POV: Elise Carter
Blackwell Industries looked exactly as I remembered—cold, grand, intimidating.
The building's mirrored façade gleamed under the late morning sun, as if daring the world to approach. It was taller than any structure in the financial district, the kind of tower built to remind everyone of who held the power.
Inside, it was steel and shadows. Everyone wore black. No one smiled.
But I did.
Because I wasn't here to beg. I was here to bait a monster.
The receptionist barely looked up when I approached the marble front desk. "Do you have an appointment with Mr. Blackwell?"
"No," I said smoothly, setting my clutch down. "But tell him Elise Carter is here. He'll want to see me."
She typed something quickly, skepticism clear on her face. She probably thought I was another desperate socialite. In the past, I might have been. Now, I was something else entirely.
A moment later, her screen flashed. Her brows lifted slightly.
"He'll see you."
Of course he would.
The elevator ride to the top floor was quiet. Too quiet. The kind that gives you time to second-guess yourself. But I didn't.
I had spent five years dying.
Now I was ready to live on my terms.
When the elevator doors slid open, I stepped into a vast office of glass and shadows. The windows stretched from floor to ceiling, offering a view of the entire city. In the distance, the skyline looked like a kingdom.
And at the center of it all, seated behind a sleek black desk, was Adrian Blackwell.
He looked up as I entered, eyes piercing and unreadable. He hadn't changed—same sharp jawline, same tailored charcoal suit, same expression of cold disinterest.
But I wasn't the same either.
"Elise Carter," he said slowly, standing. His voice was deeper than I remembered, a velvet knife cutting through the silence. "To what do I owe the surprise?"
POV shift: Adrian Blackwell
She was different.
I remembered Elise Carter as the sweet one—the polished puppet fiancé of that fool Liam Hunt. She had flinched when spoken to, smiled too wide when uncomfortable. Pretty, yes. But forgettable.
Now, she looked like she owned the floor.
There was a quiet danger in the way she walked toward me. Her heels didn't click—they commanded. Her dress wasn't about attraction—it was a challenge.
And her eyes? They weren't soft anymore. They were sharpened glass.
"I thought it was time we met," she said, stopping in front of my desk. "Officially."
I leaned back, curious. "You're five years late."
"No," she replied with a smirk. "I'm five years early."
Intriguing.
POV shift: Elise Carter
He thought I was just here to flirt.
Let him.
"Mr. Blackwell," I began, sitting across from him without waiting for an invitation, "I'd like to propose a partnership. One that doesn't involve Carter Enterprises."
His brows lifted. "Go on."
"I know your upcoming merger with the Carters has been delayed. Rumors say you're losing patience with their board. What if I offered you something better—exclusive data rights from the Greenwave Initiative?"
His lips parted, just slightly. I had his attention now.
"You're bluffing," he said.
"Am I?"
Truth was, I remembered exactly where my stepfather kept the encrypted drives. In 30 days, Greenwave would be evaluated for sale. But that sale? It never happened in my past life—because Tiffany handed it over to Adrian in secret, making it look like a favor.
This time, I was bringing it first.
He stood slowly, walking to the window. "What do you want in return?"
I rose too, walking to stand beside him. "A contract. One that gives me access to your tech labs, your strategy team, and a seat at your table."
His jaw tightened. "And why would I do that?"
I looked up at him, letting the words drip like honey. "Because I'm smarter than you think. And you like keeping your enemies close, don't you?"
A flicker passed through his eyes. Amusement, maybe. Or suspicion.
He turned, face inches from mine. "I don't do charity, Elise."
"This isn't charity. It's war." I stepped even closer. "And I just became your most valuable weapon."
POV shift: Adrian Blackwell
There it was again—that glint in her eyes. Like she knew something I didn't.
Which meant she was dangerous.
And I liked dangerous.
"Fine," I said. "You'll get one meeting with my acquisition team. Impress them, and I'll consider your offer."
"Done." Her smile was almost wicked. "And Adrian?"
"Yes?"
"You're not nearly as cold as you pretend to be."
She turned and walked out.
And for the first time in years, I found myself watching someone leave… and wanting them to come back.