Mira Thornvale

Five years ago, Serena Shi was declared dead—burned, disgraced, and erased by the man she loved. Framed for a crime orchestrated by her own sister, forced to abandon her newborn daughter, and exiled under a false name, Serena vanished from Rainport and its cold, glittering towers.

Now, she's back.

Not as a victim, but as a partner at one of the world’s most powerful law firms. Her mission is clear: reclaim custody of the daughter who was buried with her name, expose the lies that destroyed her life, and dismantle the algorithm that coded her death into corporate profit.

But fate—or something programmed to look like it—has other plans.

Julian Lu, her former husband and the CEO of LuTech, never recovered from losing Serena. When she resurfaces with a child who looks just like him and evidence that his empire is built on betrayal, he must choose: destroy the system he was born to lead or lose Serena all over again.

This is not just a story of second chances.
It's a war between law and love, data and destiny, guilt and grace.
And this time, no one walks away without answering to the truth.

Return Under a New Sky

**Julian’s Penthouse – Saturday Morning**


“You’re late,” Serena said, arms crossed, watching Willow twirl in the living room.


Julian glanced at his watch. “Elevator delay.”


Willow ran up, beaming. “Mom! Look! He has a robot fish tank!”


Serena didn’t smile. “She stays in the main living area. Bedroom doors locked.”


Willow tugged his sleeve. “Do you have any pictures of me as a baby?”


Julian paused. “No. I... didn’t know you existed.”


Willow blinked. “But Mommy said you used to love her.”


Julian crouched to Willow’s level. “I did. I made a terrible mistake. But I’m trying to be better now.”


Willow leaned in. “You burned the wedding album, didn’t you?”


“I saw it in the hallway closet,” Willow continued. “All crinkly edges.”


“I told her,” she said quietly. “That people do cruel things when they’re scared.”


Chapter 11 – Sisyphean Hearts