Freezed

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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(Bella)

It's my two years anniversary this coming weekend and I've been ecstatic about it. My marriage to Dean has been blissful, peaceful and above all our love grew each passing day.

The doorbell rings, pulling me out of my thoughts, I smile knowing Ashley, my best friend is here, I applied my lipstick and take a quick glance at the mirror before hurrying downstairs.

Dean's out on an important business trip and Ashley's inviting me for a girl's night out.

Honestly, I'm in no mood for alcohol, I haven't been feeling too good but Ashley's insisting, and thinking about it now, she's right, it's been long we stepped out. So yeah.

"Hi, darling," I say with a wide smile, giving Ashley a quick kiss on the cheeks. "How do I look?" I spread my arms, expecting her praises.

Her eyes darts on me for a while and then a smile forms. "You look -stunning, as always." She says, her smile spreading across her face.

"Thank you, boo. You look as stunning yourself," I reply and then I tilted my head. "Where are we going?" I ask.

"It's a surprise, but a good time is assured," she says, her smile still in place.

"Alright, but Ash I'm not drinking too much tonight, haven't been feeling too good lately," I say just in case. "Plus you know I'm not good with alcohol,"

"Roger that, now after you," she winks as we exit my penthouse.

******

My eyes slowly opens, adjusting to the light in the room, I'm in bed, and in a strange room.

I straightened up quickly and turned to see Ashley sleeping beside me, and only then did I breath out in relief.

God, last night was--- I can barely even remember a thing, the only thing that I can remember was entering the club with Ashley, laughing and talking through the loud music and then me slowly sipping my first drink.

Everything goes blank afterwards, like it's been erased from my memory or something. I guess I had too much of that amber liquid.

My head hurts, my body feels like it's been hit by a freight train, I'm staying off alcohol for a long time.

Ashley stirs beside me and slowly opens her eyes. "You're awake," she says with a yawn.

I nod but then I ask. "How did I end up here?" I raise my brows, skeptical.

Ashley shrug it off. "We both had much to drink, couldn't drive in that state, so I figured we should crash here,"

I nod again, not remembering anything isn't even helpful at all but I'm grateful Ashley has us sorted out.

"Thanks, Ash. We should wash up and leave, I need to pickup Dean's anniversary gift," a smile finds it's way to my face as I say this.

Ashley gives me a tiny smile. "Right, we should."

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