"A divorce?" Tristan repeated, the words sounding cursed and offensive. Beside him, Rayna grinned. She was clearly enjoying this.

"You never mattered to me anyway. If a divorce is what you want, a divorce is what you'll get." He said harshly, his response piercing into my heart like ice daggers.

"You don't care about him at all," Rayna put in, addressing me for the first time since she came into the hospital. Wait, into the hospital. Did Tristan bring her to the hospital to have her checked up and only dropped by to see me out of convenience? What was I saying? He didn't drop by to see me. He came to order me to take the fall for what I had no idea of. To spend six months in prison. Rayna went on, her body leaning coquettishly against Tristan now. Their actions made me nauseous. They weren't even trying to hide it. They were rubbing their affair in my face.

"If you care about him, you'll help him clinch the contract with the Vangough conglomerate," she said, and I instinctively froze. Vangough? Was he trying to get a contract with my father's company? He should dream on.

"My lawyers will draft the divorce papers. They should be ready soon. And you have no choice. You must do this for Rayna." He said coldly and pulled her towards the door.

"Ouch!!" Rayna shrieked, falling to the ground and pushing Tristan into panic mode.

"What's wrong? Babe, babe," he crouched to his knees, suit and all, and examined her legs.

"It's nothing to worry about," she bemoaned. "I tripped and fell." She said.

"We should get the doctor to see you," my husband said, rising to his feet and scooping her into his arms. She buried her head within his arms as he took her out of the room.

"You don't have to worry, Tristan. It's nothing." She protested.

"No. You're a model as well as an actress. You can't afford to get the slightest injury." He said firmly. Something in my chest twisted.

I unintentionally cut myself once with a knife, and Tristan, who was about to get a glass of water, stared at the droplets of blood on the floor with sheer disgust. The look frightened me.

"Stop being clumsy and clean the floor." He ordered that evening.

Almost halfway through the door, Tristan turned and looked at me, still carrying Rayna, who had a provocative smirk on her face.

"Rayna took care of me during those years when I was in coma, Juniper. You might've saved me from death that night with your mediocre skills, but she took care of me, and I'm forever grateful to her. If you don't own up to pushing her into the pool, I'll deal with you myself." He threatened, and with that, he left the ward.

My body went stiff. I knew what he was referring to, but I couldn't make any sense of it.

"You stayed by his side throughout his coma, yet another woman is trying to claim the credit?" Ellen's voice sounded, and I raised my head to see my friend walking into the ward, an angry expression on her face. She was dressed in expensive, limited clothes, her demeanour screaming of elegance. I was surprised-pleasantly so.

"When did you arrive in LA?" I asked, trying to adjust my position, but wincing. She rushed over to my side, chiding my actions.

"Relax, Juniper. You're an expert doctor, yet you seem to forget common knowledge." Her voice was hard, but her eyes were soft.

"I'm divorcing Tristan," I divulged, and she nodded.

"As you should. Have you called your father?" She asked. I shook my head and gestured for her to hand me my phone, which was on the bedside table.

"I'll do so now. I wonder what he'll think of me." I lamented, self-scorn washing over me as I bowed my head. Her hand patted my hair.

"Well, you don't have to think further. You can talk to him directly." She said in a light voice. My head whipped up as my father came into the ward, two guards flanking him on both sides. His hard face softened at the sight of me, and two huge drops of tears stood in my eyes. I was ashamed.

"Father," I began, the words choking me.

I wanted to hug him but wondered if he'd disapprove. Then he smiled, a wide one that took me back to my childhood.

"Oh, dear Juniper," he came forward.

"Father," I croaked again.

"Don't be silly, child. Call me Dad like before." He sat next to my bed, and a strange happiness filled me. I didn't realize how much I'd missed him, missed my best friend, my career as a doctor, and my previous life. But seeing him here, his face handsome as before, eyes filled with pride just for me, recalling how Tristan had humiliated me in front of his lover, the tears finally rained down.

"How dare he make you cry?" My father growled in anger. I sniffled. It was time to stop being weak, stop holding myself back, and make my life all about Tristan. I was going to make him pay for every pain he caused me. I wondered how foolish I'd been in the past.

