A pink sports car drove into the Blakewood mansion, Christina was on her way out when she saw Layla step out of the car.

Gone was the frail, humble secretary Layla used to be, now she looked like the heiress she was, dressed in high end expensive brands, even the expensive perfume she wore wafted into the air.

When she saw Christina, the innocence she would usually show in front of others was non existent on her beautiful face.

"What brings you here Tina? Are you here to try to get my parents to feel sorry for you? I'm sure they kicked you out again, when will you get it registered into that dumb head of yours that they don't want you anymore. You were just my replacement and now that I'm here..."

She walked up to Christina till she stood right in front of her, face to face, "I have taken back every single thing that was rightfully mine. And look at you now, you're even lower than I used to be, now that Dad has de-activated all your cards, you're nothing without the Blakewood family's money. You'll live like a helpless poor rat, just like I did for twenty three years!"

As she spoke, every word out of Layla's mouth was bitter, filled with a resentment she seemed to have kept inside for a long time.

Christina's eyes were far from calm, the minute Layla's words fell, she raised her hand and slapped her across the face. The sound was loud enough to be heard by some servants nearby and the impact strong enough to swing Layla's face to the side and cause her lips to bleed.

Layla's eyes had already turned red when she turned her face to glare at Christina, she raised her hand to hit her back but her hand stopped mid-air.

Layla tried to snatch her hand off Christina's clutch, she was fuming with rage that she so badly wanted to hit Christina back but no matter how hard she tried, the hand grabbing her didn't loosen at all.

"You pathetic loser! You dare to slap me and think you can get away with it? I am the daughter of the powerful Blakewood family...how dare you..." Layla screeched.

"How dare you!" Christina shot back tightening her grip on Layla's fragile hand, "Were you so desperate for wealth, were you so eager to climb the ladder into the elite circle that you seduced a married man? Not just that, in order to get rid of me from his life you took drugs that will abort your own child and came over to provoke me just so you could blame it on me?"

Layla's infuriated expression immediately fell and her face paled. "What...how did you...?"

She glanced around and when she noticed all the maids around had already left, she sighed in relief at the fact that no one was over hearing their conversation. When she turned her gaze to Christina the momentary fear disappeared.

"You found out. I guess you're smarter than you seem."

Christina's grip on her wrist loosened and she snatched her hand away.

"So what if you know about this little secret of mine, what can you do about it? In fact that was a very lucky move on my part, if I hadn't done that I would never have come to know that the Blakewoods are actually my real family. Killing off that child was the luckiest thing I've ever done in my life. Yes I wanted to get rid of you so James could finally marry me, but lucky for me, that incident led to me meeting my biological brother and I became a wealthy heiress overnight, don't you think I'm very lucky?" She chuckled happily.

Christina couldn't help but look at her with an incredibly baffled look in her eyes.

How can someone be this heartless, killing their own child just to trap a man.

"You can't expose me Tina, no one would ever believe you." She leaned closer with an evil look in her eyes, "Just accept it, you are a sore loser...go live a poor life and know what it feels like to seduce men just to get a small taste of luxury. Hahaha!" Laughing, Layla walked into the Blakewood home like a queen.

'Layla, if I don't get back at you for this, I might as well accept the title you've given me. You will definitely pay for everything you've done.'

*****

A text buzzed into her phone, it was only a few words but they made Christina frown with curiosity.

- Meet me in my office. -

Was all the text said. The contact displayed the name Lorian Axton.

Though she had no idea why he would call her over to meet with him, she went over to his company nevertheless.

The building was gigantic, sitting at the tallest height in Swan city with a perfectly futuristic architecture that made it stand out uniquely.

Christina was directed to the President's office immediately she entered.

Lorian looked completely different dressed in a business suit, with a pair of glasses that sat on his face as he worked on his computer.

When she was with James, finding other men attractive had completely been gone from her mind however Lorian had always stood out to her, she never saw him again after her wedding with James, but even after two years he still looked like the hottest man to walk the surface of earth.

With those glasses he looked like an irresistibly hot professor one wouldn't want to mess with, Christina was definitely shocked that he was still single at this point.

When he raised his head to appraise her, a faint smile lifted his sensual mouth. Christina found herself dazed for a moment before she recovevered and cleared her throat to ask.

"Why did you ask me to come?"

He stood up and approached her. "You were the one who asked for my help, shouldn't you come to me to form a plan?"

Lorian was evidently a very dangerous man, not just by his reputation but by the dangerous energy he oozed everytime he came close to her.

There was always this buzzing feeling, like the faintest spark of electricity whenever his eyes met hers, perhaps it was because of how deeply he looked at her like a man staring at a meal he would like to taste, or it could be the intimidating way he towered over her, either way Christina wanted to keep things strict between them.

