𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕌ℕ𝔽𝕆ℝ𝔾𝕀𝕍𝕀ℕ𝔾 𝕋𝔼𝕊𝕋 𝖐𝖑𝖞𝖗𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖑_𝖗𝖍𝖞𝖒𝖊𝖘 Mariana Langston believed in love, the kind that could break barriers, defy odds, and silence doubters. And when she fell in love with Derian Carter, she thought that love had won. Her father, Richard Langston, did not. To Richard, Derian was a disappointment. No family name, no wealth, no influence. Just another nobody trying to climb a ladder he didn’t belong on. Mariana’s love was irrelevant. Richard had spent his life deciding what was best for her, and he wasn’t about to stop now. But Mariana was stubborn. She married Derian anyway, believing that, in time, her father would come around. Richard did something unexpected, he offered Derian a job. “A sign of goodwill,” he claimed. “A chance to prove yourself.” Mariana saw it as progress. Derian saw it as an opportunity. Derian’s role came with long hours, impossible deadlines, and constant "urgent" tasks that somehow always interfered with his marriage. Every time he planned something special for Mariana, Richard made sure he was stuck in the office, missing it. And every time Derian failed to show up, Mariana grew more distant. “You never have time for me,” she would say. “I’m doing this for us,” he would reply, swallowing the truth. He didn’t want her to resent her father. He didn’t want to be the man who turned a daughter against her family. So he took it. All of it. The company announced a retreat, a getaway meant to "strengthen bonds." Mariana was thrilled. "Finally," she said, "we’ll have time together." Derian held onto that hope. Then, Richard invited Jason. He had been Mariana’s childhood friend (tall, charming, and already one of Richard’s golden boys at the company). Derian had learned to tolerate him, but on this trip, Richard made sure Jason wasn’t just present, he was available. Every time Derian was busy (which Richard ensured was often), Jason was there. Laughing with Mariana. Talking about old times. Filling in the spaces Derian was forced to leave empty. Derian had planned a romantic dinner, a moment just for them. But minutes before, Richard handed him an urgent task. “It’s critical,” he said. “It’ll only take an hour.” Derian had no choice. He went, rushed through the work, and hurried back. Only to find shock of his life. Mariana and Jason kissing. Derian didn't react. No anger. No accusations. Just a hollow silence. Mariana pulled away, eyes wide. “Derian, it’s not...” But he was already walking away. She ran after him, finding him in their room, packing. “Please,” she begged. “Let me explain.” He zipped his bag. “No need.” Tears welled in her eyes. “It wasn’t what it looked like.” He finally looked at her. "It never is." She stepped closer. "Derian, I love you." He let out a bitter laugh. “Do you? Or do you just love the time Jason gives you...the time your father made sure I couldn’t?” She blinked, confused. And so, for the first time, he told her everything. The sabotage. The manipulations. The promotions that were always stolen. The nights he stayed late, not by choice, but because Richard demanded it. “Your father told me, to my face, that you’d be better off with Jason. And the worst part? I let him do all this, because I thought you were worth it.” She froze. Reality crashing into her as he left. Fury burning in her chest, Mariana stormed to find Jason. “You! What the hell was that?!” Jason smirked. “Relax. I thought maybe you needed a break. We could’ve… you know, spent the night together. Let things cool.” Her stomach turned. She stormed out. She found her father next. “Tell me Derian was lying.” Richard didn’t even try to deny it. And in that silence, she saw everything clearly. Derian had never been the problem. She pulled out her phone. Called him. No answer. Tried again, Nothing. She decided to go look for a bus to take her home hoping to find Derian back at home. At the bus station, her phone rang. "Hello, is this Mariana?" "Yes… who is this?" "We got your contact from Derian’s wallet. We’re calling from Last Call Hospital." “…There was an accident.” Her breath caught. Her knees buckled. "Is Derian owk?!" But fate’s cruelest verdict was delivered as she crushed down in tears.