Rina sat in her office that morning, looking out the window with a calm expression, but inside she was already planning her next move. Her company, R Empire, had become the biggest name of the year, and she was ready to expand into the international market. Alex had given her full support and invested more, even sending her a message saying, "You're unstoppable, Rina."
Her lips curved into a soft smile as she read it again. Meanwhile, Luis was losing his mind. Every media outlet was talking about the mysterious owner of R Empire. He still didn't know it was her. He would sit in his office watching her company rise and ask himself who the owner was, wanting to invest and meet them. Bianca on the other hand was fuming with jealousy, throwing things at every news broadcast that mentioned R Empire.
Later that evening, Rina got home, wearing a short silk red dress and light makeup. Luis sat on the couch, pretending to be calm but his eyes followed her. She looked so different, so confident, so far from the woman he once knew.
"Where have you been lately?" he asked, his voice sharp but low.
Rina looked up slowly. "At work," she said with that innocent tone that always made him confused.
Bianca came out, pretending to be weak, rubbing her belly. "Luis, I need your help," she said, leaning on him. Rina's eyes met hers, cold and calm, then she smiled. "Don't stress yourself, Bianca, stress isn't good for you and your baby," she said softly, the same way Bianca used to mock her in her past life.
That night, when everyone was asleep, Rina went to her private office at home and checked her laptop. She was about to close another big deal—her company would be worth a trillion more before morning. She poured herself a glass of wine, smiling softly at her reflection. "You did it, Rina," she whispered.
By morning, the news broke. R Empire had partnered with Alex's company again, making her name trend globally even though no one knew her face. Luis sat in the dining room staring at the screen, completely shocked. Rina came down the stairs in a soft white dress, her hair flowing down. "Breakfast?" she asked casually, and Luis could only nod, lost in thought.
Later that day, she met Alex again. He took her hand as they sat together in his car, his voice gentle. "You know, sometimes I feel like I knew you before," he said.
Rina smiled faintly, looking out the window. "Maybe you did," she whispered, her heart suddenly heavy but warm at the same time.
When she returned home that night, Luis was waiting for her at the door. He wanted to speak, to ask, to touch her. But she just walked past him, her perfume filling the air. For the first time, he realized—he was losing her completely.
The next morning, the air in the house was thick with tension. Rina walked down the stairs in a soft silk robe, her hair wrapped in a towel, looking effortlessly beautiful. Luis was already up, sipping his coffee while staring at his phone—articles about R Empire still covered every headline.
He didn't even realize she was behind him until her perfume filled the room. "You're up early," she said casually, pouring herself a glass of orange juice.
Luis looked up at her. "R Empire again," he muttered. "That company came out of nowhere. Whoever owns it must be smart."
Rina smiled, her lips curving as she sipped her juice. "You could say that," she replied, walking away slowly, the sound of her slippers soft against the marble floor.
Bianca came down a few minutes later wearing one of Luis's shirts, trying to act like the lady of the house. "Good morning, honey," she said sweetly. Luis nodded, distracted. Rina just smirked silently, picking up her phone as she walked out the door.
When she arrived at her company, Alex was waiting in her office with coffee. "You've gone viral again," he said with a small grin.
Rina laughed lightly. "Let them talk. It helps business."
Alex looked at her for a moment, his gaze softening. "You know, you amaze me every single day."
She smiled. "You've said that before."
"And I'll keep saying it," he said quietly.
By afternoon, she had signed another international partnership. Reporters swarmed the front of her building trying to get a picture, but her bodyguards kept them away. She loved the mystery—it gave her control.
That night, Luis came home earlier than usual, hoping to spend time with her. He found her sitting in the living room with a laptop on her lap, wearing a silk black gown that shimmered under the lights. "You work too much," he said, walking closer.
Rina didn't look up. "Someone has to," she replied softly.
He stood behind her, watching her fingers move on the keyboard, the scent of her perfume teasing him. He didn't understand why she felt so far from him now.
"Rina," he said, his voice lower.
She looked up slowly. "Yes?"
"I miss you."
She looked into his eyes, and for a second her heart trembled—but she caught herself. "Then maybe you shouldn't have let me go," she said, closing her laptop and standing up.
She walked past him again, leaving him frozen in the middle of the room, his chest tight, his regret finally catching up with him.
That night, the sky was dark with soft rain tapping against the windows. Rina stood by her balcony, holding a glass of wine, the city lights glowing beneath her. Her silk robe slipped slightly from her shoulder, exposing smooth skin as she sighed, feeling both free and empty.
Her phone buzzed. It was Alex. Are you awake? he texted.
She smiled a little. Barely. Why?
Because I can't stop thinking about you.
Her heart skipped, but she typed slowly. You should sleep.
I can't. Not when I know you're awake.
She didn't reply. Instead, she walked inside and sat on her bed, the quiet hum of the rain filling the space.
Minutes later, she heard a car pull up. Her chest tightened. Then her doorbell rang.
She opened it, and there he was—Alex, drenched from the rain but still managing a half-smile. "You didn't answer," he said softly.
She stepped aside, letting him in without a word. He took off his jacket, his shirt sticking to his chest.
"You're crazy," she said quietly, handing him a towel.
"For you? Probably," he replied, drying his hair.
He looked around her room, his eyes landing on her wine glass, the soft lighting, the open balcony. "You look… peaceful," he said.
"I am," she replied, walking back to the window. "For the first time in years."
He came closer, standing behind her, his voice gentle. "You deserve peace. But you also deserve love."
She turned, meeting his eyes. The way he looked at her—no greed, no manipulation, just warmth—made her chest ache.
Without realizing it, she leaned in, and he brushed a strand of hair from her face. Their lips met, slow at first, like two souls trying to find their rhythm again. The kiss deepened, tasting of rain and old longing.
When she finally pulled away, she whispered, "You shouldn't be here."
"I know," he said, brushing his thumb over her lips. "But I couldn't stay away."
She sat down, breathless. He stayed by her side, silent but steady, just holding her hand. For once, she didn't think of Luis, or Bianca, or revenge. She just let herself exist in that moment—with someone who truly saw her.
By morning, she woke up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Alex had already left, but a note lay on the table beside her. You're stronger than you think. I'll be here when you're ready.
She smiled faintly, pressing the note to her chest before whispering to herself, "Maybe I already am."