CHAPTER 3

DEMI's POV

The Hermosa Villa, a majestic estate that had always seemed more like a museum than a house, towered over me. Under me, the black Camaro's engine hummed as it moved effortlessly up the  driveway. As Brent walked forward with a sneer already on his lips, I looked out the tinted window. As soon as the car halted, he swung the door open with his usual dramatic flair.

“Welcome back, princess!” he said, extending a hand toward me.

My heels clicked on the sidewalk as I stepped outside, a sharp contrast to the sneakers I had been wearing before. I had changed in the car, swapping comfort for elegance, stepping into the role everyone expected of me. In the warm light of the villa's entrance lights, I was certain that I looked like the queen I had taught myself to be.

"Brent, how have things been going while I was away?" I asked, arching an eyebrow at him.

“Better now that you’re back,” he replied smoothly. “Did you enjoy the fireworks? My birthday gift to you attracted the whole city’s attention. It even went viral on social media!”

I chuckled softly and shook my head. “Yes, I saw it. People were guessing whether it was a tycoon romancing his wife or just someone being unbelievably corny. Well, congrats for reaching a new level of corniness, Brent.”

Brent ignored my sarcasm and pulled me into a tight hug. After a moment of hesitation, I gave the hug back, feeling the comfort of home cover me like a blanket I had forgotten. 

“Demi, you won’t be leaving again, right?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

A bitter smile curled my lips. “No. My husband has already divorced me. I have nowhere else to go, so I suppose I don’t have a reason to leave anymore.”

The words tasted sour.I had been giving my marriage my all for five years, believing that if I stayed with it and let him take advantage of me whatever he pleased, he would finally reciprocate my love. Despite my best efforts, I ended up failing.

But I wouldn’t cry over Jeff Ortega. Not anymore. The moment I walked out of the Ortega residence, I swore I would never shed another tear for him. It simply wasn’t worth it.

With a harsh sigh, Brent tightened his hold on my shoulders. “That bastard, Jeff Ortega! How dare he treat you like that! I should have beaten him to a pulp when I had the chance. Tomorrow, I’m starting a full investigation into the Ortega Group. Then I’ll hire someone to take that dumbass down.”

“Don’t be reckless, Brent.” My voice was steady even though my heart was still hurting. "You are Hermosa Group's acting chairman. You cannot simply pick conflicts everywhere you go. Why can’t you be more like Alex? Where is that ever-peaceful brother of yours?”

With a sneer, Brent tugged at his necktie. “Peaceful? Ha! You have no idea what he was like before he became this calm and collected.” His expression darkened. “Either way, I won’t let this slide. Jeff can mess with me, but not you, Demi. Since he dared, he’ll stay on my radar.”

In an attempt to lighten the situation, I sighed and wrapped my arm through his as I pulled him toward the villa.

The familiarity of home greeted me inside. Years had passed, yet nothing had changed: the warmth, the grandeur, or the lingering aroma of my father's expensive tobacco. 

When my father, Ronald Perez, heard of my return, he immediately summoned us to his study. I wasn’t surprised to find him pacing, his usually stern expression softened with something that almost looked like happiness.

“Dad, I’m back,” I announced as I strolled in, Brent at my side. Unlike the demure, obedient version of me that the Ortegas had shaped, here, I let myself relax. Without hesitation, I flopped onto the sofa and kicked off my heels.

Brent followed suit, grabbing my legs and placing them on his lap. He started massaging my feet, a familiar routine that reminded me of our childhood.

My father eyed us with a mix of amusement and irritation. “Where are your manners? Did you become a medical practitioner or a vagabond? Were you living in some godforsaken outskirts?”

I rolled my eyes, stretching my arms. “Is that a sign of Alzheimer’s, Dad? I’ve always been like this. Have you forgotten what your own daughter is like?”

Then my gaze landed on something unexpected. Framed on the wall were posters—ones I had made over a decade ago. My breath hitched. When had he found them? And why had he framed them?

One read, “Better take care of your health now that you’re old. Otherwise, you might die of a stroke.”

Another, my personal favorite, said, “Please show yourself some respect. Thank you.” I had gifted him that one when he married for the fourth time.

The memory made me snort. The Perez family had always been a hot topic because of my father’s many wives. I had never been fond of our family dynamic, which was part of why I had left. Instead, I focused on my career, becoming a pediatric doctor. I wanted to give underprivileged children free medical assistance—to create something meaningful out of my life.

My father cleared his throat, trying to maintain his usual air of authority. “After leaving home for so long, the first thing you do is curse your old man. How considerate of you.”

I grinned. “Thanks for the praise, Dad.”

Brent chuckled beside me before turning serious. “Now that Demi is back, I think it’s time we discuss some important matters.”

My father arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

Brent didn’t waste time. “You know as well as I do that Demi is your only capable heir. Your brothers are vultures who only want the company for their own gain. It would be wiser to train Demi and prepare her to take over.”

I sat up, startled. “Wait, what?”

“Demi is the brightest among us,” Brent continued, ignoring my protest. “She has perseverance. You’ve always been good at recognizing talent, Mr. Perez. The best talent is standing right in front of you. Use her.”

My father was silent for a long moment. Then, with a serious expression, he said, “Fine. I can’t trust my brothers with the Hermosa Group. Train and prove your worth, Demi.”

I blinked, caught between excitement and sheer disbelief. “Are you serious?”

Ronald nodded. “Very.”

Brent clapped his hands together. “Great! Demi, rest for now. In a few days, I’ll take you to the Hermosa Group headquarters to report for duty. If you can turn a struggling division into a profitable one, we’ll continue training you to become the next chairwoman.”

As we left my father’s study, Brent placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair slightly.

“Great responsibilities only fall on those who are equally great. I know you can pull this off. That’s why I convinced your father.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you sure you didn’t just dump a mess on me to clean up?”

Brent laughed. “Your old man is preparing you to protect his legacy from his greedy brothers. It’s a heavy burden, but I’ll be with you every step of the way.”