Alpha's Flame: Her Three Little Cupids

“Ow… it hurts.”

Elena Rivers stirred, her whole body aching like she’d been hit by a truck. Every muscle throbbed, her limbs felt heavy, and when she tried to move, a sharp pain shot through her.

She blinked awake, groggy and disoriented, finding herself wrapped in nothing but a scratchy blanket. Her brain fogged over, overwhelmed by the discomfort and the strangeness of it all.

What the hell happened?

Before she could even form a coherent thought, a loud knock on the door jolted her back to reality.

Then came that voice—Sophia Rivers’s voice, dripping with fake concern.

“Dad, this is it. I told you I saw everything!”

The door burst open.

Her father, Richard Rivers, charged into the room, his face twisted in anger.

Trailing behind him, like a shadow, was Sophia, her stepsister.

Richard’s eyes swept the scene, and for a brief moment, he looked shocked. But that shock quickly turned into something much worse—rage. His jaw clenched, his fists balled at his sides.

“Elena, what the hell have you done?”

“Dad, wait—let me explain!” Elena’s voice cracked, panic rising in her throat.

“Explain?” His voice cut through the air, sharp and cold. “I saw it with my own eyes. What’s left to explain?”

Elena’s heart pounded, her mind racing for the right words. Just then, Sophia stepped forward, placing a hand on their father’s arm as if to calm him.

“Dad, don’t be too upset,” Sophia cooed, her voice sweet but laced with poison. Then she turned to Elena, her expression shifting to one of mock disappointment. “Elena, the Rivers family has given you everything. How could you repay our father’s kindness by… doing something so shameful?”

The accusation hit Elena like a slap in the face.

Her throat tightened, and a wave of nausea rolled over her. She fought to keep her voice steady as she glared at Sophia.

“Sophia, stop lying! You set me up, and you know it!”

She looked desperately at her father, pleading with him. “Dad, it was her! She’s the one who—”

But before she could finish, Richard’s hand came down hard across her face. The sting was immediate, the sound of the slap echoing through the room. Elena’s head snapped to the side, her cheek burning from the blow.

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

“I’ve had enough of your excuses,” Richard said, his voice cold with finality. “You’ve brought shame to this family, and now you want to blame your sister? You’re no daughter of mine.”

With that, he turned and stormed out, leaving Elena standing there, stunned and heartbroken.

She took a shaky step forward, wanting to chase after him, and to make him understand, but Sophia blocked her path, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

“Well, well, Elena. How the mighty have fallen.”

Elena’s body trembled with anger, her voice barely above a whisper. “Why are you doing this to me?”

Sophia leaned in, her voice low and taunting. “Because, dear sister, I’ve waited a long time for this. Now, Dad sees you for what you really are. Do you honestly think you’ll still have a claim to Venus Jewelry after this?”

Elena felt the ground slipping out from under her. The room seemed to spin as the weight of Sophia’s words sank in.

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with victory. “You’ve always been the perfect daughter, the princess of the Rivers family. But now? Now you’re nothing. Not even fit to stand next to me—the illegitimate one.”

She pulled out her phone, waving it in Elena’s face like a trophy. “Oh, and don’t think this ends here. I have everything I need to make sure you never recover from this. Enjoy your fall from grace, Elena.”

Outside, rain began to pour, a torrential downpour that mirrored the storm brewing inside Elena.

She stumbled out of the hotel, the cold rain soaking through her clothes, her hair plastered to her face. She looked like a shadow of herself—drenched, defeated, and utterly alone. But even in her dishevelled state, her beauty was undeniable.

Elena stood in the middle of the street, her fists clenched at her sides. She turned back to look at the hotel, the place where her life had crumbled.

No more tears. No more pleading.

One day, she vowed, she would come back. And when she did, she would take back everything that had been stolen from her.

Metronia International Airport.

A sleek BMW cruised down the highway, speeding away from the airport. In the backseat, two adorable little boys and a girl were fast asleep, their heads resting against each other.

In the driver’s seat, Lillian, Elena's best friend, glanced in the rearview mirror at the kids, a fond smile playing on her lips.

“You sure about this, Elena?” Lillian asked, her tone curious. “I mean, you had everything abroad—top jewelry designer, respected in your field, pulling in a seven-figure income… And now, boom, you just up and leave?”

Elena, sitting in the passenger seat, stared out the window, absentmindedly twirling a lock of her hair. The city skyline of Metronia loomed ahead, a bittersweet reminder of what she’d left behind—and what she was here to reclaim.

”Someone offered me a high price to jump ship and join Venus Jewelry. So, of course, I’m taking this chance to reclaim what’s mine.”

