She Left, She Thrived, She’s Worth Billions novel Chapter 1

At the celebration for Dominic Hale’s new company going public, Melanie Royce served him divorce papers in front of all his clients.

***

Three months earlier.

Melanie had discovered that her husband had another family.

It was the day before her birthday. Dominic was on a business trip in Bresford, a city he traveled to several times a month.

Melanie had decided to go find him, planning to give him a surprise.

But on her way to the hotel, she happened to spot Dominic outside a kindergarten.

“Lila did exceptionally well today because her daddy came to the school’s field day. I know you’re usually busy with work, but please try to make more time for your daughter. Every time she comes to school, she cries about how much she misses her daddy. It breaks my heart to see it,” the teacher said.

Sitting in her car, Melanie watched as Dominic—the same man who was so uncompromising at the office—bowed and scraped before the kindergarten teacher.

When he left, he was holding the hand of a four-year-old girl with one hand and had his other arm linked with a woman’s.

Melanie recognized the woman.

It was Evelyn Hale, the girl his family had adopted. They had been raised together.

Melanie also recognized the four-year-old girl, Lila. She was supposedly the daughter of Evelyn and Everett Kingsley, one of Dominic’s best friends.

Or so she had thought.

They got into a car parked by the side of the road.

Evelyn settled Lila into the child safety seat before opening the passenger door for herself.

It was a black Maybach.

The same one Melanie had picked out for Dominic when they got married.

Dominic had once promised her that the passenger seat would always be hers and hers alone.

Melanie carefully followed the car, her palms sweating as she gripped the steering wheel.

They entered the Hillbourne Park district.

As far as Melanie remembered, this wasn't where Evelyn lived after she got married.

Dominic and Evelyn took Lila into the villa. A short while later, they emerged, dressed up and clearly heading to a special occasion.

Melanie couldn’t muster the courage to sneak into the villa. She kept following Dominic’s car and watched as he took Evelyn and Lila to the Crown & Compass.

It was one of Bresford’s most exclusive restaurants, typically requiring reservations more than six months in advance.

Melanie didn’t have one, so she couldn’t get in.

Standing at the restaurant entrance, she saw Dominic sitting with Evelyn and Lila at a table laden with food and a large cake.

Before coming to Bresford, Melanie had wondered if Dominic might have ordered a cake for her.

It turned out he had, but it was for someone else.

“Happy birthday, Lila!”

The picture of a happy family of three.

After the candles were blown out, Dominic asked Lila, “What did you wish for?”

The four-year-old’s sweet, childish voice rang out clearly in the restaurant.

“I wished that Daddy can be with me for every birthday and spend every day with me.”

A flicker of difficulty crossed Dominic’s face.

That subtle change in expression didn’t escape Evelyn’s notice.

“Lila, what did I tell you? Daddy is busy with work.”

“But I miss Daddy…”

Lila’s lower lip trembled, her eyes reddened, and large tears began to roll down her cheeks.

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