Chapter 5
1132 Words
MAYA
I nod, unable to speak.
"We should leave," Robert says quietly.
But I can't move. I'm watching Adrian smile at Stella. He's smiling. Something he never did when we were married.
They look happy together. Like a real couple. Stella is wearing an expensive dress and her red hair is perfect. Adrian looks the same as I remember. Tall and handsome in his business suit.
My hands curl into fists. Anger burns through me so hot I feel like I'm on fire.
"I want revenge," I whisper.
Robert hears me. "Maya, let's talk about this at home. Not here. Not now."
But I can't look away from them. Stella betrayed me. She lied and destroyed my life so she could have Adrian. And it worked. She got exactly what she wanted.
Adrian treated me like I was worthless. He didn't even try to find out the truth. He just believed Stella's lies and threw me away like garbage.
They took my son from me. They made everyone think I was a murderer. They ruined my life.
And now they're shopping for engagement rings like nothing bad ever happened.
"Mommy, you're hurting my hand," Ethan says quietly.
I realize I'm squeezing his hand too tight. I let go quickly. "Sorry, baby. I'm sorry."
"Can we get ice cream now?" He looks worried.
"Yes. Let's go." I turn away from Adrian and Stella before they see me. My heart is pounding.
We go to the ice cream shop and I buy Ethan the biggest chocolate cone they have. But I can barely pay attention to him. My mind is stuck on those two people.
"Maya," Robert says when Ethan is busy eating. "I know what you're thinking. But you need to let it go. You have a good life now. Don't let them ruin it again."
"Let it go?" I stare at him. "Dad, they destroyed me. Stella lied about me. Adrian took my baby. Everyone thinks I killed Alpha Marcus. How am I supposed to just forget that?"
"I'm not saying forget," Robert says calmly. "I'm saying don't let revenge consume you. You've built something amazing. You have Ethan. You have me. Don't throw it all away."
I want to listen to him. I really do. But the anger is too strong.
"What if Ethan finds out one day?" I ask quietly so my son won't hear. "What if he learns that his father is alive? That he has a twin brother somewhere? That I lied to him his whole life?"
Robert sighs. "Then we'll deal with it when the time comes. But right now, Ethan is happy. You're successful. We're safe. That's what matters."
But it doesn't feel like enough anymore.
We finish our ice cream and go home. Our house is beautiful, in the nicest part of Silvercrest City. It has a big yard where Ethan can play. My room has a view of the mountains.
Sometimes I still can't believe this is my life. From servant to CEO. From running away in the night to living in a mansion.
But tonight, I can't enjoy any of it. I keep seeing Adrian's smile. Stella's hand on his arm. The rings in the jewelry store window.
After I put Ethan to bed, I go to my father's office. He's reading some papers but looks up when I walk in.
"I saw them both at the mall today," I tell him. "Adrian and Stella. They were looking at engagement rings."
Robert takes off his glasses. "And?"
"And I want revenge!" I throw my hands up. "I can't just pretend everything is fine. They're probably getting married. They're happy. Meanwhile, everyone still thinks I killed Alpha Marcus!"
"What exactly do you want to do?" Robert asks carefully.
"I want to go back to Moonstone Pack," I say. The words tumble out before I can stop them. "I want to expose Stella for the liar she is. I want Adrian to know the truth."
"That's dangerous, Maya. They could arrest you the second you step foot in that territory."
"I don't care!" Tears fill my eyes. "One of my sons is dead because of them. The other one doesn't even know I'm his mother. I lost five years with my baby because of their lies!"
Robert stands up and comes over to hug me. "I understand you're angry. You have every right to be. But think about Ethan. If something happens to you, what will happen to him?"
I cry into my father's shoulder. He's right. I know he's right. But the anger doesn't go away.
"I just want them to pay for what they did," I sob. "Is that so wrong?"
"No, sweetheart. It's not wrong." Robert rubs my back. "But you need to be smart about this. If you want revenge, you need a plan. You can't just storm in there and expect justice."
I pull back and wipe my eyes. "What kind of plan?"
Robert thinks for a moment. "You're a powerful CEO now. You have connections. Resources. Money. Use that. Be strategic."
An idea starts forming in my mind. "I could do business with Moonstone Pack. They'd have to let me in if it was official pack business."
"Now you're thinking," Robert says with a small smile. "But be careful. Don't let revenge make you reckless."
I nod. "I won't. I promise."
But deep down, I know the truth. The moment I saw Adrian and Stella together, something changed in me. I can't just move on and be happy. Not while they're living their perfect lives built on lies.
I go to my room and sit by the window, looking out at the city lights. Five years ago, I was weak. I was alone. I was scared.
But I'm not that person anymore.
I'm Maya Chen, CEO of a multi-million dollar company. I'm powerful. I'm smart. I'm strong.
And I'm coming back.
Stella thinks she won. Adrian thinks I'm gone forever. They have no idea that I'm out here, building an empire, getting stronger every day.
"I'm not running anymore," I whisper to myself. "This time, I'm fighting back."
Tomorrow, I'll start making plans. I'll find a way to get back into Moonstone Pack territory. I'll dig up evidence about Alpha Marcus's real killer. I'll expose Stella's lies.
And when it's all over, Adrian will know the truth. He'll know that he threw away his real mate for a fake friend. He'll know that he's been raising one of our sons while the other one was right here all along.
He'll know he made the biggest mistake of his life.
I touch the window glass, feeling the cool surface under my fingers.
"Wait for me," I whisper, thinking of my other son. The one Adrian took. "Mommy's coming home soon."
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