***Megan's POV***

I returned home feeling like a complete mess. Joe had brought me to the party just to humiliate me.

I was a fool to think he'd be even slightly affectionate in public. He didn't even look my way the entire night. His eyes were all on Miranda.

Worse, I couldn't leave because I didn't want to offend his dad, Uncle Julian.

I had watched him all night, having fun with other women like an unmarried man.

Even worse, the evil twins seized the opportunity to rub it in my face.

*Flashback*

"Hey, sis. Trouble in paradise?" Ashley smirked.

I grabbed a wine glass from a passing waiter, downed it in one gulp, and gently placed the glass back on the tray.

"There's definitely trouble in paradise. Joe doesn't even want to be in the same space as her. He obviously hates her. I mean, who wouldn't? She's still looking awful even in an expensive dress," she giggled.

"Don't be harsh, Ashley," Harley joined in with a laugh. "You know she's not used to being luxurious."

They laughed again.

I walked out on them and stepped onto the balcony.

There were other guests there, but even among them, I could hear my name on their lips. It wasn't just Harley and Ashley, everyone was gossiping about Joe and me tonight. About how he preferred my sister to me.

"Did you see the way he shoved her hand away when she tried to hold him?"

"It's terrible. Rumor has it he might divorce her soon. He only married her to get his father's blessing to become the next mafia boss then he could marry Miranda."

"She's so pathetic, really. What did she expect? That a man like Joe would love her? He only did her a favor by getting her out of that house, where she was just a maid, her step sister is the real gold."

"Terrible."

I slipped away quietly and tried to leave the damned party. I stood in front of the elevator like a ghost.

When it opened, there they were, Joe and Miranda wrapped up in each other's arms, kissing passionately.

"Joe!" I didn't mean to say his name out loud, but it escaped me. He and Miranda were having an affair?

He walked out, irritated.

"Where do you think you're going? You can't possibly be leaving the party. My dad specially invited your ass here!"

"Don't change the subject, Joe! What are you doing with her? My step sister! Can't you at least give me a little respect? We're in public. Among your acquaintances!"

Joe looked me over from head to toe, then scoffed.

"I can't do this right now. Miranda, let's leave. Find a nice hotel."

"What?!"

Miranda pushed past me, giggling. I grabbed her arm.

"He's a married man. What do you think you're doing? And you're supposed to be my step sister!"

She shoved me hard, and I fell to the ground. Joe didn't even flinch as he stepped over me.

"Go enjoy the party like I said, Megan. Stop embarrassing yourself trying to play the loving wife. It won't work."

They walked off and climbed into a waiting car.

I was still on the floor.

The world moved hastily around me, and I was in the middle of it all, unloved, humiliated, and scorned.

Later, when I went to his father...

"Joe is a man of his own, Megan," Uncle Julian had said, puffing on a fat cigar. "I only shipped you two because I thought you were compatible. But it looks like you can't handle him. He's a man, all right. Let him have fun."

*End of flashback*

I wiped the tears that had begun to trail down my cheeks again.

Pathetic. That's how I looked tonight. Just like every other night.

Never in a million years would I have thought Joe would be sleeping with Miranda, no wonder she was back in town, she did it to spite me.

Suddenly, my door slammed open. Joe stood in front of me, half-naked, a white towel wrapped loosely around his waist.

He was obviously drunk.

I could smell it even before he entered the bedroom.

He staggered in. His eyes were bloodshot, but sharp.

"Didn't know we were reporting our personal life to our families now," he slurred.

I stood up. "You embarrassed me. In front of everyone, how could you cheat on me with my own step sister!"

He chuckled bitterly and tossed the towel on the floor.

I shifted back a bit, stunned by the sight.

"I didn't ask you to come, did I? It was an invite from my dad, why didn't you just stay home. You knew deep down this was bound to happen, stop lying to yourself."

"Joe..."

He crossed the room in three long strides and pulled me close.

His mouth found mine, rough and demanding.

"No. Wait," I tried to say, but it came out muffled.

"Don't pretend," he growled. "You love this."

I hated how my body responded.

His touch burned.

"Joe," I whispered.

"I want to make love to you," he said, and my heart sank.

"Joe..."

"Can I?" He said in a low growl and I didn't know when I nodded.

He tore the gown I still had on. I panicked.

What if he wakes up in regrets by tomorrow morning.

"Wait... you're drunk."

"I know what I'm doing, Megan. And I know I want you tonight."

Was I dreaming?

He kissed me hungrily, carrying me and pinning me to the wall.

"I want to give you all my love tonight," he whispered, his lips brushing my neck, my chest, down to my thighs.

I knew we might regret this in the morning. But God... how could I resist him?

His body was warm against mine, and heat bubbled inside me.

