Chapter 2: The Brand New Gwen Summerbell

GWEN's POV

Time had only made him more devastatingly handsome. His tall, broad-shouldered frame was clad in a perfectly tailored black suit, his sharp jawline clean-shaven, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto me with unmistakable shock.

But all I felt towards him right now was disgust and rage.

His gaze swept over me, lingering on the gown that clung to my figure, before meeting my eyes once more.

"Mr. Grayford," I coldly replied and gave him a faint smile.

"You..." His voice was barely a whisper. "You're back."

I kept my expression unreadable, my heart hammering against my ribs.

Lucas took a hesitant step forward, his eyes searching mine. "How did you..." He swallowed hard. "How did you...what happened to you?"

I tilted my chin, masking the storm inside me with a cool smile. "Things happened, Mr. Grayford."

For a moment, he just stood there, as if trying to comprehend that I was real, that after all these years, I was standing before him, draped in luxury and confidence.

Before I could dwell on it any longer, a familiar voice called my name.

"Gwen."

I turned just in time to see Nicholas approaching, his signature smirk in place.

Nicholas Smith, Jersey's younger brother, is only a year younger than her.

Unlike the rest of their high-society family, Nicholas had always been more easygoing, and more rebellious. And, of course, he had always had an obvious crush on me.

"Nicholas," I greeted, my lips curving into a genuine smile. "It's been a while."

He stopped in front of me, his eyes sweeping over my gown with admiration before returning to my face. "A few years, and you come back looking like this? No warning? That's just unfair."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "You haven't changed."

"Oh, but you have." His smirk faltered as his gaze flickered toward Lucas. "And from the looks of it, I know most of the guests here were drawn to you."

I followed his line of sight, catching Lucas watching me from across the room. His blue eyes were dark, filled with something unreadable.

I scoffed lightly and turned back to Nicholas. "Let him watch."

Nicholas let out a low whistle. "Now that's the kind of attitude I like."

Nicholas knew about Lucas being my ex-husband. Jersey had always a way of telling his brother about everything and it was fine with me.

Before Lucas could even think about approaching us again, I took Nicholas's arm. "Come on, let's go find your sister."

Nicholas chuckled but didn't protest, and just like that, I walked away, leaving my ex-husband standing alone, unable to follow.

***

The sound of silverware clinking against fine china filled the air as I enjoyed my meal. Now and then, I caught Lucas stealing glances at me, his playful yet intense gaze following me across the room.

I found myself amused.

So, now he wants to look?

I ignored him, keeping my focus on enjoying the night.

Just as I was taking a sip of my wine, Jersey slid into the seat beside me, looking somewhat apologetic.

"Hey," she whispered.

I raised a brow. "You look guilty."

Jersey sighed. "I just found out my parents invited your ex-husband."

I smiled, swirling the wine in my glass. "I noticed."

Jersey winced. "I'm really sorry, Gwen. I swear I didn't know."

I waved off her concern. "It's fine, Jersey. You don't have to apologize. Really."

She studied me for a moment, then leaned in closer. "Okay, but how does it feel seeing him again after all these years?"

I set my glass down, tilting my head as if in deep thought. Then, with a slow smile, I said, "Exciting."

Jersey's brows furrowed. "Exciting?"

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping into a soft but deadly whisper. "I'm excited to get revenge on the people who wronged me."

Jersey blinked before a slow grin stretched across her face. "Especially Lucas?"

I nodded.

She laughed, shaking her head. "Damn, I love this version of you."

I smirked, but then a thought crossed my mind. "Speaking of revenge... was my dear half-sister invited?"

Jersey's expression darkened slightly. "No. My family isn't exactly on good terms with the Browns right now."

I let out a light laugh. "What a shame."

Jersey rolled her eyes. "You're so not disappointed."

"I really, really am not."

She chuckled, then glanced at her phone. "I need to send out thank-you messages to all the guests. But we'll talk later, okay?"

