Rina woke up feeling light for the first time in months. The morning sunlight touched her skin softly as if the universe was giving her a fresh start again. She sat up in bed, her mind still clouded from the previous night — Luis's sudden confession, the way his voice cracked when he said he still cared, and the way her heart refused to believe it.
But today was different. She was done with tears and regrets. Her new company, R Empire, was growing faster than anyone expected. The world was starting to talk about the mysterious woman behind it. She was finally taking her life back piece by piece.
She got out of bed, tied her hair up, and slipped into a silk robe. Downstairs, the maids greeted her softly, and she smiled lightly, commanding respect without even trying. Luis wasn't up yet, and she liked it that way. She needed peace before chaos began.
Her phone buzzed — a message from Alex. Morning, my beautiful troublemaker. Are you awake yet?
She smiled. Barely. You're too early.
Early bird gets to see you first, he texted back.
Rina laughed quietly, shaking her head. You're impossible.
Maybe. But you love that about me.
Before she could type a reply, Luis came down the stairs, shirtless, eyes still sleepy but sharp when they landed on her. "You're smiling a lot these days," he said.
She didn't even flinch. "Is that a problem?"
"Depends," he said slowly, grabbing a glass of water. "Who's making you smile?"
"Me," she said simply, sipping her coffee. "You should try it sometime."
He stared at her like he didn't recognize her anymore. She was different — too calm, too confident, too untouchable. And that bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
When he left for work, Rina went straight to her secret office in the city. The top floor of a glass tower shimmered in gold reflection as her car stopped in front. Everyone bowed when she walked in — no one knew she was Mrs. Luis Carver, the woman they thought was a random heiress backing the empire.
Inside her office, Alex was waiting for her, sitting casually on her desk with a cup of coffee. "You're late," he teased.
She smiled, walking toward him. "You broke in again."
He grinned. "You never lock me out."
She crossed her arms. "Maybe I should start."
"You won't," he said softly, his voice dropping an octave.
Their eyes met, and something electric passed between them. She could feel her pulse quicken as he stepped closer. "You look tense," he said, reaching out to brush her arm gently. "R Empire may be growing fast, but don't forget to breathe, Rina."
She took a small breath, eyes flicking up at him. "I'm fine."
He tilted his head. "You're pretending again."
Her lips parted slightly, but she didn't answer. He could see right through her — the anger, the pain, the strength she wore like armor.
"Let me take you out tonight," he said softly. "You need a break."
"I can't," she said quickly. "Luis will ask questions."
Alex smiled faintly. "Then tell him you're with your husband."
That made her laugh. "You're terrible."
"I'm honest."
By noon, she was buried in meetings and reports. Her company's numbers were exploding — thanks to Alex's 500 trillion investment, everything she touched turned into success. Her name wasn't public, but the world already worshipped Rina R, the mysterious CEO behind it all.
When she got home that evening, Luis was waiting by the door. "Where were you?"
She dropped her bag gently, ignoring his tone. "Out."
"With him again?"
She looked at him calmly. "Even if I was, would it matter?"
Luis stepped closer. "You're still my wife."
Rina raised her chin. "For now."
He clenched his jaw. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm not your toy anymore, Luis."
Before he could respond, Bianca walked out from the kitchen, fake smile plastered across her face. "Oh, Rina, you're home. Luis and I were just talking about the baby—"
Rina cut her off coldly. "The fake baby?"
Bianca froze. "W-what?"
Rina stepped closer, voice calm but sharp enough to slice through glass. "You might want to change your script next time. The hospital you used? It's mine."
Bianca's face drained of color instantly. Luis's eyes darted between them, confusion turning to anger. "What is she talking about?"
Rina gave him a look that said you'll find out soon enough, then walked past them both, heading upstairs.
Later that night, she sat on the balcony in her silk nightgown, sipping wine and staring at the city lights. Her phone buzzed again — Alex.
