I got to the restaurant by the lake that Jason had talked about. The scenery was amazing just as I had remembered it and the smell of the food hit me the moment I walked in. A waiter appeared and led inside guiding me to where Jason sat down. He had changed his clothes without coming home which told me he must have been with Vanessa.

“ Thank you,” I muttered as Jason pulled out the seat for me.

My eyes caught sight of the envelope on the table. I knew what it was, the power of attorney for the firm. In the past, he had deceived me by pretending to be concerned about me and my health. All he wanted was for me to hand him control of the firm.

I sat down slowly, my eyes never leaving the envelope. Jason took his seat across from me, the corners of his lips twitching in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“You look tired, love. Maybe you should take some days off.” He said, his voice calm and smooth.

I didn’t answer.

The waiter returned, poured water into our glasses and took our orders. I reached for my glass and took a sip. This time, I wasn't going to be naive.

“I don't want to take days off. I have a lot of cases and the firm is getting a lot of more clients.” I replied shrugging my shoulders as I placed the glass back down, watching his expression closely.

Jason didn’t flinch, but I saw the way his fingers tapped lightly against the table, the way his eyes drifted toward the envelope like it held more weight than gold.

“You’re overworking yourself again, Lyra,” he said gently, leaning forward. “You’ve always done that. This… this isn’t good for you.”

My lips curved into a cold smile. “Strange, considering you never seemed to mind it before. In fact, you encouraged it.”

His jaw tightened for a second, then relaxed as he let out a soft laugh. “I just care about you, that’s all. We built that firm together. You know I’d never let anything bad happen to you.”

I looked down at the crisp white envelope again. My fingers itched to reach out and tear it in half. All these years, I thought I had a partner. Instead, I had a polished liar who smiled while stabbing me in the back.

“What's that?” I asked finally unable to hold back.

Jason handed me the envelope, his voice calm. “I had the company lawyers draw it up. It’s just a transfer of power of attorney. I figured you might want a little break… some time to rest.”

I opened it slowly, my heart already uneasy. My eyes ran over the pages. Everything looked just like before. The wording was flawless. Jason had made sure I still owned my shares, still held control. On paper, it seemed harmless. But I saw it now for what it really was. A trap. His plan had always been to make it look clean until the day he needed someone to blame.

He had no idea that I wasn't the same naive Lyra who couldn't tell the difference between a snake and a wolf.

“ I'll read it over and think about it” I said putting the paper back into the envelope.

Our food finally arrived and the waiter served it to us. Jason's phone kept buzzing and I could tell he was uneasy as he tried not to look at us. The silence between us was far too stretched.

It had to be Vanessa checking up on him.

“How is the food? Do you like it?” Jason asked changing the subject as he smiled at me.

I gave him a polite smile and picked up my fork, cutting into the food without much interest. “It’s alright,” I said, keeping my voice even. “You were right. This place hasn’t changed.”

Jason smiled, looking almost relieved. “I knew you’d like it.”

I nodded slowly, letting the silence settle between us. He thought I was calm, maybe even softening. But inside, I was replaying everything. Images of how he had lied to me, deceived me and made me suffer.

He reached for his glass. “You should rest, Lyra. I really mean it this time. The firm is doing well. I can take care of things for a while.”

“Maybe you’re right,” I said gently. “A few days might not be so bad.”

Jaosn’s shoulders relaxed as he leaned back, the worry leaving his face for a moment. That was all he needed, a small opening. He didn’t know that this time, it was going to be different.

I picked up the envelope again, slipping it into my purse without another word.

“ I have to go back now. I have to be court tomorrow.” I said standing up. “Happy anniversary, my love” I said with a smile.

“Happy anniversary.” Jason replied.

I walked back to my car, my heels clicking softly against the pavement. The night air had cooled, brushing against my skin like a warning. I paused for a moment beside the car, gripping the door handle, letting everything sink in.

The game had just begun.

*****************************

“ Lyra, you have someone waiting to see you.” Vanessa said smiling at me as she stood dressed corporately in her suit.

I walked past her not paying her any attention as I headed towards my office.

“It's the client from before. The one with the real estate case.”

I didn’t reply and kept working. Vanessa followed behind pretending to be the worried about me but I knew it was just an act. I would soon have my time to deal with her.

I opened the door to my office and stepped inside before slamming the door just as Vanessa was about to enter.

He was already seated.

Vincent Vale.

He stood when he saw me, tall and sharp in a dark suit that matched the cold edge in his eyes. Calm. Collected. The kind of man who didn’t waste time with small talk.

“Mrs. Douglas,” he said with a nod. “Thank you for seeing me.”

“You’re here about the waterfront property.” I said walking over to my desk.

He smiled faintly. “Among other things.”

