antara estate, but this time, the silence didn't feel quite so heavy. It felt like a fortress. She stayed in bed for a few minutes, staring at the ceiling, her m

ed lipstick was gone, her hair was down, but the eyes-the eyes were sharper. She looked at the diamond on her finge

e hadn't explored yet-a small study near the back of the house, away from Arzlan's main office. Cu

h lilies. It looked like a room that had been forgotten by the cleaning staff. On the desk sat a stack of mail that hadn't been

e a return address. It was addressed to Arzlan, but in a handwriting that was shaky, almo

anding in a garden, and next to him was a woman. She was beautiful, with dark hair and a smile that look

e said he needed a wife for his grandfat

nd the letter back under the magazines. She stepped out of the

ara is already in the city. He left early for a meeting with the board of directors. He requested tha

keep her voice steady. "I thought I

some... less than reputable journalists. He's looking for dirt. And Mr. Dirgantara doesn't believe in leavin

rs? Even when I'

Sarah replied. "The walls have ears, N

the city, safe houses, and taught her how to recognize if she was being followed. It was exhausting and terrifying. It made her re

d, leaning back in her chair. "Bram is a c

rgantara has enemies that make Bram look like a schoolboy. And now that you're the most visible pa

low. She wasn't just his fiancée; she was his Achilles

r again. She couldn't stop thinking about the photo. Who was that woman? And where was

ves of the Dirgantara family from five years ago. Most of it was boring business news-mergers, acquisiti

mors swirl around Arzlan Di

t of lightning. The Wijaya family. The same

wedding photos. No announcement of a breakup. It was as

hy Arzlan was so determined to take down the Wijayas? W

her thoughts that she d

s supposed to be on a honeymoon phase

he doorway, his jacket thrown over his shoulder, his tie loosened. He looked tir

art racing. "It's not every day I'm the le

r for a long time, his eyes unreadable. "You're a bad liar, Nayla.

ng told I'm a target for professional assa

doing his job.

rything? Or just the thin

owed. "What is tha

ew she should just play her role. But the image of t

Clara

Arzlan's face didn't change, but his eyes turned into chips

you hear

news stories. Her name came up w

kened grounds. He didn't speak for a long time. The sile

"She was a contract, just like you. But she didn't have your fire,

appened

lash of raw, unfiltered pain in his eyes. It was gone as quick

amily used it as an excuse to try and take a piece of my company. That's why the Wijayas are m

.. is sh

r chin up so she had to look him in the eyes. "This is why I told you not to fall in love with me. This life... it eats people,

ck down. "I'm not soft, Arzlan. And I'm not Cl

"Because the game is about t

the board. They want to see the woman who managed to capture the heart of the Ice King. M

byss and realized the abyss was looking back at her. Arzlan was more than just a cold CEO. He wa

he proof of what happe

yla didn't feel like a victim. She felt like a soldier. She knew the risks now. She

, professional, and intimidating. She did her own makeup, emphasizing the sharpness of her ch

s already in the conference room. They're skep

them I'm a weapon

walked through the lobby, hundreds of employees stopped to stare. Nayla kept her head high, her heel

r age, sat around a massive glass table. They looked at her with a mix of curi

e didn't introduce her right away. He let the si

seen a surge in media attention over the last forty-eight hours. Some of you are concern

's father's time, cleared his throat. "It's not just the attention, Arzlan. It's the n

She stood up, leaning her hands on the ta

like Bram use the Dirgantara name to cover his own failures. I didn't 'run' from my marriage. I liquidated it. And the fact that I am stand

rd members looked at each oth

how to destroy one. If you think I'm a distraction, then you aren't paying attention. I'm the best PR asset this company has ever h

isible smile touching his lips. He lean

ions for my fia

alim looked down at his

energy in the room had changed. Nayla had won

d pulled her into his private office. He closed the door and leaned

te a performa

ed, her heart still racing from the

es you dangerous, Nayla. You act

uldn

eople in this building are afraid of me. Even the boa

thing once, Arzlan. What

ouch was slow, deliberate, and sent a jolt of electricity th

phone rang. He looked at it an

it?" Na

to collect the rest of your belongings. And he's invited the press.

rge of rage. "H

nfrontation. He knows he can't win in court, so h

with fire. "Let's go to the house. I want to see him try to tell

e your temper. He wants a video of you s

dropping to a chilling whisper. "I'll jus

go in alone. Marcus and the team will be with us. And Sarah, call the poli

familiar street, Nayla saw the crowd of reporters and the flashing lights of news vans.

let her go! You can't buy a woman's soul

able, but she was holding a sign that said *BRIN

security team stepped out first, creating a human wall. Then, Arzlan stepped out

stepped out on

ly. Nayla stood there, looking at her old house, looking at the man she had lo

g open. He wasn't expecting her to look like this. He was expecting the broken, crying woman from

wd parting like the Red Sea. She

d by the silence of the street. "I h

m stammered, trying to move toward her. Marcus

mine, Bram. It's in my name, paid for with my family's money. You have ten minutes to pack your things and

the porch. "You're being brainwashed! Y

s. Don't you have anything else? Oh, that's right. All your things are at your apartment... which, I believe, the landl

face w

. "The clock is ticking. And just so we're clear for the cameras..." She turned to the report

cene with an expression of dark satisfaction. He

go inside?

aid. "I want to

Tiara scrambled to throw their things into garbage bags. She watched as the reporters captured ev

Nayla felt a weight lift off her heart that

the adrenaline final

voice low. "You did that yourse

t empty now. The "perfection" she had worke

ere," she said, looking

. Or burn it. Whatever

e laugh. It was the first ti

ly wanted to keep, she found herself back in the master bedroom. The b

g under the bed. She knel

he one she had thrown on the f

and insignificant compared to the diamond Arzlan had g

With a flick of her wrist, she sent the rin

Bram," she

ng her from the doorway. He didn't sa

walked out of the ho

The ghosts of Arzlan's past would be back. But as she sat in the c

e. She was the one who was going