Chapter 5

Paparazzi were going crazy at the Vanguard City airport. They had been tipped off that a powerful woman had just landed. When she walked through the gates, everyone stopped to stare.

She was beautiful and exuded pure power. Her eyes were striking, and she was dressed in designer clothes from head to toe. Every brand she wore was rare and hard to find.

Beside her was a handsome man. He carried a young boy in his arms. The woman held a beautiful little girl who looked just like her.

"Mummy," the girl called out, "is this where we'll be living?"

"Yes, Lyra," she replied, her voice smooth and confident.

"Let's get ready to conquer this city, babies," she said to her children.

Her whole life had done a 360. She was no longer Elara Smith, but Elara Vance.

She had finally returned to the city with her twins, Leo and Lyra. By her side was her brother, Alistair Vance who had found her six years ago, right after Alexander Sterling had completely shattered her heart.

She still hadn't forgotten the pain Alexander and Vivienne had caused her. She was here for revenge. They had to pay for treating her like trash.

After leaving the city, Elara put her law degree to use. She had graduated at the top of her class, even after taking on so much debt to get through school. She had worked hard to pay every cent back. Now, she finally practiced business law.

She wasn't just a lawyer anymore; she was the most sought-after name in the industry. Everyone wanted her to work with them. She held the power now, and she was ready to use it to bring her enemies to their knees.

"Mummy, since we're in a new city, will you finally give us a daddy?" Leo asked.

Elara’s throat went dry. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. The question caught her completely off guard.

"You don't like Uncle anymore?" Alistair asked Leo, trying to tease him and lighten the mood.

"No, I love you, Uncle," Leo said seriously. "But my classmates are always teasing me about not having a dad."

Elara’s heart sank. She looked at her daughter, knowing she would get the truth from her. "Really?" she asked Lyra.

Lyra nodded sadly. "Yes. They say that we're orphans, and it hurts, Mummy."

This was the first time Elara was hearing this. She felt beyond devastated. She had worked so hard to give them everything, but she couldn't give them the one thing they were missing.

She forced a smile onto her face and hugged them close. "Don't worry, kids," she said. "I'm going to find you a daddy very soon."

Elara had completely given up on love after what Alexander did to her. But for her children, she was willing to try again.

Elara’s life had been a hard climb. She was stolen from the hospital the day she was born. She spent her childhood moving from one home to another, but no one ever adopted her. At eighteen, she was finally on her own. She worked multiple jobs and took out massive loans to put herself through school. She had fought for every single thing she had.

Alistair had a very different life. He was five years older than Elara, and his upbringing was heavy with the shadow of his missing sister. 

Their parents had searched for her tirelessly. Because they missed her so much, they treated Alistair like two people. They raised him to be the child they lost and himself at the same time.

Alistair never stopped looking for her either. Six years ago, his hard work finally paid off. He found Elara right when she was at her lowest point. He reunited her with their mother and spent the next six years taking perfect care of her.

Alistair hadn't even gotten married. He chose to stay single so he could focus solely on his sister and her children. He wanted to make up for all the years she had lost being alone. He was her protector now, and he wouldn't let anyone hurt her again.

---

Alexander Sterling’s private jet had just landed. He stepped onto the tarmac and adjusted his tie, checking the time on his expensive watch. He slid into the backseat of his car.

"Ronald, what time is my meeting?" he asked.

"10:00 AM, sir," Ronald replied.

Alex felt his phone vibrate in his hand. He looked down and saw Vivienne’s name on the screen. He didn't want to talk to her. He silenced the call, put his earphones in, and started his music.

As the car began to pull away, his eyes caught a beautiful family standing near the terminal. The woman had the same build as Elara. She was standing next to a handsome man who was holding one of their children.

Alex felt a sharp pain in his chest. 'If she hadn't left me, how many children would we have by now?' he wondered.

He quickly looked away, then turned up the volume of his music to drown his thoughts. 

Alex's car pulled up to the Sterling-Apex building. He had built this company from nothing. In the beginning, he had the ideas, but he needed investors. Those investors used to treat him like an errand boy, but he had spent the last six years fighting back. He had finally bought most of them out. Now, he held the controlling share.

This was exactly what he had always planned. But as he looked at the grand lobby, he felt a pang of sadness. Elara wasn't by his side to enjoy any of it.

He took the elevator to the executive floor.

"Everyone is already seated, sir," Ronald said, opening the heavy doors to the conference room.

Alexander's presence filled the room as he walked in. 

"Good morning, Mr. Sterling," one of the board members said, standing up to shake his hand. "I’d like to introduce you to our new legal director."

The man gestured toward the head of the table.

"This is Mrs. Elara Vance."