The Phoenix's Vow: Rebirth of the Forsaken Heiress

f false smiles and fragile promises. Chandeliers glittered above, casting crystalline shadows o

titch had been hand-sewn by Milan's finest. Her shoes were imported from Paris, and her bouquet - a mix of white o

d near the ceremonial arch. Her mother, Helena, fanned herself with a pearl-encrusted fan while whispering into the ears of socialites, painting smiles to hide

sign of Adrian Da

r maid of honor, Ivy, whose compl

aid. "About an hour ago. Said

the time again - he was now fifteen minutes late

eet," Ivy added with a nervou

tried to sm

er heels clicked against marble as she moved to the nearest balcony. The evening air was warm, rich with the

like a storm ab

pted from inside the ball

urned

in entrance. His tie hung crooked, face flushed with sweat and panic

spoke, and his voice sliced

rian and Liliana... They elop

room e

ttee, her fan fluttering from her hand like a dying bird. Edwin Alaric turned

the floor vanis

n't be true,"

en was a selfie of Adrian and Liliana at a private airpo

"A new beginning.

just break. It col

r to build a future together, had betrayed her in the worst way

isaster wa

hard and leaned to

ok the Daemon-Alaric contracts... the shared ac

o

like

rsonal betrayal. It wa

, but no wor

e the sec

ic," he said, his voice tight. "There's

froze. "S

shed en route to the est

left he

onstant in her life. Her prot

pped her

lief. Her knees buckled, and for a moment, she thought she might

st

tened he

d her

spers in

ilted...

r gir

known. She's n

ost crushing voice o

family," Edwin said coldl

m, face pale as m

ou insisted on the merger. You fell for him

eyes, but she refus

d been

Adri

Lili

r own

d n

ey blam

Weeks

rey, overcast day, the rain f

ters were

gues

and even that

t offer a single word. Her father gave a cu

one left, standing beside the headst

t," she whispered. "

veil as she knelt to

. She had found it tucked away in a safe in his apartment, the pages fill

the Alaric and Daemon em

ding L

ding A

shocked her most of

aware of the scheme to betray her. He

what? C

utat

the journal

ht they had

were w

asn't

s being

ars Later

ld-framed mirrors and velvet-draped walls. The masquerade gala was the e

, a woman entere

back. Her mask was gold filigree with phoenix feathers that curved like fl

recogn

was exactl

d as Vera Dae, founder and CEO of the glo

was no longer t

strategy and veiled partnerships. Over the years, she had bought failing companies,

ever showe

til

ng her conquered kingdom. Glasses clinked. Laughter r

he app

an Da

n't age

. His movements lacked the grace they once had. He w

de him -

ifferent, but still clinging

curved into a slow

nodded to the bartender. "

h nearby ears like a sec

turned -

yes wi

inked

wi

s mouth

Se

r voice smooth, cold, refi

at, she toas

ed to burn

Chapte