"Tell me, how do you want him to be punished? No one makes a Vangough cry and goes scot-free." He said, his words dropping the ward into a chilliness that wasn't there before. I knew he could do it. He could make Tristan vanish in a single night without raising even a single finger. My father was as powerful as that. But that wasn't what I wanted. Whatever punishment Tristan deserved, I was going to mete it out to him myself.

I shook my head. "I want to become the owner of the Vangough conglomerate." I said, determination flashing in my eyes.

My father laughed heartily. "Vangough has always been yours, my daughter. Everything I own. All my empire. A mere conglomerate is all you want?" He asked dotingly.

"Don't you want to be the doctor you've always been? Though after all these years, I don't think you still–"

"I'm still as talented as I was in the past, Dad. Besides, I can always take up a position as Chief medical director," I met his gaze. "Dad, I'm done playing house. I want my seat back at Vangough. And I don't just want to be a doctor. I want to oversee everything."

My father's eyes lit up. "The lioness in you has finally woken up. It's all yours, Juniper. The Tristan Corps contract is on my desk-should I shred it?"

I smiled coldly. "No. I want to be the one to tell him it has been denied." Then I chuckled. "That's what I want for now." I replied.

"Erm..." my father hesitated. My expression turned serious. He never hesitated, except it was a serious matter. He exchanged glances with Ellen, and she exited the ward alongside his guards. Though I didn't think he really needed them. My father was once in the military and had achieved the rare title of Falcon Captain before his retirement and his burst to wealth and powerful status. There was no one stupid enough to try and harm him here.

"About your engagement to the son of the Callum family," he let his words hang, and I was transported to the past. Gosh, I'd really made too many stupid decisions all for the sake of Tristan. "They're still sour about it, but they want this alliance to move forward." He informed me. I was shocked.

The Callum family was on par with ours in terms of status, power, and wealth. Four years ago, I should've married the first son of the family-a handsome guy whom I assumed was arrogant like all wealthy people were. Besides, I was terribly in love with Tristan. I ran away, and my father threatened to erase my name from the family registry.

"He didn't get married within four years?" I asked in disbelief.

"You sound interested." My father observed. I was silent for a heartbeat, and then I gazed into the distance. I caused my father heartache. If marriage to Xavier Callum was all it'd take to make him happy again, I would do it.

"Yes, Dad. I accept the marriage to Xavier." I said.

Surprise colored my father's face. "Are you sure? You don't have to accept it if you don't want to." He pointed out. I smiled softly.

"I'm doing this wholeheartedly." A half lie. After making Tristan pay, I wanted him to see that I was the one who made him rise above his peers by marrying him. The great and international contracts which he had, the current status, and even his own life, was all because of me. My presence. Without me, he was nothing. He'd be back to who he was before we got married. Only a CEO in name, but not in power.

My father called Ellen in, and I stared at the distant space.

"Take me back to the house. I need to get my things." I said.

"But, Juniper," she started to protest, but seeing the firm look on my face, she hesitated and took me back to the house.

There was no one at home when Ellen led me in. I headed straight for Tristan's study, where important documents were kept, and took out some files. I spotted a lighter by the side and grabbed it. My actions were detached, unfeeling, and fast as I tore the papers, turning them into shreds.

I sat at his desk, my fingers still scrolling across the laptop. I was staring at the screen-the medical formulations I had formed that gave Tristan Corps its edge. Just with three clicks, I had revoked the last access he had to the encryption.

When Tristan burst in with Rayna, he saw me calmly closing the laptop. "What are you doing here?" he yelled.

"Well, I am just recovering my intellectual property," I said, standing up despite the pain disturbing my spine. "You married me for my 'faint' skills, Tristan, right? Let's see how your company survives without them."

"You bitch!" he thundered, rushing forward as if to grab the documents. His eyes burned with hatred as they landed on me, and he advanced towards me, trying to yell at me even louder.

"I advise you not to. Rayna mentioned your intention of getting a contract with the Vangough conglomerate. Yell at me and all your chances are ruined." I warned him. Then he stilled, hand freezing midway. He was in a daze and looked at me in disbelief. But that only lasted for seven seconds. Rayna burst into a mirthful chuckle from beside us, obviously amused.

