Chapter 3 - The Cold Revenge Begins
Over the next three weeks, Derek’s world collapsed with terrifying speed.
He tried everything. He called Skylar’s friends, showed up at her former workplace, and even sent his mother to plead with her. But Skylar had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only a high-powered family lawyer named Marcus Vance, who refused to negotiate a single term.
Because the apartment was purchased solely by Skylar prior to their marriage, Derek had no legal right to stay. Two weeks after the incident, county sheriffs arrived at the Edgewater apartment and forcibly removed Derek and Suzanne’s belongings, dumping their suitcases onto the sidewalk.
Without a job, without access to Skylar’s money, and facing a pending criminal court date for felony battery, Derek was forced to move into a cramped, run-down one-bedroom rental on the outskirts of the city with Suzanne, who spent every day screaming at him for ruined lifestyle.
Meanwhile, Skylar was rebuilding her life from the ground up.
She had moved into a quiet, secure high-rise in Downtown Miami. The physical burn on her face had healed into a faint, pale mark—a daily reminder of the strength she had discovered within herself.
She had taken her savings, partnered with a former logistics client, and launched her own supply-chain consulting firm. Free from the constant drain of funding Derek and Suzanne’s lavish habits, her business flourished within months.
One evening, Skylar attended a high-profile corporate gala at the Epic Hotel. She wore a sleek, navy blue silk dress that draped gracefully over her shoulders, her hair styled to subtly frame her face.
As she stood near the balcony enjoying a glass of sparkling water, a smooth, deep voice spoke from behind her.
"You know, most people come to these events to network, not to stare at the ocean."
Skylar turned to see a tall man in his late thirties, wearing a impeccably tailored charcoal suit. He had sharp, intelligent grey eyes and a calm, commanding presence.
It was Julian Sterling, the CEO of Sterling Logistics Group—one of the largest shipping firms on the East Coast and a man known in the business world for his brilliant mind and absolute intolerance for deceit.
"I find the ocean much more predictable than business executives, Mr. Sterling," Skylar replied coolly, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
Julian chuckled softly, stepping up to the balcony rail beside her. "Fair point. I’ve been reading your firm's market analysis reports, Miss Skylar. Your restructuring strategy for international freight was nothing short of brilliant."
May you like
Over the next hour, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Unlike Derek, who constantly interrupted her or diminished her achievements, Julian listened intently, valuing her insight and treating her as an absolute equal.
What Skylar didn't know yet was that Julian’s firm was currently looking for a new corporate insurance underwriter—and Derek’s former agency was desperately bidding for the contract, with Derek attempting to use his old contacts to crawl his way back into the industry.
