The Empress Who Buries Her Past

ad designed it myself. The reception desk, once a familiar sight, was now manned b

appointment?" she asked,

e steady. "I'm Cydney Fr

res. My status as "the wife" had always been nebulous, a title Alec rarely paraded. My ab

still fixed on me. "Billie, Ms.

r and immaculate makeup a stark contrast to her disheveled appearance yesterday.

urprise! Alec isn't in yet, but please, come up. We can wait for him in his office." Sh

like an intruder, a ghost haunting the halls of my own past. Every corner, every design element, whispered of the sleepless nights I'd poured into this place, the dreams I'd shared with Al

unced, pushing open the he

eclaration of her victory. But she simply smiled, a saccharine

beside his keyboard, and a small, scented candle, still warm, perfumed the air with a sickly sweet fragrance. This wasn't just an office; it was a sanctuary, a shared spac

, no older than five, with Alec' s dark hair and mischievous eyes, wa

beside it, each page a snapshot of childhood: first steps, birthday parties, school plays. And in almost every pho

, perfectly posed, a picture of domestic bliss. My world, already shattered,

gentle, sliced through the silence. She stood beside me, holding a st

aid. He'd been drinking, and someone slipped him something. He thought I was you." She paused, letting the words hang in the air. "He was so ashamed the next morning. Ordered me to

r jawline. She wasn't an exact replica, but there was a striking resemblance. I was lookin

even me. "So, you're the understudy," I said, my voice cold, devoid of

ecstatic. Said it was a sign, a new beginning. He bought me that necklace, you know," she gestured to the sparkling diamond pendant at her t

ut I felt nothing but ice. I looked at the photos again, then back at her smug, victori

en crumpled to the floor, dramatically pulling her hair, her sobs turning into tortured wails. She even ma

hand, a soft, loving smile on his face. His eyes, usually so sharp, were soft with affec

ping, and me standing over her, my face a mask of cold fury.

hed to Billie's side, pulling her into his arms, completely ignori

ame in, Alec. She was so angry. I tried to calm her down, but she just... she just

hat you call him now?" I held up the family photo, my hand trembling sli

illie, who was now clutching her stomach, whimpering. "Cyd

life, a second family, in the shadows, while I stood by your side. I understand that you allowed this... t

? Money? Is that why you're here, blackmaili

ook a step closer, my eyes blazing. "You promised me a family, Alec. You promised me a lifetime. And then you told me... you told me I couldn't

omething unreadable there. "Cyd

almost died, Alec! Working myself sick for your company, suffering a gastric hemorrhage, losing my chance at motherhood! And

owe you, Cydney. I'll make it right. Bu

But I will take what's mine. Every single penny of what I'm owed. Starting with a divorce." I pul