The sky outside was still a bit dark when she exited her small apartment. A few people were already walking in the streets, assuring Diana she wasn't the only one taking the same route daily. She took the familiar path towards the nearest train station, her footsteps light and steady as if afraid to gain other people's attention.
Diana put on her wireless earphones as soon as she sat inside the train cabin. Only five people were also occupied with their own business, and she was glad that no one had spared her a glance. No matter how she tried to convince herself she was safe, Diana instinctively paid attention to her surroundings. It had been over fifteen years since she left everything behind, but it felt like a shadow following her everywhere she went.
Half an hour later, Diana entered a massive building with over thirty floors. The guard politely greeted her as she tapped her card at the entrance. Diana worked at the company for over a year as a financial analyst. Although her performance was outstanding, she refused to accept a promotion a month ago. It was enough for her to receive credit for her hard work, but she didn't want to gain too much attention for being promoted to a higher level quickly. It wasn't that she disliked the promotion, but Diana was worried about the consequences she would gain if she accepted it. She would rather work in the background than be in the spotlight.
After pouring herself a cup of coffee, Diana returned to her stall and turned on her computer. She was the only one working at the moment, as most of the employees wouldn't arrive until eight in the morning. It was only 6:30, and Diana would start early and finish her work on time rather than spend more time mingling with her co-workers. She kept her relationships with everyone purely professional.
Diana was aware of her cold persona in front of everyone. She didn't care about the gossip being said behind her back; people love to talk about everything and everyone anyway. Diana would ignore it if it didn't affect her work and private life.
The clicking sound on her keyboard was the only sound she could hear as she continued working. The silence allowed her to focus and do her work faster, momentarily forgetting her worries about the outside world. However, time was fleeting. It didn't take long before Diana found the entire floor filled with people. Some worked in their places, while others chatted in small groups. Only when it was ten in the morning did Diana lift her head and remove the glasses from her face.
Her coffee mug was already empty, and she didn't dare get her third cup, knowing it could disrupt her sleep at night. Instead, she reached into one of the drawers beneath her table and pulled out a chocolate bar. She liked to keep a small stash of sweets on her table because she didn't want to go to the cafeteria and be forced to make small talk with her colleagues.
Fortunately for Diana, her superiors were satisfied with her performance at work. She did not need to face and talk to their clients and take unnecessary business trips. She would rather spend her day off at home with her daughter, playing random games, whatever Isabella wanted to play.
It was the only time Diana could be true to herself and down her guard. It was those happy moments she cherished in her heart. Diana wished she could slow down time and watch the glee in her daughter's face when they play. If only she could preserve those moments and always make her daughter happy. She wished her past couldn't harm Isabella more than it had ruined her.
However, the fact that Isabella was her daughter would surely put her in the limelight in the future. Despite Isabella's father's absence, Diana's heritage was enough to make Isabella stand out from the rest.
Diana was the grandaughter of the wealthiest man in the country, Reagan Hart. Since her father, the apparent heir, died in an accident many years ago, Diana was now the next in line to inherit everything the Hart family owns.
But her mother was against it. Her mother didn't believe that the cause of Diana's father's death was merely an accident. How could she allow Diana to take her father's place as the Hart family's heir, knowing the danger awaiting her daughter?
This is why her mother decided to leave the Hart family, taking Diana away with her. Diana, who was only twelve at the time of her father's death, was suddenly forced to live as a commoner, away from everyone's prying eyes. She couldn't understand her mother before, but now that she was also a mother, Diana couldn't blame her mother for her choice to protect them.
The day passed in a blur and uneventful for Diana. She could finish her task on time, allowing her to spend the afternoon at ease. She clocked out on time, feeling relieved that she could return home and be with her daughter early.
She was about to leave her cubicle when her phone rang, her heart skipping momentarily when she saw the name flashing on the screen. It was rare for Ian to give her a call unless it was important.
Diana's eyes swept around the area, ensuring everyone was out of earshot. She didn't want anyone to have a gist of who she was.
"Hey," she answered, her eyes still watching her surroundings. "What's up?"
"Just letting you know that the old man fired the private investigator. He might suspect I'm helping you, Di," Ian replied in a baritone tone.
Diana released a sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose. Ian was her cousin from the Hart family and is currently the CEO of the Hart Group of Companies. They grew up together when they were younger; hence, her relationship with Ian remained unchanged even after Diana left the Hart family years ago.
Ian frequently updated her on what was happening within the Hart family and what their grandfather was planning.
"I'm sorry for putting you into a tight spot, Ian. So what's his plan?" she asked.
Perhaps it was time for her to face the problem once and for all.