로그인On the night Liora planned a birthday surprise for her husband, she uncovered a betrayal that shattered her entire world: her marriage was never real, and everything she believed in was built on lies. Her husband was never truly hers… and even the child she raised was not biologically hers. In one calculated move, Liora turns the tables and disappears, leaving behind a ruined marriage and a man who suddenly loses control over everything he once owned. But fate refuses to let her remain hidden. She returns as the heiress of a global empire; stronger, untouchable, and far beyond the woman she once was. Just as she begins to rebuild her new life, she crosses paths with Derek, a powerful man who draws her into a dangerous new future. But her past is not finished with her yet as her ex-husband returns, this time not just to reclaim her, but to destroy the life she has built as an heiress. And the real question is… Will Liora let him succeed?
더 보기Liora’s POV
“Cancel all my meetings for today,” I instructed my assistant, Ava, rising from my office chair as I slipped into my tailored suit jacket.
“Yes, ma’am,” she replied promptly, already typing on her tablet.
“Where is the Patek Philippe watch?” I asked, glancing at her.
“It’s in your car, ma’am.”
“Good. Once I get home, take the car and pick up the exact pair of shoes I ordered,” I added while walking toward the door.
“Of course.”
A small smile curved my lips as I imagined the look on Lucien’s face when he saw the watch. It was from his favorite brand, and I had spent weeks searching for the perfect one.
Today was his birthday, and no matter how busy my schedule was, I had to make it home in time. After all, the reason I stood where I was today was partly because of him.
“It’ll definitely make his day,” I murmured softly.
Ava grabbed my briefcase, and we headed out together.
When I arrived home, something immediately felt strange. The gates were open, and so were the front doors.
I stepped into the living room, the gift box still in my hands, but the house was eerily quiet.
“Lucien?” I called, but there was no response.
Just as I was about to head upstairs, faint voices drifted from the guest room down the hallway.
My lips curled into a playful smile. “Perfect”.
I quietly slipped off my heels and tiptoed toward the door, planning to surprise him.
But just as I got closer, a voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Your supposed wife isn’t even here.”
The soft, mocking tone was painfully familiar.
My heart skipped a beat.
That was Elara, my half-sister. But… she had been overseas for years.
What was she doing here?
“Five years already… you actually kept the bet?”
Another voice spoke, deep and amused.
That was James, one of Lucien’s closest friends.
My brows furrowed in confusion.
What bet?
Then Lucien’s voice followed, filled with pride and amusement.
“Of course. Making a woman like Liora fall in love isn’t that hard.”
The words struck me like a slap across the face.
My body froze.
“Stupid woman,” Elara scoffed with a mocking laugh. “Acting all high and mighty. She probably still thinks you saved her and the company.”
My heart began to pound in my chest.
“I was the one who destroyed her father’s company,” Lucien said casually.
The words exploded in my mind like a bomb.
“We did it together,” Elara corrected proudly.
A sharp pain shot through my chest.
After my father’s death, he left his company to me, his eldest daughter. Elara and her mother, Stephanie, had always hated that.
Not long after, the company mysteriously collapsed and was eventually bought by Lucien.
Desperate, I had gone to him and begged for help, but Lucien had offered me a deal; marry him, and he would help me rebuild the company.
I had believed he did it because he loved me… now everything suddenly made sense.
Then I heard the unmistakable sound of lips meeting.
My stomach twisted.
“You two really are perfect for each other,” Anderson said with admiration.
The same Anderson who had once praised Lucien endlessly in front of me.
The same man who had told me Lucien loved me so much he would die if I ever left him.
Was this all a lie?
“I’m grateful you’re taking good care of Bianca, our daughter,” Elara said softly.
My world stopped.
How was that possible? Bianca was my own biological daughter. Three years ago, I was pregnant and gave birth to her myself. Lucien had held me as I cried in labor.
What was Elara saying?