"You're so delusional, Juniper. Tristan mentioned it, but I thought he was joking. You? A worthless nobody. Do you even know what the CEO of the Vangough conglomerate looks like? You expect us to believe that you have connections with them?" she mocked, laughing harder this time.

I remained unshaken, watching them act out as fools. I imagined the expression on their faces when they found out that I didn't just have connections with the Vangough conglomerate. I was the new owner and daughter of the entire empire's founder.

"You shut all my access off. Now you even tore the papers to pieces. Is it because I've been lenient with you?" Tristan questioned, tone laced with fury. I was getting a bit weak, and needed to sit down. But I'd be damned before showing a hint of weakness to these people.

"Does it matter? I helped you get them, and now, we're getting a divorce. It's only fair that I take back what I earned for you. If it hurts you so much, you can earn them back.." I was taunted. His face blackened in rage. "You think some of your digital locks or tricks... will stop me? I'll make you regret the day you met me."

I didn't close my eyes. I stood my ground, staring him down even as my heart pounded hard against my ribs.

My eyes widened a bit. I was not completely able to move around carelessly, and Ellen wasn't within hearing distance. I told her to wait for me in the car. So, I straightened my head and stood still, confident in myself.

Suddenly, Tristan stepped forward, his hand reaching out to push me toward the door. "Get out of my house, Juniper. You're nothing but a-"

But before his fingers could even reach my shoulder, a hand caught his wrist like a magnet.

The sound of a designer watch hitting the floor overwhelmed the entire space. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," a deep, sweet voice vibrated through the room. I didn't close my eyes.

I looked up only to run into the presence of Xavier Callum. He didn't look like a man who was bitter about a broken engagement. He was just the man who had been waiting four years for this moment.

"Dare to hit her again, and watch how I dislocate your limbs from your body," my savior said, pushing back a silent rage, and making my heart skip a beat at his claim.

What was he doing here?

"I knew it! You were a whore all along!" Tristan spat, snapping out of his daze and trying to pull his hand away from his assaulter. "A whore?" I laughed, the sound of my voice cold and sharp. "Tristan, you've spent four years sleeping in a separate room while I was busy building your empire. If I were a whore, I'd be the most expensive mistake you ever made. But luckily for me, I'm just a woman who finally remembered her own value."

Then I looked at Xavier, really looked at him, and found myself reacting to him. It had been four years since I saw him, and he looked gorgeous as ever, even hotter. I could see Rayna giving him seductive glances, which Tristan couldn't see, and trying to get his attention.

"Xavier," I called out, and he lowered his head in my direction.

"Who is he, Juniper?! Tell me right now!" He demanded. I was surprised. One, at the fact that he even cared enough to be jealous. Two, at the fact that he didn't recognize Xavier. But that was to be expected. Xavier Callum, alongside members of the Vangough family-which was only my father and I, by the way-belonged to a class that was way out of Tristan's league. And Xavier wasn't one to appear on televisions and magazines, so I couldn't blame Tristan for not clocking the fact that the man in front of him was my betrothed, and was the most powerful man in the younger generation.

I clicked my tongue. "It's none of your business." I retorted.

"You couldn't even wait until we are officially divorced," he sneered, and I almost laughed at the hypocrisy. Wasn't he aware that his relationship with Rayna was an affair, an insult to me, his wife?

"You have Rayna, what's your business with me?" I clapped back. His mouth snapped shut, but I could see him boiling with rage. His male ego was bruised and it satisfied me a bit.

"I'm just ashamed that you settled for nobody in a bid to pay me back." He mocked. I laughed. I wasn't just staying with Xavier for the sake of my father. It was just a trial and now, it seemed it would work for me.

"A nobody?" I finally had enough. "You don't even recognize the one who has been signing the checks, and you have the nerve to talk down on my choices?" I snapped.

Both of them were immediately amused.

"Oh, please. Spare us the lies, Juniper. If Xavier Callum was standing in front of us, he wouldn't be wasting his time with a poor snitch like you." Tristan curled his lips into a mocking smile, and inwardly, I laughed at their utter stupidity.

