Chapter 1

Clara Hayes had the touch.

Everyone knew it.

Anything she poured her heart into, truly believed in, it turned to gold.

That' s how her husband, Ethan Bishop, became CEO of Bishop Consolidated.

Three years. Three years of marriage, and her Midas Touch had paved his way to the top.

She stood in the grand hall of their estate, a glass of water in her hand, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows.

Ethan was supposed to be celebrating with his board, but he was here, in his study.

She heard voices. Ethan' s, and another, smoother, older. Dr. Alistair Finch.

A family consultant, they called him. Generations of Bishops had used his… unique services.

Clara paused, a prickle of unease.

"The transfer to Seraphina needs to be seamless, Alistair." Ethan' s voice was low, urgent.

Clara' s breath caught. Seraphina Vance. Ethan' s old flame. The one he always said he' d "sacrificed" for ambition.

"It will be, Ethan," Dr. Finch replied, his voice like silk over steel. "But the conditions are absolute. Three donations. Vital essence. Over three days."

Donations? Vital essence?

"And the most critical part," Finch continued, "for the Midas Touch to permanently anchor in the new host, the original bearer must have no living descendants. None."

Clara' s hand flew to her stomach, a secret she' d been cherishing for six weeks.

Their child.

"She' ll be taken care of, of course," Ethan said, a dismissive wave in his tone she could almost see. "A figurehead role, a luxurious life. She should be grateful. She' ll have everything she could want."

Everything but him. Everything but their future.

"There is a… side effect, Ethan," Dr. Finch cautioned. "The process, the severing of such a unique bio-energetic signature… it will likely render her emotionless. A blank slate, so to speak."

Ethan was silent for a moment.

"A small price to pay," he finally said, "for Seraphina to be by my side, as she was always meant to be. With the power she deserves."

Clara felt the glass slip from her numb fingers, shattering on the marble floor.

The sound was deafening in the sudden silence from the study.