“I bet she still thinks she’s her mother,” Lucien said, bursting into mocking laughter.
“When her own child is probably suffering on the streets… or maybe even dead by now,” Elara added as they all burst into laughter.
Now I understand why he always said he didn’t want another child, that Bianca was enough, and that we should transfer our companies into her name.
Silly me, I had accepted, believing she was my daughter.
Now the truth stood before me like a blade piercing through my chest; my own husband had swapped my child with his mistress… my half-sister.
“Now her company belongs to Bianca, thinking she’s her daughter,” Lucien added.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain still.
“I’m so proud of my baby,” Elara laughed. “Soon, we’ll throw her out of your house and life.”
The gift box slipped from my trembling hands. I barely caught it before it hit the floor, but the faint sound still echoed through the hallway.
My breath hitched.
I quickly stepped backward, quietly returned to the living room, then ran outside.
My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone.
“Ava,” I said the moment she answered. “Don’t bother picking up the shoes anymore.”
Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.
I took a deep breath, forcing the tears threatening to spill to retreat.
Then I walked back into the living room and called loudly.
“Lucien! Lucien!”
Footsteps approached almost immediately.
Lucien walked out first, followed by Elara, James, and Anderson.
“Happy birthday,” I said, forcing a smile as Lucien smiled warmly and stepped toward me.
I handed him the gift box.
“Oh! What a lovely couple,” James said with admiration.
Lucien opened the box, and the familiar charming smile appeared on his face, just as I had imagined it.
“Thank you,” he said before setting it down on the sofa and pulling me into a hug.
My gaze shifted toward James and Anderson as they smiled… fake smiles.
Elara stood behind them with her arms folded, her expression sour.
“Ah!” Elara suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach.
Lucien immediately released me.
“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.
Without answering, Elara rushed toward the bathroom, and Lucien hurried after her without hesitation.
I stood there silently as the two men remained behind.
“It’s nothing serious,” Anderson said quickly. “Just menstrual cramps.”
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
“Oh… really?”
“You married a good man,” James added with a grin. “Lucien cares deeply about you and your family.”
I nodded slowly. “I must be very lucky.”
I turned and walked away before the bitterness in my chest could spill over.
Once inside the bedroom, my strength finally collapsed.
I sank onto the bed, my body trembling.
“How could he…”
The words never finished as the tears I had been holding back finally burst free.
Just then, my phone rang.
I wiped my face quickly and glanced at the screen: Ava.
I answered immediately.
“Ava, I need you to send someone to Morgan Hospital,” I said coldly.
“Ask to see Nurse Kay. Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”
“Ma’am… I…” I ended the call without waiting for a response, I turned and faced the ceiling while lying on the bed.
An hour later, my phone began ringing again, It was still Ava.
“Yes?” I answered coldly.
“Ma’am, I went to get Bianca from school, but when I got there she was unconscious,” Ava revealed.
I sat up immediately.
Though she wasn’t my biological daughter, I had taken care of her since she was little and loved her as my own.
“Where are you now?” I asked quickly.
“At Morgan Hospital.” She answered, and I ended the call.
In the living room, they were all sprawled on the couch. They drank until they fell asleep.
Elara was lying on Lucien while he held her protectively, even in his sleep.
I took out my phone and quickly took pictures of them together, fighting back my tears.
“I will destroy everything you love,” I whispered.
Then I turned and left.
