Chapter 3

Stephanie's POV

I didn't actually believe I would listen to a random man's advice and disappear for two years. But he was the cousin of the man who nearly ruined my life two years ago. And we both had the same goal. To ruin Nathan's life.

Two years was a long time. And within those two years, I had changed. Drastically.

The woman staring at me in the mirror wasn't the fat, chubby, and ugly-looking Stephanie. There was no resemblance to her at all. Within those two years, with Ethan's help, I had undergone plastic surgery, transforming my body into perfection.

The process was painful. I cried. I had wished I died instead. I loathed Ethan for making me pass through pain. I even begged him to kill me at some point.

But now standing here with the red sundress on my body hugging me in all the right places, the pain was worth it. I looked like a model that men would actually kill to have. And there was only one thing left.

Revenge.

The bedroom door opened, and I stepped out of the bathroom in my red-bottom heels, a small smile on my face. Ethan gave me a once-over and smiled in satisfaction as he took my hand, placing a soft kiss on it.

“You look like gasoline walking into a burning building.” He muttered softly, his eyes holding a mischievous glint and I chuckled softly.

“Promise me you won't get burned. You're still very useful to me.” I responded and he raised a brow in delight.

“You're different now. That's perfect.”

“Pain does bring forth change,” I responded, grabbing my Chanel purse from the bed. “And I owe it all to you. Husband.” I whispered and he chuckled darkly.

“Who are you again?”

“Hanie Carter. Wife to Ethan Carter. CEO of the Carter enterprise. My husband is so loving to let me take over his company.” I muttered dotingly as we walked out of the room and he nodded in satisfaction.

“Don't slip up. Emotions would only break you down and make it easy for you to be trampled on.” He reminded me and I flashed him a smile.

“Stephanie Stone died in the elevator that day. Along with all her emotions. Hanie is manipulative. Dangerous. Seductive. We're not the same.” I said, getting into the car and he leaned down, a cunning look on his face.

“Break a leg.” He whispered.

“Or some balls. Depends on what I see.” I whispered back and he let out an amused chuckle as he slammed the door shut.

I had stayed hidden for the last two years. I knew when the news of my death spread. My parents weren't bothered. They said “I had it coming”. Nathan had put on a display in front of the media, claiming how much he loved me. Selena publicly became his girlfriend after a month.

Funny enough, the media sympathized with him. Some claimed it was good for him to move on, he needed it to stay “sane”.

Well, I knew it was time for him to go insane. And I would take my sweet time doing it.

The car came to a stop in front of Nathan's company. The same place he had left me broken. Where he had watched me close to death and acted like I never mattered. I was back to take it all from him.

One thing I could never really understand was what Carter wanted to gain from all these. He was a billionaire. He had everything. Why did he marry me just to get revenge on Nathan? What was his real motive?

Shaking off the thoughts from my head, I walked in, my chin high with pride. Heads turned as soon as I stepped in and I could hear their gasps of awe as I walked to the receptionist.

“I'm here to see Nathan Stone,” I said softly, my voice gentle and polished and the receptionist stared at me in awe before nodding.

“And you might be?” I heard someone say behind me and I turned, a smirk forming on my lips as I came face to face with Selena.

The bitch. Anger coursed through me but I swallowed it in, plastering a sweet smile on my face.

“I don't need your permission to see a business partner, do I?” I questioned softly, an amused look on my face as she looked at me from head to toe.

“I'm Nathan's secretary. I should know whoever comes to see him. And you're not on the reservation list so I think you should leave.” She replied, jealousy evident in her tone and I glanced at her in amusement.

This would be so fun.

“You're his secretary? With how possessive you are, I figured you'd be his wife or something.” I muttered and when she looked away, I placed a hand over my mouth, feigning ignorance.

Two years and they were still not married? How blissful.

“Come back when you have a reservation. I don't care who you are, you can only see Nathan when he tells me to let you in.” She replied bitterly, and I let out a disappointed sigh.

She was so petty. And I didn't want to come back, that would be embarrassing.

Like the heavens heard my prayers, the elevator door opened and Nathan stepped out. My hands clenched into fists at the sight of him living happily while he lived happily and screwed his secretary.

“What's going on?” Nathan asked but the moment he saw me, the files in his hand fell to the ground. I froze for a moment, wondering if he recognized me.

“Nathan!” Selena complained as she crouched down and started to pick up the documents that had fallen.

“I swear I have never seen a lady more beautiful than you,” Nathan muttered, taking my hand for a shake and I chuckled softly, disgust recoiling through me as he kissed my knuckles.

“Flattery. Doesn't work on me, Mr Nathan. Besides, your wife wouldn't be happy hearing you say this to another woman.” I muttered softly, acting like a gentle, prim lady, and he scoffed in amusement.

“I don't have a wife, sweetheart.” He replied and I fought the urge to gag.

Sweetheart. Disgusting bastard.

Selena looked like she was about to tear my head apart but I acted like I couldn't see her.

“Oh. Your girlfriend then?” I glanced at Selena for a second before pulling my hand from his grip. “She won't be happy hearing that.”

“And who told you I had one?” He laughed in amusement and I raised a brow, laughing softly as well.

Selena looked like she was about to explode. This was even more fun than I had expected.

“I came here for business, Mr Nathan. If we could talk in your office—”

“Please, after you.” He said excitedly, clearing the way for me to go through and I smiled at him sweetly.

I made my way to the elevator and as soon as it opened, memories of how I nearly died here came flooding back.

“I heard someone died here two years ago,” I muttered, stepping inside and he nodded with a melancholic expression.

“My fiance. She was a sweet soul.” He said sadly and I had to bite my tongue to stop the scoff from escaping.

“How did she die?”

“Heart attack. I couldn't save her in time.”

“And what caused the heart attack?” I asked and he paused, staring at me.

Shit, I let my emotions take over.

“We can talk about better things, milady.” He stated, inching closer to me as his hand grabbed my waist and pulled me closer to him.

This asshole.