I heard you called out Bianca today, he texted.
She deserves worse, she replied.
You're beautiful when you're dangerous.
She smiled faintly. That's what freedom feels like, Alex.
Then don't stop now, he sent back. You've only started.
She looked at the sky, her heart burning quietly.
The next morning, chaos broke loose on social media. Pictures of Bianca and Luis at a bar had leaked — a stranger had taken them the night before. The headlines screamed scandal.
Luis ran downstairs, phone in hand, furious. "Rina! What the hell is this?"
She looked up from her coffee calmly. "What's what?"
"This!" he said, throwing the phone on the table.
Rina barely glanced at it. "Looks like you were having fun."
"You think this is funny?"
She met his eyes. "You didn't think it was funny when it was me last time. Maybe now you'll understand what betrayal feels like."
He froze, the truth of her words hitting deeper than he expected.
"I'm going to fix this," he said, voice low.
Rina smirked. "Good luck fixing what you broke yourself."
Then she stood, brushing past him lightly, her perfume lingering as she walked away.
Luis turned toward the door, jaw tight, and for the first time, he felt something he couldn't name — fear. Because the woman standing before him wasn't the soft, forgiving Rina he used to control.
She was reborn. And this time, she wasn't saving anyone but herself.
The morning came with tension thick in the air. Luis barely slept, his mind haunted by Rina's cold words. He didn't understand what had changed in her, how the same woman who once waited for him with warm meals and open arms could now walk past him like a stranger.
Rina, on the other hand, woke up glowing. She slipped into a silk robe, hair tied neatly in a bun, and walked downstairs humming softly. The maids greeted her politely. She sat by the window, scrolling through her phone, sipping her black coffee as if the world outside didn't exist.
Luis came down, still wearing yesterday's shirt, eyes dark with exhaustion. "We need to talk," he said.
She didn't even look up. "About what?"
"You know what."
Rina smiled faintly, still scrolling. "If it's about Bianca, I have nothing to say. She can handle her own lies."
"Don't do that," he said sharply. "You exposed her."
"I didn't expose her," Rina replied softly. "The truth just slipped out."
Luis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You're not the same woman I married."
"Thank God," she said, finally meeting his gaze. "That woman died, remember?"
He blinked, confused by her calmness. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Enjoying what?" she asked, voice quiet but sharp. "The taste of freedom? Yes, Luis. I am."
He clenched his fists, his pride stung. "You think Alex will save you? He's only using you."
She laughed softly, almost pitying. "Maybe. But at least he treats me like I'm worth something."
Before he could respond, her phone rang. It was Alex. She answered without hesitation, her voice light. "Hey."
Luis's eyes darkened immediately.
Alex's voice came through, low and teasing. "You left your scarf in my car. I'm tempted to keep it."
"Then I'll come get it myself," she said, smiling.
Luis's jaw tightened. "You're not going anywhere."
Rina stood, walking toward the stairs. "Watch me."
She went upstairs, changed into a fitted cream dress that hugged her shape perfectly, and grabbed her keys. Luis followed her halfway up the stairs. "Rina!"
She turned slightly, lips curling. "Don't wait up."
When she got to Alex's mansion, he was already waiting outside. He looked relaxed in a dark shirt, holding her scarf in his hand.
"You came fast," he said, smiling.
"You had my favorite scarf," she replied.
He stepped closer. "That's not the only reason, is it?"
She didn't answer. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world went quiet. Alex lifted his hand, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You look tired," he said gently. "Come inside. I made breakfast."
Inside, the table was set beautifully — pancakes, strawberries, and coffee. It felt peaceful, almost dangerous.
"Luis called you last night, didn't he?" Alex asked casually.
"He always does when he's losing control," she said, sitting down.
Alex sat across from her, studying her face. "You know he'll never stop chasing you."
Rina looked up at him, her tone calm but cold. "He can chase all he wants. I'm not running anymore."