I didn't bother arguing. The truth would hit them tomorrow morning. Then I put on a bit of a show, suddenly feeling loved again.

"I'm already feeling tired, baby. Carry me." I cooed to Xavier who surprised me with a flat face. But he didn't hesitate. Without a word, Xavier scooped me up. He didn't just carry me. He protected me with his large hands. As we passed Tristan, Xavier leaned in, his voice like grinding stones. "Investigate me all you want, Mr. Tristan. But remember: the more you find out, the less you'll have left."

Sandalwood and musk drifted across my nose, teasing my senses and making me want to scoot closer to his chest and bury my nose against his chest.

My reaction startled me. What was I doing? I just came out of a loveless marriage. Even though I agreed to get married to Xavier again, I didn't harbor the thoughts of falling in love with him. Reacting in such a way to him would only hurt me in the end.

Tristan reacted like he had been bitten. His veins bulged in his forehead and Xavier pressed me against his body.

"Enjoy it while it lasts. I'm going to find out who this man is, and I'm going to deal with him!" He called out from behind us as Xavier carried me out of the room, and down the stairs.

"You can put me down now," I said, my ears turning red, and conscious of his body heat which was inching towards burning. And it was making me react in ways I wasn't used to. Xavier didn't put me down.

"They're still watching." Xavier brushed off my request, climbing down the stairs like it was normal ground and familiar territory, up until we were finally outside. The cool wind hit me squarely, and only then did I notice that he was being careful of my injury. I wondered how he knew.

"What are you doing here? How did you–" I wanted to ask him how he knew my house, but decided against it.

He helped me into the car, and rounded over to the driver's seat. When he saw my inquisitive stare, he shrugged. "I decided to drive by myself."

I stared out the window, at the starry night and beautiful familiar scenery.

"You haven't answered my question."

He focused on driving, not sparing me a glance. "Ellen said you were in danger." He said.

Taken aback by his response and solemn tone, I whirled in his direction. Surely, I heard wrong. The arrogant man I knew couldn't possibly bother about me like that, arranged marriage or not.

"I'm not in danger, I came to pick my things." I replied.

"And your husband almost hit you," he added, and I held my breath, waiting for his judgement and mockery. After all, I abandoned our betrothal for another man. Instead, I sensed the underlying fury. No, not at me. He wasn't furious with me, but with someone else.

"He's not my husband." I said quietly. He finally jerked his head in my direction, lips a bit parted but saying nothing in the end. Uncomfortable silence filled the air, mingling with his aura which he could never seem to hide. It accompanied him everywhere, instilling fear into anyone that dared to cross him. I swallowed hard, hands getting sweaty. I needed a warm bath, and to get some rest too. I shouldn't be moving around this much.

I didn't know that he noticed how uncomfortable I was, until the car jerked to a stop, and he leaned in towards me, hand resting on my forehead.

"Ellen mentioned the surgery. Who caused the injury?" He asked, causing the temperature in the car to drop down a few degrees.

"I–"

"Don't lie to me, June," he addressed me just as fondly as before, and I stared blankly. "You're not clumsy, the last time I checked. And an accomplished doctor should know more than falling from such a height." His words betrayed his hidden anger, and I subconsciously shivered.

"The last time I also checked, doctors can make mistakes." I retorted, feeling weak to even put up a decent fight.

He trailed the side of my head, and my throat clenched. The room suddenly felt small, hot-despite the air conditioner-and stuffy. I was torn between getting away from his touch, and leaning into it.

"June, I let you go because I felt you'd be happier with him, because I'd rather let you go than keep an unhappy you in my home. You're too smart, so I figured you knew what you were doing. Everyday, I checked, to see you withdrawing into your own shell. Does he even know you're Doctor Niper?"

He asked, and not giving me time to respond, he went on.

"I bet he doesn't know that the woman he treated like trash is the woman who gave her all to save him. And before you defend his actions with ignorance, how about those contracts you helped him to get?" Xavier shot at me.

Shocked, I stared at him. "Were you keeping tabs on me all this time?" I questioned, getting angry.

