Shattered Trust

Silence enveloped the darkness of the night; by the dim light of the nightlight, Rose gazed at Levin, who was fast asleep beside her. A smile played across her serene face; the air she breathed now carried the scent of her husband’s body, and her fingers moved through the air, tracing every contour of the face she longed to touch.

“When will you smile again? I miss your smile,” she murmured.

The night passed quickly, and those green eyes finally opened.

“I’ve laid out your clothes,” said Rose, who was already ready. “I’ll wait for you at the dining table.”

The man nodded as he woke up, and a smile returned to Rose’s face. She had never experienced such a pleasant morning in her life.

The car began to move, carrying Rose and Levin.

“I’m glad I didn’t see him this morning,” Levin muttered as he began to open his work documents.

“You’re lucky today,” Rose replied.

“Rose,” the call made her heart race. “What did you… what did you do to fix the hydrogen core?”

A small smile was clearly visible in the rearview mirror, where John could see it. “My meeting with the investors went well.”

“What did you offer them that made everyone drop their claims?” Levin’s curiosity brought a sense of joy within her.

“I promised them success.” She replied confidently.

The man met her gaze. “I’ll do the same for you.”

There was no hatred or anger in his eyes.

*****

After putting on lab coats and other protective gear, Rose and John were accompanied by the researchers on a tour of the lab to see the progress of the major project they were working on.

“How much efficiency have we achieved in separating this hydrogen?” Rose asked as she looked at the equipment around her.

“Currently, our efficiency is only at 30–40 percent,” replied a researcher.

“Can we continue everything here? Do you need a new space?” She stopped in her tracks, causing everyone else to stop as well.

“I don’t think so; we can continue everything here. Maybe there are a few pieces of equipment we’ll need to replace.”

“Alright, let’s continue here.” She started walking again. “What equipment do you need?”

“We need the latest-generation proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. With that device, we can increase gas separation efficiency while reducing energy loss during the compression stage. If the pressure from the source is already optimal, the final result will be much more stable.”

Rose nodded in understanding. “What about the issue of metal brittleness in the reactor core?”

“We’ve been using 316L stainless steel alloy with a special polymer coating. This material has been tested under high pressure and has demonstrated highly stable resistance to hydrogen atom penetration.” She was satisfied with the answer she received.

Her visit to the lab was over; now Rose was in the car. John, sitting in the front seat, watched Rose as she was lost in her thoughts.

“Is the price of the new equipment a burden for you?” John asked.

“Investors aren’t willing to put up any more money.” She let out a heavy sigh.

“Are you going to use The Wilson’s money?”

“No, I won’t let my father get involved in this.” Rose rested her head in her hands.

“Then what are you going to do?” John wanted to be sure.

“I’ll dip into all my savings until this project succeeds.” She looked out the window.

The car they were riding in began to enter the company grounds. John asked the driver to slow down.

“Rose, wake up.” John’s urgent voice roused Rose from her slumber. “Do you intend to meet Liana Collin at the office?”

Rose’s attention immediately turned outward; she saw Liana walking toward the lobby. Levin and Hendrick were just exiting the building.

“Stop her!” Rose ordered.

Without waiting for the car to pull over, John immediately got out to prevent Hendrick and Liana from meeting.

*****

The sun had already set, and Rose was fully absorbed in her work and the decisions she’d made to ensure the project’s success. Then John’s approach made her realize something.

“Have they gone home yet?” Rose asked as she took off her glasses.

“It’s safe for you to see her now,” John replied.

Rose stood up to meet Liana, whom she’d been holding back.

The echo of her heels filled the now-empty art gallery.

“Do you feel the pain in that painting?” she asked as she stood beside Liana.

They stood in front of Pablo Picasso’s painting\, *The Three Dancers*.

“The pain of rejection and betrayal, where true love is repaid with a marriage.”

Liana turned to face Rose, her gaze sharp. “Why are you holding me here?”

“I’m protecting my husband.” Her eyes were still fixed on the painting.

“Protecting him? Are you kidding me?” Liana was starting to get annoyed by Rose’s cold demeanor.

“Do you know the difference between you and me?” She finally looked at the person she was speaking to. “Your cheap love will drag him down to ruin. As for me, my love will take him to the highest heights—something you’ll never be able to give him.”

She stepped closer until they were mere inches apart. “Stop acting like a beggar; you’re just asking for his love and attention without knowing what he’s going through.”

Liana’s voice caught in her throat, and tears began to well up in her eyes. Rose’s cruel and harsh gaze wounded her pride.

“Everyone says you’re a smart journalist; you should know what to do.”

After saying that, Rose left Liana, who began to cry in the vast exhibition hall.

*****

The car slowly pulled up in front of the mansion, and Rose gazed at the front door for a moment. The heaviness she always felt now seemed lighter; she gave a small smile because Levin was inside.

“Rose.” Her steps halted when she heard Hendrick call her name. “Sit down, keep me company while I finish this wine.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t keep you company.”

“Sit down!” Hendrick wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Reluctantly, she sat down across from her father.

“What about the hydrogen core you’re working on?” Hendrick poured wine into her glass. “Is everything going smoothly?”

“Is everything okay?”

“Really? Then why do you want to liquidate all the assets I gave you?” Hendrick took a sip of his drink.

“Those assets weren’t a gift from you; they’re mine.” Rose straightened her back to keep from falling.

“Are you willing to go broke to protect her?” Hendrick sneered.

“That’s better.”

Tears streamed down her face in response to his words.

“I let you destroy Stuart Corp, not to watch you go broke.” Hendrick’s anger began to show.

He swallowed his pride. “Lower your voice; you’ll disturb Levin.”

Hendrick smirked. “He’s already behind you.”

“Thud”

The news instantly filled her chest with fear; she clenched her fists tightly, not daring to turn around.

“The current collapse of Stuart Corp—is that your doing?” Levin’s deep voice sounded behind her.

“No, because all decisions rest with Edward Stuart.” Rose tried to remain calm despite her fear.

Hendrick poured more wine into his glass. “Decisions he made under your pressure.”

Roughly, Levin pulled her arm and led her away from Hendrick, who was smiling contentedly as he savored the wine in his hand.

He released his grip when they reached the room.

“Explain everything to me. What have you done to my family?” He could no longer contain his anger.

Rose tried to steady the tremors she felt in her body. “I just told him how amazing and powerful it would be to have a hydrogen core project; I tempted him with the great success of having full control over the energy it generates. I blinded him to the power.”

“You know Stuart Corp isn’t capable of doing all that; you know that.” Levin cornered Rose until her back touched the wall. “But you did it anyway.”

“I did it because I wanted you.” Rose’s reply was met with a tight chokehold around her neck.

He paid no heed to her gasping breaths. “You destroyed everything I had just to have me?”

“I… I’m fixing the mess you’ve made.” Rose tried to break free from his grip

“What are you trying to fix? My family? The hydrogen core? That’s not fixing—you’re building a ladder to control everything.” Levin released the chokehold, slamming Rose to the floor.

“I regret ever thinking you were someone I could trust.”

The slam of the door shattered all of Rose’s defenses; tears began to fall, streaming down her face. She curled up on the floor and held back her sobs so they wouldn’t escape.

To Be Continued~~~

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