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

Jason and I returned home in the quietness of the dark. Margaret and Clarissa were both asleep so we headed straight upstairs to our bedroom. Jason had not said a single word since we left Vincent's party. It was almost as if he was shocked.

He should be.

“Wow, that was something. I never expected that such a thing from a renowned model like her. She was actually cheating on Vincent Vale.” Jason said as he came out of the bathroom already changed into his nightwear.

“That's what all cheaters deserve. To be humiliated and destroyed in public.” I paused staring at him. “I'll be going to court tomorrow so I might not have breakfast with you. You can call Vanessa to bring you something.” I smiled.

I just needed a chance to expose them too.

“No. I'll have breakfast here at home. Vanessa is too clumsy and annoying.” Jason lied making me pause while I was rubbing my cream.

“You have never had any complains about her before.”

Jason glanced at me, his expression tight. “Well, people change,” he said quickly.

I kept rubbing the cream into my arms, but my eyes were on him through the mirror. He walked to the bed, pretending to scroll through his phone, but I could see the flicker of nerves in his fingers. His act was cracking, little by little.

I stood, slowly. “Change? Funny because somethings never do.”

Jason looked up sharply. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

I shrugged my shoulders putting on my nightgown. I could feel his eyes on me as I got in bed.

Jason slowly set his phone aside, then shifted closer to me on the bed.

“Lyra…” he started, his voice low, trying to sound soft, careful. “I know things have been weird lately. But maybe a child would make things better.”

I didn’t say anything. I reached for the remote and turned off the bedside lamp. The room fell into a soft darkness, the moonlight casting pale shadows across the wall.

That didn’t stop him.

I felt the mattress dip as he leaned toward me, his hand brushing against my thigh, slow and unsure. Then it slid higher, like he thought I wouldn’t notice. Or like he still had the right.

“Don’t,” I said, my voice sharp as a blade.

His hand froze.

“I said don’t touch me.”

Jason pulled back immediately, as if my words had burned him. “I'm tired. I need to go to court tomorrow. We can have that talk about another child later.” I said closing my eyes.

In my past life, I had been so naive and gotten pregnant. I had to watch my son slowly slip from my hands after he was poisoned by someone. I didn't need to guess who it was. Had to be Vanessa, Margaret or Jason.

“Goodnight,” Jason muttered under his breath and I could tell he was not happy.

I didn't care.

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

I arrived at the courthouse the next morning. Getting out of my car, I saw Vincent waiting for me in front of the courthouse. He stood beside the stone steps in a charcoal suit, his hands deep in his pockets, jaw tense. His eyes found mine the second I shut the door behind me.

“You ready?” he asked.

I walked up to him, heels clicking with each step. “More than ever. Today, we end this.”

Vincent didn’t say much after that. He just nodded and held the door open for me. We walked in together.

The courtroom was already half full. Hailey sat at the plaintiff’s side, dressed like she was attending a press conference. Her hair was neatly curled, her lips had soft pink lipstick and her legs crossed. She looked confident. But I saw it in her eyes. The fear. The cracks. Because she knew what was coming.

This wasn’t just a defamation case.

This was the case that would expose her lies and tie her directly to the Delmar scam that nearly cost Vincent everything.

As the judge entered and we all rose, I took a breath. Calm, sharp, focused. I had studied every document, every transaction, every email. Hailey might have used her looks and charm to manipulate, but the law didn’t care about that.

The judge sat. “Proceed.”

Hailey’s lawyer opened first. He made it sound like a tragic love story. That Hailey was dragged into this mess out of heartbreak. That Vincent and I conspired to ruin her public image out of jealousy and vengeance.

“She’s lost brand deals. Partnerships. Her face is being used in memes,” he whined. “She was humiliated in a party with over a hundred industry figures watching.”

I didn’t blink.

When it was my turn, I stood up, walked to the center of the courtroom, and began.

“Your Honor, what happened at that party wasn’t defamation. It was exposure. The truth. My client, Vincent Vale, purchased three properties through Delmar Group under false assurances that they were clean assets. A few months later, he was slammed with lawsuits. Each one tied to unpaid taxes, illegal permits, and ownership disputes.”

I turned slightly, facing the judge more directly. “Ms. Cross is the one that convinced my client, Mr. Vale to buy those houses. I have evidence that this is not her first time pulling such a scam. She is in cahoots with Damien Delmar therefore we would like to ask for compensation. Not only should Delmar Group return the money that Mr. Vale used in purchasing those houses but they should also compensate for the lawsuits he had to settle out of pocket, the damage to his public image, and the collapse of two major partnerships tied to the project.”

I walked over to the desk and picked up a stack of printed documents. My heels echoed with purpose in the quiet courtroom as I handed copies to the judge and opposing counsel.

The judge stared at it for a while before looking at Hailey's lawyer. “I believe there is no more need to drag this out. In light of the evidence presented, this court rules in favor of Mr. Vincent Vale. The plaintiff’s claims are dismissed. Furthermore, the court orders Delmar Group to pay in full for damages and fraudulent transactions. Ms. Cross will be investigated for her role in the deception.”

Hailey sat frozen, her perfect curls no longer hiding the panic in her eyes. Beside me, Vincent let out a slow breath, his shoulders finally relaxing as the judge got up leaving the courtroom.

Hours later, I found myself in one of Vincent's hotels. Vincent had insisted that we should go and celebrate. I didn't see a reason not to since I needed sometime to relax.

“To finally getting justice. I can't believe that your words were true.” Vincent said as we clicked glasses together.

“ Let's just say that I have a gift.” I muttered taking a sip of my drink.

“ Well, your gift is amazing. You saved me.” Vincent said, his voice barely audible.

I smiled again looking towards the door when Jason walked through it. He wasn't alone. He and Vanessa walked inside smiling and whispering to each other. My hands clenched around my drink.

They walked towards the elevator not noticing me and Vincent seated by the bar in the corner. I got up and followed them.

Sound of laughter erupted from the room as I walked along the hallway heading to meet them. Finally, I could be free from both of them. I could get a divorce and sue Vincent for everything he owned.

I opened the door and walked in.

Just as I expected, Vincent was lying in bed with Vanessa. Both of them seemed shocked to see me but I didn't care. Jason fumbled with his clothes as he saw me.

“Lyra, I-” He started but I stopped him.

“ I want a divorce, Jason. And your resignation letter.” I said staring at him.