Chapter 1

ONE

M ari sat amidst a sea of boxes in the echoing vastness of the mansion she once shared with her ex-husband, Victor. The remnants of her past life surrounded her, a constant reminder of the bitter divorce that had turned her world upside down.

Victor had long since moved into one of his family's many properties, leaving Mari alone in the house that no longer felt like home. She couldn't wait to escape this gilded cage and start anew.

He'd told her he was done with her. That she was ugly, boring, and stupid. The words didn't hurt her any longer. She'd been hearing them for over two decades. She'd learned to tune him out. But when he finally said he didn't want her, hope had grown in her chest. Could it be true? Could she finally have her freedom?

As she sorted through the endless piles of possessions, memories of their tumultuous marriage flooded her mind. She recalled the countless arguments that had echoed through these halls, each more vicious than the last.

"You're suffocating me, Victor!" Mari had screamed, her voice raw with frustration. "I can't live like this anymore. Get out of my head!"

Victor laughed, a cold, cruel sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Suffocating you? I've given you everything, Marigold. A life of luxury, a place in society. And this is how you repay me? You're nothing without me."

"I don't want your money or your status," Mari spat back, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I want my freedom, my autonomy. I want to stop hearing you tell me how pathetic I am. I want to be alone without your voice constantly mocking me and making fun of me."

The words had hung in the air between them, heavy with the weight of years of resentment and bitterness. Victor's face twisted into a sneer, his eyes narrowing with contempt.

"You are nothing. Nothing. You'll never be more than what I've made you," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "Without me, you're trash. Just remember that. And remember this, you pathetic little witch, your family handed you over to me. They practically begged me to marry you."

"They didn't!" she argued, but he was right. Her parents had signed a marriage contract for her with Victor when she was only a teenager. She'd agreed to it because they told her this was what good daughters did. They'd brainwashed her for years into believing she was bad if she didn't do what they said.

Mari shook her head, trying to dispel the painful memories. She refused to let Victor's cruel words define her any longer. She was more than his prized possession, more than a pawn in his games of power and control.

Her eyes fell on a framed photograph, a relic from their wedding day when she was twenty years old. In the picture, Mari looked hopeful. She remembered how nice Victor had been and how much that eased her fears. Until she saw the man behind the mask. Until she saw the monster.

She remembered the moment she had walked down the aisle, her heart heavy with trepidation. She had known that marrying Victor was a mistake. But she had been young and na?ve and she'd guilted her into the marriage by her parents and then by Victor himself. Always telling her he needed her. Always pushing his issues on her and then switching things to make it seem like she was the bad guy. At the time, she had convinced herself that she could make it all work out.

How wrong she had been.

With a sigh, Mari picked up the photograph, her fingers tracing the delicate silver frame. She'd held onto this memento far too long, clinging to the fading hope that things could be different. It was time to let go, to leave the past where it belonged. She was done. She was free.

A hope unlike she'd ever felt grew in her chest. Had she really allowed herself to become someone else's doormat by wanting to be a good daughter? Why? She didn't really have the answer to it, she just knew she was glad it was finally over. Victor was finally tired of her. She'd been asking for a divorce for over twenty years and he'd always laughed in her face. Always reminding her that he owned her. That she owed him.

She strode to the fireplace, the click of her heels echoing in the empty room. With a determined flick of her wrist, she tossed the photograph into the flames, watching as the fire consumed the image of her former self.

As the photograph crumbled to ash, Mari felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She was no longer the submissive twenty year old woman Victor had tried to force her into. She was forty-five and she no longer answered to anyone but herself. She was strong, resilient, and capable of forging her own path. She'd be damned if she ever let anyone try to control her again.

She turned back to the sea of boxes, her resolve strengthened. Each item she packed away was a step closer to her new life, a life free from Victor's suffocating control. She would leave this prison behind and spread her wings, ready to soar into a future of her own making.

The shrill ring of her phone pierced the silence, startling Mari from her thoughts. She glanced at the screen, her sister Molly's name flashing insistently. With a sigh, she answered the call, instantly greeted by Molly's cheerful voice.

"Mari, my favorite sister, how are you?"

Mari shook her head. "I'm your only sister."

"Exactly. How's the packing going? I can't wait for you to join me in Whispering Pines!" Molly's enthusiasm was infectious, bringing a small smile to Mari's face.

"It's... overwhelming," Mari admitted, surveying the daunting task before her. "But I'm looking forward to the change. A fresh start is exactly what I need. A fresh…everything."

"You're going to love it here," Molly assured her. "The town is so charming, and the people are wonderful. You'll fit right in." There was a pause, and Mari could practically hear the gears turning in her sister's head. "What are you doing? You know what you should do tonight? Celebrate your newfound freedom."

Mari hesitated. "I don't know, Molly. I have so much packing to do, and I'm not really in the mood for going out." Secretly, though, she wished she could be on top of a bar screaming to the world she was a free woman and taking shots with strangers. She wanted to have that life even if for one day.

"Nonsense," Molly insisted. "A night out is exactly what you need to shake off the past and embrace your fresh start. You deserve happiness, Mari. Is there anyone you might want to spend some time with?"

