The echoes of her past—a chorus of accusations, betrayal, and heartbreak—still haunted Amelia Lightwood. Five years had passed since her world shattered, since the whispers of 'monster' and 'shameless' became her constant companions. Every night, the same nightmares replayed: Layla's fall, Oliver's cold dismissal, the crushing weight of public condemnation.

This morning was no different. Drenched in sweat, Amelia jolted awake, gasping for air. Her phone, a lifeline to her fragile present, jarred her from the haze. Aria, her assistant, sounded frantic, a storm brewing in her voice about a missed meeting and an angry boss.

Amelia didn't care about traffic or red lights as she sped through the city, the black 'speedo' a blur. But as she pushed open the meeting room door, the familiar chill that seized the room was a premonition. A voice, cold and detached, a voice that had screamed curses in her dreams, sliced through the silence. Oliver. And just like that, her carefully constructed world began to crumble once more.