Read the first chapter of Transformed by Love.
Lisa Powell greeted her coworkers with a smile as she crossed the production floor to her office. She took a deep breath of the air fragranced with citrus, and grinned, contentment settling over her.
She loved working at Bencotti Industries. As early as it was, fingers clacked against keyboards and paper rustled in the background with the buzz of productivity.
“Morning.” She singsonged, as was her custom.
A few coworkers glared at her while others avoided her gaze. Her smile faltered. That was unusual. She stopped at her junior accountant’s cubicle and leaned in.
“Morning, Sam. Did something happen this weekend?”
Samantha Barlow scowled at her. “What could have happened, Miss Powell?” She stressed the title until it sounded like a hiss.
“Maybe we would’ve preferred not to be dragged into your dirty affair.”
“Affair?” Lisa’s heart pounded. Had someone found out how she spent much of her time after work?
Samantha’s top lip curled. “How dare you act like a saint when you’re no better than the rest of us? I would say you were a lot worse.” She stuck her nose in the air. “You’re a tramp.”
“Samantha!”
The office went silent as her colleagues abandoned every pretense of working.
Lisa hitched her handbag higher on her shoulder and feigned a calm she didn’t feel. “Please, remember your place. I’m still your superior.”
The younger woman huffed and wriggled her neck. “Not for long,” Samantha smirked. “Ms. Bencotti and the Board are waiting for you in Alpha.”
She pointed, as if Lisa needed directions. Bencotti Industries had two meeting rooms on that floor. They used the Alpha Boardroom for the most important clients or when they had a large group.
Lisa’s pulse raced. The board never met this early, and they rarely invited her unless it was to present financial reports. She peeked at her cell phone. Had she missed an important call? A tingle of foreboding ran down her spine.
She leaned toward Samantha and whispered, “Do you know what the meeting is about?”
Samantha had a knack for being in the right place at the right time and was Lisa’s source of office gossip that she would otherwise miss.
Lisa made it her business to keep up with the chatter so she could do damage control if necessary.
“I’m not sure, Miss Powell,” Samantha drawled. “Maybe they’re curious about your sex tape. Or why you believed this was the time to release it, considering the company is going public next week?”
Samantha’s words were a slap in the face, and Lisa drew back with a gasp. “Sex tape?”
Was this a prank? She debated whether to ask the young woman more questions, but decided against it. Samantha’s attitude and words hurt.
Lisa had mentored the young woman and thought they’d become friends. But something was wrong if Samantha felt she could talk to her that way.
She adopted an air of composure and dignity she didn’t feel and strode toward the boardroom, grateful that the thick carpet absorbed the sound of her footsteps. Lisa paused at the imposing oak door, taking a deep breath before she tapped on the door.
“Come in.”
She entered the room, glancing at the occupants. As Samantha had declared, the board of directors was out en masse, along with the HR manager and CFO.
Their grave expressions and lack of eye contact set her legs wobbling. Whatever this was, it wasn’t good.
“Morning.” It was a wonder her voice worked.
Maria sat at the head of the table, in the seat usually occupied by her husband, Richard, who was to her left. Her sleek updo and bold red suit projected an air of undeniable command.
“Miss Powell, thank you for joining us.” Maria Bencotti’s voice was cool, her face like flint. She gestured to the empty chair at the foot of the table. “Have a seat.”
Lisa slid into the vacant chair, limbs weak, and focused on her breathing.
One breath in, a slow exhale.
“We’ve invited you to speak with us on a matter of some concern.” Maria pointed a remote at the gigantic flat screen. “Please watch the video.”
Lisa squinted at the dark images, her mind whirring. Had they received a complaint about her work? But why would it involve a video of a hotel room?
A couple met in the center of the room and kissed passionately. Lisa squirmed, heat crawling up her chest. Was this an X-rated home movie?
She glanced around the room. Everyone stared at her with varying degrees of disgust or anger. Except for Richard, who refused to make eye contact.
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “What am I watching?”
“That will become clear in a few seconds.” Maria gestured toward the screen.
Lisa returned her attention to the flickering images. The woman on-screen turned toward the camera, and her face filled the screen. Lisa gasped.
It was her. She tucked her shaking hands beneath her thighs and leaned forward for a closer look at her on-screen self in a body-hugging red dress.