Mari's thoughts drifted to Emily, a co-worker from the academy who had been persistently inviting her out. "Well, there's this woman I used to work with. She's always asking me to go out with her."

"Perfect. Call her up and paint the town red," Molly encouraged. "You've got this, sis. It's time to let your hair down and have some fun."

With a reluctant sigh, Mari agreed. "All right, all right. I'll give Emily a call."

"That's the spirit. Remember, you're an amazing woman, and you deserve the best. Now go out there and show the world what it's been missing."

Mari couldn't help but chuckle at Molly's irrepressible optimism. "Thanks, Molly. I'll talk to you soon."

Ending the call, Mari stared at her phone for a moment, gathering her courage. She dialed Emily's number, her heart racing as she waited for her to answer.

"Mari? What a surprise!" Emily's bubbly voice filled the line. "Please tell me you're calling to finally take me up on my offer for a night out."

Mari took a deep breath, pushing aside her doubts. "Actually, yes. I am. Where should I meet you?"

Emily's squeal of delight nearly deafened Mari. "Oh my gosh, yes! Meet me at The Rusty Cauldron in an hour. You won't regret this."

With plans set, Mari ended the call and strode to her closet, determination fueling her steps. She sifted through her clothes, searching for the perfect outfit—something that would make her feel confident and ready to embrace this new chapter in her life.

Finally, she settled on a sleek, blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She paired it with her favorite black heels and a delicate silver necklace that gleamed against her skin. As she stood before the mirror, Mari hardly recognized the woman staring back at her. The past year had taken its toll, but tonight, she was determined to reclaim her spark.

"You can do this," she whispered to her reflection, a fierce glint in her eye. "It's time to show the world what Marigold Sinclair is made of."

With a final nod of determination, Mari grabbed her purse and strode out of the house, ready to face whatever the night had in store.

The Rusty Cauldron was alive with energy when Mari arrived. Music pulsed through the air, mingling with the hum of conversation and laughter. She spotted Emily waiting by the entrance, her red hair a beacon in the crowd.

"Mari!" Emily exclaimed, pulling her into a tight hug. "You look amazing. I'm so glad you came."

Mari returned the hug, feeling a flicker of excitement begin to replace her nerves. "Thanks for inviting me. I needed this."

Arm in arm, they entered the bar, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere. The Rusty Cauldron was a local hotspot known for its lively ambiance and eclectic clientele. As they wove through the throng of patrons, Mari couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation.

They found a table near the bar, settling in as Emily flagged down a server to order their drinks. Mari's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sea of unfamiliar faces. It had been so long since she'd been out like this, and a part of her felt out of place like a puzzle piece that no longer fit.

Emily, ever attuned to Mari's moods, leaned in with a reassuring smile. "Hey, relax. You're doing great. Tonight's about letting loose and having fun."

Mari nodded, forcing a smile. "You're right. I'm just... adjusting."

As their drinks arrived, Emily launched into a lively story about her latest dating misadventures, her animated gestures and self-deprecating humor soon had Mari laughing. The tension melted away as they fell into easy conversation, catching up on the months they'd lost touch.

Suddenly, a ripple of energy passed through the bar. Mari's gaze was drawn to the entrance where a tall, striking figure had just arrived. He moved with a confident, almost predatory grace, his presence commanding attention without effort. As he turned, his piercing green eyes locked with Mari's, and an instant spark of electricity passed between them. Holy wow. Talk about every woman's wet dream come to life.

Emily, noticing Mari's distraction, followed her gaze. "Well, well, well," she murmured appreciatively. "Looks like the night just got a lot more interesting."

Mari couldn't tear her eyes away from the mysterious stranger. There was something about him—a raw, magnetic energy that called to her on a primal level. She watched as he made his way to the bar, his every movement exuding confidence and purpose.

"You should go talk to him," Emily urged, nudging Mari with a mischievous grin.

Mari hesitated, her heart pounding. It had been so long since she'd felt this kind of attraction, this instant, visceral connection. The thought of approaching him made her palms sweat and her mouth go dry.

"Like hell!"

"Oh, come on, Mari. He's hot."

"Yeah. That's kind of the problem. He's the type of hot that is probably used to women throwing themselves at him."

"So? You're hot too!"

She gave Emily a look. "Right."

"You are super-hot. In that total MILF type of way. Stop doubting yourself. You just told me earlier you needed a fresh start. Well, stop allowing the past to hold you back. Be that self- assured, strong, sassy woman I know lives inside you. Let her out."

"I don't know," she hedged, nervously fiddling with her glass.

"Well, I know. I know that you need some fun and he looks like he'll break the bed giving you multiple orgasms."

Geez. Why did she get an immediate visual? A night of fun with a stranger sounded so irresponsible but so fun. The cautious and careful Mari wouldn't even think of it. She'd be too worried about what people might say. "I'm not sure I'm ready for this."

Emily fixed her with a knowing look. "Mari, you're a gorgeous, intelligent, powerhouse of a woman. You've been through hell and come out the other side stronger than ever. If anyone deserves a little fun and adventure, it's you." She gave Mari a shot and watched her down it. "Now, go over there and let your inner vixen out. Show that tall, hunky man you're ready for him to rock your world."