Second chances: Love or Revenge

Ella Montgomery stared at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, her heart hammering as a dozen emotions rushed through her.

Pregnant?

How on earth?

She and Lucas had only been married for half a year, and they'd only been...intimate once. And that one time didn't even count; he'd been as drunk as a sailor on shore leave. So, how could she possibly be pregnant?

Just then, a voice came from outside the bathroom door, making her jump. "Mrs. Montgomery, sir is back."

Ella's heart skipped another beat. She quickly tossed the pregnancy test into the trash, feeling absurdly guilty-like a thief hiding evidence.

But why should she feel guilty?

She was Lucas Montgomery's legally wedded wife, and she was carrying his child. If anyone had explaining to do, it was him.

After a deep breath to steady herself, Ella stepped out of the bathroom, determined to share the news, but as soon as she saw him, her courage faltered. Lucas was by the door, kicking off his shoes, looking like he had something on his mind. She opened her mouth to tell him, but he spoke first.

"Ella, I've been thinking," he started, his tone softer than usual. "You've always talked about wanting a family...so, I've decided I want to have a child. What do you think?"

Ella's jaw nearly dropped. "You...already know?" she blurted out, her mind scrambling.

Lucas blinked in confusion. "You know too?"

"Uh, yeah, I just found out," Ella said, feeling a rush of relief. So he wasn't going to be upset after all. In fact, he'd somehow known before she even told him! Her heart felt warm as she realized that maybe, just maybe, he did care about this little life they'd created.

"So," Lucas said, his eyes softening as he looked at her, "you're okay with keeping the child?"

Ella blushed under his gaze, nodding. "We were going to have a family eventually...if it happened now, maybe it was meant to be."

Lucas smiled, an expression that almost made her believe there was something real between them. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I was worried you'd be upset. But don't worry, I'll make sure the child sees you as his real mother."

Wait...what? The words jarred her out of her blissful moment. "What do you mean by 'see me as the real mother'? I am this child's mother, Lucas."

"Oh," he said casually, as though he were explaining the weather, "I was talking about the child. You know, from earlier."

The child? Confusion turned into a sickening feeling in her stomach. "Lucas...what child are you talking about?"

Lucas seemed surprised, almost as if she'd interrupted his train of thought. "Didn't you already know? Amy is pregnant. We had planned on keeping the baby, and I want to bring him here to be raised as part of our family. I'll give her a settlement and make sure everything's arranged."

The world felt like it was tilting around her. "Amy? Pregnant? With your child?"

Lucas looked slightly irritated, his brows drawing together. "Didn't you say you already knew? I thought we were on the same page about this."

Ella felt a chill rise through her body. Everything around her seemed distant, like it was happening to someone else.

For as long as she could remember, she'd known that Lucas wasn't in love with her.

He'd always loved his high school sweetheart, Amy, the perfect girl-next-door. They'd broken up ages ago, but Ella knew that Lucas had never moved on.

In fact, she'd suspected their marriage was just a way for him to get his family's company out of a rough spot.

Despite that, she'd dared to hope that maybe, over time, they could build something real together.

But now...this?

Six months into their marriage, Lucas had not only reconnected with Amy but had also decided to bring her child into their home-their home-and expected Ella to play stepmother?

Her silence must have given her feelings away, because Lucas's tone softened, as though coaxing a skittish animal. "Ella, I know you're a generous person. Just treat this child as if he were your own, and I promise, I'll take good care of you."

The polite mask she'd always worn in front of him shattered. Before she knew it, her hand had reached out, and smack-the slap landed with a force that even surprised her.

The housekeeper poked her head out of the kitchen, eyes wide with shock. "Ma'am, sir...is everything alright?"

"Please, Mrs. Jenkins, give us a moment," Lucas said, waving her away.

When she was gone, he turned to Ella, rubbing his cheek, his voice tense with barely contained fury. "So, what's this about? If you didn't know about Amy's child, what did you mean by the child you mentioned earlier?"

Ella took a shaky breath, debating if she should keep up the pretense. But she knew there was no hiding it now. "I meant that I'm pregnant."

Lucas froze, staring at her like she'd spoken a foreign language. "That's...impossible."

