Chapter 3 Shadows of Yesterday

Scene 1 – Post-Surgery Relief

Setting: Hospital room, morning

Rebecca pushed open the door quietly. Her father lay propped up in bed, pale but breathing more steadily than she'd seen in months. The surgery had been successful.

Adams turned his head slowly, smiling faintly.

Adams (weak but warm): "There's my little girl."

Rebecca (teary-eyed, rushing to his side): "Daddy... you're okay. You're really okay."

Adams (squeezing her hand): "Better than okay. The doctor says I'll walk out of here in a week. How did you...?"

Rebecca froze. She had rehearsed an answer, but her throat tightened.

Rebecca (softly): "A scholarship came through. And... a loan from a friend. Don't worry about the details, Daddy. Just get better."

Adams studied her with suspicion but nodded, too tired to press further. Rebecca kissed his forehead, tears slipping silently down her cheeks.

Scene 2 – A Father's Intuition

Setting: Same hospital room, a few hours later

Rebecca helped adjust his blankets, talking about her classes, the weather, anything but money.

But Adams's eyes narrowed.

Adams: "You've always been a terrible liar, Rebecca. Something heavy is sitting on your heart. Tell me the truth did you do something reckless?"

Rebecca (forcing a smile): "All I did was fight for you. Isn't that what you taught me? To never give up?"

His eyes softened, though a shadow of worry lingered.

Adams (gently): "I don't know what you've sacrificed, my girl. But promise me that you won't lose yourself in the process."

Rebecca nodded quickly, though inside, her chest ached. I already have, Daddy.

Scene 3 – Richard at the Office

Setting: Smith Enterprises headquarters, late morning

Richard sat at his imposing mahogany desk, papers scattered, but his focus elsewhere. His pen hovered over a contract, unmoving.

Jason strolled in without knocking, his usual smirk in place.

Jason: "Richard Smith, distracted at work? That's a headline worth printing."

Richard (dryly, not looking up): "I'm busy."

Jason (sitting across, studying him): "Busy staring at nothing? Come on, I know that look. Something's eating at you."

Richard's jaw tightened. He didn't answer.

Scene 4 – Lauren's Fury

Setting: Richard's office, minutes later

The door burst open and Lauren Clinton stormed in, heels clicking like gunshots. Her perfect curls framed a face twisted with irritation.

Lauren: "Richard! You missed my charity gala last night. Do you know how embarrassing that was? Everyone asked where my fiancé was!"

Richard (calm, detached): "I was busy."

Lauren (snapping): "Busy doing what? You've been distant for weeks. Don't think I haven't noticed."

Jason raised his brows, enjoying the drama.

Jason (teasing): "Maybe he's finally found someone who can distract him from spreadsheets."

Richard shot him a warning look, but Lauren's eyes sharpened.

Lauren: "Is that true? Is there... someone else?"

Silence hung heavy in the air. Richard didn't answer he couldn't, because the memory of Rebecca's eyes haunted him too vividly.

Scene 5 – The Unspoken Truth

Setting: Richard's office, continuing

Jason leaned back, sensing tension, while Lauren folded her arms, glaring.

Richard (firmly, ending the conversation): "There is no one else. But there are things more important than parties."

Lauren (coldly): "Like what? Work? Or some girl you picked up and forgot to mention?"

Jason whistled low.

Jason: "She hit the nerve, didn't she?"

Richard rose suddenly, the weight of both their stares unbearable. He turned toward the window, Manhattan spread before him, a kingdom he'd mastered except for his own heart.

Richard (low, almost to himself): "Some mistakes aren't so easy to forget."

Lauren's lips parted in shock. Jason's grin faded into genuine curiosity.

And in that silence, one name echoed in Richard's mind like a brand he couldn't erase Rebecca.

Scene 6 – A Friend's Confession

Setting: Rebecca's dorm room, late evening

Rebecca sat cross-legged on her bed, staring at her phone screen at the transfer that had saved her world but poisoned her peace.

Jessica leaned against the desk, watching silently before speaking.

Jessica (careful): "You haven't been the same since that night."

Rebecca (defensive): "I don't want to talk about it."

Jessica: "Rebecca... I know you. You think you can bury it, but it's eating you alive."

Rebecca clenched her fists.

Rebecca (voice breaking): "Do you know what it's like to trade the only thing you've ever held onto... just so your father can live another day?"

Jessica's face softened. She crossed the room and hugged her.

Jessica (whispering): "Then promise me it won't be for nothing. Make sure you live, too."

Rebecca closed her eyes, silently wishing it were that easy.

Scene 7 – Richard's Private Admission

Setting: Richard's penthouse, night

Jason poured himself a drink, sprawled comfortably on Richard's leather sofa.

Jason (curious): "So... who is she?"

Richard (snapping): "There's no 'she.'"

Jason (grinning knowingly): "You've been restless for days. You barely argue with Lauren anymore. Don't tell me a one-night stand actually got under your skin."

Richard said nothing, jaw tight, but Jason's smirk faded at the silence.

Jason (serious): "You're not the type to be rattled, Richard. Unless..."

Richard finally spoke, low, almost ashamed.

Richard: "She was... different. Innocent. And I broke something I can't put back together."

Jason blinked, for once speechless.

Scene 8 – Lauren's Suspicion

Setting: Clinton family estate, same night

Lauren paced her bedroom, glass of wine in hand, fury simmering beneath her polished exterior. She replayed Richard's slip in his office.

Lauren (to herself): "Some mistakes aren't easy to forget... Who is she, Richard? And why are you protecting her?"

She dialed her brother Jason's number.

Lauren (snapping into the phone): "If you know something about Richard, you'll tell me. He's hiding something, and I'll find out what it is."

Jason leaned back in Richard's penthouse, staring at the city lights as his sister's words echoed in his ear. He hesitated loyalty torn between blood and friendship.

Scene 9 – Rebecca's Promise

Setting: Hospital, the next morning

Rebecca brought her father breakfast. He looked stronger already, color slowly returning to his cheeks.

Adams (smiling faintly): "See? Your old man isn't done fighting yet."

Rebecca (tearful but smiling): "No, you're not. And neither am I."

When he drifted back to sleep, Rebecca whispered, more to herself than him:

Rebecca: "I don't care what it costs me. You'll never suffer again, Daddy. I'll carry the weight, not you."

Her voice cracked, but her eyes hardened with resolve.

Scene 10 – The Mirror

Setting: Richard's penthouse bathroom, morning

Richard stood in front of the mirror, tie loose, face unshaven. He stared at his reflection, the perfect billionaire image fractured by sleepless nights.

He touched his jaw, remembering Rebecca's hesitant touch, her wide eyes.

Richard (to himself): "You're losing it, Smith. She's just a girl. A mistake."

But when he closed his eyes, he saw the truth he couldn't bury: her innocence had burned into him, carved into a place no money, no power could erase.

His phone buzzed Lauren's name flashing. He didn't answer.

Instead, he whispered the name he swore he'd forget.

Richard (softly): "Rebecca..."

their night together.