Chapter 1 The Return

Three years ago

The scent of lilies still lingered in the room-too delicate for a moment so brutal.

"I want a divorce."

The words hit harder than a slap. Aria stood motionless in the cold office of the Cross Enterprises CEO, her breath caught in her throat. Her husband-Damien Cross, the man she had vowed to spend a lifetime with-leaned back in his leather chair like she was nothing more than a business transaction gone wrong.

"Damien," her voice cracked, "why?"

His eyes were cold, slate gray and unyielding. "You know why. You've embarrassed me enough, Aria. The board knows everything. You leaked the merger documents. You tried to take down my company from the inside."

"I would never-" she stepped forward, shaking. "I've only ever stood by you. Someone's framing me-"

"I don't care." His voice was flat, deadly calm. "You've made your choice. Now live with it."

And just like that, her life ended.

Present Day

New York never slept, but it still knelt for power.

High above the city, the penthouse lights from Leontes Corp. illuminated the skyline like a crown. In the center of it stood Aria-no longer Mrs. Cross, no longer broken.

She was Aria Leontes now. CEO. Heiress. Queen.

The transformation had been ruthless. She'd disappeared off the radar, swallowed whole by a European royal estate that had once been her birthright-a truth even she hadn't known until it saved her life. For three years, she studied, trained, inherited, and plotted.

And now... she was back.

With a click of a remote, the screen in front of her flashed to a news broadcast.

"Breaking: Cross Enterprises on the brink of collapse. Rumors suggest an anonymous buyer is poised to take full control..."

Aria's red lips curved.

Checkmate was close.

Downtown-Cross Enterprises

Damien slammed the conference room door behind him, teeth clenched. The vultures were circling, and his empire was bleeding.

One wrong deal. One leaked file. One ghost from the past.

And now, a mysterious investor had appeared out of nowhere-wealthy, silent, demanding. They were making moves behind the scenes, gaining votes on the board, manipulating the media.

He didn't know their name. Only a signature: A.L.

He thought about Aria.

No. She was gone. She had to be.

Still, something about this new storm felt... familiar.

That Evening - Gala at The Elysian

The ballroom was gilded in gold, packed with New York's most elite. But only one woman turned every head when she entered.

Aria.

Her black satin dress clung to her like midnight silk. A delicate diamond-studded choker graced her collarbone. Her hair was pulled into a high twist, a small gold pin glinting like a crown.

She walked with the elegance of royalty-and the chill of a ghost.

No one recognized her.

No one, except-

Damien froze.

Across the room, his gaze locked with hers. For a split second, his world tilted.

He didn't know her name. But something behind those dark eyes screamed at him.

He stepped forward. "Excuse me-do we know each other?"

Aria's smile was razor-sharp. "I don't think so. I'm Aria Leontes. But your name does ring a bell... Mr. Cross."

He blinked, trying to place the voice, the cadence.

Her eyes sparkled like she was enjoying a private joke.

"I hear your company's for sale," she added, sipping her champagne. "Such a shame."

He stared at her.

No... it couldn't be.

The Next Morning - Cross Enterprises HQ

Damien stormed into the boardroom.

"The Leontes Group just bought another 9% of our shares," his assistant said breathlessly. "At this rate, they'll own controlling interest by the end of the month."

His heart pounded.

Aria Leontes.

He paced, eyes narrowed.

Who was she really? And why did she feel like someone he'd known in another lifetime?

Aria's Office - Later That Day

Aria stared at the glossy photo of Damien from that night.

She'd watched his face twist with confusion. She'd felt the jolt of recognition when he saw her-but he couldn't place it. Not yet.

She ran her finger across his image.

"You took everything from me."

Her voice was a whisper.

"I'm here to take it all back."

Final Scene: Hook

That night, a delivery arrived at Cross Enterprises addressed only to Damien. No return label. No name.

Inside the sleek black box was a photograph.

An old wedding picture. Torn in half.

And a note that read:

"Tell me, Damien-do I still look like a gold-digger now?"

Damien dropped the note, hands trembling.

Suddenly, it all made sense.

"Aria..."

To be continued...