Ella scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, don't worry. If you can fool around, why shouldn't I? Maybe this baby has nothing to do with you." She didn't mean it, but it felt satisfying to watch his expression shift from confusion to outright fury.

"Are you trying to provoke me, Ella?" Lucas said, voice tight with rage. "This baby is from that night when we-"

"Oh, I think you're mistaken, Mr. Montgomery," she interrupted. "You were so drunk that night you barely knew where you were. And by the way, I suggest you get a paternity test for Amy's child, just to be sure."

After six months of being the perfect wife, this felt like liberation. Lucas had never seen this side of her, and she could tell her words were hitting their mark. He looked ready to explode. "Ella..."

"Oh, were you going to hit me?" She raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead. But know this: I'll sue you for everything you're worth if you even think of touching me."

"Do you want a divorce?" he asked, the words seeming to come out reluctantly.

"What do you think?" she shot back. "Do you want me to stay here and raise another woman's child while you play happy family with her? No, thank you."

She took a deep breath, her decision feeling final and oddly empowering. "I will contact a lawyer, and you'll be getting the divorce papers by tomorrow. Sign them, or we'll take this to court."

With that, Ella turned and headed for the door, her heart thudding with every step. She was done with Lucas, done with pretending, and done with this sham of a marriage. Just as she reached the doorway, though, he grabbed her wrist.

"Think about this carefully, Ella," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You'll regret it once you step out of that door."

Regret? She glanced down at his hand, disgusted, and shook herself free. What was there to regret about leaving a man who'd lied and betrayed her?

Without looking back, she walked out, each step a declaration of her freedom. But as soon as the cool night air hit her face, she felt her facade crack. Tears she'd held back finally spilled over as she walked away, feeling both powerful and utterly broken.

He would never know that she hadn't married him just because her family had wanted it. He'd never know that she'd actually loved him once, for four long years, waiting, hoping, believing in a love that had never been real.

Just as she tried to hold back another sob, her phone rang. It was her father's assistant, his voice strained. "Miss Montgomery, I'm afraid there's been an accident. Your father...he passed away on the spot."

The world around her turned black as she dropped the phone, her knees giving out as reality came crashing down.

Ella woke up suddenly, gasping. The air around her felt thick and hot, as if someone had cranked up the heat to unbearable levels.

Squinting her eyes open, she was met with the eerie orange glow of flames licking up the walls, smoke filling every corner of the room. She couldn't breathe.

Her throat scratched with every gasp, her lungs screaming for relief.

Instinctively, she covered her mouth with her sleeve and tried to rise.

That's when she stumbled, her feet catching on something soft yet unyielding. She glanced down and froze.

"Dad..." The word came out as a broken whisper.

Her father lay still beside her, his face peaceful yet hauntingly lifeless. He had no visible injuries, nothing to suggest he'd been hurt-yet here he was, lying motionless.

Panic clawed at her chest, but amid the terror, a strange familiarity washed over her. She recognized this place: her father's factory workshop, his beloved pharmaceutical lab.

Her mind raced, piecing together fragments of memory and realization. If this was the lab, then... then her father's accident wasn't an accident at all. He hadn't died in some car crash. He'd been murdered. Someone had set this fire deliberately.

But who?

A muffled voice floated through the roar of the flames, catching her attention. Ella strained to listen, pulling herself closer to the window despite the heat pressing against her like a weight. Through the haze, she heard the voice more clearly.

"Five hundred thousand? Mr. Montgomery, where's the beggar you sent?"

Mr. Montgomery? The name sent a jolt through her. She strained further, desperate to hear more, every word digging into her like nails.

"What does using the Blake family as dowry to marry Amy have to do with me? I want five million, not a penny less!"

The words punched the breath out of her. Using the Blake family as dowry...? That meant it was him-Lucas Montgomery.

That man, the one she'd trusted, the one who'd vowed to be by her side, was behind this nightmare.

And he'd planned it all along, turning her family into nothing more than a bargaining chip for his own gain.

The bitter taste of betrayal filled her mouth, mingling with the metallic tang of blood as she fought for breath. Her vision blurred, dark spots dancing in front of her eyes as the heat consumed her strength.

