LOGINOn the night Liora planned a birthday surprise for her husband, she uncovered a betrayal that shattered her entire world: her marriage was never real, and everything she believed in was built on lies. Her husband was never truly hers… and even the child she raised was not biologically hers. In one calculated move, Liora turns the tables and disappears, leaving behind a ruined marriage and a man who suddenly loses control over everything he once owned. But fate refuses to let her remain hidden. She returns as the heiress of a global empire; stronger, untouchable, and far beyond the woman she once was. Just as she begins to rebuild her new life, she crosses paths with Derek, a powerful man who draws her into a dangerous new future. But her past is not finished with her yet as her ex-husband returns, this time not just to reclaim her, but to destroy the life she has built as an heiress. And the real question is… Will Liora let him succeed?
View MoreLiora’s POV
“Cancel all my meetings for today,” I instructed my assistant, Ava, rising from my office chair as I slipped into my tailored suit jacket.
“Yes, ma’am,” she replied promptly, already typing on her tablet.
“Where is the Patek Philippe watch?” I asked, glancing at her.
“It’s in your car, ma’am.”
“Good. Once I get home, take the car and pick up the exact pair of shoes I ordered,” I added while walking toward the door.
“Of course.”
A small smile curved my lips as I imagined the look on Lucien’s face when he saw the watch. It was from his favorite brand, and I had spent weeks searching for the perfect one.
Today was his birthday, and no matter how busy my schedule was, I had to make it home in time. After all, the reason I stood where I was today was partly because of him.
“It’ll definitely make his day,” I murmured softly.
Ava grabbed my briefcase, and we headed out together.
When I arrived home, something immediately felt strange. The gates were open, and so were the front doors.
I stepped into the living room, the gift box still in my hands, but the house was eerily quiet.
“Lucien?” I called, but there was no response.
Just as I was about to head upstairs, faint voices drifted from the guest room down the hallway.
My lips curled into a playful smile. “Perfect”.
I quietly slipped off my heels and tiptoed toward the door, planning to surprise him.
But just as I got closer, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Your supposed wife isn’t even here.”
The soft, mocking tone was painfully familiar.
My heart skipped a beat.
That was Elara, my half-sister. But… she had been overseas for years.
What was she doing here?
“Five years already… you actually kept the bet?”
Another voice spoke, deep and amused.
That was James, one of Lucien’s closest friends.
My brows furrowed in confusion.
What bet?
Then Lucien’s voice followed, filled with pride and amusement.
“Of course. Making a woman like Liora fall in love isn’t that hard.”
The words struck me like a slap across the face.
My body froze.
“Stupid woman,” Elara scoffed with a mocking laugh. “Acting all high and mighty. She probably still thinks you saved her and the company.”
My heart began to pound in my chest.
“I was the one who destroyed her father’s company,” Lucien said casually.
The words exploded in my mind like a bomb.
“We did it together,” Elara corrected proudly.
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
After my father’s death, he left his company to me, his eldest daughter. Elara and her mother, Stephanie, had always hated that.
Not long after, the company mysteriously collapsed and was eventually bought by Lucien.
Desperate, I had gone to him and begged for help, but Lucien had offered me a deal; marry him, and he would help me rebuild the company.
I had believed he did it because he loved me… now everything suddenly made sense.
Then I heard the unmistakable sound of lips meeting.
My stomach twisted.
“You two really are perfect for each other,” Anderson said with admiration.
The same Anderson who had once praised Lucien endlessly in front of me.
The same man who had told me Lucien loved me so much he would die if I ever left him.
Was this all a lie?
“I’m grateful you’re taking good care of Bianca, our daughter,” Elara said softly.
My world stopped.
How was that possible? Bianca was my own biological daughter. Three years ago, I was pregnant and gave birth to her myself. Lucien had held me as I cried in labor.
What was Elara saying?
“I bet she still thinks she’s her mother,” Lucien said, bursting into mocking laughter.