I sat down and opened the file Vanessa had left on the table. His case was a huge one and I remembered it in my past life. He had been tricked by his own girlfriend into buying some properties and got sued. He had no idea that his precious girlfriend behind it. He thought it was just a simple fraud but it was much larger than that. By the time he realized everything, I had lost the case and he had gone to jail.

That wasn't going to happen this time.

“This isn’t just about a bad land deal,” I said, flipping through the documents again. “It’s a setup. The paperwork looks clean, but the real ownership doesn’t match. Delmar Group never had full rights to sell that land.”

Vincent's face stayed calm, but his eyes sharpened. “They had environmental clearances, zoning approval, tax records. Everything.”

“ I'll do my best to help you. However it's not going to be easy. I can deal with Delmar Group. I’ll file an emergency injunction today. Asset freeze, contract breach, and fraud.” I said closing the file.

But that wasn't going to be enough. How was I supposed to convince him that his girlfriend of three years wanted to take everything from him?

Vincent's phone rang and I watched as he was about to pick it up. It was his girlfriend, Hailey.

“Don’t-” I started.

I rushed stopping him before he could answer and tripped, my heels giving out before I could stop myself. I yelled just as I was about to hit the floor and Vincent caught me.

His phone fell to the floor.

I was pressed against his chest, his hands firm around my waist. His cologne was rich and expensive clouding my thoughts for just a beat too long. My breath caught as his eyes locked with mine, sharp and unreadable.

Time slowed.

He didn’t let go.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice low. “I just didn’t want you to answer that call.”

His grip tightened slightly. “Why not?”

I looked up at him.

“Because she’s the one trying to ruin you.”

Vincent let me go, making me fall to the ground.

I groaned as I hit the floor, the shock rushing through my body faster than the pain. My palms scraped against the carpet and I looked up at him stunned. His face was cold and unreadable.

As if nothing had happened.

He bent slowly, picked up his phone and checked the screen. Hailey was still calling.

“I don’t like games,” he said, slipping the phone into his pocket. “Especially not from the people supposed to be helping me.”

I pushed myself up, brushing off my dress. “That isn't a game. You were about to walk into a trap and I stopped you. You're precious girlfriend isn't who she says she is.”

Vincent's expression changed as he walked up to me. “Don't talk about my girlfriend like that. I'm going to find another law firm to represent me.”

I stood still, even as the sharp sting in my knees pulsed through me.

“I’m telling you the truth,” I said quietly, steadying my breath. “You can go find another law firm. That’s your right. But it won’t change what’s coming.”

He paused just a few inches from me, towering, his jaw tight, eyes hard. “You don’t know anything about her.”

“I know she’s the reason you went to jail,” I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching. “She is the one that persuaded you into buying those lands, am I correct? It's not in your file.”

“ How do you know about that?” Vincent asked stunned as if he had just seen a ghost.

“Trust me. If you want to win this case, don't say anything to your girlfriend. Not a single information. Delmar Group is using her to get information on you.” I said staring at him.

Vincent stared at me, his brows drawn tight, eyes dark with something between disbelief and suspicion. His lips parted slightly, like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. I could see it in his face. The war between logic and loyalty.

However I couldn't tell him anything. He wouldn't believe me.

“How do you know all this?” he asked again, his voice lower now. “No one outside my inner circle knew she was involved in that deal. Not even my secretary.”

“I told you,” I said, my voice calm. “This isn’t the first time I’ve seen your case. I know how it ends. And I’m trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

His hand ran through his hair as he stepped back, pacing the edge of my office. He wasn’t the type of man to show confusion but right now, I could see the cracks.

“You really believe she’s working with Delmar?”

“I don’t believe,” I said. “I know.”

“Prove it,” he said finally. “You have twenty-four hours. Show me one real piece of evidence linking her to Delmar Group.”

“Deal,” I said.

He turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder. “If you’re lying—”

“I’m not,” I said.

Vincent gave me one last look, then walked out, leaving the door open behind him.

I stood alone in my office, the ache in my palms dull now. Twenty-four hours wasn’t much and I needed to find the truth.

*********************************

Walking into the house, I paused as I stared at the two women on the velvet couch.

Margaret Douglas. My mother-in-law.

And beside her was my sister-in-law, Clarissa. The same Clarissa who had looked down on me since the day I married her brother. The same woman who, in my past life, helped destroy everything I built.

But now, I wasn’t that naive girl who sought approval.

Margaret turned her head, eyes scanning me from head to toe. “Well, look who finally decided to show up.”

“Didn’t realize I had guests.” I said smiling faintly as I stared at them.

Clarissa stood, arms folded. “You weren’t answering your phone. We were starting to think you were avoiding us.”

“Should I have left a key under the mat instead?” I asked casually, walking past them to the kitchen. “Wait—never mind. You already let yourselves in.”

