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Chapter Nine
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2025-08-23 19:06:02Natalie’s wedding is everything I could ever want for her. The flowers bloom in soft pastels, laughter spills through the air, and the music wraps around the room like a promise of forever. She looks radiant, glowing with the kind of happiness she once feared she’d never find. For a moment, pride swells in my chest, and I let myself smile for her.
She's getting married to Louis Dublin, a huge tech giant in New York. Theirs was the kind of romance you don't see coming. It just hits like a storm. The moment I step past the grand doors of the reception hall, the atmosphere shifts. I had Damien go ahead of me, knowing that if we both alighted the same car, the NEW YORK TIMES would get a good gossip topic for a week. Heads turn, conversations freeze mid-sentence. Crystal glasses hover in the air, suspended in trembling hands. And then the whispers begin. “Is that… her?” “She came back?” “After everything?” “How could she just show up after three years like nothing happened?” Their eyes rake over me, some wide with disbelief, others sharp with judgment. I can almost hear the collective memory echoing between them, the scandal, the disgrace, the humiliation they thought had destroyed me. But I’m not the same girl they exiled. My heels click softly against the marble as I descend further into the hall, every step deliberate, every movement poised. The dress Damien had sent for me fits like a weapon, emerald silk that clings to my frame with an elegance that dares them to speak louder. My hair is swept into a sleek style that bares my face, refusing to hide. I meet their stares head-on. Some flinch, looking away as though burned. Others narrow their eyes, calculating, already trying to place me back into the neat little box they once forced me into. I give them nothing. No weakness. No shame. Only a small, knowing smile as I glide past. At the center of it all, Natalie notices me. Her lips part, her eyes softening with both surprise and joy. She excuses herself from a circle of guests and rushes toward me, gathering me into an embrace so tight it nearly cracks the armor I’ve wrapped around myself. “You came,” she whispers, her voice trembling against my ear. “Of course I did,” I murmur back, holding her close. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” “You should have told me you were coming.” “I wanted to surprise you.” “Consider me surprised,” she says and we both laugh. “Come let me introduce you to Louis.” As I let her lead me through the crowd of people, I see familiar faces who look like they're staring at a ghost. I hear the whispers and feel the stares, but none of them get under my skin.. “Babe,” Natalie calls as we approach her husband. He stands with a circle of men, my husband included. “Meet Leina “ Louis gives me a polite smile, extending his hand for a shake. “Nice to meet you, Leina. Natalie here won't stop talking about you.” I let out a small laugh even as I feel the weight of Damien's stare on me. “Leina!” A voice filled with fake enthusiasm sounds through the hall. I turn around and it's my stepsister, Cara. “I thought I'm not going to see you at Natalie's wedding. You know…since you're best friends and all.” I turn slowly, letting my eyes meet hers fully. Cara’s fake enthusiasm does nothing to hide the surprise, and barely concealed irritation lurking behind it. The room seems to hold its breath as she steps a little closer, her perfectly manicured fingers brushing at the hem of her gown, as if adjusting herself for some imagined battle. “Yes, Cara,” I say evenly, my voice calm but carrying a weight that makes her falter for the first time. “I’m here. After all, it’s Natalie’s day. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Her lips tighten into a thin line. “Well… you know, some of us thought maybe you’d be too ashamed to show your face here again. Especially after the scandal on your wedding day. It's a pity Marco could not make it. ” “Too bad I don't give a fuck about you or Marco. You know what, Cara I think that's what has always been meant for you. My leftovers. First father's love and now Marco. Pathetic.” Cara’s face flushes crimson, her mouth opening to strike back, her hand rising as if to slap me, but a hand wraps tightly around her wrist.
