Chapter 36

Chapter 36
Selene's pov
I leaned back against the smooth leather of my car seat, tapping my nails against the armrest as I replayed the scene with Avah. She wasn’t what I expected. I thought I’d find some meek, soft-spoken girl, a woman unsure of her place in Roman’s world. Instead, she walked in with fire in her eyes, unafraid to fight for her little assistant. That was… interesting.
“She’s not what I expected,” I mused, my voice smooth as silk.
“She’s nothing special,” Cassandra scoffed. “She lacks class, elegance, the refinement it takes to be with someone like Roman. Just some nobody he picked up.”
I hummed, turning my gaze to the city flashing past the tinted windows. “And yet, he chose her,” I murmured, almost to myself. “That alone makes her… worth watching.”
Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You should’ve seen her when she walked in. She acted like some knight in shining armor. Kicked my heel off Sally’s hand like she was about to start a war.”
I smiled at that, a slow, knowing smirk. “Good. That means she’s predictable. Women like her—women who act like they have nothing to lose—are always the easiest to shake.”
“She looked nervous when you stared her down,” Cassandra added. “Like she knew she didn’t belong.”
“She knows,” I said simply, tilting my head in thought. “She might not admit it, but she felt it. And now, I need to know everything that happened while I was away. Every little detail.”
Cassandra pulled out her phone, scrolling through messages. “For starters, everyone was blindsided when he married her. He didn’t let anyone vet her, didn’t make a grand announcement. She just appeared one day, and suddenly, she’s Mrs. Roman.”
I clenched my jaw slightly but kept my expression smooth. “And the company?”
“Not running as smoothly as he’d like,” she said, smirking. “There’s a contract he’s struggling to close. Something about supply chain issues. He’s keeping it under wraps, but he’s feeling the pressure.”
I turned my gaze forward, my mind already working. Good. That means he’s vulnerable. And when a man like Roman is vulnerable… he turns to what’s familiar.
The car slowed as we approached the gleaming tower of Rome International. But my eyes weren’t in the building—I was already thinking about the power shift happening in my own world.
Lex Corp had always been my family’s empire, but my brother… he was weak. He let greed and recklessness turn it into a mess, a mess that now fell into my hands.
I smirked.
Now, I have every reason to be in Roman’s orbit. Not as his past, not as the girl he used to love—but as Selene Laurent, the new CEO of Lex Corp. His equal.
The car came to a smooth stop, jerking me slightly forward. I blinked, momentarily lost in my thoughts before realizing we had arrived. A slow smile curved my lips. Rome International. Finally.
I exhaled softly, reaching into my designer handbag and pulling out my lipstick—a bold, rich red, the kind that commanded attention. With practiced ease, I applied a fresh layer, pressing my lips together before glancing at my reflection in the compact mirror. I tilted my head, checking for any imperfections. My platinum blonde hair fell sleek and straight, framing my face perfectly. Perfect.
Yet, beneath the flawless exterior, a quiet storm brewed. It had been two years since I’d last seen Roman. Two years of radio silence. He had always been mine, even when we were apart. No matter where we went, no matter what happened, we always found our way back to each other.
Until her.
I snapped the mirror shut, my jaw tightening. Roman was married now. And to her of all people. Mrs. Roman. The name left a bitter taste in my mouth. She had no history with him, no understanding of what he needed. What we had was irreplaceable.
I inhaled sharply, forcing the smirk back onto my lips. No matter. I was back now, and I had every intention of reclaiming what was mine.
“Miss Selene, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.
I gave him a single nod before pushing the door open. My heels clicked against the pavement as I stepped out, adjusting my coat. Rome International’s towering glass building loomed before me, as familiar as ever. This was where Roman belonged. And now, with Lex Corp's sudden shift in leadership, I had every reason to be here too.
This was going to be very interesting.
I strutted into the grand lobby of Rome International, the sound of my heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floors. Heads turned as I passed, but I barely acknowledged them. My focus was singular.
The receptionist looked up with a polite yet cautious smile. “Good afternoon, ma’am. How can I help you?”
I removed my sunglasses and placed them neatly into my handbag before giving her a cool smile. “I’m Selene Lexington, the new CEO of Lex Corp. I have an appointment with Mr. Roman.”
Her fingers hesitated over the keyboard for a split second. “One moment, please.” She typed quickly, her eyes flicking to her screen, then back to me. “Yes, Ms. Lexington, you’re expected. You may proceed to the top floor—his office is straight ahead.”
Of course, I was expected. Roman would never refuse me an audience, no matter the circumstances.
I stepped into the private elevator, watching the numbers climb with every floor. My heart pounded, though I kept my face composed. Two years. Two years without seeing him. Would he look the same? Would he still remember what we were?
When the elevator doors slid open, I stepped into his office with practiced ease, taking in the space that was undeniably his.
Dark wood. Sleek furniture. The subtle scent of his cologne lingering in the air. A wall-to-ceiling window overlooked the city, bathing the room in golden afternoon light. It felt powerful and intimate. It felt like home.
I walked over to the plush leather couch and sat down, crossing my legs slowly. My gaze roamed over every detail of the office, absorbing his world—my world.
This is where I belong. With him. By his side. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that happens.
Now, all I had to do was play.