Chapter Two.

The Exile

Bella's POV

“London, huh? Are you for real? After everything that happened… you think this would turn out to be one of those fairy tale stories you read, the kind of fairy tale escape?” my voice came out very sharp, and full of frustration.

Elena, my loyal CFO, the only one that didn't join the line of betrayals. The only friend who stuck by my side, who didn't abandon me like the others did. She smirked knowingly as we were discussing about my come back plan. "This is definitely not a fairy tale, it's simply survival. This is not you running Isabella. You are simply strategizing. And with the task ahead, I recommend London, because it's a neutral ground. The perfect place to lay your head safe, and breathe before finally unleashing the ruthless part of you."

I held my cup of coffee like I was taking the drink of life. I stared out of the penthouse window, taking my final look at the city before I finally leave it for the greener pastures. " I have no idea if I can comfortably breathe." I muttered, as I could barely hear my own heartbeat.

Elena laughed softly. She was the one person I needed to be close to me to make my life easier, and thank God, she's here with me. She made everything come out super easy. "Breathing would come later. But right now, all you need is to build yourself. Gather the courage to do this, and we are all good. You are craving for revenge, to take them all down, right? You want them crawling back to you on their feet, begging for forgiveness? Then, we are going to start from zero.”

I turned in confusion to face her sharply. “Zero? Elena, from everything that happened, I’ve got nothing. Damian… Selene…, they all succeeded in stripping me of everything. My apartment, my reputation, not even sparing my company shares. Everything is all gone. Nothing is left for me here, in New York.

“And that’s why I suggested London,” she said firmly like she was certain about her preference. “The place is neutral. International finance is making waves in London. And from my observation, you can rise to a significant position, without anyone noticing. And unlike Selene that loves noise making, you will quietly buy your way into power, form as much alliances as you could, and more influence.”

I swallowed hard, as I tried to gather everything in. “Alliances… influence…” I whispered to myself. “You mean, I have to change my personality? To become… ruthless?”

Ruthless. The word for some reason tasted sweet in my mouth. For months now, I tried everything possible to get over Damian's betrayal. Selene's pursuit of power, but the ugly scene kept on replaying over and over again. To ever get my revenge back, I must become ruthless, unpredictable to them.

Elena nodded, clearly happy that I had made up my mind to take all that made me tears down. “Exactly. Ruthless, very precise, and cold hearted, but always carrying yourself with elegance. You’ll return stronger, and the storm they never saw coming.”

I let out a satisfying, but also bitter laugh, glancing at her. “Don't forget that storms destroy everything that dares stay in their path. What if I… end up completely destroying myself in the process?”

“You won’t do that,” she replied with much confidence, that mine was boasted. “You’ve got the right fire. And now, don't forget you’ve got me by your side."

We sat in silence, completely enveloped in silence. Letting all we had discussed settle down in our minds. I was determined to be the better version of myself. To not wallow in pain and cry myself to sleep every day.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

Just a week later, I found myself seated across, as I was with a London investment banker, carefully negotiating terms I knew I would have flinched if it was to be a year ago. Elena was beside me all this time, never leaving my side.

 “Push even harder. Remember, nothing comes in a free form to people like us.”

“People like us?” I asked, as I lacked words to express what it felt like to be seen.

“People who’ve been through the fire before, burned with different scars, betrayed countless times, and yet refused to kneel or bow to anyone,” she said softly in a calculated manner.

I smiled, suddenly getting everything myself. “Then let’s strategize and make everyone to pay for their sins. Emphasis on the them all to kneel someday. I was make sure Damian and Victor, behind receive in folds."

The banker hesitated, giving a thought to what I said at my firm tone. “Miss Adeniran… I must admit, you have a rare intensity I haven’t seen in over decades. It’s… intimidating to behold.”

“Good,” I said, carefully leaning forward. “Intimidation is just part of the strategy adopted for this charade. Do you in anyway, come close to understanding the terms now?”

“Yes, yes, I do now,” he said rather too quickly, and immediately scribbling signatures. “It’s all yours from now.”

As I walked out of the office, London’s breeze doing the best with my coat, my mind completely soaked in different thoughts. My mind went back to that horrible night in New York. The way they had all treated me without giving me any chance to gather my dignity. Everything was tossed out like I worth nothing. They had done it with the hope that I would vanish into thin air, and completely erased.

But ever since I arrived London, I realized it was my rebirth. And Dubai… Dubai of all places would soon be my empire.

Months passed in a blur. London as I had anticipated, became a stepping stone, an opportunity to fully reinvent myself, work towards sharpening my mind, and of course, cultivate allies who no matter the condition attached, could never be bought by Damian or Victor Kane. I have earned my place as the "Iron Queen."

And yet, even with my achievements, I still long to see him some nights. I still manage to think about him, my heart completely betraying instead of aligning to the plan.

>>>>>> 

Not long, there came a report that Damian and Selene were expanding their empire globally. New York, London, Dubai. It is no big deal that it was same cities I had singlehandedly targeted for my rise. They are moving fast, very ambitious, but I was unstoppable this time around.

And with the chessboard set, we booked the next flight back to New York, where it all started. My return, they won't see it coming! As I paused to look at my reflection in the mirror, behold, the woman staring back at me wasn't the naive, discarded wife. This woman is ruthless, and in control. Time for revenge!