CHAPTER 2 — THE FALL OF ANDREW HAWTHORNE
By noon, Andrew’s world began collapsing.
The first news appeared online.
HAWTHORNE GLOBAL FACES FINANCIAL REVIEW AFTER UNEXPECTED OWNERSHIP DISPUTE
Then another.
MAJOR INVESTORS QUESTION CEO’S CONTROL AFTER HIDDEN AGREEMENTS REVEALED
Then another.
MYSTERY INVESTOR IDENTIFIED AS MARIANA ESCALANTE
The woman everyone believed was Andrew’s trophy wife...
Was suddenly the most powerful person connected to his company.
The same people who once ignored her started calling.
Executives.
Partners.
Friends.
Everyone wanted access.
Everyone wanted forgiveness.
But Mariana ignored every call.
She sat inside her father’s office, looking at the city.
Her assistant placed a tablet on the desk.
“Your former husband requested a private meeting.”
Mariana didn’t look up.
“Declined.”
“He requested again.”
“Declined.”
A pause.
Then:
“He said he wants to apologize.”
That finally made Mariana look up.
An apology.
A word she had waited four years to hear.
But now?
It felt empty.
“Tell him something.”
Her assistant waited.
“An apology after consequences is not regret.”
“It is fear.”
That evening, Andrew arrived at the Escalante headquarters.
For the first time in his life...
He looked nervous.
The security guard stopped him.
“I’m here to see Mariana.”
The guard checked the system.
Then calmly said:
“Do you have an appointment?”
Andrew froze.
The man who used to have hundreds of people waiting for him...
Was now standing outside a building asking permission.
“I’m her husband.”
The guard looked at the screen.
Then back at him.
“Former husband.”
Those two words destroyed something inside him.
Eventually, Andrew was allowed upstairs.
Mariana was standing near the window.
She didn't turn around.
“You wanted to see me.”
Andrew swallowed.
“I made a mistake.”
“No.”
She turned slowly.
“You made a choice.”
His expression tightened.
“I was angry.”
“You hit me twice.”
“I regret it.”
“You enjoyed it.”
Silence.
Because he knew she was right.
Andrew stepped closer.
“Mariana, please. We built something together.”
She smiled sadly.
“No, Andrew.”
“I built something.”
“You enjoyed living inside it.”
His eyes lowered.
For the first time, he looked small.
“I loved you.”
Mariana stared at him.
“I loved the man I thought you were.”
A tear formed in his eyes.
But she didn't move.
Because four years ago...
She had cried alone.
And nobody cared.
“You have one chance,” Andrew whispered.
“One chance for what?”
“To save me.”
Mariana looked at him.
Then laughed quietly.
Not happily.
Not cruelly.
Just because she finally understood.
Even now...
Even after everything...
He wasn't asking for forgiveness.
He was asking for rescue.
Again.
“Andrew.”
“Yes?”
“You still don't understand.”
May you like
She walked toward the door.
“I was never the woman who needed saving.”
