone needs someone."
I paced my apartment for the remainder of the day. Why are they calling me at this time? It must have been a trap. Perhaps they were trying to make me look bad. Perhaps they wanted to ensure that, like my father, I lost everything.
However, what option did I have?
That night, I hardly slept at all. I always saw my father's face when I closed my eyes. He appeared extremely worn out the day before he passed away. So lost.
He had muttered, "Don't let them win, Isabella." "Make me a promise."
I made a promise. But now, in order to live, I might have to betray that pledge.
I was outside the Hawthorne building the following morning. It made me feel small because it was tall and shiny. Individuals in pricey suits passed me by as if I didn't exist.
I had perspiration on my hands. I thought my heart might burst. I would rather confront a ravenous lion than enter this structure.
But I was powerless.
I pushed through the glass doors and made my way to the elevator. From the gleaming walls, my reflection gazed back at me. I appeared frightened. In a desperate situation.
I told myself, "Don't let them see fear." *Have strength.*
At the top floor, the elevator dinged. The doors were opened.
And there he was.
Kieran Hawthorne was standing with his back to me by the window. Tall, self-assured, everything I wasn't. His blue eyes struck me like a punch when he turned around.
Neither of us moved for a moment. There was an electric feel to the air. Risky.
Then he grinned, and not in a nice way.
"Isabella Chen," he uttered slowly. "This ought to be fascinating."
The door opened behind him. My world came to a halt when a woman entered.
My face was on the woman approaching me. My hair. My eyes.
She resembled me exactly.
"Hello, sister," she said, smiling icily. "Are you shocked to see me?"