“When her own child is probably suffering on the streets… or maybe even dead by now,” Elara added as they all burst into laughter.
Now I understand why he always said he didn’t want another child, that Bianca was enough, and that we should transfer our companies into her name.
Silly me, I had accepted, believing she was my daughter.
Now the truth stood before me like a blade piercing through my chest; my own husband had swapped my child with his mistress… my half-sister.
“Now her company belongs to Bianca, thinking she’s her daughter,” Lucien added.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain still.
“I’m so proud of my baby,” Elara laughed. “Soon, we’ll throw her out of your house and life.”
The gift box slipped from my trembling hands. I barely caught it before it hit the floor, but the faint sound still echoed through the hallway.
My breath hitched.
I quickly stepped backward, quietly returned to the living room, then ran outside.
My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone.
“Ava,” I said the moment she answered. “Don’t bother picking up the shoes anymore.”
Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.
I took a deep breath, forcing the tears threatening to spill to retreat.
Then I walked back into the living room and called loudly.
“Lucien! Lucien!”
Footsteps approached almost immediately.
Lucien walked out first, followed by Elara, James, and Anderson.
“Happy birthday,” I said, forcing a smile as Lucien smiled warmly and stepped toward me.
I handed him the gift box.
“Oh! What a lovely couple,” James said with admiration.
Lucien opened the box, and the familiar charming smile appeared on his face, just as I had imagined it.
“Thank you,” he said before setting it down on the sofa and pulling me into a hug.
My gaze shifted toward James and Anderson as they smiled… fake smiles.
Elara stood behind them with her arms folded, her expression sour.
“Ah!” Elara suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach.
Lucien immediately released me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.
Without answering, Elara rushed toward the bathroom, and Lucien hurried after her without hesitation.
I stood there silently as the two men remained behind.
“It’s nothing serious,” Anderson said quickly. “Just menstrual cramps.”
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
“Oh… really?”
“You married a good man,” James added with a grin. “Lucien cares deeply about you and your family.”
I nodded slowly. “I must be very lucky.”
I turned and walked away before the bitterness in my chest could spill over.
Once inside the bedroom, my strength finally collapsed.
I sank onto the bed, my body trembling.
“How could he…”
The words never finished as the tears I had been holding back finally burst free.
Just then, my phone rang.
I wiped my face quickly and glanced at the screen: Ava.
I answered immediately.
“Ava, I need you to send someone to Morgan Hospital,” I said coldly.
“Ask to see Nurse Kay. Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”
“Ma’am… I…” I ended the call without waiting for a response, I turned and faced the ceiling while lying on the bed.
An hour later, my phone began ringing again, It was still Ava.
“Yes?” I answered coldly.
“Ma’am, I went to get Bianca from school, but when I got there she was unconscious,” Ava revealed.
I sat up immediately.
Though she wasn’t my biological daughter, I had taken care of her since she was little and loved her as my own.
“Where are you now?” I asked quickly.
“At Morgan Hospital.” She answered, and I ended the call.
In the living room, they were all sprawled on the couch. They drank until they fell asleep.
Elara was lying on Lucien while he held her protectively, even in his sleep.
I took out my phone and quickly took pictures of them together, fighting back my tears.
“I will destroy everything you love,” I whispered.
Then I turned and left.
Liora's POVMy fingers tightened around the steering wheel as I sped down the road. Just then, a towering hospital building came into view.Without a second thought, I swerved into the emergency entrance.The moment the car came to a halt, I threw the door open."Nurse! Somebody help!" I cried, rushing to the passenger side.Within seconds, several nurses and paramedics hurried toward me, pushing a stretcher. They carefully lifted Mr. Gab from the passenger seat before wheeling him through the emergency doors.I stood frozen in the lobby, my heartbeat pounding against my ribs."Who could have done this to him?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.Several minutes later, the hospital's glass doors slid open as Derek strode inside, his eyes sweeping frantically across the lobby until they found me.Relief flickered across his face as he hurried over."What happened?" he asked, gently taking my trembling hands into his."My assistant called me," I replied, struggling to steady my voice.
