CHAPTER 3

The car door opened and Nyla stepped out onto the red carpet leading into the Grandview Hotel.

Heads turned immediately. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. A woman in a silver gown actually gasped out loud.

Nyla walked forward in her blood red dress, the fabric clinging to her body like a second skin. The diamond necklace at her throat sparkled under the bright lights. Her heels clicked against the marble floor with each confident step. She had never felt more powerful in her entire life.

The ballroom was massive, filled with at least two hundred people. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. A live orchestra played soft music in the corner. Waiters moved through the crowd carrying trays of champagne and expensive hors d'oeuvres.

Nyla spotted Eric immediately. He was standing near the bar with Lisa, both of them laughing at something. Lisa had her hand on Eric's arm in that overly familiar way she always did. They looked comfortable together. Too comfortable.

Then Eric saw her.

His face went completely white. The smile dropped from his lips. The glass in his hand tilted dangerously and nearly spilled whiskey all over his expensive suit.

Lisa noticed his reaction and turned to see what he was staring at. When her eyes landed on Nyla, her mouth fell open in shock.

Nyla walked straight toward them, enjoying every second of their stunned expressions. People moved out of her way, still staring and whispering.

"Nyla?" Eric's voice came out strangled. "What are you doing here?"

"Good evening, Eric. Lisa." Nyla smiled sweetly. "I decided to come after all."

Lisa recovered first, though her smile looked forced. "Oh my god, Nyla! You look so... different." Her eyes traveled up and down Nyla's body with barely concealed jealousy. "Why are you wearing red? Does Eric not hate that color on you?"

There it was. The little dig disguised as innocent concern.

Eric's jaw was tight. "Why did you come? You said these events give you headaches. You always stay home."

"I changed my mind," Nyla said simply.

"But why are you dressed like this?" Lisa's voice had an edge now. "This is not your usual style at all. What are you trying to do?"

You backstabbing bitch, Nyla thought. I know exactly what you have been doing with my husband. I know about every lie, every betrayal, every plan you made to kill me. And I am going to destroy both of you for it.

But out loud, she just smiled wider. "I just wanted to look nice tonight. Is that wrong?"

Eric looked suspicious. "You are acting strange."

"Am I?" Nyla tilted her head innocently. "I feel perfectly normal."

Lisa giggled nervously and squeezed Eric's arm. "Well, you look absolutely gorgeous. That dress is so bold! I could never pull off something like that." She said it like a compliment but her eyes were cold. "I thought you never wanted to come to these boring events. What changed your mind so suddenly?"

"Maybe I wanted to see what my husband does at these things," Nyla said lightly. She looked directly at Lisa. "And who he spends his time with."

The air between them went ice cold.

Eric's face flushed red. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Nyla's smile never wavered. "I am just happy to be here supporting you. That is what wives do, right?"

Before Eric could respond, an older businessman approached them with a booming voice. "Eric! There you are! And who is this stunning woman?"

"My wife," Eric said through gritted teeth.

"Your wife?" The man looked genuinely shocked. "I had no idea! Eric, you never told us your wife was so beautiful!"

Lisa's smile looked like it was carved from stone.

The businessman chatted for a few more minutes before moving on. As soon as he left, Eric grabbed Nyla's elbow and pulled her aside roughly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" he hissed. "Why are you really here?"

You want to know why I am here? Nyla thought. Because I died. Because you and that snake Lisa murdered me and smiled while I bled out. Because I came back from death itself to make sure you pay for every single thing you did to me.

But she just smiled sweetly. "I told you. I wanted to support my husband."

"You are lying." Eric's fingers dug into her arm. "You are acting completely different. What are you planning?"

"Nothing," Nyla said innocently. "Why would I be planning anything?"

Eric stared at her for a long moment, clearly trying to figure out what game she was playing. Finally he released her arm. "We are leaving soon. And when we get home, you are going to explain what this is all about."

"Of course, darling." Nyla patted his chest. "Whatever you want."

She turned and walked away, leaving Eric standing there looking confused and angry. Lisa rushed over to him immediately, whispering something urgent in his ear. They both kept glancing at Nyla with worried expressions.

Good. Let them worry. Let them wonder what changed. They had no idea what was coming for them.

Nyla made her way to a quiet corner of the ballroom where she could observe the whole room. Her mind was already working, already planning her next moves. She had thirty days to completely destroy Eric. Thirty days to bankrupt TechCorp Solutions and take back everything he had stolen from her.

Thirty days to make him feel the same pain and betrayal she had felt when she died in that hospital.

She took a sip of champagne and whispered to herself with cold determination.

"Thirty days, Eric. I am going to bankrupt TechCorp Solutions in exactly thirty days. And there is nothing you can do to stop me."