Chapter 2 HOMECOMING

NATALIA'S POV

The drive back to the Carson estate was quiet, save for the occasional rumble of the cab's engine. I sat staring out through the window, as the city's lights blurred past me. I could still remember the last conversation I had with my father exactly six months ago.

"Don't do this, Natalia," He had said to me. "He's only using you. He doesn't even love you."

But I never listened to him. By then, I was head over heels in love with Robert and there was nothing my father could say to convince me otherwise.

Robert's betrayal replayed in my mind. I could still picture the smirk on his face when I caught him red-handed. I could still hear Ciara's faint giggle in the back of my mind. I clutched my bag tighter, as if it could keep me from falling apart entirely.

When the car pulled into the familiar stone driveway, I could already see the estate in the distance. The sprawling mansion, with its grand pillars and expansive gardens, stood as a reminder of a world I had tried to escape-one I thought I didn't need anymore.

The cab came to a stop, and I stepped out, my heels crunching against the gravel. My father's staff greeted me with concerned expressions, but I waved them off. I wasn't ready for their pity.

The heavy oak doors swung open as I pushed them, and there he was-my father, Vincent Carson. Tall, sharp-eyed, and intimidating as ever, he stood in the grand foyer with his eyes fixed on me and his arms crossed.

"Daughter," he started. "I was wondering how long it would take."

His words broke the fragile dam inside me. Tears spilled over as I stumbled forward. He met me halfway, pulling me into a firm embrace.

"Dad," I choked out, my voice trembling. "You were right all along. You were right about Robert."

He sighed deeply, his hand resting on my back. "I knew that boy wasn't good for you the moment I laid eyes on him. But you wouldn't listen, would you?"

"I thought I loved him," I whispered, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

"Love," he scoffed, pulling back to look at me. "Love shouldn't blind you to reality, Natalia. Robert was always a leech, and now you see it."

I nodded, unable to argue.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He softened, his stern expression giving way to concern. "You don't need to apologize to me, Natalia. You've suffered enough."

I sank into one of the velvet armchairs in the living room, exhaustion settling into my bones.

"What do I do now, Dad? How do I even start over?"

"Well," he said, settling into the chair opposite mine, "you could start by considering a better match."

I groaned, already dreading where this conversation was headed.

"If you're about to mention Diego Fernandez, save it."

He raised an eyebrow. "Diego is a respectable man. A billionaire, no less, and he's always admired you."

"Diego is forty-five," I retorted, crossing my arms. "I just got out of a disastrous relationship and last thing I need is another man in my life, especially one old enough to be my father."

My father chuckled, shaking his head. "You're too stubborn for your own good, Natalia. Just like your mother."

"And I'll take that as a compliment," I shot back.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Fine. No Diego, for now. But you'll need to lay low for a while. Relax like the daughter of a billionaire that you are."

I frowned and shook my head slightly. That was not the kind of life I had envisioned for myself - locked up in a mansion all day with all the servants in the world at my beck and call. I needed to actually do something. I needed to be productive.

"You know I don't like being idle," I muttered.

"Oh, but you won't be idle," Father chuckled. "There'll be lots of shopping, touring, anything fun you love to do."

"I'll prefer a challenge," I shrugged. "A job."

He stared at me for a few seconds and then he shook his head.

"No daughter of mine will answer to some saucy middle-aged brat."

"I won't need to," I said, a smile forming across my lips.

He studied me for a while. "What do you mean?"

"Diamond," I blurted out.

His expression turned wary. "What about it?"

"Are you still in charge, or have you sold it?" I asked.

"I'm still in charge," he replied, his eyes fixed on me. "What about it?"

I shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "Just curious. Who's in charge there?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"The company is in a bit of a situation, actually. The CEO, William Brent, had an accident a few months ago and has been hospitalized. The company needs new leadership, but finding the right person has been a bit challenging."

I had actually expected him to mention Ciara as the CEO. After what she had done to me, I would have zero reservations taking her job.

"So you haven't replaced him yet?"

"It's never an easy decision," He shrugged. "Although I've had some thoughts about promoting the deputy CEO to fill in for him."

"The deputy," I muttered. "Who's that?"

"Some redhead," He grunted. "Ciara Donovan."

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of the bitch's name. So it was true after all. She was about to rise to the top of the ranks. No way I was going to allow that.

"Let me do it," I said suddenly, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

He blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"I can take over as CEO," I said, sitting up straighter. "I've grown up watching you run companies, Dad. I know how this works."

He frowned, shaking his head. "Natalia, running a company like Diamond isn't just about knowing business. It requires experience, resilience, and-"

"And I have all of that," I interrupted. "Dad, I need this. I need something to focus on, something to prove to myself that I'm more than Robert's discarded wife."

He sighed, running a hand through his greying hair. "Natalia, this isn't about proving anything. This is about running a billion-dollar company."

"I know what I'm asking," I said earnestly. "Please, Dad. Give me a chance to prove myself. Let me fix this."

For a long moment, he stared at me, his expression unreadable. Finally, he exhaled sharply.

"Fine. But I'll be watching your progress closely. Any little slip up and you're fired."

I rolled my eyes. "As if you would fire your own daughter."

"Try me," He chuckled.

A smile broke across my face and I grabbed him in a bear hug.

"Thank you, Dad. You won't regret this."

"You'd better make sure I don't," he muttered.

That night, I locked myself in my room with my laptop, determined to prepare for my first day as the CEO of Diamond. I scoured through company reports, press releases, and employee profiles, soaking up every detail about Diamond.

And when I saw her name eventually, I was not surprised.

My breath hitched as her photograph loaded on the screen. It was her - the same woman I had caught in bed with Robert.

A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I leaned back in my chair.

I stared at her smiling face on my screen, my mind racing. Tomorrow, I would walk into Diamond as the new CEO and Ciara wouldn't see it coming.

"Let's see how you handle this," I muttered to myself.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a sense of control returning. This wasn't just about rebuilding my life-it was about reclaiming my power.

Tomorrow was going to mark the beginning of a new chapter, and I was ready to face it head-on.