He would only stand next to her whenever she wanted to make James jealous, but that was only a later step to her plan, not until she fulfilled the first step. Hence she didn't need to be around him.

"I already have my own plans, I know exactly what to do." She replied turning her face to the side to breathe in something other than the heady masculine cologne she could perceive from him but he pinched her chin making her face him again.

"Are you afraid of me Mrs Clinton?" He asked.

"No, why would I be?"

"Good. Second question..." He paused to search her eyes before he asked, "Do you still love your husband?"

That question made her heart seem to stop beating for a few seconds.

Did she still love James?

Memories flashed into her mind, none of them good.

One was of a stormy night, she was kneeling on the floor in their bedroom screaming in pain as his belt continuously landed harshly onto her back.

"Are you loyal to me Tina? Why do you keep disobeying me?" James' voice had thundered in rage.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry... please..." Her voice was hoarse and broken, the pain from his beating had been sharp and unbearable. He was like a strict teacher disciplining their student, the only difference was the fact that his beating didn't only cause physical pain but a grating pain in her heart.

"If you really loved me, you wouldn't keep disobeying me." He yanked her hair back making her tears streaked face look into his, "Do you really love me as your husband?"

Christina hurriedly nodded knowing James could become monstrous in his current state if she didn't do as he said or give him an answer that would please him.

He grinned twistedly, "You love me right, then say it!"

She was crying painfully, unable to voice the words of love he demanded to hear, his rage seemed to have doubled as he brought the belt down again causing her more pain.

"Say it!"

"I love you!" She'd cried over the pain from the belt causing another deep red bruise on her back.

He brought the belt down harshly again, "Swear you'll never disobey me again!"

"I'll never...ah! I'll never disobey you again." Her words were broken sobs of agony as she spoke them, she laid weak and helpless on the floor, her tears flowing unstoppably. Only then did he stop.

Christina asked herself, 'Did I hate him back then? Even as he hurt me like that...did I still love him?'

The answer to that was a bit vague in her mind. Because everytime he hurt her like that he would leave her to suffer for a while then come back to her and hold her in his arms then apologize, he had caused her those wounds and he would treat them himself.

He would act like a beast and then an angel afterwards and swear he loved her.

She couldn't hate him then, not when he was the only person in the world showing her love even though it came with pain.

But now...all she felt in her heart was emptiness and bitterness, she couldn't answer Lorian's question at all.

Lorian noticed her expression looking lost then changed to that of painful reminiscence. A flash of displeasure narrowed his dark eyes.

"It seems you can't answer my question." Lorian suddenly said as he traced his thumb over her chin slowly leaning in closer to her.

"If I asked James this question, what do you think his answer would be?"

Christina still didn't reply and an evil smirk showed on Lorian's face.

"Let's ask him."

Immediately his words fell, the door to his office swung open and James walked in unaware of the scene he would meet inside.

He stopped in his tracks, eyes wide as he took in the closeness between Christina and Lorian, James' face immediately turned black.

"What the fuck is going on here?"

'No, not yet. James shouldn't suspect I have something going on with Lorian just yet.'

Her plan was straightforward, before their divorce she would make sure James saw her as he used to again, any form of trust he had for her would make it hurt ten times more when she ruined him, just like how he ruined her while her heart still belonged to him.

Christina quickly pulled back from Lorian who looked unfazed, in fact he stood with a relaxed posture and a satisfied smile on his face as he dug his hand into his pockets.

"Buddy, you came faster than I expected." Lorian said.

James' face was still twisted as he looked from Lorian to Christina.

"Why is my wife in your office Lorian?" James asked, directing his question towards Lorian but his eyes were glaring at Christina.

This woman, he just couldn't stand her anymore. But they were still married officially, he wouldn't allow her disgrace him by being seen with another man while she was still married to him.

"It's a bad habit you're building up my friend, you're leaving your wife alone very often lately. Your wife came to me because she was bored."

Christina shot a glare towards Lorian.

What was he saying? Was he trying to give her away to James?

As expected, James expression didn't improve.

"Tina, what is he talking about?" There was an underlying threat in his tone, and when his eyes stared at her with a familiar rising anger, Christina couldn't help but subconsciously shudder. She forgot to breathe for a while as all she could remember was all the dark moments he'd hit her.

James' had seen how closely they stood next to each other earlier, that image was making his blood begin to boil with rage. The only reason he wasn't losing his cool yet was because of Lorian, he couldn't offend him no matter what.

"I only came here to look for you. I was informed you would be here, that's why. Also to ask Lorian for help, I asked him to help me to talk to you to allow me...allow me move back into our home. I know if Lorian asks you, you won't refuse." Something bitter rose up Christina's throat as she spoke, it felt like utter disgust.

She herself didn't realize how much she detested the idea of living with James again until she'd spoken about it.

James' expression finally settled.

