Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

~~ETHAN WILDER~~

“Sign the papers, Ethan! I don’t have all the time in the world. It really is over between us. We are never getting married!” Sarah yelped, her patience wearing thin.

I picked up the pen. My hand was steady, even though I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces.

I signed the papers without a word. I made no eye contact as I pushed the documents back across the cold metal table.

"You’re right, Sarah," I said, my voice dropping to a calm note. "I was a fool. But you have no idea what you’ve just thrown away. You think Julian Vane is the higher one? From where I’m standing, you’re both looking very, very small."

She laughed again and the sound grated on my nerves. I watched quietly as she tucked the papers into her bag. "Stop fantasizing, Ethan. Be content with being worthless. Enjoy your freedom… I'm sure the streets will be very welcoming to a man with nothing. Goodbye, Ethan."

She turned on her heel and vanished through the doors without a backward glance

.

I sat in the silence for a long moment. My chest constricted in physical pain. All the sacrifices I’d made over the last four years, protecting her image, guarding her brother’s reputation… only for her to turn on me like this? I blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. I wouldn't give this place, or her memory, another drop of my grief.

An officer sauntered by, stopping right beside me. “What now? You want to serve more time? You don’t want to leave yet?”

I stood up and walked toward the exit. I was done waiting.

Right at the gate, Sinclair, the head of the guards, was waiting for me.

Beside him stood a line of guards, and to my shock, all of them bowed their heads in unison as I approached.

"Mr. Wilder," Sinclair said, his voice trembling with what sounded like genuine fear. "We... we apologize for the lack of respect shown by that woman. We should have intervened."

I nodded negatively. “It’s best you didn’t”

He stepped forward, holding out an opened suitcase. Inside sat a black gold card and a heavy, ancient-looking ring engraved with a rising phoenix.

"The old man’s offer still stands, sir," Sinclair whispered. "The card has no limit. The ring gives you the power you need. He doesn’t want to be refused again”

My eyes lingered on the items longer than I intended.. "I think it’s time I accepted."

“Once you accept, you can no longer escape from it, sir”

I reached for the phoenix ring and carefully slid it on. “I don’t intend to”

The door of the vehicle was held open for me.

I boarded ând settled in the back seat, a series of questions forming in my head.

Why me? What did the Old Man see in me that made him think I deserved this? The woman I loved, the one I had sacrificed everything for, hadn't even blinked when she discarded me.

I stared long and hard at the card between my fingers.

There were only four of its kind in the world, and this one carried a balance of six hundred million dollars.

"I should see the Old Man to thank him," I mentioned to Sinclair, who was watching my every move.

“The Chairman is gone, Ethan.”

I turned to him, shock settling on my features.

“Gone? What do you mean? He was still there before they took me from the cell this morning.”

Sinclair nodded. “He was bailed the instant you were taken out, and he left these for you. He said the gifts are a closing of a chapter. No visits, no thank-yous. Just live.”

I was too stunned to speak.

I drew in long breath, studying the ring for the hundredth time. I knew what it was... what it represented. This ring was the key to a network that could topple nations.

“I’d better make the most of it then,” I muttered.

Sinclair alighted from the vehicle, leaving me with the rest of the guards. “See to it that he settles well into his new life,” Sinclair ordered. The guards inclined their heads in acknowledgment as the car finally pulled away.

~~SARAH~~

I sat in front of the mirror, brushing my hair in slow, rhythmic movements. Clad in red lingerie, I felt powerful.

A half-empty bottle of wine sat on the dresser, glinting in the dim light. Satisfied with my reflection, I turned around, a smile lighting up my face.

“Today is such a happy day!” I exclaimed, jumping into the arms of Julian Vane, who lay half-naked on the bed.

He stroked my hair tenderly. “Yeah, baby. It is.”

“I signed the final papers. I am no longer ties to that ex convict" I snickered. "He’s probably rotting in the rain somewhere, dreaming of a life he’ll never have again.”

Julian ran a thumb over my jawline, a matching smirk on his lips. “Good. A woman of your relevance shouldn’t be weighed down by a loser like him. He would only be a stain on your reputation.”

“I made sure to let him understand that,” I said proudly. I bit my lower lip. “So... my reward?”

Julian smirked. “You’ll never let it slide, will you? Fine. We sign the papers tomorrow and officially welcome you as a new partner of the Vane Empire.”

My heart swelled with joy. This family was massive—bigger than anything Ethan Wilder could have even imagined in his pathetic life. Julian was giving me the world, something that "heroic" convict could never afford.

Julian rolled me over, his body covering mine. “How about we forget the good-for-nothing ex-husband and focus on us?” he murmured, trailing kisses down my neckline.

I squirmed underneath him, wrapping my arms around him to pull him closer. “Yes,” I whispered. “I totally agree.”