Chapter 1

For three years, I built supply chains across Southeast Asia and carved out a billion-dollar empire for Liam Holt.

The day I came back happened to be the third anniversary gala of Holt Group.

I pushed open the banquet hall doors, still dusty from the road. But Liam was standing in the blazing light, arm-in-arm with the wealthy socialite Serena Walsh.

That same night, Liam handed me divorce papers.

"Ava, the company is under investigation for money laundering. I need Serena's support. Don't worry—even after the divorce, I'll still love you."

When I said nothing, he took my hand and continued with practiced tenderness:

"Serena doesn't have your skills. I'll still need you to guide her through the work. From now on, we're all family."

I looked at his hollow face and signed without hesitation.

Liam thought I was a vine that could only survive wrapped around him.

He had no idea that the lifeblood of Holt Group was never in Serena's hands.

Once the papers were signed, Liam folded them away with satisfaction.

"Thank you for your patience, Ava."

He walked over and reached out to touch my shoulder, but I stepped aside.

His hand froze in mid-air. He pulled it back like nothing had happened, then reached into his suit jacket and produced a black card.

"Take this. The PIN is still Noah's birthday. The divorce is just a formality, but I know it hurts. Think of it as compensation."

I took the card and slipped it into the pocket of my mud-stained jacket.

"This is the least I deserve."

My calm tone made him frown slightly.

He seemed to want tears, accusations—not this cold indifference.

The lounge door swung open.

Serena walked in carrying two glasses of champagne, all smiles.

"Mrs. Holt... oh, I mean, Ava—is that outfit custom-made from Southeast Asia? It has a certain... wild charm."

She held out a glass to me, the contempt in her eyes completely undisguised.

I didn't take it.

"Miss Walsh, I'm not divorced yet. You should still be calling me Mrs. Holt."

Serena's face went pale for a moment. She looked to Liam for help.

Liam immediately smoothed things over:

"Ava just got back. She's tired—just kidding around."

He put his arm around Serena's shoulders, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it:

"Go entertain the guests. I'll be right there."

After Serena left, the warmth faded from Liam's face.

"Ava, stop being petty. The bigger picture matters. You know I'm doing all of this for the company—for us."

"Where's our son?"

"In the side room. My assistant Ethan is with him."

I didn't bother with another word and walked out.

I pushed open the side room door. Three-year-old Noah was sitting quietly in the corner of a sofa, holding a battered old Transformer.

When he saw me, his eyes lit up instantly. He scrambled across the room on his little legs.

"Mommy!"

I crouched down and pulled him tight against my chest.

He smelled like warm milk—the same familiar scent I'd missed for three years.

In those three years, I had missed so much of his growing up.

"Noah's been such a good boy."

Liam came in behind me. He crouched down too, reaching out to ruffle Noah's hair like a devoted father.

But Noah instinctively pressed closer into me.

The distance between father and son made Liam's hand freeze again.

Just then, Serena followed him in, pulling a beautifully wrapped gift box from her clutch.

"Noah, look—I brought you a present. It's the brand-new LEGO Star Destroyer."

But Noah just buried his face in my neck and whispered:

"Mommy, I want the one you got me."

What I'd gotten him was a marked-down toy from an airport gift shop on the way back.

Serena's expression soured.

I stood up with Noah in my arms and looked at Liam.

"I'm taking Noah home."

"Fine." Liam nodded, then added:

"The money laundering files—I'll have Ethan send them over first thing tomorrow. Come up with a damage control plan as fast as you can. And Serena... help her get up to speed."

He said it like everything I did for him was simply expected.

I looked at him and, for a moment, I almost laughed.

"Liam, do you know what I brought back with me from this trip?"

He assumed I was about to claim credit for the billion-dollar contracts, and a flicker of irritation crossed his eyes.

"I know you worked hard. Don't worry—the company's keeping track of everything you've contributed."

"No." I shook my head, and said each word clearly:

"What I brought back is the engagement gift—for you and Miss Walsh."

Then I walked past him with Noah in my arms and didn't look back.

I buckled Noah into his car seat and made a call.

On the other end of the line was my old partner from Wall Street.

"Ava, you're back?"

"Yeah." I watched the city lights blur past the window.

"Get the debt liquidation proceedings against the Walsh Group started."

"Now? But Liam—"

"No more waiting." I cut him off.

"He's already chosen his path."

And I was choosing mine.