Back in the Clark residence, Samantha sat in the quiet of her study, the rich mahogany furniture gleaming softly under the warm light of the chandelier above. The room smelled faintly of the roses that had been delivered earlier that day, their delicate petals arranged in an ornate vase on her desk. She picked up her cup of tea, but instead of taking a sip, she found herself staring at the gold band on her finger—the symbol of her new life.
The wedding ring glittered under the light, its diamonds catching and refracting the glow. It was a tangible reminder that she was now Samantha Clark, wife of Richard Clark, one of the most powerful men in the city. She traced the band slowly, a small smile curling at the corners of her lips. Samantha Clark. She had never imagined that title would one day belong to her, a girl who had come from nothing. Now, she had everything—wealth, status, and the security she had always craved.