I was just a pawn in your game... but now, I'm the one holding all the cards." Three years ago, Arianna Blake was nothing more than a quiet, obedient wife-until the man she loved shattered her world. On their wedding anniversary, she walked in on her husband, billionaire CEO Damon Callahan... in bed with her best friend. The next day, she was ruthlessly divorced and thrown out like garbage, accused of betrayal she didn't commit. But Arianna didn't disappear. She rebuilt herself from the ashes. Now, she's back-with a new name, a powerful identity, and a secret Damon can't afford to discover. He wants her again. The problem? She didn't return for love. She came for revenge. And this time, she's the one who will walk away... With his heart in pieces.
Chapter 1 The Anniversary That Ruined Everything
The silence in the penthouse was unsettling.
Not the peaceful kind-but the kind that whispered secrets, like the air itself knew something she didn't.
Arianna Callahan tightened her grip on the bouquet of white lilies in her hand. Their scent used to calm her. Now, they choked her. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she walked through the home she shared with her husband-the man she had loved for five years, married to for three.
Her heart raced.
Tonight was their anniversary.
She had spent the last two weeks secretly planning it. A private dinner. His favorite wine. A silk dress she picked out just for him. She even had the courage to leave the office early, for once, eager to surprise Damon with something simple, something real.
But the surprise wasn't hers to give.
It was waiting for her instead.
The bedroom door wasn't locked.
She pushed it open.
And everything inside her died.
There they were-Damon, her husband, shirtless, standing by the edge of their bed. And Lila. Her best friend. Wearing nothing but a silk robe that was very much hers.
The robe she had packed in the gift bag on their honeymoon.
It took Damon a second to notice her. When he did, he didn't flinch.
He didn't look guilty.
He looked... annoyed.
"Arianna," he said flatly, like she had walked in on a business meeting.
Lila smirked behind him, tugging the robe tighter around her waist with theatrical modesty. "Oh. You're early."
Arianna's throat closed up. "This is a joke, right?"
Damon's eyes-those cold, silver-gray eyes-met hers. "You should've called."
"Called?" she whispered.
"I was going to talk to you tonight," he said, buttoning his shirt like this was nothing. "It's better this way."
Her fingers tightened around the bouquet until the stems snapped. "Better what way?"
"I want a divorce."
The words fell like a bomb, echoing inside the cavern of her ribcage.
Arianna didn't respond. She couldn't. Her mind tried to grasp something-an explanation, a denial, anything. But the silence between them was filled with nothing but Lila's smug smile and Damon's icy indifference.
"There are documents in my study," he added. "Everything's ready."
"You've already-?"
"I've known for a while, Arianna. I just needed... confirmation."
Her voice cracked. "Confirmation of what?"
"That you cheated."
It hit her like a slap. "What?"
Damon walked past her, brushing her shoulder like she was nothing more than a stranger on the street.
"Don't insult me by denying it," he said. "I saw the messages. I know about you and Gabriel Hale."
Gabriel Hale. Her former colleague. A man she'd worked late nights with-strictly professional. She barely even spoke to him outside of work. The thought of anything romantic was laughable.
"You think I-Damon, that's not true."
"It doesn't matter now."
Arianna's chest heaved. "You believed them?"
"I didn't need to," he said, still refusing to look at her. "The evidence spoke for itself."
And just like that, she realized: He never really knew her. Never trusted her. Not when it counted.
She let the lilies fall to the floor.
"Get out," she whispered, her voice trembling but sharp. "Both of you."
Damon raised a brow. "This is my house."
"No," she said, finally lifting her chin. "This was our home. But it died the moment you chose her."
Lila snorted. "God, you're dramatic."
Arianna turned, eyes blazing, and for the first time in her life-she didn't cry.
She didn't beg.
She didn't even break.
She simply walked away.
Three Years Later
The city skyline had changed, but her resolve had not.
Arianna-now Aria Steele-stepped out of the black sedan, dressed in midnight-blue silk and diamonds that whispered of old money. The gala was in full swing, lights glittering from the ballroom windows, reporters buzzing at the entrance.
She handed the valet her invitation, her lips barely curved into a smile. "Aria Steele, investor and founder of Steele Holdings."
"Yes, Miss Steele. Welcome."
She walked in like she owned the place.
Because now, she did.
Behind her, the whispers began: Who is she? Where did she come from? Did you see that dress?
And in the far corner of the ballroom, Damon Callahan looked up from his drink-and his heart stopped.
There she was.
Older. Stronger. Unrecognizable in the best way.
She wasn't his Arianna anymore. She was something else.
Something untouchable.
And she didn't even spare him a glance.
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