I was wet already.

His hands slid along my thighs, making me shiver.

"I want to make you feel good tonight."

"Mmhmm," I moaned as his fingers slipped between my legs.

"You're already wet," he smirked, licking his fingers. "Yummy."

"god, Joe," I gasped as his fingers went back in, faster this time.

"That's right... say my name, baby."

I bit my lip, trying to hold in the scream that rose in my throat.

"Don't hold back."

"Argh!" I screamed, unable to resist the pleasure surging through me. My body was on fire.

I reached down, stroking his length, making him groan.

Then he grabbed me possessively, laying me on the bed and parting my thighs.

He knelt between them, his tongue teasing me, making my eyes water from the intensity.

"I want to hear you beg, baby."

"Please... fuck me," I whispered.

He pressed himself against me, rubbing his length along my folds but not entering.

He was teasing me, waiting until I needed it.

"Please!" I begged, louder this time.

"Argh!" I cried out as he filled me.

My back arched as he thrusted hard. I screamed, digging my nails into his skin.

So this... this is what being fucked by Joe felt like.

***Megan's POV***

I woke up to an empty bed but a heart filled with hope and excitement.

Joe had made love to me for the first time since we got married and God, was it good.

I sprang out of bed and made for the mirror on the wall, taking in my full figure. He finally noticed me.

Last night was a mixture of everything, soreness, hurt, and then bliss.

I covered my face as I blushed hard. It was finally becoming a reality. Joe finally wanted me.

I twirled excitedly and headed for the shower.

*****

"I need everything, pasta, sauce, and chicken. Lots of it," I told Katie.

"Ma'am, are we expecting a guest?"

"What? No..." I chuckled. "It's for me. I need to eat to my fill, Katie. I am beyond famished."

"That's expected," she whispered.

"What?"

"Nothing, ma'am."

"Come on, Katie."

"I didn't mean to pry, ma'am, but you guys made it so obvious. I couldn't help overhearing."

"What?" I chuckled, holding my sides, then sighed and blushed hard. "So I wasn't dreaming, was I?"

"The dinner night really paid off. I'm happy for you, ma'am."

Dinner night... I wasn't sure that was what helped. I wasn't sure what did, actually. I didn't believe in miracles, but this-this was definitely a miracle.

"Actually, ma'am... I think you should spice things up a bit tonight to seal everything."

"What?... Come on, I don't want to rush anything, Katie. Let it come naturally."

She shook her head, taking my hands.

"Let's go shopping."

Katie and I showed up at the mall with our heads covered in scarves for disguise.

"Is this really necessary?" I asked anxiously.

"Come on..." she dragged me along to the lingerie section.

There were all kinds of lingerie there. Katie chose the really sexy ones, and I couldn't hold back the laughter.

"I can't possibly wear this, Katie. I can't."

"Trust me on this, ma'am."

"I don't know, Katie..."

"Just trust me."

*****

The mood was right. Everything was set in place. The lights were lit and the bed was cozy. Most of all, I was looking sexy as ever.

I had on the lingerie, with a mask on, ready to put on a show for Joe tonight.

I had watched all the videos I could find on the net and practiced as hard as I could.

It was going to be a steamy night or so I thought.

The clock was ticking. Katie and the other helps had been dismissed. I was all alone in this mansion. In Joe's room, on his bed.

I heard his car drive into the driveway and I got ready to put on the best show. I ran to the bed and struck the sexiest pose I could muster.

The door unlocked and footsteps filled the stairs, uneasy ones.

Then came voices.

Hushed ones.

"I missed you, baby," a woman's voice rang out and my heart skipped.

I ran and hid under the bed like a complete fool.

"Let's go really dirty tonight," Joe's voice followed. Soon, they were in the room, their feet scurrying, knocking over the petals I had laid on the floor.

Then came the sound of clothes hitting the floor.

"I want to give you all my love tonight," Joe said, and my heart broke completely. So this was just his usual line.

"Yes, baby, and I'll scream, just the way you like it."

She fell onto the bed with a loud thud.

Miranda. That bitch. She had come home with Joe even though she knew we lived under the same roof as husband and wife

"What about Megan, though? Your little wife. The one you chose over me "

"I don't know. Don't care. She's probably sleeping right now and hey, I never chosed her over you, you know my heart has always beat for you and only you. I only got married to her so my dad would be happy and so he'd handover the rights of his empire to me, I'd divorce her soon and come get you"

She chuckled. "Really, that's some good news, you know that's why I came back, I couldn't stand the thought of knowing you were married to her. I didn't believe it."

"You know I'd never chose her over you. Now shush and let me fuck you. And hey...stop ruining the night with that hoe's name." he kissed her all over now, I could hear the smooching sounds as Miranda giggled.

