YRA

ent across the table. "Trust me, you've made a great decision. You won't reg

. "If there's nothing else, we shou

ed grip. As they left, the contract already inked, I felt a q

now feels both larger and smaller than the one I left behind. W

d a relentless drive to prove first to myself, then to everyone

t. Billions now flow through our accounts, and each number feels like a silent affirmation of every sacri

ong is a fire that never quite burns ou

as she followed me into the office. "I can tell from

to her and let a slow, triumphant smile spre

er eyes shining with genuine pride.

this cold world of business and vengeance, she was the

don't see the work we do in the dark,

u. We've earn

e all for today. Go home and get som

.," she announced, her voice crisp as the paper in front of her. I glanced at the

rose, straightened my skirt, and wal

s city, my city, the place I'd fought for, bled for, and lost so much in. I let

ss hugged my shoulders with delicate, embroidered lace sleeves that fell into a subtle,

ement as I glided across the marble floor. The back was modest, a high‑collar of silk that

be my plus‑one, my anchor i

rpet entrance. Cameras flashed, a

nes! Ov

eel to run the

lled my eyes, ignoring the personal barbs,

racticed patience. Michael slipped his hand int

, forcing a smile. "They haven't se

ll tir

ross polished marble. The crowd's murmurs formed a low tid

ed on the crowd. "I heard the

The name sent a jolt through me. "Probably just a r

with a tray of cha

e doors at the far end swung open. A murmur

ith a subtle baby bump on his arm. Aryan. A sudden, fierce wave of ange

pers, the cold finality of the divorce papers, the hollow ache of abandonment, crashing over me like a tide. My

rushed against my cheeks, cooling the heat of my fury. I pressed my palms to t

I'd moved on, and one glance had ripped it all open

in the moonlight, feeling the layers of my emotions settle like sed

pression a mix of concern and resolve. "Lyra, we n

city, the empire, and the ghost of a love