I nodded, watching as she slipped away into the crowd.

After Jersey's birthday party, I felt really great. The night had been perfect. I had reclaimed my place here, proving that I was stronger than before.

And yet, as I walked toward my car, my gown flowing behind me like liquid gold, a familiar presence cut through the night air.

"Hey, Gwen."

I came to a halt.

I took a slow, deep breath before turning around, and meeting Lucas's piercing gaze head-on.

His suit jacket was unbuttoned now, and his tie loosened slightly, but his intensity was still the same. There was something different in his expression, something conflicted.

"What do you want, Mr. Grayford?" I asked, my tone smooth, and controlled.

He studied me for a moment as if trying to piece together the woman standing before him, the woman he had discarded five years ago.

"I heard you're the new CEO of Jim Summerbell," he said finally.

I tilted my head, pretending to be surprised. "Oh? I didn't realize you kept up with my life."

His jaw tightened slightly, but he ignored my jab. "And I also heard... that you found your biological father."

My breath hitched for a fraction of a second.

Lucas's voice softened. "I'm sorry about what happened."

For a moment, something in my chest ached. But I refused to let that weakness show. I forced a polite smile, one that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"He's gone now," I said simply.

Lucas exhaled, nodding. "You've changed, Gwen."

I held his gaze for a long moment before finally allowing a slow smile to spread across my lips.

"I have."

Then, before he could say another word, I turned on my heel and stepped into my car.

As the door closed behind me, I watched through the tinted window as Lucas remained standing there, staring after me.

Good.

Let him feel what it's like to be left behind.

This is just the beginning, Lucas. Just the beginning of your nightmare.

The ride home was silent. The city lights blurred past as I leaned against the car window. Seeing Lucas tonight had stirred something deep inside me, something I thought I had buried a long time ago. 

I had been fierce. Bold. Untouchable. 

But as I stepped into the mansion and made my way upstairs, the weight of everything crashed down on me. 

I pushed open the door to Kira's room and stepped inside. My daughter. 

My beautiful Kira. 

The moment my eyes landed on her, the walls I had built around myself crumbled. Tears welled up, and before I could stop them, they spilled down my cheeks, hot and unrelenting. 

I covered my mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. 

I had been so strong tonight. So composed. But now, standing here, looking at my little girl, the one person who had kept me going through it all, I couldn't hold it in anymore. 

What went wrong? 

How did it all come to this? 

The memories of Lucas's cold words, his betrayal, the way he had thrown me away like I was nothing, they played in my mind over and over, tormenting me. I hated him. I loathed him. 

And yet, somewhere deep inside, there was still a whisper of pain. A small, broken part of me that still asked why.

I knelt beside Kira's bed, my fingers gently brushing through her soft curls as silent tears fell onto the sheets. 

Then, suddenly, she stirred. 

Her tiny eyes fluttered open, hazy with sleep, and she looked at me with concern. "Mommy... are you crying?" 

I inhaled sharply, quickly wiping my tears away. I forced a smile, cupping her small face in my hands. "No, baby. Mommy's just... happy." 

Kira blinked sleepily. "Happy?" 

I nodded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yes. Happy because I have you." 

She reached out with her small arms and wrapped them around my neck, hugging me tightly. "I'll always be here, Mommy." 

A fresh wave of emotions hit me, but this time, I held them in. I hugged her back, holding her close, breathing in her warmth. 

"I know, sweetheart," I whispered. "And I'll always be here for you too." 

I pulled back slightly, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. 

"Now, sleep, my love. You need to rest." 

Kira nodded, her tiny hands still gripping mine as she snuggled back into her blankets. Within moments, she was fast asleep again, her breaths slow and even. 

I stayed beside her for a long time, watching her, memorizing every little feature of her innocent face. 

No matter what happens... No matter who stands in my way...I will protect her. 

And I will never let anyone take Kira away from me.