Marriage To My Revenge

The night my life ended was supposed to be the night I became a wife. I remember sitting behind the wheel with a stupid smile on my face, thinking about Adrian and the future I had spent years building with him. Rain kept beating against the windshield, and the road was almost empty, but I didn't care. I was happy. For the first time in months, everything seemed to be falling into place. I had just signed the final documents for my inheritance, and I couldn't wait to tell Adrian. He was the first person I thought about whenever something good happened to me. I trusted him that much. Maybe that was my biggest mistake. My phone rang while I was driving. Adrian. I smiled and answered, but the call ended before I could say anything. I called back. No answer. I tried again, but this time the phone went straight to voicemail. I frowned and called Selene instead. My half-sister picked up after a few rings, but she didn't speak. I could hear voices in the background, and one of them sounded like Adrian. Then the call ended. I stared at the screen, wondering what was going on. I should have gone home. I should have waited until morning. Instead, I kept driving because I believed the people I loved could never be the reason I should be afraid. A black SUV appeared behind me a few minutes later. I noticed it but didn't think much of it. When I changed lanes, it changed lanes too. I sped up. It followed. My smile disappeared. I reached for my phone, but before I could call anyone, the SUV slammed into the back of my car. The impact sent my body forward. The steering wheel jerked beneath my hands. Glass shattered, the car spun, and for a few seconds I didn't know which way was up. Then everything went dark. When I opened my eyes, rain was falling through the broken window. My head hurt so badly that I could barely move. I tried to call for help, but my voice came out weak. Then I heard footsteps approaching. My heart jumped because I recognized one of the voices. “Adrian?” The footsteps stopped. Then Selene spoke. “She’s still alive.” I froze. Another voice answered. “Did you get the documents?” Adrian. My blood ran cold. “Yes,” Selene replied. “Everything is ready.” And the inheritance?” All of it will be ours once she's gone.” I wanted to scream. I wanted to get out of the car and ask him why, but fear kept me still. Then Adrian said the words that destroyed the last part of me that still trusted him. “Make sure nobody finds her.” Then they walked away. I stayed there in the rain, staring into the darkness, trying to understand how the man I loved could stand there and calmly discuss my death. I don't remember how long time passed before someone found me. I only remember waking up days later in a small private clinic far from home. My face was badly injured, and the doctors told me that whoever I had been before the accident would be difficult for anyone to recognize now. I should have gone back. I should have exposed Adrian and Selene. Instead, I disappeared. For three years, the world believed Lyra Hayes was dead. I let them believe it. I changed my appearance, stayed away from everyone who knew me, and learned everything I could about Adrian's company. I studied his business deals, his investors, his weaknesses, and the people who protected him. I didn't want to hurt him anymore. I wanted to take everything from him the way he had taken everything from me. But revenge needed power, and there was only one man powerful enough to help me: “Ethan Vance”. The billionaire investor Adrian feared more than anyone. I stood outside Vance International and took a deep breath before walking inside. The receptionist looked at me politely. “Do you have an appointment?” Yes.” With Mr. Vance?” Yes.” She checked her computer. “I'm sorry, Mr. Vance doesn't accept unplanned meetings.” “Tell him Lyra is here.” She looked up. “Just Lyra?” Yes.” She made the call. A few seconds later, her expression changed. “He'll see you.” That was my first warning. Ethan already knew I was coming. The elevator took me to the top floor. When the doors opened, I found him standing beside the window, looking down at the city. “You're late,” he said. “I wasn't given time.” He turned. Ethan Vance was even more intimidating in person. His eyes were cold, his expression unreadable, and there was something about him that made the entire room feel smaller. “You finally came three years late.” My heart skipped. I walked to his desk and placed a file. “I need a deal.” “What kind?” “I want you to marry me.” For the first time, his expression changed. Then he laughed quietly. “You disappeared for three years and walked into my office asking me to marry you?” “I don't need a husband.” “Then what do you need?” “Your help destroying my ex-fiancé.” He opened it. Inside were documents I had spent years collecting. His eyes moved across the pages. “You've done your homework.” “I don't make the same mistake twice.” He closed the file. “What do I get?” “Access to everything inside Adrian's company.” He studied me for a long moment. Then he stood. “Fine.” I blinked. “That's it?” “No.” He stepped closer. “If we're doing this, you follow my rules. You'll wear my ring. You'll stand beside me in public. You'll live in my house if necessary, and when people are watching, you'll make them believe you're completely mine.” I held his gaze. “And behind closed doors?” His eyes darkened. “That's where things get complicated.” My heart beat faster, but I refused to look away. “Deal.” Instead of shaking my hand, Ethan opened a drawer and pulled out a photograph. My breath hung; it was me three years ago. I was standing beside Adrian, and on the back was the date of the accident. I looked at Ethan. “How do you have this?” I've been waiting for you.” “Why?” He looked straight into my eyes. “Because I knew you weren't dead.” My body went numb. “How?” His voice dropped. “Because I was there the night you disappeared.”