Author's POVInside the convenience store, Elian stormed toward the cashier, fury radiating from every stride."Where is he?" he demanded, pressing the muzzle of his pistol against her forehead.The young cashier trembled so violently that her knees threatened to buckle."I-I don't know.""Don't lie to me.""I swear!" she cried, tears spilling down her cheeks. "He never came in here!"Elian's finger tightened around the trigger as his breathing turned slow and dangerous.Before he could pull it, one of the Blackwing members stepped beside him."Boss."Without taking his eyes off the terrified woman, Elian growled, "What?""Lorenzo's orders. Our targets are Derek, Mr. Gab, and Liora. No unnecessary casualties."Elian's jaw clenched.For several tense seconds, the pistol remained trained on the cashier before he finally lowered it with a frustrated snarl.Instead, he swung the back of his gun across a nearby display, glass exploded across the floor as shelves toppled over.Customers scr
Derek's POVI stepped out of the hospital and headed toward my car, pulling the door open."Sir."Rafe's voice came from behind me, making me turn."Elian has just been spotted leaving the hospital," he reported.I slid into the back seat, and he climbed in beside me.Cole started the engine as my gaze drifted back to the hospital entrance.At least the guard would keep her safe until I returned.As we pulled onto the road, I turned to Rafe. "So, where is he now?"Rafe pulled out his phone, the tracking map already displayed on the screen."He just left the hospital."A faint smile tugged at my lips."Splendid." I leaned back before saying, "Follow him.""Yes, sir."Cole pressed harder on the accelerator, and the engine roared as the car surged through.Minutes passed with the speedometer climbing steadily, then Rafe's expression suddenly changed."Wait..." He frowned at the tracker before turning the screen toward me. "He's heading straight toward us.”My eyes narrowed at the blinkin
Liora's POVMr. Gab's lips curved into a bitter, pain-filled smile. "I wish he was here to help."Derek frowned. "What do you mean?""The Blackwing always knew whenever someone was about to expose them. They found the group before they could act... and sadly, my son was one of them."His voice faltered as another tear slid down. "The five of them were marked for death, but my son managed to escape. He ran with everything he had until he made it home."He paused, swallowing hard. "Like I told you, once you're on their list, they dig into every detail of your life. They tracked my son's home... then they traced his older sister, my daughter who had moved away years earlier for work."My eyes widened.Years earlier... and they still found her? No wonder Elian had spoken about Derek as though he had known him for years."They dragged her back home. By then, my son had already told me everything. I had just returned..." His voice cracked. "...and right before my eyes, they shot them both."
Liora's POV*The next day*I was already dressed by the time the morning sun filtered through my curtains. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I took one last steadying breath before stepping outside.Derek was already waiting beside the car, one hand resting on the open passenger door. The moment he saw me, he pulled it open even wider.Without a word, I slid into the seat.He circled the vehicle and climbed in beside me while Cole started the engine. Moments later, we pulled away from the house."I hope Mr. Gab is doing better." I said breaking the silence.Derek reached across the console and gently wrapped his hand around mine, his grip firm yet comforting."He'll be fine," he said quietly.I wanted to believe him. I released a slow breath and stared out the window as the city blurred past.We arrived at the hospital as Derek stepped out first before opening my door. I accepted his hand, and together we walked inside, he led me toward the doctor's office.The doctor rose from his c
Liora’s POV*The next day*I woke early, slipping out of bed and heading straight for a shower. Afterward, I changed into a simple casual gown.Derek had pleaded that I stay home with Aurora today. I entered the kitchen and began preparing pancakes. By the time I was done, I plated the pancakes ca
Liora’s POV“There’s nothing here,” I said, angling the phone just enough to keep the screen out of his sight.He paused.For a moment, his eyes lingered on me sharply, as though trying to peel back layers I refused to reveal. My pulse spiked under the weight of his gaze.Then, without a word, he t
Days later, the doctor finally confirmed that I was fit for discharge. Lucien never once came to check on me.She handed me my shattered phone, my bag, and the miscarriage report. The kind gentleman who had retrieved my belongings had already passed them on to her.“Where is my daughter’s ward? You
Arriving home, Elara and Stephanie were seated in the living room.“Hi,” I greeted as I walked past them, but neither of them responded.I continued toward the bedroom, where I found Lucien on the bed, focused on his laptop, with Bianca sitting beside him.“Mummy! Mummy!” she called out excitedly,






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