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RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Eight
LEINA The whole ballroom freezes, like the devil himself had just walked in. My father instantly goes pale like he's seen a ghost. Damien stalks towards me, his aura dripping with so much anger that it causes the room temperature to go up. Everyone in the room is staring at him, but his gaze is solely on me. “Who hit you?" He murmurs, placing a hand on my cheek. His gaze is dark and filled with something I've never seen before. Barely restraint anger. I shake my head, not wanting the gala to get ruined. Mama always cherished this event, and she won't want violence here. Unfortunately, my husband does not share my sentiment. He pulls me in his arm and turns to the crowd. “I said, who dares lay a fucking hand on My Wife?" Ivy's eyes are practically the size of a small planet. She opens her mouth but no words come out. After a few tries, she finally speaks, her voice broken with shock. " Damien…we are…we are engaged! What do you mean she is your wife?" The disbelief in her voice m
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Seven
LEINA It's not until Damien speaks that I realize just how hard I have been clenching my hands. I slowly release them and force a smile. " Let's go in and greet everyone,” I say and we both step into the ballroom. I hear the whispers as I walk past, whispers that never fade. I give less fucks about them now than I did then. I walk with my head high and approach my father basking in his little bubble of attention like a girl on her sweet sixteen. " Leina, honey,” he calls out with a smile as I make my way towards him with a forced smile. " So good you could make it!” I nod." Greetings Mr Ashford, it's good to see you still hold the memories of your dead wife dear. You know the charity galas were one of the highlights of her year.” His expression darkens for a while and something flashes through, so fast that I can't make out what it is. He smiles and nods. " Of course, dear. The charity gala is the biggest event of the company's year.” I nod, my eyes scanning the crowd absent mi
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Six
LEINA Lemi Clinton is one the most hardworking people I know. As the CFO of the company, she played a major role especially when it came to the finances of the company. But today, right now, I really hate her. But I don't tell her that. Rather I smile and straighten up my dress to hide the obscene happenings below my desk. " O…of…of course. Please have a seat.” She smiles and walks to my desk and sits down. I open my mouth to ask her what she wants, but a moan is what escapes instead. I cover it up with a cough. Damien inserts one finger in my pussy while he focuses on my clit, sucking and nibbling. “You don't look too well, Leina. Should I go and come another time?" Lemi suggests but I shake my head, not trusting myself to open my mouth and not moan. Lemi usually directs all issues via email. If she's in my office then it must be something of urgency. I close my eyes and try to regain some control. When I speak again, my voice is surprisingly steady." Thank you for your concer
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Five
LEINA “Where did you find this?” I ask. "I didn't want to tell you earlier, but when I went to the hospital to confirm my pregnancy, I saw Clara there. I was curious so I asked the doctor. She wouldn't say until I had to lie about being Clara's sister. Turns out Clara was there for an abortion, and that was the third this year.” Marcus! Clara has always adored children and that's probably the only thing I found likable about her back then. There's no reason she will go for an abortion willingly. I find myself wondering if I really misjudged her all these while? Has there been something going on right under my nose and I failed to see? " Thanks, Nat.” I tell her and she nods. She rises to her feet. " I should get going. I have an appointment and Louis is coming with me,” she says. She picks up her purse, blows me a kiss and walks out the door. I rub my temple and reach for my bottle of water. I take large gulps of the water till it's half finished. Other things aside, I have a l
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Four
Leina Growing up, I always saw Clara as a bad person. She always got the love and attention from father while I was pushed to the side. He paid my tuition, fed me and took care of me. But the fatherly love was never present. He always had an excuse when it came to something that concerned me. Not my school events, graduation or picnics. I wasn't jealous of her but somehow I hated her. But seeing her seated at the dinning table opposite me, feeding her child with the love only a mother can carry, I realize there's more to her than I know.“The charity gala is tonight," she says suddenly. " Marcus is going to be mad if he can't find me. He already called several times but I didn't pick any of his calls.”There's a slight tremble in her voice, the kind that I've never and could never associate with her. She's always been strong and sassy and rude. Who knew it was just a cover up. “You can't go back to Marcus," I tell her. “Look at what he's done to you." She shakes her head slowly,
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Thirty Three
DAMIEN The room is quiet except for the low hum of the heater and the occasional creak of the old house settling. Leina’s curled on the bed, her breathing deep and even, finally resting after days of strain. I sit in the armchair near the window, phone in hand, nursing my shoulder and trying not to wake her.I'm going through emails when my phone screen lights up. Carlos.I answer on the first ring, keeping my voice low. “This better be good.”There’s a pause, then Carlos exhales sharply. “ Damien, you are not going to like this.”My grip tightens. “Say it.”“It’s about Leina’s mother. She's alive.”Every muscle in my body stills. I glance at the bed, at the woman sleeping peacefully, blissfully unaware. My pulse hammers. “Ate you drunk, Carlos. Her mother died when she was little.”“That’s what everyone was told,” he says grimly. “But I just got word from a contact in Valencia. She’s alive. Or at least…there’s someone fitting her exact description being kept under tight watch in a
RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Twenty Two
Damien “What did you just say?” My tone is quite but I can feel the drop in temperature Isabella’s lower lip trembles. “Mummy Serafine… she said you and Daddy only keep me here because you don’t want people to talk. She said you hate me and you’ll send me away if I’m not perfect.”I draw in a sl
Last Updated : 2026-03-25RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Twenty One
LEINA “Excuse me?” I say, confused. “Who are you?” “You'll know when the time is right, Mrs Moretti. “If you want the truth about your mother’s death…look at Ashford Holdings’ old offshore accounts. March 2001. Account code LUX–71. Your father’s signature is on every transfer even though your mo
Last Updated : 2026-03-24RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Nineteen
“You didn’t tell me you were going to be here,” I say as we head to his car. I pull my blazer tighter around my body, the evening breeze biting at my skin.“I wanted to see how you handled your father,” Damien says, voice smooth but tinged with amusement. He falls into step beside me, hand brushing
Last Updated : 2026-03-22RISE OF THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS Chapter Seventeen
Amy’s eyes go round at the sound of that voice. Damien’s voice has a way of filling a room, smooth and cool but edged with steel. She stumbles back from my desk like a child caught sneaking candy.“Uh… Mr. Moretti.. sir…” she stammers, clutching her folder like a shield.Damien is already striding
Last Updated : 2026-03-20
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