Margaret’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t get smart with me, Lyra. We’re family. Or have you forgotten that now that you wear designer suits and pretend to matter in court? Don't forget that you were nothing before you hired my son. Jason is the true talent of the law firm.” She said proudly.

I clenched my hand angrily as I tried to hold back. In my past life, Margaret and Clarissa had done all sorts of things to me in the space of one year. From burning my face with iron to making me lose my baby. They had even gone as far as to humiliate me in public stripping me naked and calling me a jinx.

This time, I was going to take care of all of them. One after the other.

"You should just get to the point. No matter what talent Jason has, I am still the owner of the law firm. I built it from the ground to what it is.” I said holding Margaret's gaze.

Clarissa walked up to me ready to strike me across the face. She always wore a gold ring that had some spikes. It had injured me before.

I didn’t flinch. Not this time.

I caught her wrist mid-air, my fingers closing tight around her arm. The metal from her ring scraped against my palm, but I didn’t let go.

“Try that again,” I said, my voice low. “I dare you.”

Clarissa’s eyes widened. Shock. Fear. A flash of something that almost looked like doubt. She hadn’t expected me to fight back.

“Let go of me,” she hissed.

I shoved her hand away.

She stumbled back a step falling to the ground. Her body hit the ground with a loud thud making her groan in pain.

In my past life, I would have held out my hand to help her. Now, I wanted her to stay down.

Margaret rose from the couch slowly, like a queen. “How dare you?”

The door opened and Jason walked in, holding a couple of grocery bags. He stopped dead when he saw his mother standing tense and angry while Clarissa was sitting on the floor. His eyes landed on me.

“What’s going on?” he asked sharply, dropping the bags.

“She pushed me,” Clarissa whimpered, holding her elbow. “She just snapped.”

I said nothing. My silence was louder than any words I could say. I didn't care.

Margaret stepped toward Jason, placing a hand on his arm. “She’s lost it. We came here to talk like a family, but look at what she’s turned into.”

Jason stared at me for a long second. “Lyra, is that true?”

I met his eyes. “Ask her why she tried to hit me first.”

Jason turned to Clarissa whispering something to her but I didn't care. I walked back to the living room and grabbed my bag heading to the door.

“ Where are you going?” Jason asked as I opened the door.

I didn't answer him.

I was just about to walk to my car when someone pushed me from behind. Gasping, I lost my balance about to fall when strong arms caught me.

“Mrs. Douglas, are you okay?”

The familiar smell of rich and expensive cologne hit me making me look up at the man who had caught me. It was Vincent Vale.

What was he doing here? Our deal wasn't up yet.

Jason rushed out of the house and stood as he saw me in the arms of another man. Jason's jaw tightened as his eyes locked on Vincent’s hand still wrapped around my waist.

Vincent glanced at him, then leaned closer to me, his voice calm but dangerous.

“We need to talk,” he said. “Privately.”

Then without waiting for permission, he pulled me toward his car right in front of my husband.

For the first time, I didn't resist.

“Why did you come to see me?” I asked as I sat down next to Vincent in his car.

The rain poured down heavily outside, drumming against the glass. The sky was dark and the sound was heavy as the rain poured.

Vincent didn't say anything. He handed me a tablet and I took it. It was some files along with information on his girlfriend,Hailey.

“Tomorrow, I am hosting a birthday party for my girlfriend, Hailey. You are invited. It's your chance to meet her and see what a wonderful girl she is. You can also use the opportunity to bring me proof of her being a spy.” Vincent said staring at me.

I stared at him, the glow from the tablet casting a pale light on his sharp features.

“A party?” I asked, my voice tight. “You want me to show up at her birthday party with proof she’s betraying you?”

Vincent tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “You’re the one who said she was.”

I looked down at the tablet again, scrolling through the data he’d given me. Photos. Conversations. Bank records. But nothing solid. Nothing that proved she was a spy.

“She’s smart,” I muttered.

“Then be smarter,” he said, turning to look out the window. “I’m giving you all the information you need. Use it.”

The rain grew heavier. I could barely see the road ahead, but I already figured Vincent out. He already believed me.

“Why are you even with her if you don’t trust her?” I asked, watching his reflection in the glass.

His jaw clenched. “I trust no one.”

There was a beat of silence. Then he reached into the side pocket of his coat and pulled out a silver envelope. He held it out to me.

“Your invitation. Dress nice.”

I stared at the envelope in my hand. This wasn't going to be easy at all.

I returned back home after the rain had stopped. Everyone had gone to bed and Jason was nowhere to be seen so I went to our bedroom. The moment I walked in, he fumbled with his phone and hid it. I walked past him and went to climb into bed.

“Lyra, who was that man?” Jason’s voice cut through the silence like a knife.

I didn’t answer right away. I slipped under the covers, the blanket making me warm.

