Chapter 1

1

I have been dead for five years.

My husband and his first love were facing a total corporate collapse.

Brooks stormed into my old home, demanding I hand over my latest patents to save his mistress.

My mother told him the truth―that I was gone.

Brooks just sneered, his face full of disdain. "Dead? She's been playing this game for five years because of Seraphina. Enough! If she doesn't hand over the research, I'll kill you myself, you old hag!"

My mother eventually led him to my grave.

"Elara is buried right here. She died for you five years ago!"

"Do you want to know why I've clung to life despite my terminal lung cancer? I wanted to live long enough to see your downfall!"

……

August in New York was sweltering.

Inside the boardroom of Apex Dynamics, the air conditioning was blasting at full power.

Yet, the man sitting in the CEO's chair couldn't stop wiping the sweat from his forehead.

Beside him, a woman with a perfect figure and exquisite makeup kept handing him chilled water.

This man was my husband, Brooks Sterling.

The woman beside him was his high school sweetheart, Seraphina Hart.

The boardroom was silent until someone finally dared to speak.

"Mr. Sterling, we can't wait any longer on the new project. Our cash flow is drying up. If we delay again, the shareholders will have our heads."

When Brooks didn't respond, the woman tried again.

"If all else fails... maybe we should contact Elara. Only her research can save the company now."

As soon as those words left her mouth, the room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Brooks slammed his folder onto the table with a deafening bang.

His irritation boiled over into pure rage.

He stood up abruptly, cursing under his breath.

"I knew she was up to something! That woman is nothing but a spiteful snake!"

His temper spiraled out of control.

He grabbed a large potted plant near him and hurled it against the floor.

The ceramic shattered against the marble, shards flying everywhere.

A few pieces sliced through his expensive leather shoes, drawing blood from his feet.

Seraphina, who had been silent, saw the state he was in.

She gave the other executives a look, dismissing them.

Soon, the massive room held only Brooks and Seraphina.

Seraphina lowered the blinds and walked over to him, gently resting her hands on his shoulders.

"Brooks, honey, it's too hot to be this angry. We'll figure it out. If I have to, I'll go and beg Elara. She gave us the company five years ago, so she won't just let us drown. Look at you, you're too handsome to be scowling like this."

She playfully pinched his cheek.

Brooks leaned into her embrace, his expression finally softening.

"Seraphina, you're just too kind. You think everyone is as good-natured as you. Can't you see? She left us the company five years ago as a trap. Look at the mess we're in now! That woman is calculating. Just thinking about her makes my blood boil!"

At the mention of my name, his fury flared up again.

He slammed his phone onto the conference table.

A flash of impatience crossed Seraphina's eyes, but it vanished in a heartbeat.

She pulled him back into her arms with a sweet smile.

"It's okay, Brooks. I'll go find Elara myself. Don't worry."

Brooks pulled away from her, looking like he had made a monumental decision.

"No, Seraphina. Don't go. She hates you too much, and I'm worried about your safety. I'll handle her myself!"