"What if she hears us?" She asked even though she was yelling on purpose.

"Well, I don't care. She knows our marriage is just a transaction. She'd be crazy to expect anything more."

"Oh, Joe... you're cruel..."

"And you like it. Now shush."

She chuckled. "Sorry, daddy."

My eyes were blurry, cloaked with tears. A fool, that's what you are, Megan.

I bit my lip so hard it started to bleed as Miranda's moans filled the room.

"Yes... fuck me, Yes...!" she screamed.

Even if I had been deep asleep in my room, it would've woken me up. She needed me to hear it, to know who was in charge.

The bed vibrated under their weight, and with each passing moment, each moan, my heart tore to pieces.

I was a fool.

A big fool. It dawned on me now. I was just a pawn in Joe's little game. He played me like a toy and wrecked my heart every chance he got.

He never loved me. He never will. It was all mind games.

I needed to get out of this hell I called marriage. I needed out, and I needed it now.

This night? It was the worst night of my life. Joe had always treated me like trash, talked down on me and my family, humiliated me in public, paraded women around, but this? This was the worst thing any man could do to a woman.

Getting married to me just to get his father's empire, cheating on me with my step sister right under my nose and planning to divorce me once everything was settled.

I swore on my last breath, he was going to pay for this. He was going to regret ever treating me like trash. He and every single person who mistreated me, not leaving out my "family". They were all going to pay.

I crawled out from under the bed in shame.

Miranda and Joe froze, frightened beyond belief. I still had my mask on.

"What's that?" Miranda asked, hiding behind Joe.

"Your worst nightmare, bitch." I took off my mask aiming for her nose.

She cried out clinging to Joe as she stared at my scary face. My makeup was smudged, and I looked like a demon in wrecks.

"Are you crazy? What were you doing under my bed? Are you that pathetic?"

I smirked.

"I'm done. To hell with you and this marriage, Joe." With that, I walked out, defeated but never weak.

I could still hear their voices. "Is she always this pathetic? Is she really going to leave this marriage?"

"Megan?" Joe snorted. "She's just acting up as always. She can't do without me. Pathetic, I'd be the one to divorce her when the time is right."

His voice echoed in my head as I made for my room.

I'll show you what a pathetic woman looks like, jerk.

*****

I dragged my luggage along with me as I made my way out of Joe's exotic mansion before dawn.

My mind was made up. I didn't know where I was going, but I knew I had to leave this hellhole.

I didn't stay till morning cause I couldn't bare to see Joe's smug face, he would never be sorry for his actions and it was useless to prepare divorce papers, he'd never sign them because he didn't get his father's blessings yet.

And hell, I'd never allow him achieve that, not at the expense of my unhappiness. I could never pretend not to be hurt by his actions so I left very early that morning.

Katie would probably be worried by morning, so I left her a note.

Not a clue to where I was headed, not like Joe would look for me, but a thank-you note stroke farewell.

I needed a fresh start.

Away from Joe. Away from my family. Away from who I was.

I didn't know when I had wandered into the middle of the road. A bright light and a blaring horn were the last things I saw before my vision went blank.

***Megan's POV***

-Six Years Later

The screams echoed in the warehouse, and blood splashed on my veiled cheeks. The man tied to the chair, hands bound and face battered, coughed out blood as he looked up at me.

"Please... please forgive me," he whimpered, tears mixing with sweat on his dirt-smeared face. "I didn't mean to betray you, please, Lady M... I beg you."

I stood tall, silent, a dark veil covering my face. Only my eyes peeked through the slit. I wasn't the same woman I was years ago who would flinch at mere act like this. His life hung by a thread, and I held the scissors.

I took a slow and deliberate step forward.

"You don't get to say my name," I said calmly.

He sobbed harder, his breath wheezing. "It was a mistake! I was desperate... they offered me money... my daughter needed..."

With a flick of my wrist, the knife slid across his throat.

His eyes widened in shock as blood gushed out, painting his shirt crimson. He gurgled, trying to scream, but it was too late. His body jerked once, then went still.

"Then you should've begged them for mercy," I said under my breath.

I stared at the lifeless body a moment longer, until the last trace of life left his eyes. Then I turned to the silent men behind me, my men.

None of them moved.

Not until I spoke.

"Clean this up," I said coldly. "Make sure the others get the message. Betrayal is never rewarded."

"Yes, Boss," one of them muttered, already moving to drag the chair and body away.

I walked out without another word. That kill hadn't made me feel anything. No thrill. No regret.

But once I was inside my private quarters, I pulled off the veil and collapsed onto the leather couch, head tilted back, eyes to the ceiling.

My hands trembled slightly. Not from guilt. But from memory, no matter the men I had slain I wasn't satisfied that they weren't Joe.