Of course he never actually expected Christina would do anything to cheat on him, and Lorian would certainly not have anything to do with a woman like Christina either. He had just started to get pissed at the position he found them earlier but now that Christina explained he finally understood.

So she was just begging Lorian to help her speak to him. Typical of her, she was pathetic and heavily dependent on others, she'd never done anything for herself all her life.

That was what James thought, but he had no idea that behind his back she had a business worth billions, she had built that in a year and had far surpassed anything James had ever achieved. If he came to know...his view of her could completely be overturned.

Christina wanted to return to the house for one reason...to take it right out of his hands. She had helped build that house a year ago with her profit earned from Bloom, James' company was still starting at the time and barely earned anything because it was still working on the project Blakewood family had invested in after their wedding.

Thinking about it now, everything James owned was because of her, she definitely wouldn't let him keep it. Striping him off the roof she'd helped build was the first step of her plan.

"After what you did to Layla, no amount of begging will make me take you back into my house." James' said arrogantly.

Lorian was quietly watching the scene in front of him with a somber expression.

Christina glared in his direction and signalled him with her eyes.

He seemed reluctant at first before he finally said.

"This is also for your own good James, if the media finds out that your wife is living separately they might start to suspect a divorce coming. And you know for sure that won't be good for your coming project, it'll flop right before it begins, what would happen to my investment then? You know how much I hate losing money."

Lorian's voice was controlled, he spoke with the tone of a negotiating business man and it got James slightly panicking. Lorian's investment was the most important in his company, he absolutely couldn't lose it.

It was only a few months time anyway, by then he would propose to Layla and he would marry her, she was the love of his life...as for Christina, she was an old flame that had died and dissipated from his heart.

"Alright, you can move back in. But don't even think about playing smart, you won't share a room with me."

James' knew she could start plotting a way to get pregnant so he wouldn't be able to divorce her but he was determined to not let her succeed, his heart was already set on Layla.

Christina clenched her fist around her bag. She felt anger and disgust the more she looked at James.

Was this the man she had loved? Was this the man she'd thrown her dignity for? The man she'd endured abuse from just because she loved him?

In this moment she felt a sinking hatred deep in her heart and finally got her answer. It was hatred... what she felt for James now was nothing but hatred and she absolutely regretted lowering herself, enduring all that torture from him.

'James, just you wait.'

When her gaze met with Lorian's, he shot her a wink which made her eyes widen and she looked towards James to see if he'd seen that but his gaze was fixed on the document he was explaining to Lorian. The smirk on his face told her he had his own plans and they were definitely evil.

She couldn't help but wonder, what Lorian's motive was.

When Christina returned to the villa she shared with James, she stared at the floor from the porch where James had kicked her out. Three months ago she'd been on the floor in the rain when James threw her out like trash.

A small smile suddenly raised her lips.

"Wouldn't it be fun to see you right where you threw me James? It would be so much fun." She muttered to herself, her light grey eyes glistening with something vengeful.

From an innocent naive woman desperate for love, her heart was becoming stone cold with nothing but hatred and the desire for revenge.

"Famous designer Fairy just released the new line of Bloom jewelries, pre-orders for every piece made it sell out a few minutes after it's release, the market is still heavily anticipating the release of the royal crown, the main piece of Bloom's new collection."

Christina listened to this news sitting with her legs crossed in her living room. Specifically, the villa currently under James' name. A delicate smile appeared on her face.

This was exactly what she was waiting for as well. The imposter releasing new designs in her name.

Not many people knew this, but each piece Christina designed always had a unique element, something Layla tried to imitate in this collection she released but failed miserably.

Christina had seen the designs when they came out two days ago, Layla had done nothing but re-create some of Christina's old designs.

Trying to steal someone's work but not having the ability to do it fully, pathetic.

"Poor little Layla, since you had the guts to steal my identity, let's see if you can create a unique main piece. I hope you're ready to prove that you truly are the designer and founder of Bloom." Christina muttered to herself.

She was still painting her nails when the front door opened and James walked in. He glanced at her expectantly but Christina made no move or acknowledge seeing him return.

When he noticed she didn't react, he held his briefcase to her.

"Here, keep this for me upstairs. There are important documents in there so don't even think about messing around with it."

The old Christina would have taken his briefcase and happily kissed him on the cheek then prepare his bath, but this time she didn't stop applying nail polish even as he instructed her to take his case.

"Did you even hear me?" James' demanded feeling slightly pissed.

"I did, I just have more fun pretending I don't." She said without raising her head to even look at him.

"What did you say?" He asked and she still treated him like air, "Tina don't mess with me, I was merciful enough to let you move back in. You should at least make yourself useful if you're going to live in my house."

"Your house?" Christina queried with a faint smirk.

"What do you mean by that question?"

"Forget it." She sighed leaning back in her seat, "Your legs aren't broken and your hands are perfectly fine, take your own briefcase upstairs."

