After visiting her husband’s office, Clara faced an earth-shattering truth—her best friend was known as her husband's "wife" in the company. Worst of all, she caught them in the act. Heartbroken, Clara left the office in tears, only to be struck by an overspeeding truck. Her eyelids felt heavy. "Am I going to die without taking my revenge?" she mocked herself as she took her last breath. But miracles happen, and she time-travelled to the day before her wedding. A smirk curled on her lips, an exciting sparkle in her eyes. "So, I've got another chance to repay my two-timing husband." "God's on my side, I guess."
View MoreClara's POVNathan's engagement ring felt heavy on my finger – a flawless black diamond set in platinum. It was nothing like the traditional solitaire Alexander had given me in either lifetime."Still having second thoughts?" Nathan's voice carried across his penthouse bedroom, dark and knowing.I turned from the window to find him watching me with that predatory intensity that made my pulse race. Even fresh from the shower, wearing only black silk pajama pants, he radiated power."Not about you," I said honestly.His smile was dangerous as he moved closer. "Then what?"How could I explain that I was afraid of history repeating itself? That in my previous life, happiness had been snatched away just when I thought I was safe?"I'm not good at letting people in," I said instead.Nathan's laugh was pure sin as he pulled me against his bare chest. "Good thing I'm excellent at breaking down walls.""Is that what you're doing?""Among other things." His hands spanned my waist possessively.
Clara's POVThe headlines had been running for days now: "Reid Industries Scandal Deepens," "Alexander Reid Faces Federal Charges," "Corporate Dynasty Crumbles." Each one felt like another nail in my past life's coffin."You're doing it again," Nathan's voice pulled me from my thoughts. We were in his home office, the Manhattan skyline glittering beyond the windows. "That look like you're seeing ghosts."I set down the tablet, trying to steady my racing heart. Even after weeks in his presence, Nathan Chen's ability to read me was unnerving. "Just thinking about how quickly things can change.""Hmm." He moved behind my chair, his hands settling on my shoulders. "You mean how quickly you changed them.""I didn't do this alone," I reminded him, leaning back into his touch despite myself.His laugh was dark honey. "No, you didn't. But you orchestrated it perfectly." His fingers traced my collarbone. "Almost like you knew exactly how everyone would react."My breath caught. Sometimes Nathan
Clara's POVThe night air was crisp on Nathan's penthouse balcony, but I barely felt it. My mind was still reeling from the confrontation with Jessica and Alexander. In my previous life, I'd never gotten to see them brought so low, never witnessed their perfect masks crumbling."You're thinking too hard," Nathan's voice came from behind me, followed by the warm weight of his suit jacket around my shoulders. His cologne enveloped me, dangerously comforting."Just processing," I replied, trying to ignore how his presence affected me. The jacket smelled like him – expensive cologne and raw power."Regretting anything?" His hands settled on my shoulders, warm through the fabric.I couldn't help but laugh. "Regret watching Alexander and Jessica get exactly what they deserved? Hardly.""That's not what I meant." His fingers traced down my arms, leaving fire in their wake. "You're wondering if you've traded one cage for another."My heart skipped. Even in this life, Nathan's ability to read
Jessica's POVThe holding cell was a far cry from my usual lifestyle, but I kept my spine straight. Alexander paced the small space, his perfect facade finally cracking."He can't do this," he muttered for the hundredth time. "He has no right-""He's Nathan Chen," I snapped, tired of his denials. "He has every right because he has the power to take it."And the money. And the connections. And now, he had Clara too.The thought made my blood boil. Perfect, precious Clara Lin. The nobody who'd somehow ensnared not one but two of Manhattan's most powerful men."We underestimated her," I admitted, remembering how easily she'd outmaneuvered us. "She planned this."Alexander stopped pacing. "No. Chen planned this. Clara was just a pawn."I laughed bitterly. "Is that what you think? Then you never really knew her at all."The Clara I'd known – my best friend since college – had never been anyone's pawn. She'd been brilliant, calculating, and patient. I'd recognized the threat immediately.Th
Clara's POVNathan's penthouse felt different in the soft morning light. The destruction from last night's chaos had been meticulously erased, as if it never happened. Just like my previous life, I thought wryly.I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the city wake up below. The morning news was already broadcasting Alexander's arrest – his empire crumbling in real-time. Last time, I hadn't lived to see this moment."Having second thoughts?" Nathan's voice came from behind me, smooth as aged whiskey.I turned to find him watching me with those impossibly dark eyes. Even in casual clothes – a black cashmere sweater and tailored pants – he radiated power."About Alexander's arrest? No." I kept my voice steady. "He deserves everything coming to him."Nathan moved closer, his presence filling the space between us. "That's not what I meant." His finger traced my jawline. "You're thinking about running."I wasn't, but I couldn't tell him why. Couldn't explain that in my previous