"Lucas Montgomery," she whispered, every syllable laced with venom. "If I survive this, I swear you'll pay."

But her body gave out before she could hold on to the promise.

---

Six Years Later

Newark Liberty International Airport, USA

In a crowded corner of Newark's bustling airport, a woman sat with her head down, wearing oversized sunglasses and a black baseball cap. She was dressed casually, but there was an air of mystery about her, a hint of something hidden beneath her calm demeanor.

A soft voice, in fluent English, came through her phone. "Mommy, when are you coming home?"

Ella Blake-or, as she was known now, Lila Kane-smiled at the little girl's face on the screen. "Soon, sweetheart. Mommy's just waiting for a better flight. The weather's a bit rough."

As if on cue, a distant boom echoed through the terminal, sending everyone ducking under their seats in panic.

On the screen, her daughter's big eyes widened. "Mommy, is it thundering over there?"

"Well... you could say that." Lila's tone remained gentle, as though she were just speaking about the weather.

The little girl's face scrunched up on the screen, shaking her head. " I am not scared, but... my brother says it's dangerous to talk on the phone during thunderstorms. You'd better hang up, Mommy."

"Oh?" Ella raised an amused eyebrow. "Where's your brother right now, anyway?"

The girl's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "Still sleeping! He stayed up too late last night."

It was just dawn back in Fairfield. Knowing her son, he was probably out like a light, wrapped up in his blankets. Ella sighed, her heart longing for home. "Alright, sweetie. Mommy will call you when the weather's better, okay? Be good."

"Okay, Mommy. Take care!"

Just as Ella ended the call, a sudden explosion shook the terminal. People screamed, some ducking under benches, while others scrambled in a panic.

Ella's heart skipped a beat, but she stayed rooted, calm amidst the chaos.

After years on the front lines as a war correspondent, chaos and danger had become second nature.

In truth, the Ella everyone had once known had died six years ago in a fiery blaze. The remains found by the police had been mistaken for her, but they were actually those of an unfortunate intern named Lila Kane, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ella had barely escaped with her life, but the fire had left her unrecognizable. She'd undergone reconstructive surgery, transforming into Lila Kane in appearance.

Her voice was rougher, too, damaged from the smoke, making it almost impossible for anyone to connect her to the past.

In the six years since, she'd given birth to a pair of twins, but when they turned one, her superiors had assigned her a residency in war-torn Westvale city.

Now, with her term complete, she was eager to return to her children, to a life far from the dangers she'd lived in.

As the airport staff announced another delay due to the escalating unrest, Ella felt her heart sink. She needed a way out, but it seemed every option was closing.

Ella wasted no time, immediately calling her contact at the news agency.

After years as a journalist stationed in some of the world's most volatile regions, she knew how to handle herself in emergencies, but her patience was wearing thin. She needed to get home.

Her contact's voice came over the line, firm but slightly anxious. "There's one option. A private plane's coming through. The owner's agreed to pick you up, but... well, he's not known for being... approachable."

Lila rolled her eyes. "I've dealt with warlords and dictators. How bad can he be?"

A few minutes later, the sleek private jet circled and landed, a dazzling display against the dreary airport lights.

She boarded quickly, grateful for the escape, until her gaze locked onto the man waiting inside.

Her blood ran cold.

It was him. Lucas Montgomery.

The man who had orchestrated her father's death, the man she had vowed to bring down.

For six years, she had dreamed of this moment. She had rehearsed what she'd say, how she'd confront him.

But now that he stood there, mere feet away, the weight of it hit her all over again.

Lucas piercing gaze settled on her, appraising her with that familiar air of entitlement. "You must be Lila Kane?"

In that instant, Ella knew she couldn't give herself away. Not yet. Lucas was more dangerous than ever, and she had to keep her identity hidden.

With a slow, deliberate smile, she replied, "Yes. And you must be Mr. Montgomery."

Luca's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of amusement crossing his face. "You know of me?"

Lila shrugged casually. "What journalist hasn't? A man of your... reputation isn't exactly low-profile."

Luca's lips curled into a smirk. "Is that so? What exactly have you heard?"

She paused, as if considering, before replying, "Oh, just rumors. Like how Mr. Lucas is known for being... unpredictable." She met his gaze, her tone light but her words laced with meaning. "And perhaps a little untrustworthy."

