Chapter 2 New beginnings.

ADRIAN POV

I raised my glass to my lips, savoring the burn of the whiskey. At 27, I had closed a major business deal that would take Sterling Enterprises to a greater height.

And according to my Dad, that was my last test to become the new CEO. I was engaged to be married to his business partner's daughter.

I wasn't affected by that, I had always loved working in the company and finally, I was going to be the new CEO.

I glanced at my reflection in the mirror in my room as I unbuttoned my shirt, smiling from ear to ear.

As I peeled the shirt from my body, my eyes shot to the dragon tattoo on the left side of my chest.

Memories came running back, no amount of alcohol could ever drown them out. When I was 8, I lost my older brother, Ken, who was 13 then.

He was my hero, my protector and my best friend. We were playing in the woods near our estate one summer afternoon.

Ken warned me not to go near the steep, rocky slope, but I was young and adventurous and didn't listen. I ran off.

Ken chased after me, calling my name but I was too caught up to notice the danger. As he reached out to grab me, he slipped on the gravel and tumbled down the slope.

I watched in horror as he fell, hitting his head on a rock. I ran down as quickly as I could, my heart in my mouth.

When I reached him, he was barely conscious, blood trickling down his forehead. I cradled him in my arms with tears falling down my face.

"Ken, please, I'm sorry, get up," I begged. With his last breath, Ken placed his hand on my left side, over my heart.

"I told you to be careful," he whispered before his eyes shut dead. That! Left a scar in my heart that can never heal.

My father never let me forget it. He blamed me and denied me access to therapy. Therapy, he said, was for the weak.

So I grew up carrying that guilt, having nightmares about that day and relieving the moment I lost Ken over and over again.

Dad pressured me to become what Ken would have been and I had to shoulder all his responsibilities, denying me childhood privileges.

The pressure to live up to my father's expedition was immersed and it shaped me to become the man I am today, determined but hurtled.

I got the dragon tattoo over the place Ken had touched while drawing his last breath, and I made it sacred. No lady touched me there.

As I took another sip of my drink, Lilian burst inside with a smirk on her face. She was the last child.

"See who is celebrating without me." she pouted, I smirked. She was too dramatic. "Dad is waiting for you in the observatory."

KATHERINE POV

The plane's comedown jerked me awake. I blink away the sleep from my eyes. It had been two years since I broke free from Max's manipulative grip.

The divorce settlement granted me a considerable portion of our assets, enough to start afresh, and full custody of Charlotte.

Even after the divorce, Max had been manipulating and influencing Charlotte and the only way to break her free was to start afresh. In the USA.

As the plane landed on the tarmac, my heart thumped with hope and fear. I glanced over at Charlotte who was slumped on her seat.

Her headphones blared music that I could hear clearly from. She hadn't said much since we boarded the plane.

Her rowdy nature had grown stronger and she grew apart from me with each passing day. I longed to bridge the gap between us but she kept pushing me away.

As we stepped out of the airport into the bustling streets of Portland, I felt overwhelmed. Charlotte walked a few steps ahead, her shoulders crouched.

Life as a single mother had not been easy. I would lay awake at night questioning my decision. Should I had endured Max for my daughter's happiness?

Was I wrong in choosing my happiness and what was right? Charlotte was done with high school and instead of finding something productive to do, she spent her days out, often coming home late at night.

One evening, after a grueling job hunt, I came home to find Charlotte's room empty. I panicked as I dialed her number but went straight to voicemail.

Hours passed and I was about to call the police, when the door opened and she strolled in indifferently, clutching a shopping bag.

We were just a few weeks in the city, who did she know? "Where have you been?" I demanded.

"Out," she mumbled, glowering at me. "Why do you care?"

"I care because I'm your mother, Charlotte!" I shouted, frustration boiling over. "You can't just go out without my knowledge."

"Whatever, I'm fine," she snapped, brushing past me to her room and slamming the door behind her.

Max had planted the seed of manipulation in her heart just like he did mine, but I was determined to break her free.

I applied for several jobs, hoping to get my hands busy. One evening, as I prepared dinner, my phone buzzed with an email notification.

It was from Sterling Corps, a job offer outlining a permanent position with benefits and a substantial salary.

Relief flooded through me, but so did a wave of uncertainty. Could I juggle this demanding job and still be there for Charlotte?

I didn't have a choice, I had to prepare for Charlotte's college fees and expenses. I glanced at her, sitting on the couch with her headphones on.

"Charlotte," I called softly, but she didn't respond. I walked over and gently pulled off her headphones. "I got a job offer," I said.

She looked at me, her expression. "Good for you," she muttered, before turning away and blaring music.