Faded Oaths

Looking back to when Liam and I first got together, his company wasn't anywhere near this big.

We started from scratch, building the business side by side. I stayed up late, drawing countless designs for him, and sealed deal after deal for him at countless dinners.

Without me, he wouldn't be where he was.

When I married him, I brought significant assets into the relationship—family heirlooms, fine jewelry, and investments under my name.

Now that he had moved on to someone else, it was only fair that I reclaimed what was mine from the start.

…

Back in Zentara, I quickly had someone draft a contract demanding the rights to those design drafts and all the assets I brought into the marriage.

Many partners only worked with Liam because of my talent. Once those design rights were reclaimed, a majority of the company's collaborations would fall apart.

I returned to the villa in Ardenix with the contract in hand, but it was Clara who answered the door this time.

"Liam took Lucas out," she said, smiling. "Is there something I can help you with, Elena? Or… have you changed your mind and decided to come back here?"

I said nothing, simply took a seat on the couch, and waited. "I don't plan on doing that. I just need to speak with Liam."

Clara maintained her sweet smile, but I caught the subtle flash of something darker in her eyes.

She brought me a cup of freshly brewed coffee, but just as she set it down, her hand "slipped". The entire cup of scalding liquid was poured straight onto my lap.

I shot to my feet instinctively. My skirt was soaked through, and a sharp sting bloomed across my legs from the burn.

At that moment, Liam happened to return home with Lucas. Seeing that, Clara quickly let out a startled scream.

Liam ran over, soon finding a small patch of red on the back of her hand where the coffee had splashed—just enough to make it look like I had caused a deliberate mess.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know Elena disliked black coffee. I should've seen this coming…"

He was furious. "I thought you said you were married, Elena. Why are you here, harassing Clara again? Or should I say, you finally realized how shameful it was to be a mistress and regretted it?"

Where did that come from?

"Mistress? What on earth are you talking about?"

Liam let out a cold snort, his voice dripping with disdain. "That Maybach you left in? It's a custom model with only ten units in the world. You really think some powerful tycoon would be interested in an amnesiac nobody like you?

"I looked into it. Every major player in Zentara was already married before you even went missing. So, unless you're some rich man's mistress, what other role could you possibly play?"

I was shaking with rage, stunned he would stoop so low as to judge me like that. And then there was Lucas, who stepped in front of Clara, shielding her like I was the intruder.

"You're a homewrecker who hurts my mommy! You don't belong in this house! Get out!" he said firmly.

Fury surged through me like wildfire. I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed the nearest ornament on the table and hurled it in their direction.

Liam blocked it effortlessly, smirking. "What's wrong? Losing your temper already?"

I raised my voice to defend myself. "First of all, Liam, I know your villa has security cameras. If you really want to know if I spilled the coffee, check the footage.

"Second, I'm no one's mistress. I married my husband legally in broad daylight, with a proper wedding held in Zentara. And lastly, I have zero interest in whatever ridiculous family drama the two of you have going on.

"I'm only here for what I rightfully brought into this marriage. You sign this contract, and I'll be out of your hair."

With that, I slammed the contract down in front of him.

However, Liam only flashed me a smug, dismissive smile. "So, it's really about the money, huh? Fine. I'll give you what you want for one last time."

He picked up the pen, ready to sign, but suddenly paused. His brow twitched as his eyes landed on the name printed at the bottom of the contract.

Sitting at the bottom of the contract were the words "Hurrix Corporation". Indeed, the one with global holdings, wealthy beyond imagination, and influence that extended far beyond the business world.

Liam flipped through the pages of the contract in disbelief, his fingers trembling ever so slightly. Then, there my name was, no longer bearing his last name.

Now, it read: Elena Hurrix.