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

Julian extended his hand toward Elara with a theatrical flourish. "May I have this dance, Ms. Vance?"


His playful formality brought a smile to her face. After witnessing the subtle power plays unfolding around them, his lighthearted gesture was refreshing.


"I'd be delighted, Mr. Croft." Elara placed her hand in his, feeling the reassuring warmth of familiar friendship.


Julian led her to the dance floor with confident steps. He positioned himself properly, one hand resting lightly on her waist, the other clasping her hand. The orchestra's melody swept around them as they began to move.


"You're still a decent dancer," she remarked, remembering their college days when they'd attended formal events together as friends.


"Only decent? I'm wounded." Julian guided her through a gentle turn. "Though I admit I'm rusty. Running a tech empire doesn't leave much time for ballroom practice."


The Ballroom's Shifting Partners