Rift in the perfect picture

By the time I arrived at the CEO’s office of Jones Corporation, the news of Nicholas‘ acquisition had already reached Mom.

Her office was in disarray, with cups, documents, a mouse, and a keyboard scattered all over the floor.

“Get on your knees!” She pointed a trembling finger at me. “On the keyboard!”

I stared at the keyboard without emotion and, without hesitation, knelt on it. The keys were hard and uncomfortable, and my legs began to numb quickly, but I forced myself to stay still.

Mom held her phone nervously. Her eyes were vacant as she mumbled to herself, “Should I call Nicholas? No… Maybe I should call Frances first.”

“Mom…”

As soon as I spoke, tears began to flow from the corners of my eyes. They collected on my chin before dripping to the floor. Mom blinked rapidly. As if coming to her senses, she began to scold me.

“How did I end up with such a stubborn child like you? You didn’t even bear Nicholas‘ child, but caused so much trouble instead! Come with me to Hawk Manor to apologize!”

I felt dazed as I watched Mom, who once loved me so much, gradually reveal a hideous face. The so- called “love” was long gone. I had family, but it felt as if I had none.

I gradually cracked a smile. Mom was likely enraged by my expression. Her eyes instantly turned bloodshot, and her words were laced with hatred.

“You have the nerve to laugh?” She shook me violently.

“Mom, why do all of you think it’s my fault? I don’t understand what I did wrong.”

I stared at her with vacant eyes. My gentle question was like a bucket of cold water being thrown into a raging fire, momentarily sobering her before provoking an even stronger backlash.

She grabbed my hair and shouted, “Why are you stubborn? You’re so stubborn! I told you not to study law! I told you so! You’ve lost your mind studying law!”

I looked up at her and saw tears in the corners of her eyes.

“What good is the law? It’s just a tool for the wealthy to protect their rights! Do you think there are so many people in the world who need you to uphold justice? Let me tell you. There’s nothing money can’t solve in this world. If there is, it just means that the money wasn’t enough!”

Instead of responding, I stared at her with defiance. I had long wished for her to stop running the company

If she sold her shares, she could live comfortably for the rest of her life, or she could use the money for something she was better at rather than being under someone else’s control. Or had she fallen in love with the feeling of being above everyone?

Under the bright light, our shadows seemed to perform a silent mime. No words from anyone could change our minds.

She pulled on my arm, insisting we go to Hawk Manor, but I stayed on my knees. Unable to move me, she had to go alone.

I looked down from the floor–to–ceiling window of her office. It had started raining, and the people below looked like ants, fleeing from the downpour.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

Would jumping from here make everything go back to normal?

Neal would no longer be dragged into this. Silas and Yasmine’s firm wouldn’t be shut down. Jones. Corporation could continue to thrive under Nicholas‘ protection.

I clenched my fist and pounded the glass twice with all my strength. It barely budged, but my hand throbbed with pain.

I turned around and suddenly laughed. What was I doing? Was I really thinking of dying over a failed marriage?

Just as I was about to leave the office, my phone rang.

“It

“A… ri… help me…” It was Mom’s faint and weak voice,

She was driving too fast, and before the underground parking lot barrier could lift, she crashed into it. The car immediately went out of control, sliding down the slope and slamming into the wall at the bottom.

I called for emergency services while running down the stairs with Mom’s secretary, Alex Crawford. I didn’t dare stop, even when I was out of breath. Alex, being faster, went ahead. I urged him to hurry.

“Save my mom… Please save my mom…

He promised through gritted teeth and disappeared. Tears blurred my vision, making it hard to see the path. I twisted my ankle but didn’t dare to stop until I saw Mom’s bloodied arm hanging outside the car window.

My world came crashing down.

Alex shouted at me, “Ms. Jones, Ms. Thompson has something to say to you! Hurry over!”

I rushed to hold Mom’s bloodied hand. When I saw her chest crushed by the airbag, tears streamed down my face.

“Mom, don’t try to speak yet. Help will be here soon. You have to hold on. Everything will be fine.” I spoke as if to reassure both her and myself.

Mom smiled, a trace of blood staining the corner of her lips. Her once beautiful teeth were now smeared with blood.

I trembled as I tried to wipe it away, but the blood just kept spreading. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t clean it up.

“Mom…” My voice was filled with helplessness.

I was terrified. I had already lost Dad. I couldn’t lose Mom too.

Mom’s frown relaxed, and her face displayed a look of relief. Her voice was faint and weak. “I love you…”

“I know, Mom, I know.”

She smiled contentedly. “I was afraid… I wouldn’t have another chance to say it…” With that, her arm suddenly slipped from my grasp.

“Mom!”

All that could be heard in the parking lot was my anguished cry. Suddenly, I thought of Nicholas. Could he help if he were here?

The phone rang repeatedly. Just as I was in my near–desperation, he answered.

“Yes, Ariana?” His voice was calm and detached.

Hearing him made me want to cry even more. For a moment, I almost forgot our animosity. I just want to rely on him at this moment.

“Nicholas… my mom….

I choked, and I couldn’t even complete my sentence.

He seemed indifferent to my distress as he interrupted me with unsettling calmness. “Ariana, the situation with Jones Corporation is settled for now. Think carefully about your leverage and call me back when you’re ready.”

“Nicholas…” I called out to him, but the line went dead, leaving only the dial tone in my ears.