"I couldn't help it. I tried to forget about you, get angry at you, and let you go. But I couldn't. And the more I found out how much you were giving up for him, the angrier I got. I rushed down to LA at the news of your injury, and stayed with you while you were unconscious after the surgery." He revealed, hitting me with another shock. His confession took me by surprise.

For four years, I never stopped to think for a moment that aside from the arranged marriage, Xavier Callum-powerful and domineering-had a thing for me. That he saw me past the idea of gaining more power through an alliance. He came to LA because of me, stayed with me through the surgery even though I wasn't aware. And the man I pined after for years, was with another woman, playing the good man and hero, and saving her from drowning.

"I don't know what to say. But I want to make you a proposal. I want us to get married for six months." I said. That way, my father will be happy, and I'll achieve my goals peacefully.

Xavier's pretty brow arched. "The betrothal still stands," he reminded me, and although his expression remained cold, I spotted the brief hurt in his eyes. Perhaps, I was reading too much into it.

"I know. But I don't want us to make this into what it isn't. I'll be your wife for six months, during which we are not allowed to fall in love with each other. But maybe," my eyes held his. "We can act just the way a married couple will."

"And after six months?" He asked. I took a deep breath.

"We go our separate ways." I replied.

He was silent for so long that I thought he wouldn't agree to my offer. Then he nodded, "Deal."

I smiled-my first genuine one since the night started.

The first step of my plan was already in motion.

Tristan will crawl and beg for my mercy.

Juniper

The Vangough place? It was solid gold and sleek stone, way different from the crummy prison Tristan called home. When those gates groaned open, it felt like a ton of bricks lifted off me. I'd been walking on eggshells for four freakin' years, cooking food he wouldn't touch, cleaning floors he sneered at. I hid who I was, my skills, even my real name.

But now? I was Juniper Vangough again.

"Welcome back, Miss Juniper," said Thomas, the head butler, bowing so low he nearly kissed the ground. The other servants were lined up, perfect as could be.

I stared at my hands. Still ghostly. My body was still sore from that surgery Tristan ignored. Yet, a fire burned in my blood. "Good to be back, Thomas. My stuff from the hospital – it's in my wing?"

"Yes, Miss. Your father's waiting in the study."

Walking through those halls, my heels clicked a war song against the stone. I pushed into the study and saw my dad, Marcus Vangough. Older, tougher than I remembered. A lion who'd seen too much stuff, and seeing his only girl all beat up lit a dangerous fire in his eyes.

"Juniper," he rumbled, voice thick. No waiting for me. He crossed the room and hugged me tight, but carefully. "That jerk. I should've wiped his building off the map the minute you split."

"Nah, Dad," I said, pulling back, looking straight at him. "If you smash him, it's your win. I want him to know it's mine. I want him to watch me standing tall as he eats dirt."

Dad smiled, cold and proud. "That's my girl. What do you want?"

"I want Vangough General Hospital," I said, solid. "I'm taking over as Chief Medical Director. Plus, I want the tech and research arms of the company under my thumb. Tristan Corps is switching to medical tech. He needs our patents or he's dead in the water."

"Done," he said, no hesitation. He slid me a folder. "Just got this. Tristan's assistant called. He's trying to get a meeting with the 'anonymous' owner of the Vangough medical patents for weeks. He has zero clue it's you."

I grabbed the folder, flipped through it. Tristan was desperate. He blew his dough buying a medical-chip factory, but without my dad coughing up the paperwork, those chips are illegal. He's drowning and begging the woman he pushed down the stairs to throw him a line.

"Let him wait," I said. "Let him sweat a bit."

The rest of the afternoon was a blur. I wasn't a clumsy Juniper anymore. I was a doctor, an heiress. I sat in on a three-hour video call with the hospital board. They almost cracked themselves up when they found out the famous Doctor Niper-the surgeon doing all those amazing heart transplants in Europe-was actually a Vangough.

"We're so glad to have you, Doctor," the board chair stammered.

"Good. First order of business," I said, icy, "We're checking our VIP list. Anybody tied to Tristan Corps gets bumped to the bottom. And if some chick named Rayna rolls in for a beauty treatment or a scratch, tell her to kick rocks. We're a hospital, not a playground for mistresses."