Venus Jewelry wasn’t just another company. It was her mother’s life’s work and a part of the Rivers family legacy—a legacy that had been stolen from her.

Lillian raised an eyebrow, impressed by her friend’s determination. “Venus Jewelry was about to go under a few years ago. Yeah, and guess who swooped in just in time to save it? TG Group！ Now Sophia’s sitting pretty as the director, all thanks to her new sugar daddy, Mr. Blackwood.”

Lillian couldn’t help but laugh. “Imagine the look on her face when she finds out the woman she’s been bad-mouthing for years is actually Zora, the world-renowned jewelry designer!”

Mr. Blackwood. The name alone carried weight. Damien Blackwood wasn’t just any businessman—he was the most powerful name in Metronia, the kind of man who could make or break entire industries with a single deal. Everyone knew him, and everyone feared crossing him.

Elena’s jaw tightened. It all made sense now. If Sophia was still standing, it had to be because someone like Damien Blackwood was backing her. The Rivers family didn’t have that kind of money—not without him.

The car pulled up in front of Venus Jewelry.

Elena stepped out, her eyes scanning the building she hadn’t seen in years. This wasn’t just a company. It was her mother’s dream, and she wasn’t about to let it slip through her fingers again.

Inside, she approached the front desk, her appointment details in hand. The receptionist barely looked up before dismissing her with a sneer.

“Let me guess,” the woman said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “You’re here pretending to be Zora, right? Nice try, but everyone knows Zora’s a blonde. Now, do yourself a favor and get lost.”

Elena’s expression didn’t change, but her patience was wearing thin. “Excuse me?”

The receptionist folded her arms, giving her a once-over. “Zora’s a world-famous designer. You? Please. Don’t waste my time.”

Just as Elena was about to respond, a wave of sudden chatter swept through the lobby.

“Ms. Rivers! Good morning!” The receptionist’s demeanor did a complete 180 as Sophia Rivers swanned into the room, all smiles and fake warmth.

Sophia’s eyes flicked toward Elena, and for a split second, shock flashed across her face. But she quickly masked it, striding over with that same smug look Elena had always hated.

“Oh, look who’s back,” Sophia drawled, her voice oozing mockery. “I didn’t think you’d have the guts to show your face here again.”

Elena met her gaze with a calm smile. “Congratulations, Sophia. You finally got the title you’ve always wanted. Let’s just hope you don’t run the company into the ground.”

“You—”

Before she could finish, the receptionist leaned in, whispering something in Sophia’s ear. A slow, deliberate smile spread across Sophia’s face as she let out a loud, exaggerated laugh.

“Elena, if you wanted to see me, you could’ve just asked,” she said, her voice loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. “But posing as Zora? That’s a new low, even for you.”

Her voice echoed through the lobby, and soon enough, staff members were whispering and pointing.

No one had ever seen Zora in person, but everyone assumed she was some glamorous, blonde-haired woman.

However, Elena obviously had black hair.

Elena folded her arms, unbothered by the growing crowd. “Do you really want me to prove it?”

Sophia’s smile faltered for a second, but she quickly regained her composure. The last thing she wanted was for Elena to be back in her life, especially at Venus Jewelry. And if Elena had the audacity to claim Zora’s identity, Sophia would be more than happy to humiliate her.

She stepped closer, grabbing Elena’s arm. “Oh, Elena, stop embarrassing yourself. I know you’ve dabbled in jewelry design, but this is taking it too far. I personally know Zora, and—well, let’s just say you’re not her.”

Sophia’s smile widened, her confidence returning. She didn’t know Zora—of course, she didn’t. But she was banking on no one else knowing either.

Elena’s expression darkened. So, this is how she wants to play it?

Before Elena could pull her arm away, Sophia suddenly released her grip and stumbled backwards, falling to the ground dramatically as if pushed.

“What’s going on here?”

A deep, icy voice cut through the room, silencing the whispers instantly.

Elena’s head snapped toward the entrance, where a tall, imposing figure was striding in, flanked by several men in tailored black suits.

His sharp features and piercing amber eyes gave him an air of untouchable authority, and the custom suit he wore only enhanced the dangerously powerful aura he exuded.

There was something about him—about the way he moved, the way he looked at people—that sent a chill through the room.

For a moment, Elena froze. That face—those eyes—they were hauntingly familiar. They reminded her of her sons.

Sophia, still playing the part of the victim, was quickly helped to her feet by a nearby employee. She hurried over to Damien, her voice soft and full of fake regret.

“Damien, it’s nothing,” she said sweetly. “This is my sister Elena. It’s all my fault, really. Don’t blame her.”