Vanessa’s Revelation

**Vanessa's POV**

The morning began like any other. Sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the mansion. I was in the office, reviewing the details of a charity event I had organized for the upcoming week. Becoming Richard's wife had given me the visibility and power I always wanted. It was the perfect life—at least on the surface.

But lately, something was wrong. Richard was more distant, with a lost look in his eyes and secret meetings he never talked about. And I knew that when he shut down like this, something important was happening. Something that would inevitably affect me.

As I pondered this, my phone vibrated on the desk, interrupting my thoughts. When I picked it up, I saw it was a message from my source in the city, someone I kept on the payroll to ensure nothing slipped past my control. I opened the message, unaware that in a second, my world would completely change.

*"Charlotte is back. She's using the name Sophia Carson. Just had a meeting with Richard."*

I felt my heart stop for a moment. Charlotte. The woman I had spent the last few years trying to erase from Richard's life. The woman whose shadow seemed to linger over our marriage, even though he never spoke of her. And now, she was back.

My first impulse was panic. I had worked so hard to build this life, to become indispensable to Richard. But at the same time, anger took hold of me. How dare she return after everything I had done to ensure Richard never thought of her again?

I stood from my chair, my entire body tense. I began pacing, trying to process what this meant. How had Charlotte escaped, disappeared, and then reemerged as someone else? And more importantly, what did she want now?

I knew I needed more information. I grabbed my phone and immediately called my source.

"I want to know everything," I said, my voice hard and firm. "Where she is, what she's doing, and what happened in that meeting with Richard. Don't let anything slip."

On the other end of the line, the person promised to find out more details. I hung up, but the discomfort persisted. The name "Sophia Carson" echoed in my mind, irritating me deeply. It didn't matter what name she used—she would always be Charlotte to me, a real and constant threat.

I sat back down, forcing myself to think clearly. I knew I couldn't confront Richard directly. If I pushed him, I could drive him away, and that was the last thing I wanted. No, I needed to be smart. I needed a strategy, a plan to ensure this woman didn't destroy everything I had built.

As I thought, a new determination began to grow inside me. I wouldn't let Charlotte win. I had fought too hard to get here, to win over Richard, even if he never truly loved me. I made sacrifices and manipulated situations to secure my position, and I wasn't about to lose everything because of her.

I began jotting down ideas on a notepad, outlining the next steps. I needed to find out everything I could about this Sophia Carson, understand her moves, and, if necessary, neutralize her. Time was crucial, and I couldn't allow her to gain more ground.

Then, an idea occurred to me—one that could turn the game in my favor. Perhaps it was time for me to confront Sophia Carson myself. After all, it's much easier to defeat an enemy when you know exactly who they are and what they’re thinking.

A cold smile formed on my lips as I considered this possibility. I would do whatever it took to ensure that, in the end, I would be the only one by Richard’s side. No matter the cost.

With this renewed idea, I got into the car, determined to confront this woman who dared to return to our lives. The address of the hotel where she was staying was easy to obtain. All it took was a quick phone call to my source, and within minutes, I was on my way, the car’s engine purring as I navigated the busy city streets.

As I approached the hotel, my heart beat faster, but anger and determination kept me focused. I needed to see her with my own eyes, to understand what was happening. When the car stopped in front of the luxurious hotel, I remained inside, watching the activity through the window.

Guests were coming in and out of the revolving doors, some laughing, others talking on the phone. But my eyes were fixed on the entrance, waiting for a glimpse of the woman who once held the place that is now mine. Did she still look the same? Did Richard still feel something for her?

Each thought was like a needle piercing my mind, but I had to stay in control. As I waited, time seemed to drag, each minute stretching into an eternity.

Then, I saw her. She exited the hotel with a confident stride, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes hidden behind large, stylish sunglasses. She looked different, stronger, but I knew it was Charlotte—no matter what name she used now. My heart tightened in my chest, a mix of fear and hatred bubbling inside me.

I watched as she walked away, disappearing into the crowd, and a chill ran down my spine. This was just the beginning, and I knew I needed to act quickly.

My phone vibrated again, a message from my source. "She has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning. Do you want the details?"

A cold smile curved my lips. "Yes," I replied quickly. "I want to know everything."

I was ready for the confrontation, ready to make sure Charlotte—or Sophia—understood that she had no place here. She might have come back, but this battle was far from over. And I was more than willing to do whatever it took to ensure that, in the end, I would emerge victorious.