After Her Death

DAVINA

My eyes opened, with the feel of the sun's rays soothing my skin. The morning sun–

I gasped, shooting up from the bed in fear. However, I got a split headache almost immediately and then a rush of memories of all that happened. I wasn't in the Miles mansion where I was obligated to wake up before the sunrise. But where was I?

My heart dropped, feeling the thick bandage that wrapped around my head. And then when I looked at the wide floor-to-ceiling window, I realized I was in a penthouse suite that overlooked the streets of Staten Island.

This wasn't my apartment. That man— fear filled my heart at the thought of him.

“Finally, you are awake.” The same cold voice, made me snap my head in its direction. The man sat, crossed-legged with fresh newspapers covering his face.

Had he been here the entire time? Watching me sleep?

My gaze burned through those papers, wanting to see the face behind them.

When he finally brought them down, I gasped. He was something out of a business magazine, his jaw straight and his lips thin. His body hugged his tailored navy blue suit like a model. Yet, his sharp eyes told me he was not. He was much more.

My eyes held questions and he saw them.

“I am Nathaniel Shaw.” His lips moved, pride in the way he said his name.

That name. “Shaw Powers?”

A simple nod from him confirmed my shocked-filled realization. Shaw Powers controlled the majority of the power industry and now, they had begun to extend their claws to several other business sectors and quickly becoming Shaw Industries. A formidable trillion-dollar company and the owner was sitting right before me.

My initial shock quickly wore off, and a sharp sense of urgency arose.

“Why am I here?” I stood up, my foot hitting the cold floor only to realize they were covered in band aids too.

I staggered, falling face flat on the bed.

“You are safe.” He sat up, tossing the papers to the couch. He leaned forward, his arms on his thighs and his presence filled the room even more.

“How do you know me?” I frowned. Even though we may have attended business galas together, a small fry like me would never get to speak to him.

“Why did you bring me here?”

His eyes turned sharp, “While you were catering to your ex-husband, and playing at your sister’s feet, I knew you. You served them at an event three months ago, pushing his wheelchair while he chatted away with his mistress.”

With a sharp intake of breath, my heart hammered. He knew about my divorce already. I was ashamed, I bowed my head, starting to analyze what he would think of me.

“You see me as stupid, right?”

“No.” His answer shocked me, weirdly. You were simply too forgiving, too loving but they didn't give you the love you deserved.”

“But it’s not your fault they decided to be rotten.”

Those words, I had never heard them before. I always took the blame and today, I felt faultless before him, this stranger. But the way he looked at me unsettled me as if he could see beyond the pain. A pain I wanted to shroud and keep locked in.

I sat up, my gaze straight, not wanting to reveal more.

“You still haven't told me why I am here.”

“Look beside you.” He pointed at the bedside table, where a frame sat, a picture of him and a young woman smiling so happily. A smile I never had except for the eyes and face that made my breath stop.

“That’s my wife, Lucille.” His voice carried pain. But I never knew he was married. “Dead wife.”

“What?” I gasped. But why did his dead wife look so much like me? “I didn't know her…”

He nodded in understanding, “Lucille is a daughter of the King family. Owners of the largest semiconductor industry. King Corporation. She was a hidden heiress.”

“Aside from your face, your lives seem to match. She is also a victim of family, suppressed by greed. She ended up in a ditch while I was away. My security wasn't enough.”

My heart dropped for him.

“I came back to her body, finally taking her away from her family. They never saw her, even in her last moments. I never announced her death, the world didn't know her and it should be kept that way.”

I studied his face, even though he successfully took her away, he wasn't satisfied. There was this dangerous glint that crossed his eyes, one that made me aware of the calculation that lay within.

“How long has it been?”

“Three months.” He said. Those words hung gravely in the air. The grief was still fresh.

“I'm sorry…” I whispered but my pity didn't move him.

“I don't need pity. I need revenge. So, do you.” He pointed at me, his eyes held certainty.

“Revenge for making you the laughing stock among the high society. News of your uterus and failed marriage have reached them. Revenge for making you the laborer who got nothing in return.”

I thought about how my name would be on the lips of everyone. I wanted to shut them up and tell them they had no right to judge me when they didn't walk in my shoes.

“But how?” Confusion marred my face, they wouldn't even listen or accept me. “Adeline has the hearts of everyone. She is the queen, the perfect heiress. Semion can't do no wrong before the eyes of those elites who suck up to him.”

“I can't just take back what I lost when they have a fortress behind them.”

Shaw stood up, his tall presence made me look up at him with my teary eyes. He moved with precise steps toward the bed, and he held my gaze.

“Forget what you lost. It’s tainted.” His voice carried a certain edge that made me see the other side of things.

“But you destroy what they stole.” A devilish glint crossed his eyes with a small smirk that disappeared immediately. “Burn them to ashes.”

Those words echoed in my head, a certain shift happening. The thought of destruction, taking Adeline’s place, and her taking my place while she begged for mercy thrilled me. A thought I would never have had if this man didn't make me think in a new light.

“How do I do that? Take revenge…” I sat up, my gaze firmer.

“Become my wife.”

“What?” I shrieked, those words caused my back to bend, away from him.

“We are not getting married.” He hissed. His words reminded me of my position which made me shrink further.

“You will only take her place before the eyes of those who wrecked her. Shake their world while you shake the world of those who wrecked you, unnoticeably. Semion and Adeline won’t know what hit them by the time we are done.”

I swallowed, that thrill coming back again. Semion’s family business and my parents’ fortune combined weren't up to half of King Corporation. Even Shaw Industries would crush them like an ant.

I envisioned Adeline and Semion bowing to me. Exciting.

But guilt quickly settled in, “How can I take the position of such a kind woman? Wouldn't that be disrespectful?”

“Even though we have some resemblance, we have obvious differences.”

“That will be settled, Davina. There is nothing a few changes can’t fix if you consent to it. You will be trained in everything you need to know, business, etiquette, and comprehensive lessons will be instilled in you.“ He said seriously.

“Do you agree?” His were like life or death.

“What if I don't?” I asked, wanting to test the other side.

Shaw’s expression remained the same, as if he expected that. “Nothing. We never met. You go back to your life.”

He wouldn't care if I existed.

A few changes to fit into the life of Lucille Shaw. That wasn't a few but a complete overhaul. Lucille Shaw was a born heiress, one that even Adeline wouldn't measure up to. A spineless woman like me would take her place?

But the catch. That was the most exciting. Adeline and Semion suffering. Giving justice to a woman who lived my pain too.

“I agree. When do we start?”

“Right after your death, Davina Williams.” A smile formed on his face, as if death excited him.