Derek's POV"I'll go see Elian myself," I said.Liora slowly raised a brow. "Are you sure?"I couldn't let her go again and give him another opportunity to fill her head with more lies."Yes." I rose to my feet. "I'll make him agree.""Derek," she called softly, and I turned to meet her gaze. "Please... keep it peaceful."A faint smile tugged at my lips. "I'll try my best."With that, I headed outside and slipped into the car. Pulling out my phone, I scrolled through my contacts before dialing Rafe, my assistant."Good morning, Boss," Rafe answered."I'll be away for a while. Handle everything at the company until I get back.""Boss... if you don't mind me saying this...""What is it?""The executives have started asking about you, Boss. Your absence is beginning to attract attention.”My expression hardened. "Rafe.""Yes, Boss?""I didn't ask for your opinion. Just do as I instructed.""...Understood, Boss."The call ended, and I turned to Cole. "Take me to the hospital.""Right away
Liora's POV"That's not true... is it?" I asked, staring at him in disbelief.If he really did it... why would he admit it so proudly?"You should see the look on your face." He burst into a low chuckle. "I was only joking."A shaky breath escaped my lips. "You shouldn't joke about something like that."The amusement vanished from his face."The truth is... that bastard lied to you. My father died of cancer." He paused, drawing in a slow breath. "I still hate remembering those days."My stomach tightened."I'm sorry," I whispered. "I didn't mean to reopen old wounds.""No, it's alright." He gave me a faint smile. "You didn't know. Besides..." His gaze softened. "I'm just happy you trusted me enough to ask."He continued, "And about Aurora's mother... I've told you before. She never wanted the marriage."He's telling the truth."I shouldn't have gone to see him," I murmured. "I never meant to...""Shh."Derek gently placed a finger against my lips."Liora, I know this isn't easy... but
Liora's POV"Whose phone is this?" Derek asked as he rose to his feet.My stomach lurched.What do I say now?"It's... it's..." I stammered, but the lie refused to come.His eyes searched mine. "Liora... is this your phone?"You can do this."The day I gave a stranger a ride... she accidentally left it in my car," I finally managed to say."A stranger?""Yes," I replied quietly, taking a tentative step closer.Without another word, he slipped the phone back into the bag and held it out to me.Really? He believed that?I hesitated before accepting it."Why did you go back to him?" he asked, his eyes fixed on mine.My fingers trembled around the bag.I sat down on the bed and placed it beside me."I wanted to find out if he truly had evidence... and whether I could pay him enough to let this whole thing die.""And you thought he would?" Derek asked, rising to his feet."There was no harm in trying," I murmured.But Elian's words continued echoing in my head. Derek turned to leave as pan
Author’s POVDylan sat sprawled in the living room, a cigarette burning between his fingers as smoke curled into the air. The door suddenly swung open.“Boss…” Speed rushed in, Dylan’s phone clutched tightly in his hand. “There’s a problem.”Dylan didn’t look at him, he took a slow drag instead. “
Liora’s POVI eased the door open and slipped out, my steps quick and quiet as I headed straight for Derek’s room.The moment I got inside, I rushed to the wardrobe. His suits were neatly arranged, I grabbed all in haste, then reached for his shoes nearby, his cologne, anything that looked essentia
Liora’s POV*The next day*I woke early, slipping out of bed and heading straight for a shower. Afterward, I changed into a simple casual gown.Derek had pleaded that I stay home with Aurora today. I entered the kitchen and began preparing pancakes. By the time I was done, I plated the pancakes ca
Author’s POVDylan stood in the ward, his gaze fixed on Elara, who was still unconscious. Behind him, Anderson, James, and Stephanie observed him in tense silence. Stephanie gently held Bianca in her arms, fast asleep.“So he’s the one who did that to Elara and Lucien?” James muttered under his bre
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