Chapter 1

Christine’s POV

In rage, I pushed open the towering mahogany doors with a strength I didn’t know I had, the loud BANG as they hit the walls slicing through the heated murmurs of the conference room.

All eyes turned to me. Clad in a crisp ivory blazer and a fitted pencil skirt, my heels clicked with authority against the floors as I stepped in. My hair was tied back into a sleek bun, my g****e glasses resting on my nose. I looked every inch the CEO I had worked so hard to become.

“Christine?” my grandfather, Frederick Harrington, a man in his early 50’s said in disbelief from the head of the boardroom table. His voice held both irritation and surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“I should be asking you that,” I said, forcing myself to stay calm as I walked further into the room. “What is this meeting about, and why wasn’t I informed? I am the CEO of HarringtonInternational Tech company, not some secretary to be kept out of the loop.”

The board of directors, some group of men around their 30’s, and 40’s shifted uncomfortably in their seats as they watched the scene.

“Christine, this isn’t the time or place,” Grandfather said, gesturing toward the door. “Leave. We’ll talk at home.”

I laughed, short and bitter. “Talk?” I turned to the board. “Did any of you have the spine to question this sudden, secret meeting without the CEO?”

“Enough!” Grandfather’s voice cracked through the tension. “You are no longer the CEO.”

For a second, I couldn’t process the words. I just stood there, blinking.

“What did you say?” I asked quietly.

“You heard me,” he said, rising from his seat. “Effective immediately, you are being removed from your position. The board has already appointed a replacement and we are in a meeting. So now, leave!”

I stood frozen, my breath caught in my throat. Had my grandfather really just yelled at me and dismissed me as CEO in front of everyone? The words echoed in my ears, leaving me momentarily paralyzed. I scanned the room, searching the faces of the board members seated around the table. None of them looked shocked or surprised. Instead, their gazes shifted away, refusing to meet mine. That’s when it hit me, I am the only one who hadn’t seen this coming.

“No.” I shook my head. “You’re joking.”

I’m the CEO of HarringtonInternational Tech. I’m the one who built this company into the powerhouse it is today. So why am I the one being cast aside? I couldn’t wrap my head around it, why was Grandfather doing this to me, and in front of everyone? How could he humiliate me like this?

“Why?” I demanded. “What reason could you possibly have to strip me of the title I’ve earned with blood and sweat?”

Grandfather didn’t answer right away. He looked at me… almost regretfully. And then spoke.

“It’s because you’re not competent for this role,” he said finally.

My blood froze.

“What…?”

What do you mean? Is Grandfather seriously saying this right now… is this some kind of cruel joke?

“The results came in yesterday,” he continued. “You have just one month to live, Christine. You’ve got a tumor in your brain. The DNA also states you are not a Harrington. You are not my biological granddaughter, Christine.”

I shook my head in denial. “No. That’s not possible, there’s nothing wrong with my health.” I said out but grandfather said nothing to me.

“So because of a mere test result, you are stripping me of my title?”

“Listen child, we thought you were one of us,” he snapped. “Now that we know the truth, we must act accordingly.”

“But this company…” My voice cracked. “I built it. I expanded our tech sector, I brought in the global deals you couldn’t even dream of landing. You can’t just erase me!”

“You’ll remain on the board,” he offered, as if that was some generous concession. “But from now on, your cousin, Lisa will take over as CEO.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Lisa?”

Lisa who knows nothing about the company? All she does was travel to different countries of her choice for vacation with her parents' wealth. That’s the person they want to use as a replacement?

And then took a few bold steps and stood in front of grandfather. I bent low, leaning on the desk as I looked him square in the eye. “You’re making a mistake.”

I felt the fire ignite inside me, the rage building so high it was all I could do not to scream.

“Very well,” I said, forcing my voice to stay steady. “But remember this, Mr. Harrington. HarringtonInternational Tech company exists where it is today because of me.” I pointed at my chest. “ And without me… it will crumble.”

Without any more words, I turned and walked out, slamming the doors behind me.

I made my way to the clinic. I am now seated at the reception as I stared at the DNA test results in my shaking hands.

‘99.99% Non-Match.’ I couldn’t breathe. And then i opened the other result where it stated I’ve gotten a brain tumor.

So it was true.

Everything made sense now, the coldness from my parents, especially my father, the way they’d never really smiled at me unless I brought home awards or achievements. They never hugged me. Never said they were proud. And now I understand why.

