Chapter 20: The Ghost from the Past

Hope's Worst Nightmare

Hope's hands trembled as she stared at her phone.

Nathan was back.

She hadn't heard his voice in years, yet the moment he spoke, it was as if all the pain and fear he caused came rushing back.

She forced herself to speak. "What do you want?"

Nathan chuckled. "Oh, come on, Hope. Is that any way to greet your ex-fiancé?"

Liam, who had just walked into the room, froze. "Who is it?"

Hope clenched her jaw, pressing the phone against her ear. "You shouldn't be calling me."

Nathan ignored her. "Victoria thought it was time I came home. Seems like you've been busy, sweetheart."

The line went dead.

Hope slowly lowered the phone, her breath shaky.

Liam stepped forward, his voice tight. "Hope… who is Nathan?"

She met his eyes, her heart pounding. "The man I once loved. And the man who tried to ruin me."

Victoria's Next Move

Meanwhile, Victoria smiled as she watched Nathan stroll into the Sinclair mansion.

He was taller, sharper his confidence just as intoxicating as before.

He kissed her cheek lightly. "I have to say, I missed this house."

Victoria smirked. "And I missed having you here."

Nathan sat across from her, leaning back. "So tell me, dear stepmother, what exactly do you need from me?"

Victoria poured herself a glass of wine. "Simple. Break Hope."

Nathan chuckled. "You really think she's still weak enough to fall for me?"

Victoria's smile turned sharp. "No. But she's strong enough to think she can resist you. And that's where she'll fail."

Nathan swirled his drink. "And what do I get out of this?"

Victoria's eyes gleamed. "A share in Sinclair Enterprises. And full access to Richard's hidden assets."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Ah. So you want me to break her and take away everything she's built?"

Victoria's smile widened.

"Exactly."

Hope's Past Unraveling

Later that night, Hope sat with Richard and Liam in the study, her mind spinning.

Richard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Nathan's return isn't a coincidence."

Hope nodded. "Victoria's using him to get to me."

Liam leaned forward. "I need to know, Hope. Who exactly is Nathan to you?"

Hope took a deep breath. It was time to tell the truth.

"Nathan wasn't just my ex-fiancé. He was my first love."

Richard's expression darkened.

Hope swallowed hard. "When I was younger, I met Nathan through Victoria. He was charming, kind… or at least, that's what I thought."

Liam's jaw tightened. "What happened?"

Hope looked away. "He used me. He pretended to love me while working with Victoria to ensure I was never added to the will."

Richard clenched his fists. "That snake."

Hope nodded. "I left him the moment I found out. But it was too late. He had already stolen money from my trust fund and spread lies about me in the media."

Liam exhaled sharply. "And now he's back."

Hope's voice hardened. "Yes. And I won't let him destroy me again."

Richard looked at her, pride in his eyes. "We'll fight him together."

Hope straightened. She wasn't that naive girl anymore.

If Nathan thought he could walk back into her life and manipulate her, he was in for a rude awakening.