Chapter 6

Arlene I stepped off the plane, the bright lights of Las Vegas flooding my vision. The city buzzed with energy, its promises of new beginnings swirling in the air. But I felt none of it. All I carried was a heavy heart—the ache of leaving behind everything I had once held dear. The man I had loved. The life I had known. And the small but growing life within me. As I walked through the terminal, my heels clicked against the polished floor, and my heart pounded in anticipation of the life I had left behind. I clutched my bag tightly, the only anchor in a sea of emotions threatening to drown me. “Arlene!” I turned at the sound of my name—my real name, not the ghost of an identity I had shed. It felt surreal yet familiar, and a faint smile tugged at my lips at the thought of reclaiming it. My best friend, Olivia, rushed toward me, her eyes wide with shock and excitement. Trailing behind her was my secretary, Matilda, the ever-composed and professional mother figure I had relied on in the past. She stood silently, her gaze fixed on me, equally stunned. They both froze when they saw me, their expressions shifting from joy to disbelief. “Is that really you?” Olivia quivered, her voice trembling. Matilda walked closer, her steps measured. “Welcome home, Miss Gomez.” I offered a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Olivia…” Olivia pulled me into a tight hug, her warmth almost too much to bear. Her tears flowed freely, soaking through my blazer. “God, I thought I lost you. I thought I’d never see you again.” I missed her. I missed her so much, and it struck me as funny how I was only just realizing it. Matilda hovered nearby, her eyes scanning me as if trying to reconcile the woman before her with the one she remembered. “You look… so different,” Olivia said, pulling back to examine me, sniffing and wiping her tears. I chuckled softly, brushing the streaks from her cheeks with my thumbs. “But what’s going on? Where have you been all these years?” “Yes,” Matilda chimed in. “You disappeared without a trace. Everyone thought… well, they thought the worst.” I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain composed. “It’s a long story,” I said finally, my tone clipped. “Let’s talk somewhere more private.” “You look well, Miss Gomez,” Matilda remarked as she led me out of the terminal and into the waiting limousine. “And sad, too,” Olivia added quietly. ** In the suite, Olivia bombarded me with questions the moment the door closed. I could sense Matilda’s curiosity, though she remained composed, watching silently. “Where have you been all this time?” “What happened after the accident?” “Why didn’t you reach out to us?” Her words came in rapid succession, each one a sharp reminder of the years I had spent in the Martinez home. I sat on the edge of the plush bed, taking a deep breath. “I can’t answer everything,” I said finally, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. Olivia crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing. “That’s not fair, Arlene. We thought you were dead.” “And now you’re here,” she added, her tone softer but no less insistent. “Looking like this—completely transformed. We deserve some answers.” I nodded slowly. “I know. But some things are better left unsaid.” Matilda stepped in, her voice calm. “I think we should let her rest.” But Olivia wasn’t one to back down, not after years of guilt and grief over my supposed death. I knew she deserved answers, but I couldn’t bring myself to say more. Olivia’s expression softened, concern replacing her earlier frustration. “You seem… sad,” she said quietly, her voice cutting through my defenses. “Even with this new look, there’s something missing.” I glanced down at my attire, the image of the obedient wife still lingering in the tailored blazer and skirt. “You look nice,” she continued, “but it’s almost like you’re married or—” “I’m not,” I cut her off, my tone sharper than I intended. My eyes darkened as I glanced at my bare ring finger, relieved that I’d tossed the band away. “Oh… I didn’t mean to imply—” “I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just tired from the flight. And this look? I’m getting rid of it today.” Olivia’s face brightened slightly. “I’m just glad you’re back. You came at the perfect time.” Her tone turned conspiratorial, her storyteller expression taking over. “Your stepmother is over the edge, parading herself as the mother of the new heiress to the Gomez fortune.” “Oh,” I replied, feigning innocence. “You don’t know?” Matilda asked, surprised. “I thought that’s why you returned.” I shifted the conversation, unwilling to answer directly. “How’s Daisy coping?” Matilda shook her head. “It’s a mess. Everyone knows Daisy doesn’t have the experience or drive to handle the position, but Mirela doesn’t care. She just wants control.” Their words stirred something inside me—anger, yes, but also a fierce curiosity. “How is Daisy handling it?” I asked softly, my protective instincts surfacing. Olivia and Matilda exchanged uneasy glances. “She’s… trying,” Olivia said carefully. “But it’s obvious she’s overwhelmed. Her mother pulls the strings, and Daisy just goes along with it.” I frowned, anger coursing through me. Daisy and I had always been close, despite Mirela’s attempts to pit us against each other. Now, Daisy was ensnared in the very web her mother had spun. “Is she happy?” I asked, my voice betraying the faintest hint of vulnerability. Olivia hesitated. “It’s hard to say. She’s engaged now.” I already knew. The whispers at the party had made it clear. Mirela wanted her daughter to claim my place. “Well…” I muttered, unsurprised. “You don’t want to know who?” Olivia prodded, raising a brow at my indifference. I shook my head, a small, knowing smile playing on my lips. “No. I’ll find out tomorrow. Let’s save the surprise.” Olivia’s expression darkened. “Oh.”