Taking Back What’s MineI had been waiting for this day.Josh was my everything. The only good thing that came from my time with Aaron. And there was no way I was going to let him be raised by a family that had tried to bury me six feet under.So today, as I dressed him up, buttoning his shirt carefully, I took a deep breath.“You look so handsome,” I said, smoothing down his collar.Josh grinned. “I always do.”I chuckled, brushing his hair back. “We have somewhere to go before school drop-off, alright?”Josh nodded. “Dad’s house?”“Yes.”He didn’t say anything after that, but I could tell he wasn’t excited. And I didn’t blame him. That house was toxic, and whether he fully understood it or not, I knew he could feel it.“Come on, baby,” I said, taking his hand. “Let’s go.”When I pulled up to Aaron’s family house, I wasn’t surprised to see that almost everyone was gathered.They had probably been waiting for this moment, expecting to see me hand over my son like a well-behaved ex-wif
The First TestWalking into the conference room, I could feel the weight of their stares. Some were curious, others doubtful, and a few openly unimpressed. I wasn’t surprised. To them, I was just the billionaire’s reckless daughter who threw away everything for love, only to come crawling back after a failed marriage.I took my seat at the head of the table, my posture straight, my face calm. The room was filled with my late parents’ board members, key investors, and longtime business partners. These were the people who had kept the company running after my father’s passing. Now, they were about to determine if I was capable of leading it.One of the older men, Mr. Carter, cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Mira, it’s impressive that you’ve decided to take over your family’s empire. But let’s be honest, your experience in business is… limited, to say the least.”I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “I see. So what exactly are you implying, Mr. Carter?”A woman named Mrs. Patel,
Dinner with a LiarI sat in my home office, staring at the project sketches spread out in front of me. The hotel was in shambles—failing revenue, bad management, and a ruined reputation. I had spent the last few hours going through reports, trying to figure out my first move, but the more I read, the more restless I became.This wasn’t just about fixing a hotel. This was a test. A challenge from the board and investors who thought I wasn’t capable. I couldn’t afford to fail.Just as I was about to pour myself a drink, my phone rang.Aaron.I stared at the screen, debating whether to answer. I had no time for his mind games, but at the same time, I was curious. What did he want?I answered. “What?”“Mira.” His voice was calm, careful. “I want to see you.”I frowned. “Why?”“Just to talk.”I exhaled. A part of me wanted to ignore him, but another part wanted to see what he was up to. He had been mute when I returned, then suddenly started talking again after I confronted him. Now he wan
A Toast to DeceptionAaron stopped by an expensive liquor store on his way home, selecting a fine bottle of wine. This was a moment to celebrate. He had gotten away with it. Again.As he drove home, he replayed the dinner in his mind. The way Mira had spoken, the way she had dismissed their past like it was nothing more than a failed marriage. She had no memory of what he did.He smirked.When he arrived at the family estate, he went straight to his mother’s room, holding up the bottle. “We’re drinking tonight.”His mother, who had been sitting at the edge of her bed, gave him a tired look. “Drinking? For what?”Aaron grinned. “She doesn’t remember.”At those words, his mother’s face softened with relief. She exhaled slowly, as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her shoulders.“Are you sure?” she asked, standing up.“Positive,” Aaron said, opening the wine bottle. “She said she was shot by some random thugs. She thinks she lost her memory. She doesn’t suspect a thing.”His mother t
The Hotel Sitting in the backseat of my car, I tapped my fingers lightly against my lap, my thoughts swirling as we weaved through the city streets. Today was a big day—meetings, plans, and a full team waiting for me at the hotel. But just as I was setting my mind on the task ahead, a familiar building came into view.My company.Or rather, the company I built with Aaron—the one he stole from me.My jaw tightened as I tore my gaze away. “Focus on the hotel. One step at a time.”When my car pulled up in front of the hotel, I adjusted my sunglasses and stepped out, my heels clicking against the pavement. I inhaled deeply, scanning the building in front of me. It was old, worn down, and a shadow of what it used to be. But I saw potential—my potential.This place would thrive again, and I was going to make damn sure of it.But just as I was about to head out my eyes met with her .Aaron’s sassy little fiancée.I didn’t flinch, but she did. For a split second, her expression tightened, as
A Change of PlansI sat across from Alex in the dimly lit restaurant, the sound of quiet chatter and soft music filling the space around us. The dinner had gone exactly as I planned—straight to business. I laid out every detail about the hotel, what needed to be done, and why I needed his help.Alex listened carefully, barely interrupting as I spoke. When I was done, he leaned back in his chair, studying me for a moment before nodding.“I’ll help,” he said, pulling out his tablet. “But first, we need a strategy.”He spent the next half hour walking me through a detailed plan. A PowerPoint presentation, charts, projections—Alex had come prepared. He always did. He had a sharp mind, one of the reasons I knew he was the best person for this job.When we finished going over everything, he set his tablet aside and took a sip of his drink. Then, with a slight smirk, he asked, “So… is this why you called me for dinner?”“Yes,” I said simply, meeting his gaze.His smirk widened. “No personal
