CHAPTER 3 – WHEN THE MASKS FELL
Vanessa had expected to become the queen of Blackwood Manor.
Instead, she found herself packing designer handbags into borrowed suitcases.
Damian sat alone in the dark living room.
His phone had not stopped ringing.
Journalists.
Creditors.
Former friends.
None were calling to help.
Vanessa knelt beside him.
"We'll rebuild."
"We still have each other."
Damian looked at her for a long moment.
Then he remembered.
Every time Isabella stayed awake all night preparing negotiations.
Every anniversary she spent working to save his company.
Every quiet sacrifice he had ignored.
He suddenly realized something that hurt more than bankruptcy.
Vanessa had loved his money.
Isabella had built it.
He stood.
"Leave."
Vanessa blinked.
"What?"
"I said leave."
She laughed nervously.
"Damian..."
"You chose me."
"No."
His voice broke.
"I chose my own arrogance."
Security escorted Vanessa from the mansion before sunset.
Outside the gates, reporters surrounded her with flashing cameras.
"Miss Hale!"
"Were you aware Isabella Sinclair owned the Blackwood empire?"
She had no answer.
Her silence became tomorrow's headline.
Meanwhile, Isabella stood in her father's private garden.
Chairman Sinclair poured two cups of tea.
"You could have destroyed them completely."
"I know."
"Why didn't you?"
She looked toward the horizon.
"Because revenge isn't freedom."
"They've already lost what mattered most."
May you like
Her father smiled proudly.
"You've finally become stronger than your pain."
