Chapter 1

After running into his first love, who was being abused, my husband left me without a second thought and ran off with her.

He vanished from my life, without a single word.

The only two things he left me with were:

A 300,000-dollar loan, and a death certificate declaring him legally dead after four years of being missing.

The bank took our marital home, and I was forced to live in a basement apartment that cost 400 dollars a month.

After work, I juggled three side gigs.

I scrubbed toilets, donated plasma for cash, and even signed up for medical trials.

Every day, I lived off a plain roll and water.

It took me ten years to pay off the debt, and finally, I landed a job as a records clerk.

The very first application I received was from a man who was legally dead, wanting to have his identity reinstated.

He said he was young and foolish back then, ran away from home, and had his records erased.

Now, with the factory in his hometown being demolished, he needed his records reinstated to claim over 30 million dollars in compensation.

I stared at the name on the application form, one I knew all too well.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"Your documents are incomplete. Application denied."

*****

Charles Lake didn't recognize me, his tone tinged with restrained frustration.

"I have a residency certificate from the neighborhood committee, and a DNA test proving my relationship with my parents."

"You can check my documents first."

I pushed the file aside and kept my head down, focusing on other work.

"I don't need to see it."

"Your documents don't meet the requirements. Application denied."

The youngest guy in the office looked anxious, tapped me on the shoulder, and lowered his voice to remind me.

"Ms. Smith, just approve his application."

"He's a pretty famous relationship influencer—he's got over a million followers online."

"If he posts a video, our whole office will get roasted all over the internet."

I didn't even bother to look up. "Next!"

"Everyone is equal before the rules. Being an influencer doesn't mean you get special privileges."

Charles towered over me, his eyes full of arrogant disdain.

I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

It was a sneer that made it painfully clear he saw me as nothing, like I was beneath him.

"I know the drill," Charles said, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"Just name your price. How much will it take to get this done?"

I looked up.

I quietly studied the man I hadn't seen in a decade.

So much for karma.

Not only was he not struggling, he was actually living it up—way better than ten years ago.

He'd gotten so used to solving everything with cash, like it was second nature.

And me?

Life had drained all the spark from my eyes.

My face no longer showed any trace of who I once was.

*****

I looked way older than my real age.

So, of course, he didn't recognize me.

But now, the tables have turned—he's in my hands.

Thirty million dollars in compensation.

If I didn't sign, he wouldn't get a cent.

I looked at him calmly and gave him the textbook answer.

"Like I said, your documents don't meet the requirements."

Charles probably hadn't been turned down in public in ages.

He shot to his feet, slammed the file down on the desk, and jabbed a finger at me.

"My documents were specially approved by your boss."

"Who the hell do you think you are to turn me down?"

I sat up straighter and smirked at him.

"Doesn't matter who gave you that special approval. Right now, I'm the one who signs off."

"If I say it's not good enough, then it's not good enough."

Charles was so furious his jaw clenched tight, teeth grinding audibly.

"Just you wait!" he spat.

"If you don't sign off today, don't count on still having this job tomorrow!"

He shot me a look that was pure threat.

With that, he spun around and stormed out.

I watched him walk away.

My fingers shook with a rush of emotion.

Wait? Of course I would.

Ten years.

I've been dreaming of this day for ten years.

Now, this is just the beginning.