The New Skylar Jones

Years Later

———

I stood quietly, gazing at the tombstone before placing the flowers atop it.

"I'm back," I murmured, then sighed deeply. After a few minutes, I turned to leave the graveyard, my secretary trailing behind me. The driver, who had been waiting next to the car, opened the back door, allowing me to get in while my female secretary took her place in the front passenger seat next to him.

"You have a show to attend, and we only have ten minutes. All the VIPs are there, including the Reynolds family," my secretary informed me as the driver started the car and I drifted into my thoughts.

Just four years ago, what if I had heeded Ethan's brother's advice before making that choice? I recalled speaking with Mr. Reynolds that day, asking him to cancel the engagement, insisting that I would not marry his son. The next day, I returned to school only to discover that my father had taken his own life by jumping from a building, leaving behind a suicide note expressing his exhaustion which was strange because I had always believed he would never do something like that.

Before long, the drug test results came back positive, and a search warrant was authorized for my house. They uncovered a significant amount of drugs hidden in my room, which was shocking to me. As I was taken away, I caught a glimpse of Scarlet's face, her smile would be etched in my memory forever, as if she knew about the drugs and had been the one to place them there.

As if things weren't hard enough about my dad's suicide, being framed for drug possession, and then finally, the unimaginable news from my mother, that she was not actually my biological mother overwhelmed me.

She explained she had raised me out of love for my father, and now that he was gone, she would never forgive me. This clarified the mistreatment and favoritism I had experienced growing up. She wasn’t my birth mother.

She further accused me, telling the detectives that I had always acted aggressively and was a habitual drug user.

To safeguard the school's reputation, I was expelled, realizing I was likely headed for jail, with no one to turn to. However, Mr. Reynolds appeared, presenting a final offer: if I agreed to marry Ethan, he would ensure my freedom from prison. Though I was reluctant, certain thoughts compelled me to comply. What did my father owe Mr. Reynolds that he would trade me? Who was responsible for my father's death if he didn’t truly commit suicide? Who was my real mother? How would I make everyone accountable?

Reluctantly, I accepted the proposal, insisting that I wanted to study abroad for some years before returning, which Mr. Reynold consented to.

I got engaged to Ethan and vanished from everyone’s sight for four years, returning now as a transformed woman.

——

"Ma’am," my secretary called, pulling me back to reality. "I've been trying to get your attention, and oh, we’ve arrived." I sighed, and the driver quickly exited to open the door for me. As I stepped out of the sleek black car, the flashing lights of cameras immediately dazzled me, with reporters converging around us, thrusting microphones and recorders forward like weapons.

"Miss Kyrie, what’s your latest project?" one shouted.

"Oh, diva, you won the award for best fashion designer. Did you come to this city for a new project?" another chimed in.

With a bright smile, I waved my hand in a gentle gesture and proceeded towards the building entrance. The reporters followed me, their questions growing louder and more demanding.

I pushed through the throng, my security team creating a path through the sea of journalists. Once inside, I exhaled deeply, grateful for the calm atmosphere, a welcome change from the turmoil outside.

As the doors closed behind me, I noticed someone familiar staring at a portrait, his back to me. Just as I moved closer to him, two women blocked my path.

"Oh, Miss Kyrie, it's an honor to have you here. Your seat has been reserved," one of them said, gesturing towards the other side. I took one last look at the man admiring the portrait before following my secretary to the other side, overhearing the two women chattering.

"Oh my, this is my first time seeing her, and she's so beautiful."

"She resembles a goddess."

I smiled, more of a smirk, and as I walked on, a door a few feet away opened, and a guy stepped out while on a phone call.

“What are you talking about, she’s on her way??” The man replied, “Oh, remind me again, it’s been 4 years.”

I continued walking toward the guy , as the door they exited was the one I was intended to enter. The moment the guy turned, I halted in my tracks, and since he was absorbed in his call, he didn’t notice me. To my utter astonishment,

It was Ethan.

“Why did it have to be today of all days??” he yelled, sounding furious. “Do me a favor and ensure she doesn't get in here.”

After a brief pause,

“Oh, I’m not sure if she’ll make it here, but if she does, just don’t allow any fat girl to enter. Yes, she’s fat and has acne covering her face. Oh, it’s been 4 years, so maybe her acne is gone. Anyway, just make sure no unattractive, fat girl gets in, and by the way, she wears glasses, okay??” Ethan said before ending the call.

He hasn’t changed.

Just then, he turned to face me as I walked closer, and the expression on his face was different from the look of disgust he once had years ago; this time, he appeared to be infatuated.

“Oh, you must be… I could have sworn I recognized you from some magazines, you are…” he trailed off, glancing at my secretary and then back at me. At that moment, someone rushed towards us and slightly bowed his head at Ethan.

“Young master, I have just received the news,” he stated.

“And what is it??”

“It concerns your fiancée,” the man replied, and Ethan grabbed him by the collar.

“How dare you refer to her as my fiancée??” he growled. After a few seconds, he released him, realizing I was still present, watching him.

“Don’t mind him; I don’t have a fiancée,” he explained.

“The plane she was on to come here crashed, and they reported there were no survivors. She’s dead,” the man blurted out, causing Ethan's eyes to widen.

“What???

“Your fiancée… uh, I mean Skylar Jones is dead,” the man said.

“Dead???”