James opened his mouth as if to say something but changed his mind, he was too tired to exchange words with her, he knew she was just being bitter because Layla was the one he loved now and she was probably acting this way thinking it would get him to melt and soften towards her. In her dreams.

James' scoffed and walked away.

Christina watched his back with a tinge of hatred in her eyes.

"This will be fun." She smirked.

The next morning, James had already left for work a long time ago when the doorbell suddenly rang. She expected to find James there thinking he must have forgotten something and returned, so she took her sweet time before going to open the door but her mouth was left agape when she saw who stood there.

Dressed in a casual white dress shirt with a few upper buttons left open, Lorian leaned casually against the door frame.

"What are you doing here?" Christina shook her head to focus breaking out of the daze this man's appearance had captivated her in.

Lorian didn't reply, instead he strolled into the house as if he owned it, hands in his pockets as he glanced around.

"You didn't answer my question." She said but he still acted as if he didn't hear her.

He toured around the house as if that had been his aim for coming, then began to climb up the stairs.

"Lorian." She called after him and he suddenly stopped halfway up the stairs.

He suddenly grinned, making his dark eyes sparkle. "I like my name on your tongue."

"What?" She was confused.

He flashed a grin once more and went up to the second floor.

"Wait, you shouldn't be here."

If Lorian heard her, he acted like he didn't. Before she could stop him he was already in the master bedroom.

Why did this man always act so willfully? He did the same thing yesterday, calling her to his office while he'd already asked James to come over, was he doing this deliberately?

When she entered the master bedroom, Lorian was standing next to the bed.

"Was it right here?" He suddenly asked.

"What?" She asked with a confused frown.

"Did he bring his mistress in here? Did he have sex with her, right under your nose?"

It flashed back into her head like an old movie. For the most part Christina had been oblivious about the affair between James and Layla until she saw the text from Layla telling James she was pregnant.

Before that, Christina had ignored all the days she would come back to meet Layla walking out of their bedroom with disheveled hair and ruffled clothing, but she would dismiss it whenever Layla quickly covered up with that innocent smile of hers and told her that she'd only been here to get some documents.

Thinking back to it now, Christina could only shake her head at how naive and trusting she had been, she had even been so friendly with Layla in the past to the point she asked her to address her as Tina just like James did, Christina had wanted to be friends with her husband's secretary because she believed being friendly with people always yielded the best results, all she could do now was scoff at that old thinking.

She swallowed the bitter taste in her throat as she replied. "Now that I think back, I guess he did bring her here...slept with her, in our own bedroom. Maybe he even ... maybe he even got her pregnant here."

Even if all she felt for him right now was hatred, she had still loved him deeply in the past. Betrayal from someone you loved deeply always burnt harsher than flaming coal.

Her head was lowered to sort through her emotions, she didn't realize when Lorian had approached her.

"You told me the other day that you would do the exact same thing to him." He raised her chin making her look in his deep set obsidian eyes that always seemed to shine like black diamond whenever he was looking at her,

"And like I promised... I'll help you." His words were low and his whispered breath, hot and minty fell on her face making her skin suddenly heat up.

His eyes held promise of something sinful, he was a man good on his word, and his gaze told her how dead serious he was about what he just said.

The thought of it made her face burn even more and he chuckled in a deliciously deep low voice.

"You're blushing."

She quickly stepped back creating some distance between them.

"What are you doing? Don't tell me you called James over again just so he can see us together."

"Not this time, I'm just here to give you something he never has. And believe me...with me it'll be unforgettable." He'd already closed the distance between them and that heated feeling started again when he touched her.

It was like the faint spark of electricity in her veins, igniting a kind of flame deep inside, a dangerous flame.

Lorian was evil in a way that could make any woman subconsciously desire him even if they tried to resist, and Christina tried her best to deny the faint sparks she felt.

This wasn't attraction, she kept telling herself. She'd forgotten what that felt like, and it certainly shouldn't start with someone whose only relationship with her was for the purpose of achieving her goal.

"I can touch you in a way he hasn't before, kiss you in a way he hasn't..." With each word his voice grew softer and his face inched towards her slowly.

Her heart jolted as if it had been awakened from a long slumber, though she said she loved James when was the last time her heart had beat for him?

This electric feeling frightened her because it felt wrong in every way, she raised her hand and pushed at his chest.

"You can't..." Her words were cut off by the sound of footsteps climbing up the stairs and approaching the bedroom.

"I can't believe I fucking forgot such important documents." Christina could hear James' voice. Her eyes widened in alarm.

Why was he back so soon?

If he saw her here with Lorian again, his suspicion would definitely be aroused if it wasn't the last time.

Lorian however seemed unfazed, there was an evil smile on his face as the knob turned and the door slowly pushed open.