Rosé

No Longer Mrs. Cooley: The Architect's Return

Xiao Xiaosu

I went to the City Clerk's office for a routine copy of my marriage license to finalize a trust fund audit. I expected a simple piece of paper, but the clerk's pitying look told me my entire life was a lie. "The license was never finalized, Ms. Oliver. In the eyes of the state, you are single." The three-hundred-guest wedding at the Plaza and the Vogue features meant nothing. My husband, Gray Cooley, had intentionally filed the documents with a "procedural defect" so he could discard me without a legal divorce. Moments later, an iCloud invite titled "Our Little Secret" popped up on my screen. It was a photo of my best friend, Brylee, holding a positive pregnancy test at our Hamptons estate. Gray's text to her was the final blow: "Happy anniversary, babe. This baby is the best gift. Once the trust unlocks today, we're done with the charade." I soon discovered they were even stealing my career, reassigning my architectural masterpiece to Brylee while preparing my eviction notice. Gray's mother called me a "barren mule" in a leaked recording, mocking the infertility I suffered after saving Gray's life in a construction accident. I wasn't a wife; I was a three-year placeholder used to secure his inheritance. How could the man I bled for treat me like a disposable prop? How could my best friend carry his child while pretending to comfort me through my darkest moments? The betrayal burned until it turned into a cold, hard stone of fury. I didn't cry. Instead, I walked into the penthouse of the Barretts, the Cooleys' most powerful rivals. I signed a marriage contract with Kane Barrett, the man the tabloids called the "Beast of Wall Street." "I want a wedding," I told his father, my voice steady and lethal. "Bigger than the one I had with Gray." If they wanted me gone, they would have to watch me become the woman who owns their world.

Modern Revenge Divorce

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Prologue-1

DISCLAIMER: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Caroline's POV (Caroline's pic)

"..... .. this, this, this one and this. Oh yeah! Even the royal blue, red and purple dress I already showed you." I said pointedly at the saleslady.

You're right. Yes! I am shopping at 11 in the morning. Sooo fun! Well that's the only fun thing I can do when you have a degree but you have such sweet parents who don't want to see you working.

Just then, I saw my cell vibrating. 'Mom? Why would she call me now?' I thought. Anyways I picked her call.

"Hey Mom, why you-" I wasn't able to complete my sentence as I heard Mom's worried voice "Carol come to the hospital soon. Now!"

"What?! Why?! Mom what's going on? What happened?" I asked.

"Just get here to the hospital. I don't have time to explain things to you!" She almost screamed at me and cut the call.

Okaaay.... That was something!

After I reached the hospital I called mom and she told me to come to the second floor. When I saw mom, I had never seen her soo stressed. I also saw my dad's lawyer standing there holding my younger brother, Dylan.

Dread filled me. "Mom, where's dad?" I asked.

She started trembling and burst into tears and fell to the floor before I could catch her. She then pointed out towards the door in front of us.

I stood up to reach the door. And what I saw inside was what I feared the most. I saw my father lying lifeless on the hospital bed. I went near him and sat on the bed. I tried to shake his shoulders. But he wouldn't wake up.

I didn't know what to do....

************************************

1 week later

It was my father's funeral today. Now I was trying to get my mom to sleep.

Somehow after 2 hours I gave her sleeping pills and tucked her into bed.

Just as I was going to my room I heard a sob coming from Dylan's room. There I saw Dylan crying his eyes out, I went and hugged him trying to console him.

The question he asked next got me thinking. "What happens now?"

I don't know when but he was already asleep. So I switched off the lights and closed his door.

In my room, I sat in front of the mirror looking at myself. I felt something warm fall on my hands. That's when I realized I was crying. I didn't cry when I saw my father in the hospital that day. Not even during his funeral.

But I wanted to be strong for my family. Mamma is already in the worst state she could ever be in. And Dylan is too young to be having such experiences in his life. Too young to loose his father. Its on me to take care of them now. But what's haunting me was Dylan's question. 'What happens now?'

************************************

Another few weeks later

I was sitting in the lawyer's office. He informed me that the person who was responsible for the accident was drunk and has managed to escape out of the country. But I already have lost my father. Would I get him back if that drunkard is found. I was totally uninterested about that. Even Mamma said the same.

Then he read out the will for me. Dad had written all his property and everything in the name of Mamma and me. And for Dylan but only after he turns 18.

Same day, in the evening I was sitting in a cafe thinking about what I can and how I will take care of mom and Dylan. I might have a degree in Business but I never worked, not even a simple job. How will I run a company all by myself?!

I called Katie and asked her to meet me at the cafe. She was my best friend since childhood. I needed help, advice. Well I needed Katie now!

She was here within 15 minutes. She promised to help me with the company. But you know what?! She is worse than me! How was I going to manage.

Just then I saw a handsome hunk walking into the cafe. So tall, maybe about 6 feet I guessed. His grey eyes which a had a bluish glint which made me fall deep into them. I think he was British or maybe even American? I don't know..... I smiled. I smiled after weeks because of him.

'Oh my God! What am I even thinking'

Just then I looked at Katie who was giving me the knowing look! I just shrugged. Then she suddenly started squealing looking at something. When I looked at what made her squeal, it was the same guy I was staring at who was now looking at me with a smirk as he left the cafe!!

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