Chapter 3

Christine’s POV

I stood still, in shock. My heart is pounding, each beat a deafening echo of the BOOM that had shattered my world seconds ago over the phone. I could still hear her saying, “I’m heading home,” and the silence that followed.

Suddenly, behind me, the door slammed open, and the furious voices of my family flooded in. My father, Gregory, was the first to speak. “Christine, what the hell was that? You just threw away a half-billion-dollar deal like it was nothing!”

I didn’t turn around. My hands moved swiftly, grabbing my phone, my laptop, and the small framed photo of Grandma Eleanor and me from my desk. My fingers trembled as I shoved them into my bag, the BOOM still reverberating in my skull. I needed to get out.

“Christine!” My mother, Lilith, snapped, her voice dripping with fury. “Are you even listening? You’ve humiliated us! Whitlock Industries was our ticket to the top, and you just spat in their faces!”

Grandfather Frederick’s deep, authoritative voice cut through next. “This is unacceptable. You’ve jeopardized Harrington Tech’s future. Explain yourself, now!”

“How can you turn down a deal worth $500,000,000?!” Mr. Harrington snapped as he stumbled into my office. I said no words as I am still in shock. Just then, my father, Gregory, joined him. “What has gotten over you?” He added.

Just then, Francis burst in. They must have informed him about it.

“Christine, we need to talk. Grandpa told me you rejected the offer.” He said. He stepped further as he tried to get my attention. “You’ve made a huge mistake Christine.”

“You can’t just make decisions on your own.” Said Gregory.

Francis stepped forward again, now standing in front of me but I still didn’t look up.

“Whatever happens, you can always talk to me about it. Not by making such decisions.

I zipped my bag shut, my jaw clenched so tightly as I didn't glance their way while trying to pack up. “I don’t have time for this,” I muttered, slinging the strap over my shoulder and brushing past them toward the door.

“Christine, stop right there!” Gregory barked, stepping into my path. His face was red, his eyes blazing with fury. “You don’t get to walk away after sabotaging everything we’ve worked for!”

I sidestepped him, my pulse racing.

Lilith grabbed my arm, her manicured nails digging into my skin. “You ungrateful child! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve ruined us!”

I yanked my arm free, glaring at her. “I said I don’t have time.” My voice cracked, betraying the fear clawing at my chest. Without another word, I pushed through the door and into the hallway, their shouts fading behind me as I broke into a run.

My phone was clutched tightly in my hand, Grandma’s name still glowing on the screen from the call that had ended in that awful explosion. I pressed redial, but it went straight to voicemail. “Grandma, please,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “Please be okay.”

When the elevator doors opened, I sprinted through the lobby, ignoring the curious stares of employees. The glass doors slid open, and I stumbled into the parking lot. My car was parked near the entrance, and I fumbled with my keys, my hands shaking so badly I nearly dropped them. The BOOM played again in my head, and I gasped, my breaths coming in shallow, desperate bursts.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I slammed the door shut and gripped the steering wheel, trying to steady myself. My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest. “She’s fine. She has to be fine.” I turned the key, and the engine roared

Ten minutes into the drive, I took mt phone , randma’s name flashed across the screen and then dialed it, nearly dropping the phone in my haste. Unfortunately, the call went to voice mail.

My hands tightened on the wheel as I pushed the gas pedal harder.

Finally, I reached the expressway, the same stretch of road where it had happened before in my previous life. Smoke billowed in the distance, curling into the sky. My breath hitched as I pulled over, the car jerking to a stop. Emergency vehicles lined the road, their lights flashing red and blue.

Immediately, I sprinted into the scene but was stopped.

“Ma’am, you can’t go any closer!” A police officer stepped in front of me, his arms outstretched. The wreckage was just in front, a mangled fuel tanker, its flames licking the sky, and several cars caught in the chaos.

“My grandmother!” I cried, my voice breaking. “She was here! I need to find her!”

The officer’s expression softened, but he shook his head. “It’s not safe. Please, stay back…”

“Christine!”

Suddenly, called out loudly from the behind.

Immediately, I turned, my heart stuttering. And here she was. Grandma Eleanor, standing just beyond the police tape, her silver hair still neatly wrapped in her scarf, her pearl earrings glinting too. She looked untouched, unharmed, as if the explosion hadn’t dared to come near her.

“Grandma?” I called, my voice barely audible. Then, like a dam breaking, I sprinted toward her, ducking under the tape and ignoring the officer’s protests. I threw my arms around her, hugging her so tightly I feared I might break her. “Grandma!” I sobbed, burying my face in her shoulder.

“Christine, my child,” she said softly, her hands patting my back. “What’s all this fuss? I’m right here.”

I pulled back, my hands frantically checking her arms, her face, her scarf, searching for any sign of injury. “Are you hurt? Are you okay? I heard the explosion, and you said you were heading home, and I thought…” My words tumbled out in a rush, my voice obviously in panic.

“I don’t want anything to happen to you grandma.” Tears filled my eyes.

She smiled. “I’m fine, darling. I wasn’t anywhere near it. My car had stopped a few miles back. I wanted to get you some strawberries, yours at home ran out, and you know how much you love them. I was at the market when it happened.”

My tears finally rolled down my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them. “Strawberries?” I choked out, half-laughing, half-crying. “You almost gave me a heart attack for strawberries?”

She reached up, wiping my tears with her thumb. “Now, now, none of that. I’m here, and I’m perfectly fine. I promise.”

I hugged her again, my arms trembling. “I can’t lose you, Grandma,” I whispered. “I wouldn’t survive it. Not again.”

She pulled back, cupping my face in her hands. “Hush, child. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be safe for you, always.”

I nodded, swallowing hard, and helped her into the car. “We’re leaving,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I promised you a vacation, and I’m keeping that promise.”

Hours later, we landed in Santorini, Greece, the island’s whitewashed buildings cascading down cliffs against a backdrop of turquoise sea. Our villa overlooked the caldera, its terrace adorned with a small infinity pool that seemed to merge with the horizon. Grandma was already taking a shower.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed incessantly beside me, Grandfather, Lilith, Gregory, their names flashing one after another. I ignored them, letting the calls go to voicemail.

Just then, Francis’s name flashed on my screen. He was calling too but was ignored.

Their cruelty, their betrayal from my past life, it was all too fresh. And this was just the beginning. I’d deal with them.

Just then, a sudden fire ignited inside me as I opened my email app. And then typed a message to Mr. Cade Whitlock.

‘Mr. Whitlock,

I’ve reconsidered your proposal. I’d like to move forward with the partnership, but not under Harrington International. I’m launching Cristainternational Tech Company, and I’m prepared to bring NOVA to the table. Let’s discuss terms.

I read it once. Then I hit the send button..