The early morning rays filtered through the tall glass windows of the penthouse, casting a golden glow over the marble floor. Sabrina stood silently on the balcony, her arms wrapped around herself as the cool breeze lifted strands of her hair. The city was waking up slowly beneath her feet, but her heart had never felt more alert.
She couldn't sleep after last night's revelation.
Ayla was back.
And she wasn't just back—she was determined.
"Sabrina…" Alexander's voice broke the silence behind her. He was already dressed in a black shirt, half unbuttoned, with tired eyes that hadn't seen rest either. "You didn't come to bed."
She turned slightly but didn't fully face him. "How could I? You didn't even tell me she was still alive."
He sighed, stepping closer. "Because I wasn't sure. Her disappearance... her accident… it all looked so final. But now, she's not just alive—she's threatening everything."
Sabrina finally turned toward him, her eyes burning not with anger, but something deeper. "Everything, Alex? Or everyone?"
His jaw tightened. "You know what I mean."
"I don't," she snapped softly. "I don't know if I'm just a pawn in this whole empire of yours or someone you actually want to protect."
He closed the distance between them and held her shoulders firmly, yet gently. "You are not a pawn. You're the only reason I even have the strength to fight."
She searched his eyes. "Then prove it."
Before he could speak again, the doorbell rang—harsh and sudden.
They both froze.
Their security never allowed unexpected guests. Not without warning.
Alexander narrowed his eyes. "Stay here."
He left quickly, but Sabrina wasn't someone who could just wait anymore. Her instincts had changed since Ayla's shocking return. Everything felt... uncertain.
Peering from the hallway, she watched as Alexander opened the door.
There stood a tall man in a navy suit, briefcase in one hand, and a file in the other.
"Mr. King," the man greeted politely. "I'm here on behalf of Miss Ayla Hart. She wishes to exercise her legal marital claim over you and the King Corporation shares you promised her in the original marriage contract."
Alexander didn't flinch. "That contract was invalid after her disappearance."
The man smiled, clearly prepared. "And yet, Miss Hart never signed any legal death declaration. She merely... stepped out of the spotlight. She has evidence of your original vows and signed agreements."
Sabrina's stomach churned as she heard every word. She couldn't believe Ayla would go this far.
Alexander took the file the man offered but didn't open it. "Tell her this: I'm not the man I was then. And I'm not scared of shadows anymore."
The man nodded once and turned away.
As soon as the door closed, Alexander let out a long breath and turned to see Sabrina already standing behind him.
"She's trying to destroy you," Sabrina whispered.
"She's trying to take back what she thinks she owns," he replied. "But I won't let her."
Later that evening, Sabrina sat at her writing desk, flipping through old photographs. She found one of her and Alexander from the early days—their accidental kiss, the moment her heart first fluttered for him.
It felt like a lifetime ago.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. It was Alexander, holding a velvet box.
"What's that?" she asked warily.
He opened it, revealing a delicate diamond bracelet.
"It was supposed to be your anniversary gift," he said. "I had it custom-made months ago."
Sabrina looked at it, then back at him. "Why are you giving it to me now?"
"Because I don't want you to doubt my intentions. You're my present, Sabrina. Not my past. Not my mistake. You."
She felt her walls crumble just a little. "Then why do I still feel like I'm walking into a battlefield?"
Alexander stepped closer, lifting the bracelet and gently wrapping it around her wrist. "Because we are in a battle. But this time, I'm not letting go of your hand."
She looked up, emotions swelling. "Promise?"
He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Promise."
Their lips met—not rushed, not forced—but with a sincerity that spoke louder than any vow. It was slow, grounding, like the eye of a storm giving them a moment of peace.
As they held each other, Sabrina whispered, "Then let's fight together."
The next morning, Alexander sat in his office, examining the documents Ayla's attorney had delivered.
There were loopholes.
Mistakes Ayla was counting on him to overlook.
He smiled to himself. "You underestimated me, Ayla."
Just then, an email alert popped up.
Subject: Surveillance Update – Ayla Hart's movements.
He clicked it open.
The attached video showed Ayla meeting with a familiar face—Damien Cole.
A former rival. Ruthless. Dangerous.
Sabrina walked into the room at that moment and saw the freeze-frame on screen.
"That's Damien," she said, eyes wide. "What is she doing with him?"
Alexander's gaze darkened. "Forming alliances."
"Why?"
He leaned back, the weight of war settling on his shoulders. "Because she's not just back to claim me. She wants revenge on everyone who replaced her."
Sabrina stood silently for a moment. Then she said with surprising steel in her voice, "Then she's messing with the wrong woman."
That night, at a masquerade charity ball organized by the King Foundation, Ayla made her public reappearance.
Dressed in blood-red silk and a mask that only enhanced her fierce aura, she walked through the crowd like a queen reclaiming her throne.
Gasps followed her. Whispers trailed.
Sabrina and Alexander entered moments later, hand in hand, both dressed in black.
The crowd parted, the tension tangible.
Ayla removed her mask, revealing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Well," she said, her voice like honey laced with venom, "I see the rumors are true. My husband has found himself a new obsession."
Sabrina didn't flinch. "Not obsession. Partner."
"Temporary," Ayla said smoothly. "Contracts expire."
Alexander spoke up. "Not this one."
The air grew colder as the three stood in silence, the music and chatter around them fading into background noise.
Then Ayla stepped closer, her gaze locking onto Alexander's. "We'll see how strong your loyalty really is when the truth comes out."
She walked away, leaving a trail of chaos in her wake.
Sabrina turned to Alexander, whispering, "What truth?"
He didn't answer.
Not because he didn't want to.
But because he didn't know.
Yet.