Clara's POVThe abandoned subway station's emergency lights cast shadows across Nathan's sharp features as he pulled me behind a pillar. Even disheveled, he emanated power and control. His touch on my waist was possessive, sending unwanted shivers down my spine."Enough running," he said, his voice carrying that dangerous edge that had made him Manhattan's most feared businessman. "This ends now."Before I could protest, he pulled out his phone. Within seconds, his security team's voices crackled through the station's overhead speakers."Sector clear, Mr. Chen. Alexander Reid's men have been... neutralized."Jessica's outraged scream echoed through the station. "You can't do this! Do you know who we work for?"Nathan's laugh was cold enough to freeze blood. "I know exactly who you work for. The question is, does Alexander know who he's dealing with?"I watched in awe as Nathan Chen's true power unfurled. With a few calls, he had the entire station locked down. His men emerged from eve
Clara's POVThe bunker's security feeds showed chaos unfolding in the building above. Alexander's men were being systematically taken down by Nathan's security team, their superior numbers meaning nothing against better training and preparation."Impressed now?" Nathan's breath was hot against my neck as he stood behind me, watching the screens."You're enjoying this," I accused, trying to ignore how his proximity affected me.His chuckle was dark honey. "Watching Alexander Reid's empire crumble? Of course I am." His hands settled on my shoulders, possessive and commanding. "He took something that belonged to me. Now he's paying the price."I turned to face him, confused. "What are you talking about? We'd never even met before—""The Singapore merger." His eyes held that dangerous gleam that had made him infamous in boardrooms worldwide. "You were supposed to be my CFO. Instead, Alexander swooped in with a marriage proposal and a promise to make you CEO of his Asian division."My hear
Clara's POVThe private elevator descended smoothly into Nathan Chen's secret underground facility. His hand rested possessively on my lower back, the heat of his touch burning through the silk of my dress. The kiss we'd shared in his penthouse still lingered on my lips, an unwanted distraction from the gravity of my situation."Impressed?" His voice held that arrogant edge that had made lesser men crumble in boardrooms across Manhattan.I forced myself to remain calm despite his proximity. "It takes more than a few hidden tunnels to impress me, Mr. Chen.""Nathan." His fingers tightened slightly on my waist. "And somehow, I doubt that's true. You've been watching me for months, haven't you, Clara?"My heart skipped. In my previous life, I'd never known Nathan had noticed me before Alexander's betrayal. "I don't know what you mean."The elevator stopped, opening into a luxuriously appointed bunker that looked more like a five-star hotel suite. Nathan guided me inside, his touch both
## Chapter 10: Behind Enemy LinesThe whiskey bottle shattered inches from my head, raining glass and amber liquid. Nathan's body pressed against mine behind the bar, his breath hot on my neck. Every nerve ending in my body was alive with adrenaline—and something else I refused to acknowledge."The panic room," he whispered, his lips brushing my ear. "Behind the bookshelf. Think you can make it?"I nodded, trying to ignore how his hands gripped my waist. This wasn't the time to get distracted by Nathan Chen's perfectly sculpted... everything."Found you!" Jessica's voice sang out again, closer now. "Come out, come out, wherever you are!""On three," Nathan murmured. His thumb stroked small circles on my hip, sending unwanted shivers down my spine. "One..."A bullet splintered the wood beside us."Two..."Jessica's heels clicked on the marble floor, getting closer."Three!"Nathan sprang up, providing cover fire with a gun I hadn't even seen him draw. I sprinted for the bookshelf, my h
Clara's POVThe elevator doors opened to the 50th floor of Reid Enterprises, and I smoothed down my cream silk blouse, clutching the handmade bento box closer. Three years of marriage, and my heart still skipped whenever I was about to see Alexander. The thought made me smile despite myself."You're such a fool, Clara," I whispered to myself, though my lips curved into a hopeful smile.The executive floor was oddly quiet today. Jessica's desk—my best friend and Alexander's secretary—sat empty. Strange. She was always here, ready with a warm hug and friendly gossip about the office drama. In three years, I'd never seen her station unmanned during business hours.My Louboutin heels clicked against the marble floor as I made my way down the corridor. The sound echoed in the unusually silent space, making me feel like an intruder rather than the CEO's wife.As I approached Alexander's office, voices drifted through the heavy mahogany door. I reached for the handle, then froze at Henderson
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