After the meeting, I was feeling sick. My side was hurting. Surgery went well, but the stress was catching up. I flopped on the bed, staring at the ceiling, then someone knocked.

It was Xavier.

He'd changed into a black shirt, sleeves hiked up to show his arms. He carried a tray with food and meds.

"Your dad said you haven't eaten," Xavier said, quiet and soothing. He sat on the bed's edge, and for the first time in ages, I didn't jump when a guy got close.

"Not hungry, Xavier."

"Eat," he said, blowing on a spoonful of soup, holding it out. "You're a doctor. You know you need fuel. Or I have to treat you like a patient?"

I looked at him. His eyes were kind, real, and it hurt. Tristan never even grabbed me a glass of water when I was sick. He told me to quit being dramatic.

I took the soup. It was great. "Thanks."

"Saw the news," Xavier said, jaw tight. "Tristan was at a jewelry store with that Rayna chick this morning. Buying her diamonds while you're healing from his screw-up."

I tasted bitterness, but swallowed it. "He can buy her the store. Using credit he can't pay back in a month. He thinks he's getting the Vangough deal. He fucking really thinks his life is about to get awesome."

Xavier reached out, hovering near my face, then tucked a hair strand behind my ear. Electric touch. Not Tristan's cold allergy touch. Heavy, warm, real.

"He's an idiot, June. Dumped the sun for a candle."

I locked onto Xavier's eyes. "Why do all this, Xavier? You waited four years. You could have married anyone. Why now?"

Xavier leaned in, face close. Sandalwood, rain scent. "Because I told you four years ago, Juniper. I don't want 'anyone.' I've wanted you since we were kids in your dad's garden. You chose him so I backed off, wanting you happy. But he broke you. He won't keep one piece of your heart."

My breath caught. The room changed, the air thick, heavy. Xavier wasn't just my friend. He was a man, strong, protective, looking at me like I was everything.

"The deal," I whispered, shaky. "The marriage. You sure? It's just for revenge."

Xavier's thumb traced my jaw. "For you, it's that. For me, it's a second shot. I'll sign whatever, June. Your shield. Your husband if you let me."

He leaned down, and I thought he'd kiss me. My heart pounded for a while.. But he kissed my forehead.

"Rest now," he whispered. "Tomorrow, the world learns who you really are. His nightmare starts tomorrow."

I watched him go, skin still hot from his touch. For the first time in years I felt like a queen getting ready for war.

The next morning, I woke up stronger. I wore a killer red suit that showed off my curves. Dark lipstick, hair in a sleek bun.

I looked in the mirror. "Goodbye, Juniper Woods," I whispered. "Hello, Juniper Vangough."

My phone buzzed. Text from an unknown number. A photo of Tristan and Rayna at a fancy place, laughing. Rayna wore a necklace that cost more than Tristan's car.

A message from Tristan: "Filing today. Don't expect alimony. You hit Rayna, I have 'witnesses.' Sign the papers or I press charges. You have till 5 PM."

I smiled, cold. No reply. I called my lawyer.

"Mr. Sterling? Juniper Vangough. I want a countersuit – fraud, abuse, negligence. And buy Tristan Corps' debt. Every cent. Use the Vangough money. I want to own his soul by the weekend."

"Consider it done, Miss Vangough," he said.

Downstairs, Xavier waited in his grey suit, looking like the Callum family heir. He looked me up and down, hot fire in his eyes.

"You look dangerous," he said, offering his arm.

"I am," I replied, taking his words in.

"Good. The car's ready. The Vangough board waits for their new Chairperson. And guess who's begging in the lobby right now?"

My heart jumped. "Tristan?"

Xavier nodded. "Sitting there, whining about the coffee. Thinks he's about to meet a guy who'll save him."

"Let's not keep him waiting," I added. "Four years for this. Wouldn't miss his face for anything."

We walked to the car, sun on my face. Side ache, a reminder. But the fire in my heart roared.

Tristan thought he was allergic to my touch. By the time I'm done, he'll be allergic to his own name.