Chapter 2
The Return of Elena Carter

Three months. It had been three months since Elena Carter
had walked away from her marriage and her old life. In those
three months, she had rebuilt herself, from the inside out.
Every moment of doubt, every feeling of worthlessness had
been replaced by something far stronger: resolve. She was
no longer the timid wife who spent her days trying to earn
approval from a man who never cared.
Now, Elena stood outside the massive iron gates of the
Lancaster estate, a confident smile on her lips as the wind
rustled her dark hair. The cold evening air was a sharp
contrast to the warmth of the life she had once lived within
those walls. But as she looked up at the towering mansion,
she knew it was time to take what was hers.
The black Rolls-Royce glided to a stop, its engine humming
softly. Elena stepped out with the grace of a woman who had
shed her old skin, her new confidence evident in every step.
The gates opened slowly, as though they were
acknowledging her strength, and she walked toward the front
door.
As she approached, memories of the past few years flooded
her mind. The arguments, the silence, the way Ryan had
treated her as though she were nothing. She had allowed him
to make her feel small. She had allowed his family to make
her feel unworthy. But that was before. This was now.
Elena Carter-Stone was not the same woman who had
walked into this mansion years ago. She had become the
CEO of her own company Stone Enterprises, a thriving
business worth millions, and she had big plans to take over
Lancaster Industries.
She rang the doorbell, and within moments, Ryan appeared
at the door, his face frozen in shock as he took in her
appearance.
“Elena?” he whispered, his voice barely audible.
She smiled, cool and composed. “Yes, Ryan. It’s me. Elena
Carter-Stone.”
Ryan’s confusion was almost comical. “You… you’re the
CEO of Stone Enterprises now?” His voice cracked as he
looked her over, disbelief written all over his face.
“That’s right,” Elena replied, her gaze never leaving his.
“And I’ve decided to take over Lancaster Industries, starting
today.”
Patricia appeared behind him, her expression a mix of shock
and anger. “You can’t just take everything we’ve built,” she
spat.
“I didn’t take anything from you,” Elena said calmly. “I’ve
worked harder than you could ever imagine to build my own
empire. Now, I’m taking control of what’s rightfully mine.”
Ryan’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing. The words Elena
had spoken were sinking in, and it was clear he was
struggling to process the reality of what had just happened.
“You’ll never be happy without me,” Ryan finally said,
though there was little conviction in his words.
Elena’s smile only grew. “I’m already happier than I’ve ever
been.”
She turned, walking past them both with her head held high.
She didn’t look back. This time, she was in control. And