Kiss of Vengeance

Chapter 1: The Return of the Heiress

The soft click of stilettos echoed through the grand marble hallway of the Lancaster estate. It had been ten years since Selene Lancaster last stepped foot inside her father's mansion. Ten years since she was exiled like a criminal, banished with nothing but the clothes on her back and the sting of betrayal in her chest.

Now she was back-with secrets, power, and vengeance burning in her veins.

Selene paused at the entrance to the ballroom, her crimson dress clinging to every curve like a second skin. Her dark hair cascaded down her back, and her blood-red lips curved into a smirk as the crowd turned to gape at her.

They had all thought she was dead. Or worse-forgotten.

Let them stare.

Let them wonder how the bastard daughter, born of scandal and shame, had returned like a queen.

"Miss... Lancaster?" a stunned voice said behind her.

Selene turned slowly, her eyes locking onto the man she once thought she'd marry.

Elias Thorne.

The man who had kissed her... and destroyed her.

Now, he stood frozen-still devastatingly handsome in a black suit, still wearing that same controlled expression she used to melt under. But this time, Selene didn't melt. She smirked.

"Elias," she purred. "Still kissing women and stabbing them in the back, or have you learned new tricks?"

His jaw clenched. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped closer, brushing a finger down his lapel. "I came to return what you gave me."

He frowned. "What-"

Selene rose on her toes and kissed him.

It wasn't sweet. It wasn't tender. It was fire and fury, a declaration of war wrapped in silk lips and whispered poison. She pulled away before he could respond, leaving him stunned and breathless.

Then she leaned in and whispered, "I came to ruin you."