RETURNED FOR VENGEANCE

The rain poured down in heavy sheets against the floor-to-ceiling glass of the Grand Regent Hotel. Inside the VIP suite, Aria adjusted the leather folder under her arm. Inside were the signed ownership papers for the Northside Project a multi-million-dollar contract that would save her husband Julian’s failing firm from bankruptcy. For three years, she had worked sixteen-hour days in secret, writing every proposal while Julian took the public credit. He’s going to be so proud, she thought, pushing the suite door open. "Julian, I got the contract " The words froze in her throat. On the velvet sofa, Julian was not sitting with investors. His white shirt was unbuttoned, and straddling his lap was her half-sister, Chloe, her hands tangled in his hair. The folder in Aria’s hand hit the floor with a sharp thud. Julian looked up without a trace of remorse. He casually tossed a crisp white document onto the table. "Divorce papers, Aria. Chloe’s father is investing ten million into my firm, but on one condition. You're out." "All those blueprints you drafted?" Chloe sneered. "Julian transferred the copyrights to my name this morning." Ten minutes later, stripped of her designs and her dignity, Aria was thrown out into the freezing downpour. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed onto the wet pavement as darkness consumed her.