There was a collective intake of breath from Lucas' staff, who glanced nervously at each other, their eyes widening at her boldness.

Even Lucas' expression flickered, a flash of something darker crossing his face.

"Is that so?" he murmured, his gaze never leaving hers. "Do go on. I'm intrigued."

Lila took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Well, I could tell you more, but you'd have to sign a waiver first."

"A waiver?"

"Yes, a guarantee that you won't try to kill me if I tell you something you don't like."

Lucas'slaughter was low, but there was no mirth in his eyes. "You think a waiver would stop me if I wanted to?"

"Probably not," she admitted, her tone flippant. "But it might make you think twice."

Everyone around them held their breath, bracing for Lucas' reaction. It was no secret that he'd become even more ruthless since his wife's mysterious death years ago, and his moods were known to swing from amiable to lethal without warning.

For a moment, Ella thought he might lash out, but instead, he laughed, the sound rich and slightly menacing. "You've got some nerve, Ms. Kane. I'll give you that."

"Well, I am a journalist." She shrugged as though it were obvious. "Nerve is part of the job description."

Everyone in the cabin went silent, their eyes fixed on Lucas. He gave a mocking sneer, putting down the newspaper he'd been holding.

His icy gaze turned to Ella, and he took slow, deliberate steps toward her.

"Miss Kane," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "you really live up to your name as the 'Rose of the Battlefield.'"

Suddenly, his hand shot out, grabbing her by the neck, his grip cold and unyielding. He lifted her toward the window with a dark glint in his eyes.

"Do you honestly believe I couldn't open this window right now and toss you out as fertilizer for the flowers?"

The threat hung in the air, his voice low and venomous.

Just then, Ella stumbled forward, her balance lost as the plane gave a sudden jolt. She fell against him, her heart pounding as his arms closed around her for a brief second, enveloped in his scent.

Lucas froze, momentarily taken aback by her closeness, a flicker of something like surprise crossing his face before he hardened again.

"If Miss Kane understood anything about me," he said, pushing her back with a sneer, "she'd know seduction tactics don't work on me."

Ella's patience snapped. She slapped him across the face, hard. Lucas' face turned dark instantly, rage flashing in his eyes.

He was just about to retaliate, likely by tying her up for the remainder of the flight, when the flight attendant's panicked voice blared from the cockpit.

"Mr. Montgomery! We have an emergency! The captain... he's had a heart attack, and we're out of control!"

The plane shuddered again, tipping sharply, and the world around them seemed to tilt as panic swept through the passengers. Luca's usual cool confidence vanished. "What about the co-pilot?" he barked.

"He took the day off today," the attendant replied, her voice trembling.

Lucas was frozen, his brain racing, but Ella didn't waste a second. She pulled free from his grasp and dashed toward the cockpit.

"Where are you going?" he shouted after her, his tone incredulous.

"If you don't want to crash, just stay out of my way!" Ella didn't even look back.

She forced herself forward, gripping anything she could find to keep her balance as the plane continued to plummet.

Once in the cockpit, she saw the pilot slumped over, clutching his chest, gasping in pain.

Without hesitation, she dragged him out of the seat, then gripped the control lever with all her strength.

Her hands were slick with sweat as she wrestled to stabilize the plane.

Gritting her teeth, she slowly brought the nose back up, steadying their descent, the altimeter creeping back to safe levels.

Gradually, the plane's shudders smoothed out, leveling out to a stable cruising altitude. She released a shaky breath, the weight of relief sinking in.

It had been years since she'd touched an aircraft. Aviation had been her first love-she'd majored in flight technology in college, her eyes set on a career as a pilot.

But an accident her sophomore year had damaged her cornea and ended that dream. She had shifted to a foreign languages major, putting distance between herself and the skies she once loved.

Now, sitting here, her hands trembling slightly, she realized just how much she missed it.

Just as she was about to relax, she sensed someone approaching. She expected the flight attendant, perhaps to thank her or check on the pilot.

But when she turned, it was Lucas. The cold, unreadable look on his face made her pulse jump, but she steeled herself, her jaw set.