Two can playAs I sat in the car, my mind kept going back to Alex. His sudden coldness earlier still bothered me, but I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I had bigger things to focus on.My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. I glanced at the screen—Michael.A slow smirk crossed my lips. Right on time.I answered, keeping my voice light. “Michael, what a surprise.”He chuckled on the other end. “You sound like you weren’t expecting my call.”I leaned back in my seat, playing along. “Should I have been?”He laughed again. “I was hoping to take you to dinner tonight. What do you say?”I had just finished dinner with Alex, but that didn’t matter. My plan was still on. If there was one thing I knew, being with Michael would cause an even bigger stir than being with Alex. Michael was powerful, untouchable, and if I became his woman, it would be a direct threat to everyone who had wronged me—including Aaron and his family.And I was more than willing to play the part.“Sounds lovely,” I s
The Game of GolfI stared at Alex’s message for a long time.“Are you seeing Michael?”I didn’t know what to say.I could tell the truth, but that would only make things more complicated. And I wasn’t in the mood for whatever lecture he had planned.So I lied.“No, I’m not seeing Michael.”The reply came almost instantly.“Stay away from him. He’s kind of dangerous.”I frowned at the screen. Was Alex saying this out of concern? Or was it because he had his own issues with Michael? Either way, I wasn’t going to ask. I left the message on read.A few minutes later, my phone rang again. This time, it was Michael.“Did you forget about the golf course?” His voice was smooth, teasing.I smirked. “Of course not. I’ll be there.”The next morning, I dressed carefully. If I was going to play this game, I was going to play it well.A fitted white golf dress, short enough to tease but elegant enough to not look desperate. A sleek ponytail, just a touch of makeup, and sunglasses that screamed con
Mira’s heart raced as she clutched Josh’s hand tightly, her fingers trembling from fear. The woods were silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. It was cold—too cold—and the night seemed to stretch on endlessly. She looked around, trying to find any sign of help, but the dense trees and thick fog obscured everything beyond a few feet.Josh was quiet beside her, his small frame shivering. He had been through so much already, and now Mira had to protect him, even if it meant risking her own life.She pulled him closer to her, trying to shield him from the chill, but her thoughts kept drifting back to what had happened before they ended up here.Two men had burst into their house, guns pointed at Josh, taking them both against their will. The flashbacks were vivid—Mira had screamed, had fought, but it was useless. They shot two of Alex’s security guards and dragged her and Josh out of the house. Her worst fears had come to life in that instant, and now they were h
Alex’s POVAlex paced around his office, his mind running wild with anxiety and frustration. Mira and Josh were gone, and the more he tried to track them down, the more the trail seemed to fade. His men were searching every inch of the city, every corner of their contacts, but there were no signs of them—no leads, no calls, just complete silence.His fingers tightened around the edge of his desk, the weight of the situation pressing on him harder than anything he had ever experienced.Who would do this? Who would dare take Mira and Josh?The questions rattled through his mind. He had powerful enemies, sure, but none of them would have the audacity to go after his family—his real family, the ones who mattered. And if it was someone who had been watching from the shadows, how did they even know how much Mira meant to him now?Just as his thoughts spiraled deeper into confusion, his phone buzzed sharply, interrupting his frustration. The unknown number that flashed on his screen gave him
Mira’s POVJosh’s cries were the only sound keeping me from losing my mind.He clung to me, his little fingers digging into my arm as he sobbed, his body trembling against mine.“M-mom, I’m scared,” he whimpered, his voice breaking.I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to be strong. If I broke down now, it would only make things worse.“I know, baby. I know,” I whispered, tightening my grip on him. “But you have to stay calm, okay? No matter what happens, don’t say anything. Don’t cry too loud. Just… just listen to me.”He nodded against my shoulder, sniffling, trying his best to be brave.The men in the front of the car barely paid attention to us, speaking in hushed voices to each other as they drove. I couldn’t see their faces clearly, but their towering frames and rough voices were enough to terrify me.The car smelled like smoke and sweat, and the air was suffocating. My hands were tied behind my back with thick rope, making it impossible to hold Josh properly, but I
