Chapter 2: Her Return

One Year Later

Amy Stone

“Thank you,” I whispered to the photo while clutching the bracelet on my wrist. Its small stone charm glowed faintly under the light.

My only connection to the life I had lost to that jerk.

“I wish you didn’t have to leave me like that,” I choked out, my voice barely audible.

The pain of their sudden, violent deaths still felt like a knife twisting in my heart. It had been a horrible accident.

I stood by the massive marble kitchen counter, the scent of butter and garlic filling the air as the staff rushed around, chopping, stirring, and cleaning.

The maids’ chatter faded into the background as my eyes fixed on the framed photo sitting at the center of the counter....Mr. and Mrs. Blake, smiling with their arms around each other.

My chest tightened even more.

They had saved me. They said they found me torn apart and half-dead on that riverbank with the bracelet glowing as if it were protecting me.

I had no idea my grandma had left me something so precious. I would have been crippled in so many ways without the charm bracelet.

Mr. and Mrs. Blake had nursed me back to life and given me a home when I had absolutely nothing.

A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. I swiped it away angrily, hating when anyone saw me cry.

I kissed my fingers and touched the glass frame gently, then set it back down before anyone noticed my trembling hands.

“Madam, it’s been months since Mr. and Mrs. Blake died. You don’t have to be so hard on yourself. Please focus on the empire they left you,” Rose, one of the maids, said as she walked toward me and tapped my shoulder.

“I know. I have a huge responsibility. Becoming the Jewels Heiress overnight isn’t something I prepared for,” I sighed, feeling the full weight of my current life.

A huge palace for a twenty-four-year-old.

“You were like their daughter. They loved you. Please don’t cry anymore.” Rose hugged me.

“Thanks,” I managed to say. I watched as Rose walked over to the TV area.

I smiled, grateful for these lovely people.

“Ma’am, you need to see this!” Rose, my head chef, called, fumbling with the remote. She turned up the volume on the giant flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. “What now?”

“There’s a huge Met Gala coming up in Gems City,” Rose said, her voice brimming with excitement. “It’s the event of the year. You should definitely attend.”

“I already have enough events to attend,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Mr. and Mrs. Blake made sure I was connected to the right functions. I don’t need....”

And then I saw him in all his glory, smiling like the world belonged to him.

My breath caught. “Chad…”

He stood on the red carpet like a king in a perfectly tailored suit hugging his frame. Right next to him was Melissa, dripping in diamonds, wearing the sweetest smile I had ever seen. That was her charm....and only idiots fell for it. I had been one of them. Her arm was locked around his.

My blood ran cold.

They were standing in front of my building. The building I had built with my own sweat. My company, which I had foolishly handed over to Chad to oversee for me. The papers had been in my name, but society had always seen his face first because I had protected his dignity back then.

But the sign no longer read Luxe Stone.

It read Luxe Blue.

“Luxe Blue?! As in Melissa Blue?!” Realization hit me like a slap.

My heart pounded hard. “That fucking bastard!”

And then… he kissed her right there, on live television.

I wondered how long they had been screwing each other after they thought I was dead. I wondered how long they had planned to kill me.

My glass slipped slightly in my hand, nearly shattering under the pressure of my grip.

Then the reporter’s voice cut through the roaring in my ears.

“How do you feel about your wedding next week? I hear it’ll be at the Met Gala!”

“It’s going to be a spectacular event,” Chad said smoothly before kissing Melissa again—longer this time.

When he pulled back, he smiled like the happiest man on earth. That same smile I used to love now cut through me like knives.

I couldn’t breathe as memories slammed into me....the freezing water, the pain of piranhas biting into my flesh, the darkness closing in as I sank, believing I would never see daylight again.

My fingers ran over the tattoos covering my scars, the only proof of that nightmarish betrayal.

I had gotten the tattoos to cover some of the damage the charm bracelet couldn’t wipe away.

“And there’s word your father, Mr. Kael Wood, will be in attendance,” the reporter continued. “He hasn’t been seen at an event in many years since, you know…”

Chad grinned like the devil himself.

“Oh, he wouldn’t miss my wedding for the world.”

“Rose,” I snapped, my voice sharp and deadly calm, “turn it off.”

The screen went black, but the image burned in my mind.

My stomach twisted with rage so potent it made my hands shake.

Enough hiding. Enough tears, Amy. There was no way he was going to keep living lavishly after betraying me in the worst possible way.

“Prepare the royal jet,” I ordered, my tone low and dangerous. “It’s time I paid Gems City a visit.”

Rose hesitated, wide eyed. “Yes, Your Highness.”

My grip tightened around my charm bracelet as a wicked smile spread across my face.

“Looks like I have a fucking wedding to attend.”