*** I do not own OUaT nor their characters. ***

Make sure you take note of the trigger warnings at the beginning of this story. I'll also post them at the beginning of every chapter.

Now, as always enjoy :)

PROLOGUE

Emma Nolan White's nerves were getting the better of her and she knew things wouldn't end well for her if she couldn't get herself to calm down. Her knee bounced relentlessly and her pulse was racing. She had lifted her fingers to lips to chew on her nails more than once already only to receive one of her Mother's glare that would remind her of the consequences of showing weakness when they were supposed to be above the new owners. Her adrenaline levels were hyped up and she really wanted to pace off some of the nervous energy. Yet she knew it was in her best interests to remain sitting at her Mother's right hand side where she'd been told her entire life she belonged.

Today was the day she'd learn about the rest of her life. She stopped short as that sentence ran through her mind on repeat. This was never how her life was supposed to be. And yet due to circumstances beyond her control her fate had been decided for her years ago.

Now here she was sitting to the right of the helm of the table at the ripe old age of 25. Having spent most of her life rebelling against her Mother's demands on her life she had arrived at the exact place that her Mother had always told her she belonged.

Her Mother sat at the head of the conference table. She held herself still and regal as usual. Though Snow was a petite woman that in no way made her easy prey. She had a bite filled with venom and a bark that could make grown men squirm. She had learned that she was in command at all times from her Father and it was every one else's job to fall in line.

To her Mother's left sat Killian Hook. He was her Mother's protégé. He and Emma had been 'dating' for the past couple of years. He had asked her to marry him three times already and each time she'd managed to wriggle out of it. This didn't faze him though. Her Mother and he both were certain there'd be a yes sooner than later.

Emma wasn't so sure though. Honestly she knew that she didn't even like him very much. And when Killian fell asleep after what was supposed to be lovemaking the emptiness crept back into Emma's soul. She knew that she didn't have feelings for him that a woman should have for a man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. In her entire life she'd only ever felt that way about one person. And when she'd stood in the face of her betrayal Emma had instead buried those feelings for a lifetime. She'd stepped up and become the daughter her Mother always wanted instead of the punk rebel who could do nothing right in her Mother's eyes.

Now they sat in a private conference room awaiting their fate. The company that her Grandfather, Snow's Father, had spent years building up had taken a huge fall. Snow had taken the family business public soon after taking over from her Father. It had been deemed a brilliant bold business move at the time that was set to make them billions. But business hadn't gone as planned.

They'd been outbid on many projects and it seemed like every move they made they were being chased. The company had been forced to a standstill after their last ditch attempt had gone awry. They found out too late that Stableman Enterprises had secretly been buying up all the shares of their company for the past few years. They now held controlling interest.

For now, Snow still held the title of CEO of the White Alliance. But in minutes they would come face to face with their new boss. And it would be up to them whether or not they continued to allow the old guard their dignity and a path forward to working together. Or take everything they had and leave them with nothing.

The door opened slowly and Emma's breath caught in her throat as she waited….

RQ

"They're here," a nasally disembodied voice spoke through the intercom.

"Thank you, Ashley. I'll be there in a few minutes," Regina informed her secretary. She looked around the room at all of the anxious faces. Granny, Ruby, Cora, and Zelena all sat on the sofas that lined the walls in the far corner of her office. Their faces were filled with worry but also sadness. They all knew what this meant to her.

As a young girl, Regina had suffered at the hands of all three living generations of the White family. They had taken her innocence and rewarded her with a cruelty that almost destroyed her and her family. Snow's father had long since been dead and buried. But his daughter and granddaughter still remained. And now was the time for the wrongs she had suffered at their hands to be avenged.

"Are you sure you're ready for this dear?" Cora asked her daughter. She knew that Regina had spent years orchestrating this moment. Honestly she was proud of her. But she had never wanted what had been done to her to destroy her little girl. She understood that Regina felt like she was reclaiming herself. She just hoped that this really was what Regina wanted and they could close the door on this chapter of their lives.