When was the last time she’d worn it? She scrunched her forehead, forcing herself to remember. The answer came with a wave of dizziness.
Two weeks ago.
She’d worn the dress at Richard’s request. Maria had been out of town for the weekend, and Richard booked them a room at a villa in Orange Valley.
They’d played tourists, pretending to be man and wife, since no one knew who they were. At least, that’s what she’d thought. Her gaze shot to Richard, who met hers briefly.
“I’m sorry.” He mouthed.
Sorry? Why was he sorry? That she was being subjected to this freak show? Or that their affair was public knowledge. But if that was the case, why wasn’t Richard in the hot seat with her?
Lisa’s eyes swung to Maria, who glowered at them. She winced, averting her eyes.
Maria knows.
The flush of shame started at her chest and soon warmed her cheeks. Thank goodness her dark skin hid her humiliation from everyone.
Who gave Maria a copy of the recording? Why was there even a recording? Had Richard filmed them?
No, why would he do that? He had as much to lose as she did. More, since Maria held the authority, as it was her family’s business. Richard was the CEO because of his father-in-law’s antiquated opinions.
Although Alessandro Bencotti didn’t believe women should steer multi-billion-dollar companies, Maria approved all the major decisions.
“Miss Powell.”
Lisa forced herself to meet Maria’s eyes. “Yes?”
Maria Bencotti deserved that much, as Lisa had been having an affair with her husband for the last two years.
She’d believed Richard’s claims that he loved her and would leave his wife. She never admitted it aloud, but had anticipated not sneaking around.
Getting caught had never crossed her mind. She tuned into Maria’s words.
“You have the right to a personal life outside of company hours, but this,” Maria gestured toward the screen, “is unacceptable.”
How bad could it be? So, okay, someone filmed her with Richard. Why would they give the board a copy of the video? Who were they?
Her chest hallowed with shame, but she forced herself to behave professionally.
“I don’t understand.” Lisa shifted in her seat. “This is embarrassing, but why does it matter?”
Maria Bencotti arched one manicured brow. “Where have you been all weekend? Don’t you read the news?”
“Uh.”
What was she supposed to say? That she’d spent the weekend weeding and dead-heading flowers?
Maria had been home, so Lisa puttered in her mom’s garden, which she’d neglected because of the time spent with Richard.
“No, ma’am, I didn’t watch the news.”
Maria smirked. “This video is all over social media. Every newspaper has some version or other on the front page.”
There was a roar of sound as blackness danced at the edges of her vision. Grabbing the chair’s arms for support, she willed herself not to pass out. She gritted her teeth and concentrated on breathing.
Deep inhale, slow exhale.
“We’re terminating your employment.” Maria’s expression was feral. “The media hasn’t discovered your connection to us, and we’d like to keep it that way.”
“You’re firing me?” Her airways closed, and the words squeaked out.
“There will be a generous severance package.” Maria’s lips thinned. “If you sign a non-disclosure statement and agree not to mention your connection to us. Ever.”
The HR manager slid a folder and a pen to her. Lisa uncurled her fingers from the chair and drew the papers toward her.
Please don’t let anyone notice the slight tremor in my hand.
She scanned the offer. Six months’ salary. They truly wished to be rid of her.
“Miss Powell.”
Lisa jerked at Maria’s biting tone. Though she appeared unruffled, glee gleamed in her dark eyes.
She enjoys ripping me apart and embarrassing me in front of the executives.
How did Richard remain married to her? Though she had the timeless beauty that made her appear ageless, a coldness clung to her features. Nothing like Richard’s warmth that glowed from his brown eyes.
“Have you read the document?” Maria’s acrid tone cut through Lisa’s confusion, her expression that of a predator who’d trapped their prey in a corner.
Her sharpness contrasted with her amiable husband. The older woman placed both palms on the boardroom table and leaned forward.
“To get your package, you must not mention that you worked here.”
“But—”
“Never.” The woman’s voice was icy.
“I’ve worked for Bencotti Industries since high school.”
Every summer, holiday, and day since she graduated from university. Six months’ salary wasn’t enough to erase her work experience.
Who’d hire an accountant with a six-year gap on her résumé?
“Do you want the severance package or not?”
She stared into Maria’s cold eyes. What choice did she have? She had no money or power. She couldn’t fight Maria, who had the Bencotti Industries resources behind her.
