Chapter four

Three years after

Elena’s POV

The ballroom was buzzing with soft music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. I stood at the center of it all, taking in the scene. It felt surreal to be here, at the top of my game. Eterna Connections, my matchmaking business, had grown into something I never imagined when my world came crashing down. Tonight was our first gala, and it was the perfect reminder of how far I’d come. I had turned my heartache into something powerful. I noticed a nervous-looking man standing by the champagne fountain. A young billionaire, out of place in a room full of confident people. I gave Claire, my assistant, a nod.

“Introduce him to Margaret,” I said. “They’ll hit it off.”

Claire moved quickly, and soon, I could see the two of them laughing, comfortably chatting. It felt good knowing I was helping people find real connections. I was building something meaningful now. It was time for my speech, and I had so much to say. In just three years, I had done this. Two months after my divorce, I had met a wealthy, influential widow who was struggling to find true love amidst the gold diggers who swarmed her. She was impressed with my wisdom, and she hired me as a personal matchmaker. It was a success, and the referrals swarmed in. In a few months, with her help I moved back to New York and got a small building, and my business expanded. Now “Eterna Connections is an exclusive matchmaking service for billionaires, celebrities, and high-ranking professionals seeking meaningful relationships. I was no longer the nobody humiliated by the Sterlings.

I stepped onto the stage, feeling the familiar rush of nerves. The microphone was cool in my hand, but my voice was steady. The cameras flashed, and phones were brought out to record me. The irony is, just three years ago, I had the same experience, but that was my humiliation and this was my victory.

“Good evening, everyone,” I began, my gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Tonight is about love and connection. It’s about proving that no matter what we go through, we can rebuild. We can find something beautiful even in the darkest of times.”

Someone in the crowd looked familiar. It took a moment before I finally realized who it was—Lucas’s PA. I saw the shock and recognition on his face. Did this mean Lucas was also at the event? Trying not to get distracted, I continued.

“Years ago, I thought I had lost everything. Some of you here know the story, but what I didn’t realize was that the pain I felt would become my strength. Eterna Connections is more than just a business—it’s a reminder that we can rise from the ashes, no matter how broken we feel.”

The applause was deafening. The warmth of their approval was everything I needed. I had done it. I walked down the stage, my heart full.

As expected, he approached me.

“Elena…” he called out as soon as he reached me. His gaze held admiration—a sharp contrast to the disdain I had seen on his face the night I was humiliated. Was Lucas at the gathering? The question lingered—not because I wanted to see him, but because I would have had the bouncers throw him out.

“Alex….I wasn’t—”

“I no longer work for Mr. Lucas,” he interrupted. “I got sacked a few months after you left. Sabrina is his new PA. I work for Mr. Jacobs now,” he said, pointing to the business mogul chatting with a group of men.

“Of course, good to have you here. Enjoy your evening…” I said, cutting the conversation short.

The look of admiration was still there when I turned away. I had initially wanted to throw biting remarks his way, but it wasn’t necessary. It was Lucas and Sabrina who had wronged me.

Slightly relieved that Lucas wasn’t at my event, I walked on, graciously greeting guests as I moved through the crowd.

“Isn’t it the dazzling queen Elena?” Victor Hart, the handsome billionaire of Hart’s Empire, said, smiling. He had been watching me all night, and I had noticed. The first time I met him was at the wedding of a billionaire I paired with an African princess. We spoke briefly and that was all, though I could tell he wanted the conversation to linger, I didn’t give him room.

“Victor…” I smiled.

He took my hands in his, pecked them, his eyes not leaving mine. There was something about Victor Hart, something too hard to ignore. He had such charm that could sweep any woman off her feet, and he was also scandal-free. He was single too. Rumors were that his last girlfriend cheated on him, and since then, he had kept to himself. My heart fluttered when his gaze lingered. Since Lucas, no man had been able to reach me, and it was deliberate. All I lived for was my children and my business. Then maybe revenge? I wasn’t sure. But a part of me still wanted Lucas to suffer, to feel every pain and heartache I felt.

“You look stunning tonight… I’m really proud of how well you’ve done for yourself, Elena…”

“Thank you… You could make use of my services too… I hear there’s no queen in your kingdom…” I said, teasing him.

“How about I make you the queen of my kingdom? Would you mind having dinner with me?” he asked, his eyes soft. My heart skipped a beat. I hesitated. The idea of spending time with Victor was attractive, but was I ready? Was this a second chance at love? Was I willing to take it? It wasn’t just dinner, he also implied something deeper.

“Let’s see about that Victor..” I said, my smile deepening as I walked away from him. Maybe it was finally time to move on completely from my Ex-husband.