This entire situation had always been an emotional one for the family. The White family had put them through pure hell. Finally the horror she'd endured could be laid to proper rest.

Regina stared at one of the biggest and most prominent photographs on her desk. It was a picture of her entire family. It had been taken right before her Father had passed. They had spent the day at the beach in Puerto Rico and had asked a passerby to take it so that the entire family would fit. There was Henry Sr. holding a 5 year old Henry Jr. in his arms. Cora and Granny stood behind his wheelchair as Zelena and Ruby kneeled on either side of it. Zelena held their 3 year old Sophia Lucia on her lap. And Ruby held their 1 year old Bailey Madison on her lap. Regina and her beloved Daniel were standing to the side of the wheelchair. Daniel's arms were around her bulging waist as his hands rested upon her distended belly.

She had been carrying their youngest, Baby Danny at the time. It had been one of many days they'd shared that had been shared with sunshine and laughter. After so many dark days, they tended to embrace any bit of happiness they could find and hold onto it dearly. This photograph was clearly a commemoration to that. That's why it had always been Regina's favorite.

With the robbing of her innocence had come the opening of her eyes. Daniel had taken her under wing and taught her everything that he knew about business, life, and the path she'd found herself on. He'd been a steady rock that sheltered her throughout the ensuing storms.

She kissed her fingertips and ran them down the front of that photograph, We made it, mi amor," she whispered. The irony of the man who had made all of this possible no longer being here was still a pain she was coming to terms with. Her Daniel had been taken from her by a careless driver just a week ago.

Regina closed her eyes as the now familiar pain clenched at her heart. She gave herself only a second to embrace it before pushing it back. When she opened her eyes, the entire room reeled back.

Regina was clearly strong. After all she'd endured, to still be standing was a miracle. She not only was standing. She was also moving forward.

She stood and looked around at the worried faces. She gave a smile that was meant to be reassuring and yet it was the strength of her conviction from her words gave that allowed them all to let go of the collective breath they'd been holding.

She raised her chin and threw back her head. She caught her Mother's eyes and held them. Her lips curved upward, "I was born ready." She turned on her heel and headed toward the conference room.

Ashley and two of her guards joined her as she made her way down to the conference room. Her guard slowly opened the door ahead of her then stood back to allow her to pass.

She walked into the room with her head held high and her back ramrod straight. She heard a gasp from Emma's direction as she entered. But her eyes were narrowed on the woman who sat at the head.

Snow White's face paled even more than her namesake. Her eyes bulged and her mouth dropped slightly. Though she regained her composure quickly and immediately threw up a wall Regina relished seeing that small hint of fear right before she drew her back taut again.

Regina's eyes narrowed on her, "the last time I saw you I told you that I would never look upon you again. And I meant it," she turned to her guards. "Escort her off my premises."

Snow scoffed and waved them away as they came closer to her. She rose and threw Regina a scathing glare. She smoothed down her dress and raised her chin. She began to walk out of her own volition. As she passed Regina she muttered under her breath, "I won't forget this whore."

Regina smirked, "I should hope not. I'll send you a copy of the security footage so that we can each have one to remember your final moments by."

A man that her sources had told her was called Killian, who was also Snow's new protégé rose. His face was red and angry as he shouted, "You don't have the right."

Regina sat at the opposite end of the table completely ignoring him. Ashley took the seat beside her. She slowly raised her eyes to look at Emma.

It was the first time in years that she'd laid eyes on her. The last time she had been blinded by so many tears brought on by the White family that Emma had become nothing more than a blurred vision. But they were no longer schoolgirls in love. They had now become.

Emma still looked much the same. There were some light signs of aging. Her skin was a little more aged looking. Her eyes carried a shadow that matched Regina's own. She was sitting with her mouth agape and her eyes were as round as saucers. This, from the girl who had once upon a time never allowed anything to ruffle her aura of cool. She was now clearly rattled.

Regina ignored Killian in favor of addressing Emma. "Hello Emma," she drawled. She quirked an eyebrow at her, "shall we began?"