Six years ago, I had nothing.

I still remembered leaving Joe's mansion that night, barefoot, bleeding, destroyed. My dignity had been crushed under his shoe like I was nothing but a discarded toy. I wandered the streets like a ghost, my heart aching, my body weak, my eyes wild with pain.

Then the van pulled up.

It was black, quiet, and sudden. Before I could even turn around, something hit the back of my head. Sharp, cold pain. And then darkness swallowed me whole.

When I woke up, I was in a bright white room. Empty walls and no windows. My body was wrapped in bandages. My skin itched and burned. And across the room, a man sat in a chair, arms crossed.

Kai Slayer.

I hadn't known his name then. I just saw his eyes, calculating and quiet. He was young, not much older than me. He had a scar running from his jaw to the base of his neck. He looked like someone who'd lived a thousand lifetimes through violence alone.

"So you're Joe's wife," he said abruptly.

My throat was dry. I could barely sit up. For a moment I thought joe had sent him. "Not anymore."

He gave a dry chuckle. "Good. I don't like that bastard either."

I squinted at him. "Why did you save me?"

He stood, walking slowly toward me. "Because I figured the bastard finally threw you out.

"He didn't. I left."

He chuckled. "We have a common enemy, honey. And I see potential. Work for me. Become someone he can't trample on. Someone the world will kneel for."

I didn't answer then. But deep down, I was thrilled.

I took the deal.

I trained under mercenaries, bled in the sand, fought in underground rings. I studied under assassins, learned how to poison, how to shoot, how to disappear. I learned to command. I learned to lead. I handled drug trades, weapon shipments, and high-stakes deals across countries. I became a name whispered in fear, the Veiled Queen.

But nothing could've prepared me for the day I missed my period.

I tried to ignore it. I blamed the nausea on stress. I told myself it was nothing.

But Kai noticed.

He cornered me one evening, tossing a test kit into my hand. "Take it."

I stared at it, shaking.

I did.

Positive.

I was pregnant.

"It's Joe's," I whispered. My voice barely audible.

He didn't say anything for a long time. He just stared at me.

Then he stepped closer and looked me dead in the eye.

"Then you train harder," he said. "You become someone they'll fear even before they know your name. And when the time comes, you go back and take everything."

And I did.

Now, I was in my suite. My face was still veiled. My name still feared across all cities, Lady M. Noone knew who I was beneath the veil

The door opened behind me. I didn't need to turn to know it was Kai.

"They're half asleep," he said as he walked in, my two little boys trailing behind him in matching hoodies. Their eyes were sleepy, and they each clutched a toy gun.

"Mummy," Cole said first, his voice soft and warm.

Ethan didn't wait. He ran to me, arms wide open. "We're hungry."

I turned, removing the veil. My boys. My heartbeat. Ethan and Cole. Six years old and already smarter than most grown men.

"You just ate," I said, crouching to hug them.

"We want noodles," Cole mumbled.

"With egg!" Ethan added.

Kai chuckled, setting down a grocery bag. "There's cup noodles in the bag. Go warm it with the maid."

They dashed out in unison.

Kai turned to me.

"Flight's in two days. Everything's ready."

I nodded slowly. "And the facade?"

"Perfectly constructed," he said. "You're now the CEO of Raven Vogue. Your fashion business is legal, clean, and profitable. Apartment's in uptown Manhattan. Staff well trained. And... there's no ties to me or the syndicate whatsoever."

I closed my eyes for a second, breathing out.

Returning to the States.

Returning to his space. Joe had done so well for himself and taken after his father, sadly his father succumbed and gave him the empire even without my presence, alongside the conniving Miranda, he ruled the whole of the states, and with the veiled queen going there, it would trigger alot.

I sighed. "And school for the boys?"

"Enrolled," he replied. "Elite academy. Nobody will question their identity. Their records are airtight."

I moved to pour myself a glass of whiskey. My hands shook just a little as I gripped the bottle.

"You scared?" Kai asked.

I looked at him. "No. Just anxious."

I swirled the glass gently, watching the amber liquid roll against the sides.

"I'm not the same woman who left his house crying. But still... he ruined me. Now I get to show him what he created."

Kai sat on bed, folding his arms.

"You're stronger than him now. He wouldn't even recognize you."

I smirked and sipped my whiskey. "Oh, he will. The day I bring him to his knees, he'll know exactly who I am."

He stared at me for a while before standing. "We start moving tomorrow. Your first public appearance will be at the grand reopening of the New York Raven Vogue headquarters. The press will be there."

I turned back to the window.

"Let the world meet the Boss Lady."

And just like that, the curtain to my vengeance lifted, slowly, silently, like a dagger waiting to strike.