ManyWriters

As the sole heiress of the Vance Group, I had been with my fiancé for three years and considered him my everything.
I naively believed I had found perfect love.
Until I lay on the hospital bed, suffering from acute gastric bleeding, and my fiancé finally dropped his pretense.
"I've long been fed up with you...a haughty princess."
"I've been with that intern for three years now, and we have twins."
"You were just a stepping stone for me to revive my family's fortunes. It would be best if you could just disappear quietly."
So, all those three years of sweet nothings had been lies. He loved someone else, and all he truly wanted was my family's money.
An excruciating pain washed over me, the heart monitor shrieked frantically, and I closed my eyes in despair.
When I opened my eyes again, I found myself back three years prior, on the very day my father had asked for my opinion on this marriage.

The Second Chance Fate Gave Me

Over the next few days, Lucian grew increasingly erratic. He wasn't just calling and texting, he also started frequently appearing outside my office and my home. Security had to escort him away multiple times.


"What on earth does he want?" my father asked irritably during lunch one day. "That Thorne boy needs to cool his jets."


"He needs our money, Dad," I replied calmly. "And his ego is bruised."


Meanwhile, the private investigator brought back more shocking evidence. It turned out that Lucian and Chloe's affair hadn't just been going on for a year, but had started right from the beginning of our relationship. To make matters worse, he hadn't only embezzled company funds to satisfy Chloe's cravings for luxury goods, but he had also dipped into some of the investment money my father had entrusted to him.


"This is much worse than I imagined." I stared at the bank statements and candid photos, yet a strange sense of calm settled over me.


"Elara," Father said gravely at dinner, "The Thornes are insisting on coming over to discuss your refusal of the marriage proposal. I can refuse them, but I wanted to hear your thoughts first."


I elegantly placed my fork down. "Let them come, Dad. It's time to settle this."


"Are you sure?If you don't want to face Lucian..."


"I'm absolutely sure," I replied confidently, "and besides, Liam Blackwood is back."


My father arched an eyebrow in surprise: "The Blackwood boy? Didn't he leave New York City years ago?"


"He's one of Silicon Valley's most successful tech investors now," I said proudly, "He's arriving tomorrow."


The next day, Liam arrived as promised. When he stepped into Vance Manor, I almost held my breath. He was taller and stronger than I remembered. His deep eyes still held the familiar tenderness, but now they also carried the confidence and charisma of a successful man.


"Elara," he walked towards me, his voice low and powerful, "You're even more beautiful than I remember."


"Liam, thank you for coming back so soon."


"For you, I'd cross the entire universe," he said sincerely, then opened his arms.


Chapter 3