I remembered being eight years old, asking my grandmother who died years ago why my parents never came to my school plays or birthday parties. She’d said, “They’re preparing you to be strong. They don’t want you to grow soft.”

I believed her. I believed every lie they told me. My grandmother had only been the one showing me genuine love and now she’s no more, I miss her so much. The thought of it only made tears gather in the corners of my eyes, but I wiped them away with the back of my hand. No more tears. Not now.

They used me.

They must have known from the beginning I wasn’t their blood? That must be why they never showed me the slightest bit of affection. They raised me, kept me close, only because they saw my potential as a tool for their gain. And now, after I’ve gained independence and elevated the company to its height, they view me as a threat, someone to be discarded? So, they’re pushing me out now that they’ve squeezed every bit of use from me? My bitter smile spread as she pieced it together in her mind.

All I had ever thought about, all I had ever cared for, was that damned company. My entire life was consumed by it, from my childhood through my teenage years. While other kids played or chased dreams of their own, I was buried in books, chasing degree after degree. I wasn’t doing it for me, not really. I was doing it to please them. To impress my so-called family.

And for what?

I worked my ass off. I poured every ounce of myself into that company. Countless nights spent alone in my office, staring at endless spreadsheets, drafting proposals, or just trying to figure out how to save what was crumbling. I gave my soul to that company, thinking it would eventually be mine.

It wasn’t.

Now here I am, demoted from the very position I fought so hard for.

The more I tried to act strong, the more my poor heart shattered the more. I looked at the wall clock, it was 2:AM. I had cried my eyes out and didn’t realise it was this late already. I needed comfort, someone to tell me everything was going to be fine, someone to ease my pain and give me hope. So I left the hospital and headed to my car. I need to see my boyfriend, Francis. Maybe his embrace could help me feel better.

I sped, driving like a woman possessed, with my car windows slightly down. The night air rushed past my window as I gripped the wheel tightly, calling Francis over and over again to tell him I was coming but no answer.

The man I loved, my fiancé. He would understand, he was the only one I knew could understand me at the point of my life. At least that’s what I thought…

Reaching his house, I was surprised to see his doors unlocked and thankfully, the security code to open the door still worked.

I stepped in, locking the door behind me but what I saw made me halt in my tracks..

A red stiletto heel lay on the floor. And suddenly, I could hear moaning voices from the inside. My heart is panting fast now, shivers run down my spine as I walk slowly down the hall, and push open his bedroom door.

And there they were.

Two naked bodies tangled together on the bed. I stared, frozen and speechless as my brain tried to process it.

It took them a few seconds to even notice me. The woman turned first and immediately. My heart cracked. My cousin. That’s my cousin, Lisa. The same cousin who is now being handed my company.

Francis’s head snapped toward me, and the moment his eyes met mine, he leaped off the bed, not in shame, but in irritation.

“What the f*ck, Christine?! Why are you here?”

I didn’t say anything. My voice was gone. All I could do was stare at them.

Francis Cooper had been my college sweetheart and my fiancé, someone I truly believed was different from the rest. At 29, four years older than me, he carried himself with the calm patience of a man who knew what he wanted or so I thought. Throughout our long relationship, he never once pressured me or crossed any boundaries. He never pushed for intimacy, never acted out of lust.

I used to think it was because he respected me. That maybe, like me, he was focused on our careers and just waiting for the right time, our wedding night to finally take that step. He’d always reassured me that he was willing to wait, that love wasn’t about physical needs for him.

But now… seeing him like this, naked in bed with my 22 years old junior cousin sister shattered every illusion I ever had.

“Francis?” I called in shock. “Lisa?”

“Oh! Stop it already.” He replied. “You have no right to barge in here without my permission.” he snapped, walking toward me, completely unbothered by his nudity. “We’re over, Christine. You’re not a Harringtonanymore, remember? What would I want with a low life with you? I heard the news. Lisa told me you’ve got just one month to live”

“Oh yes, I did tell him.” Lisa added, stepping closer with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Francis’s voice dripped with scorn. “I only stayed with you because of your status. But now? You’re nothing. Just a glorified orphan clinging to a last name that doesn’t belong to you.” He said. “Get out.” He added.

He reached out to grab me, but I stepped back.

