The CEO's revenge Bride

Samantha’s smile felt fake as her cheeks ached from the strain. Tonight was meant to be her win in the painting world. The unveiling of her design firm, “Aetheria,”’s latest collection, a masterpiece born from years of tireless dedication. . But as she recalled how her stepmother had tried to ruin everything she had worked for, she hated everything but still had to go through with a smile. As She moved through the crowd of potential investors, a woman in a shimmering silver gown gushed at her work. “The ‘Celestial’ line is simply divine, Samantha,” Her eyes flicking over Samantha’s own elegant, black dress. “Aetheria is truly the future of design.” Samantha offered a practiced smile. “Thank you, Ms. Davenport. It’s always been my passion to create pieces that resonate.” But her gaze kept drifting, searching. Harrison, her husband of five years, was conspicuously absent. “He’s probably networking,” She repeated silently, a mantra against the rising tide of suspicion. They had been inseparable once, their love filled with shared dreams and whispered promises. Now, it felt like a distant memory, a faded photograph. She randomly decided to check the offices in the building, to see if he was there, maybe waiting for her. As she moved to the first office a flicker of movement caught her eye. Elena, her best friend since childhood, was leaning on someone who’s back was pressed to the wall, her laughter echoing too loudly and as she was pressed against this person, Samantha inched further to see who it was, only to be shocked to see Harrison her husband as their bodies moved in a way that was far too intimate for mere friends. They were kissing and touching each other. A coldness spread through Samantha; it was a heavy chill that settled in her bones. She remembered a time when Elena was her rock, and Harrison her champion. Now they were the cause of her pain. She got into the office. “Harrison,” she said, her voice tight, “we need to talk.” He turned as his eyes widened, a flicker of guilt crossing his features. Elena’s smile faltered, her painted lips twisting into a nervous grimace. “Sam, darling,” Harrison began, his voice smooth, “we were just—” “Don’t,” she cut him off, her voice low and dangerous. “Don’t insult my intelligence.”. “How long?” she asked, her voice flat, devoid of emotion. Elena’s eyes filled with tears. “Months,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry, Sam. I never meant—” “Months?” Samantha echoed, her voice rising. “Months? While I was working day and night, building Aetheria, building a life for us?” Her eyes were on Harrison then she turned to leave and went right back to the hall of guests while fighting back her tears. She snatched a champagne cup from a passing waiter, the crystal cold against her trembling hand. With a swift, violent motion, she hurled it against the nearest wall, the glass shattering into pieces The music stopped, the room falling into a stunned silence. All eyes were on her, their faces a mixture of shock and curiosity. Samantha didn’t care. She turned and fled instead, mad at the world at herself. She didn’t stop running until she reached the parking garage, then She slid into her car. “So five years meant nothing to him” She drove, fast and reckless, the rain began to fall, which made her care less. She didn’t know where she was going, only that she needed to escape, to outrun the pain that clawed at her heart. Her phone buzzed, a persistent intrusion. She glanced at the screen: Harrison. She ignored it, her grip tightening on the steering wheel. The road stretched ahead, as the rain blurred her vision. Suddenly, a pair of blinding lights filled her rearview mirror. A truck, barreling towards her, its horn kept blaring a warning. She swerved, the car skidding on the wet road, the tires screeched, a high-pitched whine that mirrored her own internal scream. She tried to regain control, her heart pounding against her ribs, The rain lashed against her windshield, blurring her vision and it was too late. The truck slammed into her side, the impact was a deafening explosion of metal and glass. , the headlights blurred, the rain-streaked glass shattering into a thousand pieces, and then… a blinding, all-consuming silence as she couldn’t feel anything or see anything.