The grand ballroom of the Regent Pearl Hotel shimmered under crystal chandeliers, every surface polished to perfection. Waiters in black and white moved like clockwork, weaving between guests with trays of champagne and canapés. The air smelled of opulence, designer perfumes, and freshly cut roses.
Alina stepped out of the black car, her hand resting lightly on Leonard's arm. Her deep emerald dress hugged her figure, elegant and understated, yet undeniably stunning. Her hair was swept up into a graceful twist, exposing the delicate line of her neck and the sapphire earrings she had nearly pawned six months ago.
As camera flashes exploded around them, Leonard leaned closer and whispered, "Are you ready?"
She didn't answer right away.
Then: "Smile. We're being watched."
She stepped forward with practiced grace, her face calm, her posture poised. But inside, a storm raged.
Every step into that ballroom was a reminder—of who she used to be, who she had become, and who the world thought she was.
They were immediately greeted by an elite cluster of CEOs, politicians, and media moguls. Leonard shook hands, gave cool nods, exchanged clipped jokes.
And Alina?
She played the perfect role. The poised wife. Elegant. Articulate. Engaging just enough, retreating just before they could dig deeper.
But the smiles were hollow, and the words rehearsed.
Until she arrived.
"Leonard," came a voice like ice wrapped in velvet.
Madam Xu.
Leonard's mother glided across the ballroom in a silver gown, eyes sharp and unreadable. Her gaze swept Alina from head to toe, clinical as a scalpel.
"You brought her," she said flatly.
"I invited her," Leonard corrected, his tone firm.
"Of course," Madam Xu said, lips tightening. "I suppose every marriage needs… polishing. Eventually."
Alina smiled serenely. "It's lovely to see you again, Madam Xu."
The older woman didn't smile back. "I'm sure you're enjoying this evening. It's rare for people from your background to attend such functions."
Alina felt the sting, but didn't flinch. "Yes. But adaptation is a useful trait, don't you think? I imagine it's how you've stayed relevant all these years."
Leonard choked on his champagne. Madam Xu blinked.
Then, to everyone's surprise, she gave a thin smile. "Perhaps there's more steel in you than I gave credit for."
She turned and walked away, trailing her entourage like a queen with her court.
Alina exhaled slowly.
"Impressive," Leonard murmured beside her.
"She hasn't changed," Alina muttered. "Still looking at me like I'm a temporary infection."
"She doesn't decide what I want."
"No," Alina said. "But she decides how your world treats me."
Leonard's jaw clenched. "Not anymore."
But Alina wasn't convinced.
As the gala continued, Alina found herself caught in a whirlwind of small talk and hollow compliments. She spotted Jasper across the room once, locked in conversation with a foreign investor. He saw her too, gave a curt nod, then returned to his conversation.
She was glad he didn't approach. Tonight was complicated enough.
At the edge of the ballroom, she stepped out onto the balcony, needing a moment of silence.
The night air was cool. Distant city lights shimmered like stars fallen to the earth.
She heard the door click open behind her.
"Escaping?" Leonard asked.
"Recalibrating," she replied.
He joined her, leaning beside the railing. "You were perfect tonight."
"I wasn't trying to be," she said. "I was trying to survive."
Leonard looked at her, something vulnerable in his eyes.
"I know I dragged you into my world. A world that didn't want you. I thought giving you silence was kindness. But all I did was isolate you."
Alina turned to face him fully. "Why now, Leonard? Why try to fix things now?"
He swallowed.
"Because when you left, I realized I missed… everything. Even the things I never paid attention to before. The way you organize your closet by color. The way you hum when you're nervous. The way you eat ice cream when it's raining."
Her breath hitched.
"I don't want a partner who just fits the mold," he continued. "I want someone who breaks it. Who challenges me. Who makes me better."
Alina stepped back slightly, unsure.
"Words are easy," she said.
Leonard nodded. "Then let me show you."
He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small, leather-bound folder.
She raised an eyebrow. "Another gift?"
"No," he said. "A promise."
She opened it.
It was a legal document.
Power of Attorney — Alina Xu.
She stared at it, stunned.
"This… this gives me decision-making authority over Liang Enterprises," she whispered.
"Equal authority," Leonard said. "Not ceremonial. Real. You've proven yourself in business, Alina. I want the board to see that too."
She was speechless.
"I don't expect forgiveness," Leonard added. "But I want a future where you never doubt your worth again. Not in this world. Not in my world. And definitely not because of me."
She clutched the folder, fingers trembling.
For the first time in a long time, she saw not just regret in Leonard's eyes—but change.
Real, deliberate change.
Later that night, back in her apartment, Alina sat in the quiet, the document resting on her lap.
Everything felt surreal.
She thought of her mother, who used to work three jobs just to feed her. She thought of the years she spent shrinking herself to fit into a mold that never wanted her. She thought of Leonard, slowly unlearning everything he had been taught about power, women, and love.
And she thought of herself.
For so long, she had been a passenger in her own life.
But now?
She had a choice.
And for once, the future didn't feel like a trap.
The next morning, tabloids erupted with headlines:
"CEO Xu and Wife Alina Steal Spotlight at Gala""Ice Queen No More? Alina Xu Stuns Public With Poise and Power""Is This the New Power Couple of the Business World?"
But beneath those headlines, deeper ripples formed.
Madam Xu summoned Leonard the next day.
"She's gaining influence," the matriarch said coldly. "That woman will ruin you."
Leonard met his mother's eyes.
"No," he said quietly. "She'll save me."