"Oh? You still want to throw me out of the plane?" she challenged, her eyes sparking with defiance. "Well, I'd suggest you pray this plane doesn't crash before you get the chance."

Lucas leaned in close, too close for her comfort. She could feel his breath, warm against her cheek in the cramped cockpit, his intense gaze locked onto her face as if searching for answers to questions he hadn't voiced.

"So, Miss Kane," Lucas'svoice dripped with sarcasm as he leaned in far too close. "Was flying part of journalism school's curriculum, or do I need to add 'flight school dropout' to your resume?"

Ella forced herself to meet his gaze, though her pulse was racing. "Mr. Lucas, if you would kindly take a step back. You're a little too close. I need to monitor the controls."

He smirked. "Strange. I thought in autopilot mode, the plane would handle itself. Surely, you don't need to 'monitor' quite so closely?"

Ella raised an eyebrow. "Even in autopilot, you need to be ready for any emergency," she said, refusing to back down. "Your voice is just... distracting."

A vein visibly throbbed at his temple, his jaw tight, and Ella had to fight the smirk threatening to break through.

He'd have loved to retaliate, but she was the only one on board who could keep them airborne. He took a step back, his eyes never leaving her.

Lucas's jaw clenched, but he held his tongue, a small victory Ella relished for all of two seconds before he regained his smugness.

"Just so we're clear, Miss Kane, I won't forget this little... incident. I hope you enjoy your time in Fairfield, because when we land, you'll wish you'd never set foot on this plane."

Ella's expression didn't flinch. "Then you might want to make sure we land in one piece."

Lucas turned with a clenched jaw, stalking off. Ella allowed herself a small, triumphant smile as she watched him leave.

Six hours later, they touched down at the airport, and Ella's shoulders slumped in relief as the tension finally left her body. Before she even had a chance to gather herself, though, she overheard Lucas on his phone as he prepared to disembark.

"Yeah, I just arrived." His voice was low and softened in a way she'd never heard before. "Anya's refusing to eat again? Alright, I'll be there soon."

Anya? The name struck Ella like a physical blow. The last piece of her shattered heart crumbled.

So, he was rushing home for his daughter-Anya, the child he shared with that woman, Amy. Ella bit her lip, the pain twisting in her stomach. Life could be cruelly ironic. While her own child would never know their father, his child was adored, cherished.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was her boss, Matt Chang.

"Ella! You landed safely, I take it? Any friction with Mr. Lucas?" Matt asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

Ella forced a neutral tone. "None at all."

"Great! We're having a little welcome dinner for you tonight. I'll send you the details. Rest up and see you there."

"Got it," she replied, hanging up. Hailing a cab, she headed straight to her family's home. She needed some comfort, some semblance of normalcy after the chaotic day she'd just had.

As the taxi sped toward her family's place, Ella tried calling her twins. They usually picked up right away, but this time, there was no answer. Her brows knitted together as she tried again, only to be met with silence. She quickly dialed her parents' number, but they didn't pick up either. Anxiety began to churn in her gut.

Fifteen minutes later, the taxi pulled up to her parents' house, and Ella practically bolted up the steps, her anxiety spiking. As she reached the door, muffled voices drifted through from inside. Her mother sounded furious.

"They wandered off on their own, James! They're kids, and smart ones at that. They'll find their way back."

Her father's voice was sharp with frustration. "They're five, Laura! They're just kids, not some little detectives. What were you thinking, letting them go off like that?"

Ella didn't wait another second. She shoved her key into the lock and burst into the room, her voice trembling as she demanded, "Where are they? Where are the kids?"

"Ella! You're home early," he said, hurrying over to hug her. "We didn't expect you until tomorrow. If I'd known, I'd have come to pick you up myself!"

"I caught an earlier flight," Ella explained quickly, pulling away. "But what's this about the kids? Where did they go?"

"Mom" Ella then turned to Lila's mother eagerly and asked, "Mom, I just heard at the door that Kaia and Kai got lost? Where did they get lost?"

Unexpectedly, Lila's mother, who had always doted on Ella, didn't even look at her and asked coldly, "Who İs your mother?"

Note: Lila's parent didn't know that their child, Lila was already dead, since Ella kept the whole news to her self and acted like Lila)