Lisa glanced at Richard, who studied the desk as if fascinated by the shiny surface. Anger roiled in her gut. This was the man she’d given herself to? He hadn’t spoken a word in her defense.
But as quickly as it surged, her anger deflated. She was the one who’d had an affair with him. This was what she deserved.
She gulped, toying with the contract. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good.”
Maria nodded to the HR, who opened the door. Lisa swiveled as two burly security officers entered and flanked her. This was her worst nightmare.
“Sign the papers and get out. These gentlemen will escort you to your office. Remove your personal effects. Take nothing that belongs to the company.”
Heat crawled up Lisa’s spine. She wasn’t a thief. Images of her and Richard rolled through her mind. Yes, she was. Lisa slumped against the chair.
She’d stolen this woman’s husband and convinced herself that Richard was unhappy in his marriage. But it didn’t change the fact that he was Maria’s husband. She was the worst kind of thief—a homewrecker.
She scrawled her signature with a trembling hand and stood. “One last question.”
Maria arched a brow, and Lisa gathered the shreds of her dignity and courage.
“Who filmed the video?”
Maria smirked. “That’s your question?” She leaned back, cold amusement on her face. “If you hadn’t put yourself in a compromising position, you wouldn’t have to wonder.”
Maria’s gaze dropped to the desk, and Lisa took the woman’s non-answer for what it was—a dismissal.
It didn’t matter. There were three possibilities. Hotel security footage, a private investigator, or Richard. Knowing the source didn’t change the outcome. She was unemployed, disgraced, and alone.
She made a trip to her office, stuffing her possessions into the box provided. Sad that six years of her life fit into a single cardboard box.
Lisa trudged the expanse between her office and the exit, the two guards at her side. The office was still, the only sound being the electronic hum of the printers and computers.
She straightened her spine and tried not to squirm under the light, which felt extraordinarily bright and focused on her. But that was crazy. There was no spotlight in the building.
Yet, even without lifting her head, she sensed her former coworkers watching her. Had they seen the video? She suppressed a shudder as Samantha’s hateful expression flashed through her mind. Of course they had.
She gripped the small box containing the picture of her parents, her framed certificate, and her dad’s old stapler. It may as well have been a box of bricks for the weight of shame she carried with them.
She was almost to the door when the whispers began.
“Harlot.”
“Tramp.”
She flinched at the insults from the people who’d once respected her. This was the real walk of shame—leaving a job you loved with nothing but the slurs from those who’d once respected her.
She stumbled as a hard object slammed against her back.
“Ouch!” She glanced over her shoulder, eyes snagging on the black stapler on the carpet. Someone wanted her to have a physical reminder of their disdain.
She resisted the urge to rub the area where it had connected. There’d be a bruise, but she wouldn’t gift her attacker with a response. If the positions were reversed, wouldn’t she have done the same?
The guards closed ranks, protecting her from other airborne projectiles. She was grateful for their presence and had gotten the message. As far as her former coworkers were concerned, she may as well be dead.
Transformed by Love (The Power of Love, Book 1)
Table of Contents
She ran from disgrace. He offered her shelter. Can redemption bloom on the fields of Heritage Farm?
Lisa Powell had it all—a respected job, a solid reputation, and plans for the future. But when a compromising video makes the rounds, her world crashes. Cast aside by the man who claimed to love her, unemployed, abandoned by her community, and unable to find work, Lisa escapes the judgment of Meadowbrook and heads to Idlewood—wounded, faithless, and out of options.
Ethan Hawke has his roots buried deep in Heritage Farm. With his quiet strength and unwavering faith, he’s a man who coaxes life from soil and trust from broken hearts. When Lisa collapses near his farm, Ethan and his mother open their home to her, expecting nothing in return.
As Lisa finds purpose in the rhythm of farm life and warmth in Ethan’s steady presence, something stirs to life—hope. But Idlewood has ears, and her past isn’t done with her yet.
Will Lisa have the courage to embrace grace and love again? Or will the whispers of who she was drown out the woman she’s becoming?
Inspired by the timeless story of the woman caught in adultery, this heartfelt Christian contemporary romance explores what happens when grace finds us in our lowest moment—and love dares to believe we’re more than our worst mistake.