Mira’s POVA loud bang shattered the silence. My body froze. That sound—I knew it too well. It was the same sound I heard the night I was attacked years ago.Before I could react, the door burst open, and two hefty men stormed in. My heart slammed against my ribs.Josh.They had guns. And they were pointed straight at him.“Mommy?” Josh whimpered, his little hands gripping his toy car.“No!” I screamed, stepping in front of him. “Please, don’t—”One of the men grabbed me roughly, yanking me backward. Josh shrieked as the other man lifted him off the ground like a sack of rice.“Let go of my son!” I thrashed against my captor, kicking and clawing, but his grip was like iron.“Shut her up,” one of them growled.Something hard slammed against my temple. Pain exploded in my head, and my vision blurred.No. No. No.I felt myself being dragged outside. The cold air hit my skin, but it did nothing to clear the fog in my head.Then I saw them.Alex’s security guards. Two of them. Lying lifele
Mira’s POVThe second I answered the call, a voice on the other end spoke before I could say anything.“I’ve been expecting your call.”I exchanged a quick glance with Alex, who immediately leaned closer, listening intently. My grip tightened around the phone.“Who is this?” I asked cautiously.The man chuckled. “The guy you’ve been searching for.”Alex immediately caught on. He mouthed Aaron’s financial adviser?I kept my voice steady. “You worked for Aaron?”“Yes. And I know everything you want to know,” he said. “But there’s one condition.”I could already guess what was coming.“I need to remain anonymous,” he continued. “No names, no connections, nothing that ties back to me.”I hesitated. This was huge—someone on the inside willing to talk. But could I trust him? What if he was baiting me into a trap?Alex motioned for me to put the call on speaker, and I did.“You don’t want your name involved?” Alex asked. “Then why reach out?”The man sighed. “Because I know what Aaron is cap
Mira’s POVAs we stepped outside, the cold night air was a welcome relief from the suffocating tension inside. I had barely taken a few steps toward the car when I heard someone call my name.“Mira!”I turned just in time to see one of Aaron’s cousins rushing toward me. She was a little out of breath, her eyes darting around as if making sure no one was watching her.Before I could ask what was going on, she slipped a small piece of paper into my hand. “Call him,” she whispered urgently. “He has a lot you’d want to know.”I frowned and looked at the number scribbled on it. “Who is this?”She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. “Someone who knows things about Aaron. Things you should know.”That caught my attention. “What kind of things?”She shook her head. “I don’t want to get involved. Just call him. And Mira…” She smiled slightly. “I’m happy you got out of that marriage. And that you’re with Alex. He suits you better.”I blinked in surprise. Of all the reactions I had gotten ton
Mira’s POVThe morning of the family event came faster than I wanted. If it were up to me, I wouldn’t have attended at all, but Aaron had sent a reminder message, probably hoping to intimidate me into showing up. I wasn’t the same woman he used to control. If anything, this was the perfect opportunity to make a statement.I focused on getting Josh ready first, helping him with his little tuxedo. “You look so handsome,” I said, adjusting his bow tie.Josh grinned. “I know,” he said confidently. “But why do I have to wear this? It’s too tight.”“Because it’s a formal event,” I said. “Besides, you match with Alex.”At that moment, Alex walked in, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo. He took one look at Josh, then at me, and smirked. “Did we all just decide to ignore the dress code?”I turned back to the mirror and admired my red dress. It was bold, fiery, and a complete rebellion against the expected white. “I guess so,” I said, shrugging. “White isn’t really my color.”Josh laughed. “Dad’s
Mira’s POVThe house was quiet when I walked in, the kind of silence that made the weight of the day feel even heavier. The plans, the secrets, the moves I had just started to make—it was all swirling in my mind like a storm. But there was one thing I needed to do before I could let the chaos take over. I needed to talk to Alex.I found him in the living room, leaning back on the couch, his eyes glued to his phone. His usual calm was there, but I could tell something was bothering him. Maybe it was the pressure of everything happening with Aaron or the shadows from his past that still seemed to haunt him.“Hey,” I said softly, sitting next to him. “We need to talk.”He looked up at me, his gaze steady. “What’s going on?”I took a deep breath, my thoughts scattered. But I started from the beginning, telling him everything that had happened with the two investors—how they’d come to me, their plans for a hostile takeover, and how they’d been waiting for the right moment.“They said they’
Mira’s POVOlivia had left earlier with a promise to get back to me with some information. When she called me back, her voice was different, a little more unsure than usual.“Mira, I’m not sure about this. It feels like everything is moving so fast, and I can’t help but wonder if we can trust these men.” Olivia’s words lingered in the air as I leaned back in my chair. The weight of the situation had started to settle over me.I knew exactly what she meant. It felt too good to be true that these men—who had been a part of Aaron’s inner circle, who had supported him for so long—were suddenly on my side. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that if this was going to happen, I needed to take control and handle it the way I always did: strategically.“Olivia, show me the reports,” I said, my voice firm but calm.There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Olivia responded. “Okay, I’ll have someone bring them to you. Just… Mira, make sure you’re really ready