THE VENGEFUL ALLURE

Harmony's Pov My head throbbed as I opened my eyes. The room was dark and smelled like tobacco. My body felt sore. My wrists were red, like someone had grabbed me too hard. “Where am I...?” I muttered. I tried to sit up but froze. A shirtless man stood near the bed. He faced away from me, breathing heavily. My heart raced for the wrong reasons. “Who are you?” I asked again, louder this time. He didn’t answer. He just grabbed his clothes and left the room without looking back. I stared at the door, stunned. My memory was a blur. I saw flashes in my head—a faceless man, a deep voice, the smell of smoke. I could feel something happened, but I couldn’t remember it. Then the door burst open. Paul stood there, eyes full of rage. Terra came in behind him, arms crossed and a smirk on her face. “You disgusting woman,” Paul snapped. “Three days. Just three damn days after our wedding, and this is what you do?” I sat there, confused. “Wait, Paul—” Before I could finish, he slapped me. My cheek burned. Blood touched my lip. I gasped, too shocked to speak. Terra stepped closer, her smile still there. “You really play the innocent well. But Paul saw it. You were in bed with another man. That’s who you really are, isn’t it?” I clutched the sheet around me. My eyes stung with tears. “It’s not what it looks like! I don’t even know how I got here!” “Save it!” Paul shouted. He threw a stack of papers on the bed. “Sign the divorce agreement. Now. Or I’ll make this public. You’ll lose everything—your name, your family, your pride.” My hands shook as I picked up the papers. He had already signed them. I would get nothing. “You set me up…” I whispered. I looked at both of them. “You planned this.” Paul scoffed. “You cheated. That’s all anyone needs to know. You’ve got one day. Sign it or face the fallout.” He stormed out. Terra followed. They didn’t bother to close the door. I sat there with clenched fists, trying not to fall apart. I wrapped the sheet around me and ran to the bathroom. I looked in the mirror. My face was pale. My lip was bleeding. I didn’t remember what happened, but I knew it was a setup. I washed my face and wiped my tears. Later, I went home. My legs moved on their own. I didn’t know what I was going to say or do. But when I got to the door, I stopped. It wasn’t locked. I pushed it open and stepped inside. Then I heard it—soft moans and a woman’s voice. “…You’re too rough, Paul.” My heart dropped. I crept toward the bedroom and peeked through the c***k. There they were—Paul and Terra. Naked. Twisted in the sheets. “Don’t mention that disgusting wife of mine,” Paul said. “We’re divorcing anyway. I’ve never touched her since the wedding.” “Never? Not even once?” Terra asked. “Of course not. Harmony means nothing to me. I only married her for the Austin shares.” Terra laughed and held him close. “I waited three years for this.” “You’ll be my wife soon. Once I get the shares, she’s out.” My hands trembled. My chest felt tight. My husband and my best friend. Together. Plotting behind my back. They framed me. That hotel. That man. Everything was part of their plan. I couldn’t stay quiet anymore. I kicked the door open. They both jumped. “Harmony?!” Before Terra could move, I slapped her hard. “I trusted you like a sister!” I yelled. “You framed me and slept with my husband! You’re both disgusting!” Terra held her cheek. Tears filled her eyes. “Paul, she hit me!” Paul grabbed my wrist. “I don’t hit women. Don’t make me start.” I yanked my hand free and glared at him. “You used me. You married me for money and threw me away like garbage. You want the divorce?” I pulled the papers from my bag, signed them in front of them, and threw them in Paul’s face. “Enjoy your victory,” I said coldly. “But this isn’t over.” I turned and walked away with my head high. They didn’t say a word. They also didn’t see the tear that slipped from my eye. I gave Paul ten years. I loved him with all I had. I treated Terra like family. They destroyed me. But I wasn’t done. I would come back stronger. And I would make them pay. Seven Years Later I stepped off the plane with Lucy clinging to my hand and Lan dragging his tiny suitcase behind me. I kept my head low under a wide-brimmed hat. The sunglasses covered half my face, but I still felt eyes following me. I didn’t care. I didn’t come back for attention. My heels clicked on the polished airport floor as I led the twins forward. A concierge wheeled out our bags. I handed him a tip without a word. I just wanted to get out. No welcomes, no reporters, no surprises. Just silence. “Is she a celebrity?” I heard someone whisper behind me. Probably the hat. Or maybe the twins. Lucy wore a soft pink jacket, hugging her stuffed bunny like it was her best friend. Her curls bounced as she skipped beside me. Lan wore his black denim jacket, eyes glued to the screen of his tablet as he walked like a little grown man. His curls looked too perfect, as always. People stared. I didn’t. Seven Years ago, I left this country with nothing but pain and a broken heart. The divorce from Paul had been messy. I thought that was the end of it—until I found out I was pregnant. I didn’t even know who the father was. I’d hit rock bottom. There were nights I stood on the balcony, ready to give up. Nights I thought I couldn’t do it alone. Then I heard their heartbeats. And I decided to live. Now here we were. Me and my two little miracles. I flagged a taxi and slid into the backseat with them. Lan mumbled something about a game update. Lucy yawned and leaned her head on my arm. I gave the driver an address and leaned back. We passed a shopping mall on the way. A massive LED screen caught Lucy’s attention. “Mommy, look!” I raised my eyes—and froze. Paul. His face filled the screen. Sharp suit. Confident smirk. His voice smooth as ever. > “Mr. Bonely, what are your thoughts on the acquisition of Mega Star Entertainment?” He smiled faintly. “This is just the beginning. We’re expanding into real estate, entertainment, and gaming. In three years, the Bonely Group will be in the global top 500.” I didn’t move. I didn’t blink. So he’d become a prodigy after all. Seven Years, and he had everything he wanted. Money. Fame. Power. A perfect life with Terra by his side. Terra. The same woman who smiled sweetly while stabbing me in the back. The same woman who helped Paul rob me of everything my father left behind. They destroyed me. Now I was back to destroy them. I smiled, just a little. “Mom?” Lan’s voice snapped me out of it. I looked down at him. “Hmm?” “You were staring at that man. Do you know him?” I smiled again, but it didn’t reach my eyes. “Just someone from the past.” Lucy blinked. “Was he your friend?” Lan tilted his head. “Or your enemy?” I laughed softly and ruffled their hair. “Just a ghost, that’s all.” Lucy nudged her brother. “See? Told you not to ask.” Lan frowned. “You’re the nosy one!” “Nuh-uh! You are!” Here we go again. I sighed. “Alright, you two. Lan, you’re the big brother. Let your sister win this time.” Lan pouted. “She’s only five minutes younger, Mom!” I chuckled. “Still older means still responsible.” He crossed his arms and grumbled, “Humph.” Lucy giggled and hugged my arm tighter. I looked out the window again as the city rolled by. Seven Years ago, they buried me. And now, I am here to dig up every secret they tried to hide—and take back what they stole.