Chapter 6

Before her, under the evening lights, the city skyline glittered infinitely. From where Aria Laurent stood—no longer Isabella Marsden, no longer the woman who had cried in silence—she could see everything. Beneath her feet lay the world that had once felt like a cage: the tall buildings, the crowded streets. This was her universe now.

She had been building a new life away from Adrian’s shadow, redefining herself, preparing for this moment for the past six months. But tonight marked the true beginning.

Her fingers tightened around her champagne glass as she surveyed the magnificent rooftop location, teeming with New York’s most influential figures. Billionaires, investors, and media moguls had gathered for the Carter Industries gala, hosted by one of the most powerful men in business. And also the man she had come to see: Liam Carter.

Her heart should have pounded. Once, it might have. But Aria no longer had the luxury of fear.

She took a deep breath and walked forward, weaving confidently through the crowd, ignoring the lingering gazes of men who had no idea who she truly was. She spotted him near the bar, effortlessly commanding attention.

The last time she had seen him, they were both younger—before she became Isabella Marsden, before he became this: tall, broad-shouldered, with keen green eyes that had always seen too much. The air around him crackled with authority; his tailored suit fit him like a second skin. He was older now, colder, no longer the irresponsible heir but a man who had built an empire with his own hands.

Yet, when his gaze fell upon her, recognition flared instantly. Aria saw it in the subtle shift of his expression, the slight narrowing of his eyes, the tightening of his grip on his glass. He knew.

She lifted her chin and approached, her voice smooth and composed. “It’s been a while, Liam.”

He didn't answer immediately. He studied her—not just her appearance, but the woman she had become. Then, he let out a short laugh. "You should be dead."

Aria’s lips curved slightly. “I was.”

A long pause stretched between them, pregnant with unspoken words. Liam finally took a sip of his drink before speaking again, his voice lower this time. "I read about the plane crash."

"Everyone did."

"But you're here."

Aria tilted her head. "Surprised?"

Liam leaned against the bar, observing her with something dangerously close to amusement. "Not in the slightest. I always knew you weren't meant to be someone's trophy."

Her mouth tightened at his words. A trophy. That's what she had been to Adrian—a prized possession, not a person to be loved.

Liam’s gaze darkened, noticing the change in her expression. “Why are you here, Isabella?”

“Aria.”

His eyebrows rose.

“My name is Aria Laurent now,” she said, swirling the champagne in her glass. “And I’m here because I need your help.”

Liam regarded her for a long moment before smirking. “Of course you do.”

They sat in a secluded area of the rooftop lounge, away from prying eyes and ears. Liam swirled the whiskey in his glass, his gaze fixed on her. “So, tell me, Aria Laurent—why come to me? Why now?”

Aria met his eyes directly. “Because I know you don’t owe Adrian Marsden a damn thing.”

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. “You always were perceptive.”

She remained silent, letting him process, letting him consider. Finally, he leaned forward. “Let me guess. You don’t just want to disappear. You want something else.”

She breathed slowly. “I want him to suffer.”

Liam nodded, as if he had anticipated her answer. “And what’s your plan?”

She paused. She had spent months preparing, rebuilding, training herself to survive without Adrian. But when it came to the ultimate step—to actually destroy him—something inside her still twisted. Did she desire revenge? Or was she still bound to the past?

Liam observed her intently, as if reading her thoughts. “You could walk away, you know. Live your life, be free. He already lost you. Isn’t that enough?”

A bitter smile touched her lips. “No.”

Liam smirked. “Good. Then let’s begin.”

The next morning, Aria stood before a mirror in a high-rise condominium overlooking Manhattan. The woman staring back was a stranger, yet more herself than she had ever been. She wore power now—not in jewels and silk skirts, but in confidence, in control. And today, for the first time in six months, she would see Adrian Marsden again.

Liam had arranged everything: a business meeting, an informal invitation to a new investment firm that Adrian had been circling. He had no idea that the woman entering the boardroom today was his dead wife.

A knock sounded at the door. Keira peeked in. “It’s time.”

Aria took one last look at herself before nodding. She was ready.

Adrian Marsden sat in his office, drumming his fingers on his desk, his patience wearing thin. He had spent months consumed by anguish, trapped in a cycle of fury and desperation. But suddenly, he felt back in control. Or at least, that’s what he told himself.

The moment he received the invitation from Liam Carter, he had been wary. Liam was a powerful man, but he wasn’t one to casually give away investment opportunities. Still, Adrian needed a distraction—something to pull him from the depths.

The boardroom door opened, and Adrian barely looked up. “You’re late.”

“I had to make an entrance.” The voice sent a shock through his system.

Adrian froze. The unimaginable voice. The voice that shouldn't exist.

His head snapped up, his breath catching in his throat. And there she was. Standing before him, vibrant, dazzling, untouchable. His dead wife.

His fingers clenched on the desk. His heart pounded. This wasn't possible. This wasn't real.

“Hello, Adrian,” Aria said calmly, taking a seat opposite him. “Did you miss me?”

His heartbeat roared in his ears. For the first time in his life, Adrian Marsden was speechless.

Chapter 7