Elara Dawn

For seven years, Elara Thorne lived in the shadow of her own marriage. While her tech mogul husband Damien showered attention on his mistress, Elara played the perfect corporate wife—making his coffee, organizing his schedule, and watching her six-year-old daughter Cora grow closer to the other woman.

The other woman who happened to be her half-sister.

Vivienne Dubois had everything Elara didn't—Damien's heart, Cora's adoration, and the respect of everyone at Thorne Industries. When Elara flew home hoping to celebrate her birthday with her family, she found them planning a surprise party for Vivienne instead. When little Cora innocently asked if Vivienne could be her mommy, something inside Elara finally snapped.

Elara had been a brilliant AI researcher before marriage stole her ambitions. She'd co-founded YodaVision Technologies, only to abandon it all for a man who never loved her back. But now Julian Croft, her former partner, wants her to return as Chief Innovation Officer. The tech world that forgot her exists is about to remember why she was once called a visionary.

Walking away seems impossible when it means leaving Cora behind. But staying means accepting a life where she's invisible in her own home, humiliated at her own workplace, and competing with her half-sister for scraps of attention from her own family.

Damien thinks his wife will quietly accept whatever he gives her, the way she always has. He's about to discover that seven years of silence doesn't mean surrender—it means she's been planning her comeback. And when Elara Vance reclaims her name, her career, and her power, the tech world won't be the only thing shaken.

Some women bend. Others break. But the smart ones? They rebuild themselves stronger than before.

My Coldhearted Husband’s Regret

My phone lit up Friday evening, displaying Cora's name. I answered immediately, pressing the device to my ear.


"Hi, sweetie," I said, setting down my coffee mug.


"Mommy!" Cora's voice bubbled with excitement. "Guess what? Daddy came home early and bought me new ski boots! They're pink with silver stars!"


I glanced at the calendar on my desk. Tomorrow was Saturday—my skiing appointment with Beck and Shanice.


"That's wonderful, Coco. I'm sure they're beautiful."


"So can we go skiing tomorrow?" she asked, her voice rising with hope. "I can show you my new boots and—"


"Tomorrow?" I interrupted gently. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but I already have plans."


"But you said we could go skiing!" Disappointment crept into her tone.


"I said I needed to check first," I corrected her, keeping my voice even. "I already told Beck and Shanice I'd meet them. It's half-business, half-social."


"A scientist I'm working with," I explained. "This meeting is important."


Declined Plea, Accepted Gift