Chapter 2 The Cold Beginning

Clarissa

I had once imagined myself walking into a home like this, basking in the glory of wealth and luxury, the queen of all I surveyed. But back then, I imagined it with love-Aaron's love.

Now, as I crossed the threshold of Aaron Thorne's mansion, the same cold, calculating thoughts filled my mind: *How much of this can I take from him before I'm done?

The mansion was everything you'd expect from a man like Aaron-imposing, grand, and suffocatingly perfect. The vaulted ceilings stretched high above us, chandeliers dripping with crystals, and every surface sparkled as though polished by an invisible army. Marble floors gleamed under my heels, and walls adorned with priceless art were silent witnesses to the lie we were living.

He had told me once that this place was meant to be a fresh start for us. A home where we'd build our future together. Funny how the very walls he built with hope would soon witness his downfall.

"Welcome home," Aaron said softly, his voice carrying that familiar warmth that once melted my heart. Now it only made me colder.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, offering a small smile that I knew looked convincing enough. "It's beautiful," I replied, my voice flat, calculated. I wanted him to think I was impressed, but not overwhelmed. After all, the woman he believed I had become would have learned to appreciate these things. And right now, playing my part was essential.

Aaron smiled wider, clearly relieved that I hadn't rejected him outright. He reached for my hand, but I pulled it away under the pretence of adjusting the heavy bracelet he had placed on my wrist the latest in a long string of extravagant gifts.

"You're tired," he said, almost apologetically. "It's been a long day."

I didn't answer. I let my eyes wander over the grand foyer instead, taking in the intricate details, the priceless antiques, and the hand-carved staircase that wound up to the second floor. I didn't need to be reminded of how far we had come. What I needed was to focus on how far I was willing to go to get my revenge.

Aaron motioned for one of the household staff to take our things, and I followed him into the heart of the mansion-his kingdom. And soon, mine to tear apart.

"It's strange being back here, isn't it?" Aaron asked as we stepped into the living room, his voice laced with nostalgia. "I always thought..."

"You always thought what?" I interrupted, finally meeting his gaze. I didn't want to hear ithelies wrapped in pretty words, the false promises. None of it mattered now. Not when I was here to destroy him.

He paused, looking a little taken aback by my sudden bluntness. "I thought we'd never get another chance. I thought I'd lost you forever."

You did. You just don't know it yet.

But I smiled instead, the kind of smile that made people think I was listening when I was calculating the next move. "It's been a long time, Aaron. Things are different now."

He seemed to accept that answer, even though the words I spoke were soaked in layers of unspoken meaning. Things were different now, indeed. He wasn't the charming, promising young man I once loved. And I wasn't the naive girl who believed in second chances.

Aaron gestured toward the room ahead, an expanse of glass and steel that seemed more fitting for a corporate headquarters than a home. The room was filled with sleek furniture, modern art, and more wealth than any normal person could fathom. It screamed power and control, and for a brief moment, I felt the weight of the empire he had built for himself.

"This is where I work when I'm home," Aaron said as he led me into his office, a room lined with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes. The massive mahogany desk stood at the centre, his laptop resting on it like a king on his throne.

I trailed behind him, pretending to be engrossed in the luxurious surroundings. But my eyes weren't looking at the décor. I was searching. Cataloging. The desk, the drawers, the locked cabinets-I noted it all. I was going to find a way into his world of business, a way to get behind the fortress he'd built around himself. He had destroyed my family's legacy; I was going to dismantle his.

He glanced at me, and for a moment, I saw the flicker of hope in his eyes again. He still believed this could work. That we could work.

"I wanted you to feel at home here," he said, stepping closer, his hand reaching for mine. "This is as much your house now as it is mine."

My house. The idea was laughable. This place was nothing but a battlefield, and I was here to win.

"Thank you," I said softly, pulling my hand from his again and gliding my fingers along the smooth edge of his desk. "You've worked hard to build all of this," I continued, keeping my tone neutral but laced with just enough admiration to keep him from suspecting my true motives.

Aaron leaned against his desk, his eyes lingering on me. "Everything I've built is for us, Clarissa. I know I've made mistakes, but I'm going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you."

I turned my back on him, not wanting him to see the flash of anger that crossed my face. *Mistakes?* His so-called "mistakes" had cost my family everything. My father's business had collapsed, leaving him a broken man before he died. All because of Aaron and his family's deceit.

No amount of pretty words would ever change that.

"I'm going to check out the rest of the house," I said, changing the subject. "There's still a lot to take in."

Aaron hesitated for a moment, clearly wanting to keep the conversation going, but he nodded. "Take your time. I'll be here if you need anything."

I offered him a fleeting smile before slipping out of the room. As soon as the door clicked shut behind me, my expression hardened. I wandered the halls, taking mental notes of every turn, every room, every detail that might be useful later.

But I wasn't just here to play the dutiful wife. I was here to dismantle Aaron's empire, brick by brick.

My mind raced with possibilities as I explored the mansion. I needed access to his business-his files, his secrets. And then, as I passed a room that appeared to be some kind of private office or study, I saw it: a computer sitting on a small desk, its screen dark, but its presence tempting.

I hesitated, glancing down the hallway. The house was quiet. Aaron was still in his office, likely buried in some deal or project. He wouldn't notice if I poked around for a few minutes.

My heart pounded as I stepped inside the room, shutting the door behind me. The room smelled faintly of leather and cedar, with books lining the walls and papers scattered across the desk. This wasn't Aaron's main office, but it looked like a place where he handled more personal business.

I approached the computer, my fingers trembling slightly as I touched the keyboard. The screen flickered to life, and there it was: his world at my fingertips. Confidential files, contracts, emails-everything I needed to bring him down.

I felt a thrill of anticipation surge through me as I hovered over the keyboard. This was the moment I had been waiting for. The moment I could begin to unravel his carefully constructed world.

With one click, I could access the very heart of his business empire.

I took a deep breath, my finger hovering over the mouse. One click, and everything could change.

But before I could make my move, I heard a faint sound behind me-footsteps.

Panic shot through me. I quickly moved away from the desk, trying to compose myself as the door creaked open.

Aaron stood in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he looked around the room.

"Clarissa?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

"What are you doing in here?"

I smiled sweetly, leaning casually against the desk. "Just exploring. I wanted to see what this room was."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze lingering on the computer screen. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral, forcing myself to remain calm.

After a long pause, Aaron nodded. "It's just my father's old study. Not much to see in here."

I nodded, pretending to lose interest. "I see. I'll leave you to it, then."

I brushed past him, my heart still racing as I walked out of the room. But as soon as I was out of his sight, a small, satisfied smile curled on my lips.

I had found his Achilles' heel.

And soon enough, I would strike.