Faked Death, True Revenge Begins

For five years, I was the devoted girlfriend of a corporate heir, Alden Stone. He gave me a single red rose every month, a symbol of his love. But it was all a beautifully crafted lie.

On our anniversary, I discovered the truth: the roses were named "Gabriella," for the woman he was obsessed with. He didn't just break my heart; he stole my life's work-a revolutionary cancer formula-and gave it to her to secure their family alliance.

At the gala celebrating her supposed genius, I confronted him.

"Don't make a scene," he hissed, his eyes cold. "Gabriella is pregnant. If you try to expose her, I will personally see to it that your career is over."

From the stage, Gabriella gave me a predatory smile, flaunting a diamond bracelet I had designed for myself.

My love, my future, my life's work-all sacrificed for his obsession. He had played me for a fool and left me with nothing.

So I faked my death. I recorded a video exposing their lies, set it to go viral, and sailed his yacht straight into a storm. The world would believe Katelynn Walls was dead, but I was just getting started.

Chapter 1

Katelynn POV:

I checked the GPS on the yacht' s console for the third time, confirming the coordinates for the deep-water drop-off. My hands, usually steady as a surgeon' s, had a slight tremor. This was it. The final step of my escape plan.

A silent timer on my watch was counting down, ticking away the last few hours of my old life. Soon, I would be free. Soon, Katelynn Walls, Alden Stone' s meek girlfriend, would cease to exist.

A strange calm settled over me. It was the calm of absolute resolve. I wanted a new beginning, a life where my worth wasn't tied to a man who saw me as a convenient shield. Freedom tasted like salt on the wind, even before I truly had it.

The cabin door opened then, and the scent of Alden' s expensive cologne drifted in. It was a familiar smell, once comforting, now just another layer of the elaborate lie. My stomach clenched.

"Kate, my love," Alden said, his voice smooth and deep, exactly as it always was. He walked over, his arm sliding around my waist, pulling me close. He kissed the top of my head, a casual, practiced gesture of affection.

I forced a small smile, turning my head slightly so he couldn' t see the hollowness in my eyes. "Just admiring the view before sunset," I murmured, my voice steady. It was a practiced lie.

He tightened his grip, his thumb tracing circles on my hip. "Thinking about our anniversary dinner tonight?" he asked, a hint of playful expectation in his tone.

"Of course," I lied again, the word tasting like ash. My heart didn't flutter. It felt like a stone in my chest.

He smiled, a perfect, dazzling smile that used to make me melt. Now, it just felt