LOGINThe morning sun rose high over the financial district, its bright light reflecting off the tall glass skyscrapers. Inside the grand executive floor of the Vane Group headquarters, the atmosphere was unusually busy.Elias stepped out of the private elevator, his dark suit crisp, his necktie straight, and his long legs moving with a steady, purposeful rhythm. He had stayed home the previous day to be with Thea after the life-changing news of her pregnancy, but today he needed to clear his desk, settle outstanding corporate matters, and arrange an extended leave of absence so he could be fully present for his wife during her first trimester.As he walked past the main glass conference room, the heavy double doors opened.His father stepped into the corridor, holding a leather folder under his arm. His gray hair was neatly combed back, his posture straight, though a look of heavy sternness rested on his face. Behind him, two senior board directors bowed respectfully before walking off tow
The master bedroom was quiet and bathed in the soft glow of the bedside lamps. Outside, the rain continued to fall in a gentle, steady rhythm against the glass.Thea sat on the edge of the large bed, wrapped in a warm cardigan. Beside her sat Nurse Evelyn, a middle-aged woman dressed in a plain knit sweater and dark trousers. She was Martha’s younger sister, and her calm, friendly demeanor made the room feel nothing like a cold hospital clinic.Elias stood a few feet away near the foot of the bed, his broad frame tense, his hands resting in the pockets of his dark trousers. His eyes remained fixed on the small white digital reader Nurse Evelyn held in her hands."Everything looks completely normal with your blood pressure, Mrs. Vane," Nurse Evelyn spoke softly, placing a warm hand gently on Thea’s wrist. "Your pulse is steady now, though your body is showing clear signs of exhaustion.""She felt very dizzy at dinner," Elias cut in, his deep voice thick with underlying concern. "She co
By seven o'clock in the evening, the heavy corporate battle was over. To celebrate her first successful board meeting, Elias had reserved the private top-floor dining terrace at the Grand Meridian Hotel. The venue offered a stunning panoramic view of the capital's glittering skyline under the dark evening sky. Soft piano music drifted through the air, and small candles flickered inside glass lanterns on the white linen tablecloth. Thea sat across from Elias at a secluded corner table overlooking the city lights. She had removed her suit jacket, wearing only her soft white silk blouse. Her dark eyes looked bright and relaxed, a sense of genuine accomplishment resting on her features. "You were remarkable today," Elias murmured, holding up his glass of fine red wine. His dark eyes locked onto hers with deep, unshakable admiration. "I watched the way you handled Osric. You didn't even raise your voice." Thea chuckled softly, picking up her glass of sparkling mineral water. "He thoug
The towering glass headquarters of the former Sterling Group stood in the heart of the capital’s commercial district. Under the morning light, its mirror-like windows reflected the bright blue sky, masking the years of internal corruption that had quietly rotted the organization from within.Inside the grand executive board room on the forty-second floor, a heavy, tense silence filled the air.Twelve senior directors sat around a massive oval table made of polished dark oak. Most of them were middle-aged men in expensive suits, their faces tight with quiet anger and nervous anticipation. They were Arthur's old inner circle, men who had pocketed massive bonuses, overlooked fraudulent transactions, and enjoyed absolute power for decades.At the head of the long table, the high-backed master chair sat empty."This is ridiculous," whispered Director Osric, a sharp-faced man with slicked-back hair, leaning over to tap his gold pen against his notepad. "We are board members of a major cong
The legal battle that had consumed the city for weeks was finally over, but the quiet that followed inside the Vane estate felt surprisingly heavy.Inside, Elias sat at his wide desk, his black fountain pen hovering over a stack of legal documents. His tailored jacket hung over the back of his chair, his necktie loosened slightly at his throat. He wasn't looking at the papers. His dark eyes were fixed on the doorway, waiting.A quiet knock sounded against the oak frame.Thomas, the head security guard, stepped into the library and stood at attention, holding a leather folder."Mr. Vane," Thomas said softly, bowing his head. "The order regarding Doctor Jocelyn has been fully executed."Elias set his pen down with a quiet, deliberate click. "Tell me.""Her personal medical license under the Vane corporate registry has been officially revoked," Thomas reported smoothly. "The executive board of the medical network was informed of her immediate dismissal. Furthermore, we ensured her name w
THEA’s POVMeanwhile, inside the sunlit drawing room of the main Vane estate, time seemed to stand completely still.I stood frozen beside Elias, his strong arm wrapped securely around my waist. The warm, comforting scent of his cologne filled my senses, but my heart was pounding against my ribs like a trapped bird.All the color had drained from my face. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move a single muscle. Standing just a few feet away from us, holding a sleek black medical bag, was Doctor Jocelyn.She looked polished, professional, and entirely calm. Her gray suit was immaculate, her dark hair pulled back into a tight, neat bun, and a polite, professional smile rested on her lips. To Elias, she looked like a top-tier private physician sent by the city’s premier medical board to take care of his wife.But to me... she was a monster from my nightmare past.Memories of my first life rushed back with violent, terrifying clarity.In my past life, when my health began to fail during the f
THEA’s POV “Tell him,” I said.I walked toward the dressing room.The walk-in closet was the size of a small house, filled with rows of suits in muted grays and navy blues, colors Elias liked. I used to dress like a shadow so I wouldn’t offend him.I found a pair of scissors on the mahogany island
THEA’S POV Elias leaned in until I could feel the ghost of his breath against my lips. He was waiting for me to flinch. "You think you’ve grown claws, Thea," He murmured, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous vibration. "But you’re still in my house. You’re still wearing the ring I bought you. An
THEA’s POV In my first life, that voice would have made me jump. My father had a way of making me feel like I was five years old and failing a test. I used to spend my allowance buying him expensive watches just to get a "thank you" that never came. "Thea!" My mother’s voice joined in, high-pit
THEA’s POV The hospital room was too quiet. I lay there, my body feeling like it was made of lead. I couldn't move my fingers. I couldn't open my eyes. All I had left was my hearing, and the sound of the heart monitor's steady beep... beep... beep... "Is it done yet?" That was Maya’s voice







