Love Amidst Vengeance

The year I finally severed all ties with Ryan Simpson was unforgettable. For his precious Mina, Ryan went as far as to break my leg. While lying in a hospital bed, I made sure every media outlet was paid off to ensure his beloved Mina fell from grace overnight.

Everyone speculated whether Ryan would bring about my complete downfall. Ultimately, he just cast me aside, his eyes cold and indifferent. "You're not even worthy of carrying her shoes, you vile woman. Get out," he said. I left with nothing and didn't look back.

Five years later, I returned, now in control of a billion-dollar fortune. We crossed paths once more at an extravagant gala. Mina splashed red wine all over me. "So, the stray dog that was kicked out thinks she belongs in places like this now?" she sneered.

Smiling, I poured an entire bottle of whiskey over her head and whispered in her ear, "Five years and Ryan still hasn't taught you any better? Let me show you what manners are really about."

Mina's scream shattered the faux harmony of the ballroom. The socialite entourage around her sprang into action like a pack of guard dogs. "Are you insane? Do you even know who she is?" one of them barked.

"You must have a death wish, messing with Mr. Simpson's favorite!" shouted another.

The loudest one pointed her finger menacingly at me, "She's about to marry into the Simpson family. You’re digging your own grave!"

Mina, soaking wet and disheveled, glared at me with venomous eyes. "Amira! Five years ago, I pitied you, which is why Ryan let you walk away!"

"You're nothing more than a cast-off of the Simpson family. How dare you show your face here again!"

Watching her unchanged hostility, I found it rather amusing. Ryan had certainly kept her spoiled, so much so that she forgot how, five years ago, her facade of innocence and grace had collapsed into scandal overnight.

But I've never been one to play the saint. I wasn’t then, and I'm not now.

I calmly set the bottle down, amber liquid still dripping from the neck. "Pity?" I echoed, striding deliberately toward her, each click of my high heels on the polished marble floor counting down her final moments. "Are you talking about the time you knelt before me, begging through tears not to release the photos I had of you, or when you clung to Ryan claiming you were pregnant, only for my DNA test to shatter your claim?"

"Amira! Shut up!" Mina shrieked as if someone had stepped on a cat's tail.

At that moment, a strong hand gripped my wrist, the force nearly crushing my bones. The voice, etched into my very being, silent for five years but haunting my dreams, now spoke softly yet coldly.

"Amira, five years have passed."

Ryan's icy words felt like they came from the depths of hell. "And you still haven't learned your lesson?"

He shielded Mina behind him, just as he always did in my memories. Mina immediately assumed a tearful, vulnerable demeanor, leaning into him. "Ryan, I'm so scared. She came back just to bully me."

Time seemed to overlap with the past. Five years ago, when he broke my leg for this woman, she hid behind him just as helplessly. I looked at Ryan's handsome yet emotionless face and laughed. Twisting my wrist, I scraped my nails sharply across the back of his hand.

As he winced and released his grip, I swung my hand back, delivering a solid slap on Mina's cheek. The sharp sound silenced the entire ballroom.

"Ryan Simpson," I said, meeting his murderous gaze with an ever-brightening smile. "Five years, and your lapdog still hasn't learned her lesson."

"Looks like I didn’t teach her well enough back then."