Chapter 2

BIANCA LEWIS

10 YEARS AGO

(YEAR 2014)

With about thirty minutes until my mother's shift ended, I sat on a bench near the Moore Innovation Empire building. I was waiting for her because we had planned to go to the hospital together. My sister had been confined there due to a worsening heart condition.

While looking around, a black luxury car caught my attention. Intrigued, I wondered who might step out. I pictured an elegant woman in a designer dress and flawless makeup, like a character from a drama. But when the door opened, I was caught completely off guard.

"Travis Moore..." I whispered in disbelief, recognizing the heir to the Moore Innovation Empire.

I knew him because we both attended the same university. He was four years older than me, so he graduated first.

He was very popular at Brook Summit University, not only because he was rich but also because he was incredibly handsome.

Girls swooned over him, especially when he played football. There was even a time when a game had to be paused because two groups of girls got into a fight over him. It was absurd but true.

Yes, I also admired him. But in my case I kept my feelings a secret because I knew there was no chance he would ever notice me. I was just a nobody. I only managed to get into a prestigious university like Brook Summit because of a scholarship.

"You are so lucky today, Bianca!" I muttered happily, snapping a quick photo of him in his business suit as he entered the building.

His serious expression hinted at a bad mood, making him seem even more intimidating.

After he graduated, I hadn’t seen him. Even though I often waited outside this building for my mom, I had never crossed paths with him.

Travis and I were worlds apart in terms of status. He was out of my league. I was well aware of it, so I would just admire him from a distance.

Shortly after I sat back, two police cars screeched to a stop near the building. Four police officers rushed inside. Chaos erupted afterward. I could see the commotion among the employees through the glass.

Was there an emergency? A fire? My heart raced with worry because my mother was inside.

Without thinking, I rushed toward the entrance, only to be stopped by the security guard when I tried to enter.

"You can’t enter here, Miss!" the security guard scolded me.

"What’s happening? Is everything okay?" I asked, craning my neck to see inside.

My question was soon answered when I saw a woman trying to break free while being dragged by two police officers. Her attempts to free herself from their grip were futile.

My heart dropped when I realized it was my mom.

"Mom!" I shouted, pushing past the guard and running inside. But before I could reach her, the guard caught me and pulled me back.

"We told you, you can’t come in here!"

"Get off me! That’s my mother!" I exclaimed.

"I’m sorry, Miss, but you really can’t get inside."

Ignoring him, I broke free and ran toward my mom.

"Bianca!" she cried out as she saw me.

"What is happening?" I asked, confused while looking at her hands, which were handcuffed.

"Nothing! Just go home, Bianca!" she said, tears streaming down her face.

"No! I'm not leaving without you!"

"Go home! I promise I’ll come home later! You shouldn’t have to witness this!"

The police dragged my mother away again, so I stood in their way. When I saw how tightly they were holding her arms, I pushed them off.

"Let go of her!" I pleaded through my tears.

"Move out of our way, Miss!" one of the officers roared.

"Bianca, please listen to them!" my mom begged.

"Why are they arresting you?!"

"They’re arresting your mom because she stole a big amount of money from the company," a voice answered from behind the crowd.

The employees parted, making a way for Theodore Moore, the owner of the company. Following behind him was his son, Travis. They looked so authoritative that I had to take a step back.

"She… stole?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Yes! Your mom has been stealing hundreds of dollars for years, but we only caught her now. Thankfully, my son Travis quickly analyzed what was happening in the company," Theodore Moore explained in a calm but angry tone.

"Mom..." I looked at my mother, hoping she would deny everything. But it felt like my world crumbled when she just bowed her head. Her silence shattered me.

"I am so sorry, Bianca," she said, crying.

"No, it's not your fault!" I muttered, shaking my head. I couldn't bring myself to be angry with her because I knew she only did it for my sister.

Maybe the money for my little sister's surgery came from the company rather than the bank loan. I couldn't hold it against her because she was the only provider for us after our father died ten years ago.

"Take her and bring her to the police station," Travis said, his expression cold and devoid of mercy.

"Travis! Please! Forgive my mother," I begged as I approached him, clutching the sleeve of his coat.

"Business is business! She committed a crime and must face the consequences."

"I promise! We’ll find a way to return the money to the company."

He looked at me, amused. "How? With the amount of money your mom stole, there’s no way she can pay it back."

"I’ll find a way!" I said desperately.

"You are wasting my time," he scoffed, giving me a lazy look.

He passed me by without looking back and heading for the exit.

Without losing hope, I turned to Theodore Moore this time. I was about to kneel before him when my mom stopped me.

"Don’t do that, Bianca. It won’t make a difference! They’re heartless; they’ll never forgive us!"

"But you can’t go to jail, Mom!"

"Your mother is right," Theodore Moore chimed in, wearing the same expression as his son . "If I show mercy, my company won’t survive. In the business world, you need to be clever and ruthless."

Hearing those words crushed all my remaining hope and courage. I could not do anything but watch my mother being dragged out of the building.

"Don't take her!" I screamed, holding her hand as they put her in the police car. My tears wouldn’t stop.

"Be strong, Bianca! Take care of your sister. We will get through this," my mother said, wiping away my tears as her handcuffed arms extended from the car window.

"I’ll follow you to the police station!"

"Bianca! Darling listen to me. Please—" My mom's words were cut as the police car drove away.

"Noo!!" I shouted, running after the car. But I couldn’t cross the busy street filled with speeding vehicles.

Desperate, I ran to the nearest bus stop, determined to follow her. A bus arrived just as I reached the stop. I climbed aboard while sobbing uncontrollably.

I never expected our lives to fall apart so quickly. Just this morning, we were celebrating the loan approval for my sister's surgery. But now, everything was completely destroyed.

When the bus neared the police station, my phone rang. It was my aunt who called. I answered it immediately.

"Yes, Aunt Lucinda?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.

"Bianca, hurry! The doctors are trying to revive Belle!" she said frantically. I could hear chaos in her background.

"W-what?" My blood ran cold with what I heard.

"You need to come here now with your mom!"

Aunt Lucinda was still speaking, but I couldn't bear listening anymore. I pulled the phone away from my ear. My sobs became more painful as I felt completely helpless.

Now, I needed to decide who to prioritize—my mom or my little sister.

"I’m so sorry, Mom," I whispered over and over again as the bus passed the police station.