The Return of the Neglected Wife

I stared at the email, my eyes narrowing at the sender's name. Selene Renaud.

She had requested a meeting under the guise of "discussing potential collaboration opportunities," but I knew better. Selene wasn't the type to play nice unless it served her interests, and after her public antics with Nixus, I was certain this wasn't about business.

Still, curiosity got the better of me. I wasn't one to shy away from a challenge, and if Selene wanted a fight, I was more than prepared to meet her on even ground.

The venue she'd chosen was predictably opulent—a private lounge in one of the city's most exclusive hotels. The lighting was dim, the décor sleek and modern, and the air carried the faint aroma of expensive cologne and champagne. As I entered, Selene was already seated at a corner table, her pristine white dress hugging her figure like a second skin. She looked like she'd stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine, every strand of her ash-blonde hair perfectly in place.

When she spotted me, her lips curved into a saccharine smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Malia. Thank you for coming."

I gave her a polite nod as I slid into the chair opposite her. "Your message intrigued me. Let's skip the pleasantries—what is it you wanted to discuss?"

Her smile faltered for a split second before she leaned back in her chair, her manicured fingers wrapping around the stem of her wine glass. "You've changed. I'll give you that. Confidence suits you."

I ignored the backhanded compliment. "I didn't come here for fashion advice."

Selene's eyes sparkled with thinly veiled amusement. "Of course. Let's get to the point, then." She set her glass down and leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I wanted to warn you."

"Warn me?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "About what?"

"About overstepping," she replied smoothly, her expression turning predatory. "You may think you're on top of the world now, with your little company and your... suitors." Her lips twisted into a sneer at the word. "But don't forget where you came from, Malia. Nixus may tolerate your games for now, but we both know you don't belong in his world."

I blinked, momentarily stunned by her audacity. Then I let out a low laugh, shaking my head. "Is that what this is about? You're trying to scare me off because you think I'm still after Nixus?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Aren't you?"

"Not in the way you think," I replied coolly. "Unlike you, Selene, I don't need to cling to a man to prove my worth."

Her nostrils flared, but she quickly masked her irritation with a smile. "You're good. I'll give you that. But let's be honest, Malia. Without Nixus' money, you'd still be—"

"Careful," I interrupted, my voice sharp. "You're dangerously close to crossing a line."

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "I'm just stating facts. You wouldn't be where you are now without him."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table as I met her gaze head-on. "You really should do your research before throwing baseless accusations. My company, my success, my wealth—all of it was built after I left Nixus. Every deal, every partnership, every sleepless night spent working—it was all me. So, no, Selene, I don't owe him—or you—anything."

Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she quickly regained her composure. "And yet, you're still riding on his name, aren't you? Still using your connection to him to open doors."

I laughed again, this time louder. "If anything, being associated with him has been a liability. Do you know how many clients I've had to convince that I'm more than just his ex-wife? How many people doubted me because of the shadow he cast over my life? Trust me, Selene, Nixus didn't make me. If anything, he held me back."

The color drained from her face, and I could see the cracks forming in her confident façade. But she wasn't done yet.

"You're very good at playing the victim," she said, her tone icy. "But let's not pretend you're some innocent underdog. You knew exactly what you were doing when you married him. You saw an opportunity and took it, just like any good gold digger would."

My temper flared, but I kept my expression calm. "Is that what you tell yourself to sleep at night? That I'm just some schemer who stumbled into his life? Fine, let's play that game. You want to talk about motives? Let's talk about yours. Why are you so threatened by me, Selene? Is it because you know deep down that no matter how hard you try, you'll never have the hold over him that I did?"

Her jaw tightened, and for the first time, I saw genuine anger in her eyes. "Threatened? By you? Don't make me laugh. Nixus loves me. He always has, and he always will."

"Funny," I said, leaning back in my chair. "If that's true, why are you sitting here, trying so hard to convince me to back off? If your connection with him is so strong, you shouldn't have to lift a finger to keep him, right?"

Her silence spoke volumes, and I knew I'd hit a nerve. I stood, smoothing out the fabric of my dress as I picked up my purse.

"This has been enlightening, Selene, but I have real business to attend to. Enjoy the rest of your wine."

As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me.

"Don't think this is over, Malia," she said, her tone dripping with venom. "You can act as high and mighty as you want, but we both know the truth. You're just another woman trying to ride Nixus' coattails."

I glanced over my shoulder, giving her a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Believe what you want. But the next time you want to accuse me of something, make sure you come prepared. Because I'm not the same woman you used to push around."

With that, I walked out of the lounge, my heels clicking against the marble floor. My heart was racing, but I kept my head held high. Selene might have been able to rattle me in the past, but not anymore. I was done letting her—or anyone else—dictate my worth.

When I stepped outside, the crisp evening air hit my face, and I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Selene's words had been cutting, but they were nothing compared to the strength I'd built in the years since leaving Nixus. She could try to tear me down, but I wasn't going anywhere.

This was my life now, and no one—not Selene, not Nixus, not anyone—was going to take it away from me.