SETTLING BACK IN LONDON-THE RETURN OF THE QUEEN

The jet landed smoothly at Heathrow Airport, but as soon as Rory stepped onto British soil, a strange uneasiness settled in her chest. She brushed it off as exhaustion; after all, it's been a long journey down,n, and they didn't have much time to prepare for their trip because of the urgency of Lee's call. But something about being back in London after so long felt different.

Victor, ever the doting husband, wrapped a protective arm around her waist. "Welcome home, my love," he whispered against her ear, his voice a warm contrast to the crisp evening air.

Rory managed a small smile and turned to their daughter. Ami, her five-year-old bundle of energy, clutched her stuffed rabbit tightly as she yawned, her curly hair a wild mess from sleeping through most of the flight.

Harriet her longtime nanny who has become a mother to her, had been waiting for them at the arrivals gate, her face lighting up when she spotted them. "There’s my favourite girl!" Harriet beamed, opening her arms wide.

Ami squealed and practically jumped into Harriet’s embrace, her tiny arms wrapping around the older woman’s neck. 

Rory watched them with a soft smile before turning to Victor. “Do you think she missed us at all?” she teased.

Victor chuckled, adjusting the Hermès duffel bag slung over his shoulder. “Not a chance.”

Harriet grinned, balancing Ami on her hip. “You lot are too dramatic. Of course, I missed you all! But let’s get home first, yeah? It’s been a long journey.”

Home.

The word should have brought comfort, but instead, Rory felt a strange tightness in her chest, however, she shook it off.

Before long, their car pulled up in front of Rory’s mansion, a modern masterpiece of steel, glass, and stone, standing tall against the London skyline. Rory had owned this house for years, but walking back through the doors now felt surreal.

As they stepped inside, the familiar scent of French vanilla candles and fresh roses filled the air. The staff had kept the house in pristine condition as if Rory had never left.

Ami, now wide awake, sprinted down the marble hallway, her tiny footsteps echoing through the grand space.

“Mummy! There is a piano here, too!” she exclaimed, rushing over to the gleaming black Steinway in the main lounge.

Rory let out a soft laugh. “Of course, sweetheart, this is still our home.”

Victor leaned in, dropping a kiss on her temple. “It’s beautiful, Rory. Just like you.”

She gave him a playful shove. “Flattery won’t get you out of carrying all the luggage inside.”

Victor smirked. “Worth a shot.”

Harriet had already disappeared into the kitchen, giving instructions to the house staff about Ami’s favourite bedtime snacks.

Rory turned in a slow circle, letting the familiarity of the space wash over her, but that feeling of unease still lingered.

Something felt different about this place. The house and the environment as a whole.

Maybe it was just London itself, the city had changed while she was away. The business landscape was more cutthroat, and from what Ms. Lee had warned her, Rory’s Tech was facing fiercer competition than ever.

She was ready for a fight.

But was London ready for her?

Later that night, after Ami had been tucked into bed and Victor disappeared into his art studio to unpack his supplies, Rory found herself in her study.

She hadn’t been in this room for years, yet everything was exactly as she left it. Her custom-built glass desk, the rows of business strategy books, the large window overlooking the city skyline.

She powered on her laptop, her fingers immediately typing out login credentials to access Rory’s Tech’s private server.

Unread emails flooded her screen.

A message from Ms. Lee caught her eye.

> Ms. Lee:

Rory, I’m relieved you’re finally back. But things are worse than I thought. We need to meet first thing tomorrow. The competition is moving aggressively. Someone has been leaking our internal developments. We have a mole.

Rory’s jaw tightened.

A mole?

She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to remain calm. Rory’s Tech had been her empire, her blood, sweat, and tears. She had built it from scratch, and she would not let anyone rip it away from her.

She sent a quick reply.

> Rory:

Understood. I’ll be at the office by 7 AM.

Just as she hit send, Victor stepped into the room, his muscular frame casting a shadow against the doorframe.

“You’re already working mi amor?” he asked, walking towards her. “You just got home, Rory. Can’t it wait?”

She sighed, rubbing her temples. “I wish it could.”

Victor leaned down and tilted her chin up, forcing her to meet his deep, dark eyes. “I know this company is your baby, but don’t forget you have a family too.”

His words stung because she knew he was right.

“I won’t forget,” she whispered.

Victor studied her face for a moment before pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead. “Good.”

As he walked away, Rory stared at the London skyline, a storm brewing inside her.

Something wasn’t right.

And she was going to find out what.

Around midnight, Rory stirred awake; she looked at her husband, who was sleeping peacefully beside her. The house was silent, except for the occasional hum of the city outside.

She wasn’t sure why she woke up until she felt it again. That eerie sensation of being watched.

She sat up in bed, her heart was pounding heavily. Victor was asleep beside her, his breathing was slow and steady.

She scanned the room but found nothing out of place.

Yet, the feeling remained.

She slipped out of bed and walked toward the balcony. The cool night air hit her skin as she gazed down at the city below.

Everything seemed normal.

But as she was about to turn back inside, something caught her eye.

A black car is parked across the street.

It wasn’t unusual except that it hadn’t moved in hours.

Rory’s stomach tightened. Could this be a coincidence? Maybe.

But her instincts screamed otherwise.

As she turned back into the room, her mind racing. London had changed.

And it seemed that someone was waiting for her return.