After breakfast, Alex walked her to the balcony, his hand brushing hers. "You're really different now," he said softly.
"I had to be," she replied. "I learned that love without respect is just another kind of cage."
He smiled faintly. "Then you deserve to be free."
Their eyes locked again, and before she could react, he leaned closer, his lips brushing her forehead lightly. "For what it's worth," he said quietly, "I'm proud of you."
Rina smiled, her chest tightening in a way she hadn't felt in years. "Thank you, Alex."
Later that evening, she returned home glowing. The maids whispered among themselves; even they could see the difference in her. Luis sat in the living room, pretending to read the newspaper, but his eyes followed her every step.
"Where were you?" he asked.
"At peace," she said, not looking back.
"Rina," he said again, his voice lower. "Don't push me."
She stopped at the foot of the stairs, her back to him. "You already pushed me once, Luis. Off a cliff. Remember?"
The silence that followed was heavy and cold. He couldn't speak. She didn't wait for a reply — just went upstairs, her perfume lingering in the air.
In her room, she sat in front of the mirror, brushing her hair slowly. The woman staring back at her wasn't broken anymore. She was calm, beautiful, and dangerous.
Downstairs, Luis poured himself a drink, his hand shaking slightly. He didn't know how, but he was losing her — not to another man, but to herself.
And that scared him more than anything.
That night the moonlight slipped through Rina's window, painting her skin silver as she sat by the window in her satin nightdress. The house was silent, except for the sound of the wind brushing against the glass. She stared at the stars, her mind replaying Alex's words — "You deserve to be free."
For the first time, those words didn't sound like a dream. They felt real.
Her phone buzzed. It was Alex again.
Still awake?
Barely, she typed. Can't sleep.
Want me to come over?
She smiled to herself, shaking her head. It's too late.
Then I'll just stay on the line until you fall asleep.
You'll get tired of me, she teased.
Never, he replied. You're my favorite kind of trouble.
Rina laid back on her bed, the sound of his voice calming her more than she expected. They talked about everything — her work, his upcoming meeting, the future. She laughed softly, something she hadn't done freely in a long time.
She didn't even notice Luis standing by the door. He had been there for a while, listening to her laugh with another man. His fists clenched slowly, his eyes dark.
He knocked lightly. "Who are you talking to?"
Rina turned her head, startled but composed. "A friend."
"Alex," he said bitterly.
She didn't deny it. "Yes."
Luis stepped closer, his voice low. "You used to laugh like that with me."
Rina looked at him quietly. "And you used to love me too. People change."
That broke something in him. "You're really leaving me, aren't you?"
"I already did," she whispered.
For a moment, he said nothing. Then, without warning, he grabbed her wrist gently, not in anger this time but in desperation. "I can change, Rina. I can fix this. Please."
She looked at his hand holding hers — warm, trembling, begging. But she remembered the pain, the betrayal, the death. Her voice was calm when she said, "You can't fix something you destroyed with your own hands."
He stepped back, hurt in his eyes. "So that's it? You'll run to him?"
"I'm not running to anyone," she said softly. "I'm walking toward myself."
Luis swallowed hard. "You think he loves you more than I ever did?"
Rina tilted her head. "He doesn't need to love me more. He just doesn't hurt me."
The silence that followed was heavy. Luis turned away, his chest rising and falling as he tried to breathe. "You've become someone I can't control anymore," he muttered.
Rina smiled faintly. "Exactly."
When he left the room, she closed the door gently behind him. She sat back on the bed, her heart racing, her body trembling — not from fear, but from power.
Her phone buzzed again. Are you okay? Alex wrote.
I am now, she replied. Good night, Alex.
Good night, my Rina, he sent back.
She placed her phone beside her, the faintest smile touching her lips. Outside, the city lights blinked like tiny promises.
Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow, she would make her move — the one that would finally show Luis what real loss felt like.
And this time, she wouldn't look back.