I woke up gasping, as if someone had been strangling me.

Where was I?

The sun streamed through the curtains, and the faint scent of lavender filled the air. I looked around the room, hoping to find a clue. The place was extremely neat, with no signs of dust and the sheets still warm against my skin.

For a moment, the images from last night clung to my mind. Jason tangled in bed with Vanessa, my voice cutting through the room as I demanded a divorce. My heart still pounded, my breath unsteady.

It hit me like a bucket of cold water.

It hadn’t happened.

I was still trapped in this marriage. That was just a dream.

A bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I’d tasted freedom for a few precious seconds, only for it to be ripped away the moment I opened my eyes.

My gaze fell to the small folded paper on the bedside table. A note.

Didn’t want to wake you. Breakfast downstairs. — Vincent

I ran my fingers over the handwriting, my mind shifting. Vincent was real. Last night in court was real. The win was real. But Jason… he still had no idea how close he was to losing everything.

I got out of bed, my bare feet touching the cool floor. My jaw tightened. If that dream was any sign, it was exactly what I needed. A reminder of where this road would take me.

Jason wasn’t going to see it coming.

Not until I made it real.

I walked towards the chair and reached for the night robe wearing it. The material was super soft and smooth almost as if it was expensive. I took in the room once again. Everything looked expensive.

But why was I in a hotel room? Had I slept with Vincent Vale on our first night together?

I closed my eyes trying to remember anything but I couldn't. My phone buzzed on the table making me reach for it.

Vanessa: Lyra, where are you? The board members are waiting for you.

Seeing Vanessa's name made me clench my phone. She was still my assistant. I wanted to fire her so badly but I knew now was not the time.

My phone buzzed again.

Vanessa: The chairman is asking for you. Should I tell him you’re sick?

I typed back slowly.

No. I’m on my way.

I stepped into the bathroom and removed the night robe throwing it to the floor. Putting on the shower, I moaned as the warm water cascaded over my skin, washing away the faint chill from the air. Steam curled upward, fogging the mirror and wrapping me in a comforting haze.

For a moment, I let my mind wander back to my past life when I actually trusted Vanessa. I used to leave her in charge of entertaining the board members when I was swamped with meetings, confident she would represent me well. I never imagined she would one day use that access for her own gain… and Jason’s.

The thought burned in my chest. Wouldn't happen again.

I tilted my head back under the spray, letting the water run over my face, trying to drown out the anger. That’s when I heard the faint click of the door behind me.

I froze.

Through the glass, a tall figure moved into view, his reflection faint in the mist. My pulse quickened when I realized who it was.

Vincent.

He stood there, his gaze sweeping over me with a calm intensity, as if he wasn’t sure whether to leave or stay. I turned slightly, stunned, heat rushing to my cheeks despite the steam already warming my skin. The bathroom glass was transparent.

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us felt heavy, charged. His eyes lingered on mine, then dropped lower, tracing the trail of water down my collarbone before snapping back to my face.

Slowly, I reached for the glass door, pushing it open just enough to grab the night robe on the floor.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice soft but unsteady. "Didn't you already leave?"

" Yeah....I'm sorry. I forgot something important. My wallet." he said reaching for a black luxury men's wallet that was on the sink.

I didn't notice it when I walked in.

My cheeks flushed as I watched him stare at my body. "Can you please leave now?" I asked, my tone harsher than usual.

"Of course," Vincent said turning around to leave.

The door slammed behind him.

I sighed in relief frozen as the warm water continued to pour down my skin. A few seconds later, I walked out of the bathroom. The room was empty which made me relieved. I quickly reached for my clothing putting it on.

The last thing I wanted was for him to come back and meet him still here.

**************************************

"How was it?" Vanessa stood with a smile as I walked out of the boardroom being the last person to leave.

Her face was the perfect mask of concern, lips curved just right, eyes wide with false sincerity. But I saw it. The faint twitch at the corner of her mouth, the gleam that had nothing to do with kindness.

Pretending.

She was good at it. Too good.

“It went fine,” I said, brushing past her without slowing. I didn’t give her the satisfaction of asking for details. She fell into step beside me anyway, heels clicking against the marble floor like a drumbeat I couldn’t shake.

“I kept them engaged while you were gone,” she added, voice dripping with that fake helpfulness she had perfected over the years. “You know… just like old times.”

I stopped walking, turning to face her fully. My smile was calm, but my eyes told a different story. “Yes,” I said softly, “exactly like old times.”

Her expression faltered for a split second. It was so quick most people wouldn’t notice. But I did. I noticed because she had been my assistant and close friend who betrayed me with my husband.

As we reached the elevator, my phone buzzed making me reach to check my phone. Vincent had texted.

We need to talk. Tonight.

I didn’t respond. Not yet.

Because right now, my attention was on Vanessa and how best to peel away her polished mask until everyone saw what was really underneath.

The elevator doors slid shut, trapping us in a small, mirrored box together. She adjusted her blouse, glanced at her reflection, then at me.

“So, Lyra… big win yesterday,” she said. “You must be… relieved.”

"Yes, it was. Where is Jason?" I asked turning to look at her.

Suddenly, a scent caught me. Roses, soft and familiar.

The type of perfume Jason liked.

The hair on my neck rose. It wasn’t the perfume Vanessa used to wear at work in the beginning. Was this the time their affair started? Maybe it was months before now.

My hands clenched by my side as the elevator opened. Vanessa stepped out first before I did.

" I have no idea. He should be in his office."

I stepped out behind her and didn't even bother to go and check. I needed to keep an eye on the company fiances. Make sure that there was nothing that would backfire on me.

“Do you want me to bring you coffee before your next meeting?” Vanessa asked, glancing over her shoulder.

“No,” I said smoothly. “I’ll get it myself.”

We stopped at my office. She lingered, searching for something in my expression, maybe trying to read me. I gave her nothing. She finally turned away, her phone already in her hand and her fingers moving fast.

I entered inside and found Jason waiting for me.

"Darling, you're back." he said quickly jumping up the moment I walked in.

He was seated on my seat. His expression was one of fear as if he had been caught doing something bad.

Was this why Vanessa had been texting on her phone earlier?

Jason obviously didn't see the message.

"What are you doing in my office? You shouldn't be here." I said walking over to meet him.

" I thought I should wait for you while you were in the meeting with the shareholders. What did they say? Did they agree to the expansion budget?" His voice was calm, but I knew something was wrong.

Jason was the one that had suggested the expansion budget. I agreed to bring it up with the shareholders. I didn't even check.

God. You're really stupid, Lyra.

“Yes,” I said finally, my tone cool. “They agreed."

Jason leaned back in my chair as if he owned it. “Perfect. This could be the start of something big for us, Lyra.”

Us. The word almost made me laugh.

In my past life, he’d said those same words to me frequently. Now I knew that he wasn't referring to me and him but he and Vanessa.

Jason’s phone buzzed on my desk. He didn’t reach for it. But the name flashing on the screen made my breath hitch.

Mum.

He reached for it and answered it smiling wide. "Hello mum,"

His face suddenly changed a few seconds as he got up from my chair. Jason’s knuckles whitened around the phone.

“What? When?” His voice cracked, urgency bleeding into every word. I watched his jaw tighten, his other hand already fumbling for his keys. “I’ll be there right away.”

He hung up, his eyes darting to me. “It’s my mom… she’s had a stroke.”

His words suddenly made me remember what happened in my past life. Margaret had used her illness as an excuse to stay. If she had not stayed, my baby wouldn't have died.

This time, I wasn't going to let her have her way.

"Jason, wait." I called out stopping him before he could leave. "I'm coming along with you."