“Don’t pretend you didn’t hear me,” he said again, his voice sharper this time. “You got out of a stranger’s car. At night. In the rain.”

I turned slowly to face him, my expression calm but tired. “Are you asking because you’re concerned... or just curious?”

Jason scoffed. “Is there a difference when it’s my wife involved?”

I sat up, tucking my knees under the covers. “You’re just now remembering I’m your wife?”

“ What's that supposed to mean?”

He was still playing the good caring husband. It made me sick to my stomach but I didn't want to give away anything. Not until I got evidence of his affair with Vanessa.

I met his gaze without flinching. “It was Vincent Vale, our client.”

“Our client? What's a client doing showing up at your house?” Jason asked, his voice clearly annoyed.

“He needed legal advice,” I said, keeping my tone even. “And apparently, I'm the only one who can give it.”

Jason’s jaw clenched but he didn’t say anything right away. He stood by the edge of the bed like he was interrogating a teenager.

“You've changed, Lyra. This isn't you. Talking back to mom, pushing Clarissa and walking off with a client. You're my wife.” Jason said making me roll my eyes.

I slid into bed and kept my back to him. Even lying down in the same bed with him made me sick. However, I couldn't show it. Not now.

********************************

The party was already in full swing when Jason and I arrived. Jason had insisted on coming the moment he found out about the party and I agreed. He could help me with the perfect cover to meet Hailey, Vincent's girlfriend.

“Mrs. Douglas,” Vincent said as he walked up to me and Jason wrapped his hand around my waist possessively.

Vincent’s eyes dropped to Jason’s arm, then slowly came back to mine. There was a flicker in his gaze. Annoyance? Amusement? Maybe both.

“Mr. Douglas,” he added with a polite nod.

Jason didn’t return the gesture. His grip on my waist tightened slightly, the message clear. I belonged to him. At least, that’s what he wanted everyone to believe.

“I see the party’s going well,” I said, my voice smooth as I looked around. The lights were warm and low and the music was soft jazz that didn’t match the sharp tension simmering between the three of us.

“Of course,” Vincent replied coolly. “Only the best for Hailey.”

He turned, waving for someone. “Speaking of which...”

Haileycame out of the crowd like a goddess. She was wearing long green dress hugging her figure, red lips curved into a flawless smile. Hailey. The supposed spy. The woman I had to expose.

Her eyes flicked to Jason, then to me, and her smile only deepened. “You must be Lyra. I’ve heard so much about you.”

Jason took a small step forward, clearly impressed by her. “Pleasure to meet you. Happy birthday.”

“This is my husband, he is a lawyer at the firm.” I said introducing Jason.

Just then, the door opened and I caught sight of Vanessa as she walked into the room. Her hair was different from the way she usually wore it and she had put on a seductive red dress that had a slit in the front.

What was she doing here?

“ On behalf of the firm, I got my assistant to get a little something.” Jason said smiling as he reached out the bouquet of flowers and box from Vanessa.

I noticed as his hand touched her own for a second longer before he let go.

“ Thank you so much.” Hailey said as she took the flowers and the box smiling.

She seemed too innocent, too proper.

A few minutes later, the party continued and I watched as Jason mingled with the important guests at the party with Vanessa. My attention wasn't on them. It was Hailey. Hailey walked around talking to different people before she headed out.

I followed her.

Slipping past the crowd, I moved quietly through the hallway, keeping just enough distance so she wouldn’t notice me. My heels clicked softly on the marble floor but Hailey didn't notice me. She pushed open the back door of the mansion and stepped out into the night.

The air outside was cooler, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the party. I stayed in the shadows, watching as Hailey walked quickly across the stone path, her green dress flowing behind her like a second skin. She didn’t glance back. Didn’t pause.

She was meeting someone.

She stopped near the garden, under a tall lamppost. A man stepped out from behind the hedge like he’d been waiting. I didn’t recognize him at firs but then the light caught his face. Tall. Blond. Arrogant smile.

Damien Delmar.

Heir to the Delmar Group.

Damien reached out and kissed Hailey making a gasp escape my lips. The two of them were having an affair. Watching them get into the car, I brought out my phone and called Vincent asking him to meet me outside.

Hailey and Damien continued to make love in the car completely unaware as Vincent approached them with the guests. Suddenly, Vincent put on a torch pointing it right at them. Hailey immediately pulled away, her face pale and frozen. Damien cursed, scrambling for his shirt as the car door flung open.

The light from Vincent’s torch didn’t waver. He stood there, expression stone cold, surrounded by confused guests who had followed the commotion.

“So it's true. You are involved with Delmar Group.” Vincent said clenching his hand into a fist.

Jason stood in the crowd stunned into silence. His gaze bounced between Hailey and Damien like he couldn’t process what he was seeing.

And me?

I stayed in the dark, watching from the shadows.

Tonight was Hailey's turn. Next was Jason