“Our pathetic engagement is done, so don’t ever show your miserable face around me again. I’ve been disgusted by it for years!” Francis spat cruelly, each word like a wound to my already broken heart. Not bothering to know how deep his words were hurting me. And didn’t care I was already drowning in confusion and pain.

“Did you actually think you would inherit the property?” Lisa’s voice slurred. “Because you are the CEO, those that make you the owner?” She added.

“You, heartless bastards!” I screamed out in my head. My eyes burned, threatening to overflow with tears, but I clenched my jaw and held it all in. ‘No. Don’t you dare cry, Christine. Not in front of him. Not now. Not ever.’ I said to myself. I would rather drop dead than let him see me at his mercy.

I had already been slammed with one bad news after another today. This from him? Just another wound to carry. I’m strong. I won’t crumble. Not for him. Not for anyone. I forced myself as I pushed down the storm raging inside me, and slowly lifted my gaze to stare at the two traitors standing before me.

I smiled.

A slow, terrifying smile that made even him confuse.

“Good,” I said softly. “You’ve shown me your true face. Just remember this, Francis, when your world starts to fall apart… I’ll be there. Watching. Mocking. And Laughing!”

As I turned to leave, Lisa’s voice rang out, laced with mockery. “You’ll be watching and laughing? You’ll be dead before you see anything!”

Immediately, she grabbed me by the wrist, tight and firm that I could feel her so much pain, causing my skin to turn red.

Lisa smirked, her eyes cold now as she stared deeply into my eyes. “You heard me. You’re as good as gone, Christine. That tumor in your head will do the work for us soon enough. But to be honest, I don’t trust fate to handle things properly. I’d rather speed up the process myself.”

Francis was silent, his lips pressed into a thin line, but his eyes held no remorse. No pity or apathy.

“Let go of me Lisa.” I snapped, forcing myself out but Francis approached and held my other hand. His grip was more painful.

Their smirk widened, and before I could react, Francis pulled my wrist and twisted it painfully, shoving me against the wall. I winced so deeply in pain.

“Did you really think you could walk out of here and live to see tomorrow?” he hissed, his face inches from mine.

“Francis…” I gasped, struggling against his grip. “You’re insane, both of you! Let me go!”

Lisa sauntered over. “Oh, Christine, don’t act so surprised. You’ve been a thorn in my side for years. Always the perfect one, always getting everything I deserved. But not anymore. Grandfather handed me the company, and you?” She leaned in, her breath warm against my ear. “You’ll never live long enough to see me as CEO. And trust me, no one will ever know what happened to you.”

Her words sent chills down my spine.

Francis tightened his grip, his expression devoid of the man I once thought I loved. “It’s nothing personal, Christine.”

“Let go! You two are psychopaths!”

Lisa laughed, stepping back to grab something from the cupboard. It was a knife, a medium size knife and its edge looked so sharp. It looked like they had been waiting for me to come and I was finally here,

“You won’t feel a thing,” she said sweetly. “Well, maybe just a little.”

My heart thundered in my chest as she moved closer while Francis’s grip on me grew tighter. I struggled harder, kicking and thrashing, but Francis’s hold was unyielding.

“You’ll never get away with this,” I hissed.

“No one cares,” Lisa interrupted coldly. “You’re not even Harrington. You’re nothing but a mistake we’re cleaning up.”

Before I could respond, she hurried the knife inside my stomach. Stabbing me again and again and again as blood gushed out, spilling the ground and my dress.

“Lisa…” I called weakly as pain exploded through my chest as I crumpled to the ground, gasping for air.

Francis held my chin and lifted my face that I was now looking at his face.

“Your presence had always irritated me but thanks to my love, Lisa. Lisa planted a kiss on his lips as he returned his attention to me. “For never discouraging me that a day like this would come.” He said.

“See? This is what happens when you overstay your welcome.” Lisa added.

“Go to hell!” Lisa added as she continued to stab and stab and stab and stab me, as if she was passing her frustration through me.

I wanted to cry, to scream and question her why the hatred but I was weak. Too weak to ulter a word. Only silent tears tripped from my eyes.

My weak eyes watched as Francis stepped out and immediately returned with a liquid inside a container.

“I’ll leave this acid to complete the job.” He said as he poured it all over me. My skin reacted so quickly to the burn, I saw my own life slipping off me. My very own life.

“Let’s discard her body.”

That was the last words I heard as darkness consumed me.