ARIA
The first day back felt wrong before it even began.
The receptionist smiled too tightly when she said, "Welcome back," and my access card hesitated before unlocking the elevator like even the system needed convincing that I still belonged here.
Nathan had reinstated me personally after "internal review," but everyone knew it wasn't forgiveness. It was politics. A PR necessity.
I'd spent the weekend trying to convince myself that I was ready to face the whispers again, that I'd walk into that building and own every rumor that tried to reduce me.
But by the time the elevator reached the top floor, my stomach was already a knot.
Sophie met me at my office door, holding two cups of coffee and a look that could slice glass.
"You're trending again," she said.
I groaned. "What now?"
"Apparently, your comeback is proof that Nathan Hale 'favors' you."
"Of course it is."
"Social media's calling you the CEO's weakness."
I forced a dry laugh. "At least it's an upgrade from homewrecker."
"Don't do that," she said softly. "Don't pretend it doesn't hurt."
I didn't answer. Because pretending was easier than admitting she was right.
She sighed. "By the way, Vivian's holding a merger announcement today. Some new partnership with Carter Holdings. Nathan's supposed to lead it."
My pulse skipped. "Carter Holdings?"
"Yeah. Why?"
The answer hit before the words did. "Vanessa Carter."
Sophie's eyes widened. "The Vanessa?"
I nodded, throat tight. "His ex."
"Oh, hell."
Yeah. Oh, hell indeed.
The boardroom was crowded when I entered. Reporters, assistants, cameras, the whole orchestra of corporate diplomacy. Vivian stood at the head of the table, radiant as always the kind of woman who could smile while handing someone their destruction.
Nathan sat near her, posture rigid, expression unreadable.
When Vivian noticed me, her smile sharpened. "Ah, Ms. Collins. Back where you belong."
"Glad to be," I said coolly, taking a seat toward the end of the table.
She gave a delicate nod. "Then you'll be pleased to witness today's announcement—a renewal of partnership with our long-term allies at Carter Holdings."
The doors opened then, and a woman stepped in tall, elegant, and polished to perfection.
Vanessa Carter.
Her heels clicked softly against the marble, every step deliberate. She looked like a painting come to life glossy brunette waves, diamond earrings, and confidence that filled the room without words.
I'd seen her in old magazines once, beside Nathan at charity galas his hand at her back, her smile bright and practiced.
Now, standing before me, she was the embodiment of everything I wasn't.
"Nathan," she said, her voice low and smooth. "It's been too long."
He stood automatically, polite but restrained. "Vanessa."
The way he said her name was quiet but something in my chest still twisted.
Vivian's smile widened. "Vanessa will be overseeing Carter's rebranding collaboration. You'll be working closely with Nathan and his PR division."
My pen slipped from my fingers. "Excuse me?"
Vivian looked at me, all silk and satisfaction. "You'll coordinate with her directly, Ms. Collins. You two should have wonderful chemistry."
Sophie's warning echoed in my head: Don't let her see you break.
So I didn't. I smiled. "Of course. The more, the merrier."
Vanessa turned to me, her smile polite, eyes sharp. "I've heard a lot about you, Ms. Collins."
"I'm sure you have."
"Don't worry," she added, her tone deceptively gentle. "I don't believe everything I read."
"Neither do I."
For a second, her eyes met mine two women circling a truth neither wanted to name.
Then she turned away, claiming her seat beside Nathan.
It shouldn't have bothered me, the way she sat close enough for their sleeves to brush. But it did.
And the worst part was, Nathan didn't move away.
The meeting stretched on forever financial projections, market shares, scripted laughter. I heard none of it. I was too aware of them.
Of how Nathan's voice softened when he said her name.
Of how she leaned in when he spoke.
Of how Vivian watched them both with quiet triumph, like a puppeteer admiring her masterpiece.
By the time it ended, my chest felt like a clenched fist.
As everyone filed out, Vanessa approached me.
"You know," she said, voice light, "I was nervous coming back here. But it's comforting to see the company in such… competent hands."
I smiled tightly. "That's kind of you."
She tilted her head. "You must be under a lot of pressure. Public scrutiny, rumors… It's brave of you to stay."
"Brave or stupid. Depends on who's asking."
She laughed softly, perfectly. "Careful. That kind of honesty is dangerous here."
"I'm learning," I said.
"Good. Learn fast."
Her perfume lingered after she left something expensive and lingering, like memory.
Nathan found me later in my office.
"I didn't know she was coming," he said immediately.
I looked up from my desk. "You didn't?"
"No. My mother set it up."
"Of course she did."
"She's trying to get under your skin. Don't let her."
I stood, anger boiling beneath my calm. "Under my skin? Nathan, your ex is sitting two doors away from me, smiling like she owns the air I breathe."
He looked pained. "Aria "
"She's beautiful, smart, and polished. She's everything your mother wanted for you. You really think this is about business?"
"I think it's about control," he said.
"Then she's winning."
For a second, silence hung between us heavy, fragile, and dangerous.
"I'll handle it," he said finally.
"No," I said. "You won't. Because this isn't your battle to fight anymore."
His eyes softened. "It's not just yours, either."
"Then maybe we should both stop pretending we're still on the same side."
He looked like he wanted to argue but he didn't.
He just nodded once, eyes dark with something I couldn't name.
When he left, I sank into my chair, heart hammering, anger burning into something quieter ache.
Because in that boardroom, surrounded by cameras and ghosts, I'd realized something terrifying.
It wasn't Vivian I was afraid of losing to.
It was her.
Vanessa Carter the perfect woman from his past.
And for the first time, I wasn't sure if I could win a war I never wanted to fight.