Chapter 4

Once outside the registry office, Elena walked calmly toward a taxi. In her heart, she had already made a big decision. It was time to return to her former self—not as Damian Lancaster’s wife, living only in the shadow of that bastard.

Quickly, she reached for her phone and dialed a contact she hadn’t called in a long time. It didn’t take long for the call to connect.

“Elena?” The voice on the other end sounded surprised.

Elena gave a small smile. “Hi, Tamara.”

There was a brief silence before a hysterical voice rang out. “OH MY GOD! ELENA! IS THIS REALLY YOU?!”

Elena laughed softly. “Of course it’s me.”

“Where have you been?! Five years with no news! I thought you had disappeared forever!” Tamara exclaimed.

Elena sighed. “I didn’t disappear, Tamara. I was just busy with my life as a wife and a mother.”

Tamara snorted. “What kind of marriage makes a Queen Elisabeth vanish from the fashion world just like that?! Do you know how many people have been looking for you?! You’re a legend! Everyone is still wondering where the mysterious designer went!”

Elena smiled faintly. “I’m coming back, Tamara.”

Tamara was silent for a few seconds before finally screaming, “ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ELENA, ARE YOU REALLY COMING BACK?!”

Elena nodded, even though Tamara couldn’t see it. “Yes,” she said firmly. “I want to get back into business. I want to reclaim my position.”

“Oh my God… you’re not joking, are you, Elena?” Tamara’s voice was filled with excitement. “Wait a minute, are you coming back under your real name or keeping your pseudonym?” she asked eagerly.

Elena thought for a moment before answering confidently, “For now, I’ll remain Queen Elisabeth. I want the world to remember who I am before they know who I really am.”

Tamara chuckled. “I like the way you think. Alright, so what’s the plan?”

Elena leaned back against the car seat. “I want to start with a new collection. I’ve been on hiatus for five years; I need something that will make a breakthrough. I want everyone to know that Queen Elisabeth is back.”

Tamara laughed happily. “Oh, that’s amazing, Elena! You’re really going to shake the fashion world again! I can’t wait!”

Elena smiled. “I need your help, Tamara. I need the best team, I need resources, and most importantly, I want to make the world interested in me again.”

Tamara took a deep breath, sounding extremely enthusiastic. “Elena, leave everything to me. I’ll arrange everything. Just tell me when you’re ready, and I’ll contact our people.”

Elena looked straight ahead, her eyes full of determination. “I’m ready, Tamara. I’m ready to take back what’s rightfully mine.”

Tamara laughed in excitement. “Then get ready, Queen Elisabeth! The world will know you’re back!”

Elena smiled confidently. This was the beginning of everything. No more women being oppressed. No more wives being treated as useless.

Now, the world would see her standing at the top—with her own name.

“Damian! You will regret underestimating me! And I will keep the child in my womb,” Elena said to herself.

Only a day after Elena was officially divorced, her ex-husband’s wedding invitation had already reached her.

“You’re invited to that asshole’s wedding?!” Tamara’s voice rose as Elena showed her the gold invitation with the engraved names of Damian Lancaster and Isabella Monroe.

Elena just smiled wryly. “Of course. How could I not be invited? That jerk and that bitch want to see me hurt.”

Tamara snorted. “So, you’re coming?”

Elena nodded. “Yes.”

Tamara was wide-eyed. “El, are you crazy?! What for?!”

Elena looked at the invitation coldly. “I wanted to see it for myself. I wanted to see how quickly someone would replace me and remind myself that I’d never be caught in the same stupidity.”

Tamara sighed. “Well, then, you should come and show that bastard that you’re okay. You need to look more classy.”

Elena smiled as she understood what Tamara was saying.

“Alright, then I’ll leave Olivia, Katty, and Delya to you.”

“Okay!”

***

As night fell, Elena stepped into the ballroom of the luxury hotel with confidence. Her self-designed black satin gown wrapped her body perfectly, revealing the graceful silhouette that had been hidden behind modesty. Her long hair was pulled into a low bun, and her red lips displayed a thin, meaningful smile.

As she took a step further, whispers began to be heard.

“Who’s that?”

“Oh my, she looks perfect. So beautiful and elegant.”

However, all the compliments were drowned out once Damian and Isabella appeared on the main stage.

Isabella looked flawless in a diamond-white gown, while Damian stood proudly beside her. In his arms, a small baby curled up with a serene face.

“This is the heir to the Lancaster family, David Lancaster Moreno!”

The guests cheered and applauded. The nobles praised Isabella as a very compatible and worthy woman for Damian.

Meanwhile, Elena stood still, feeling something foreign creep into her heart—the envy she hated.

In ten years of marriage, Damian had never brought himself and his children to a big event like this. Olivia, Katty, and Delya were never proudly introduced. They were always hidden away, as if they were not part of the Lancaster family.

But now, Isabella and her baby were on display in front of the world.

Her eyes heated up.

And as Damian gently kissed the baby’s forehead, Elena felt like her heart was being squeezed.

All this time, Damian had never done that with their three children.

Damn it.

Elena turned away, not wanting to look any longer. Her tears were about to fall, but she held them back with force.

But damn it, she was in too much of a hurry.

BRUKK!

She bumped into someone.

The glass of red wine that the man was holding spilled, soaking his expensive suit.

Elena looked up, staring at the man.

He had a sharp face with a solid jaw, cold gray eyes, and a tall, intimidating posture.