Ajifa

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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Azaria's POV

Oh shit. I should have stayed home tonight.

The first thing I set my eyes on was a girl dry humping a guy on the dance floor. Because obviously this cannot be called dancing. It should have been an eyesore to people around but it wasn't. This was because there were a handful of others grinding unto themselves and some others seated calmly swapping DNA with their tongues.

It's the beginning of a school year and the Sinclair family always throws the most lavish welcome back to school parties. People literally begged to be invited to these parties. The Sinclair family was the family of the present alphas in the Blood moon pack. They were the richest and the most influential. Ashley the school diva was the daughter of the alpha. And I was best friends with Ashley. People often wondered how two of us were friends and even stayed friends for 9 years. These talks often made me sad but I have made peace with myself. I mean staring at Ashley reminded me of everything I wasn't or didn't have. Like her parents were still together, they were wealthy, she was beautiful with her blonde hair and blue eyes and I was just me. I didn't get people fawning over me because of my status and I think because I wasn't as beautiful as Ashley. I was even bullied at some point in school until Ashely threatened the whole school.

I was happy she was even my friend. I was content that way.

I took a deep breath and was about to walk to the kitchen when I spotted my boyfriend Logan. I froze. I could see him smiling from ear to ear with a girl he called just a childhood friend but the way he leaned into her whispering into her ears and giggling like a teenager made me feel like throwing up. Arya was her name. She was the reason we had our last fight and Logan called me insecure. I cried ugly that night. Since when did I ever become the overbearing girlfriend? I only decided to ask him because everyone in school was making fun of me.

I blinked back tears and began heading for the door when Ashley spotted me.

"Azaria! What are you doing there?" Ashley pulled me into her arms and I plastered a smile on my face. "You are late" she scolded mildly. Then she smiled." what do you think?" I looked around the room avoiding the kitchen as Ashley watched for reaction.

"Hmm let me think" I changed my voice and that made my best friend giggle. "It's lewd and fun, I think it would make the school news" I finished and Ashley burst into laughter.

"Come, I want you to meet the group." Ashley clasped her hand over her mouth as she did a little jump. She dragged me like a rag doll as we crossed the room.

"The group? Are they the friends you made at summer camp" I asked.

"Yeah," Ashley smiled as she grabbed two cans of beer off the table. She handed one over to me and had a sip.

"Hi guys this is my best friend Azaria" said Ashley at the top of her voice, with a huge grin plastered on her face. "Hi Azaria" they sang.

"Azaria meets the group: Isla, Dexter, Louisa, Fredrick, Ayla and trashiman but we call her trash" she gestured.

I waved at them smiling "hi guys, Ash, has told me so much about you." I said and we exchanged numbers.

'Trash? What an unfortunate name.

I was yet to finish my beer, when Ashley rose up. "Damn this party is a bore" and just like that everything began to change.

There was a new set of people that began to arrive at the party. Ashley and I peered to know who was making people murmur.

Ashley hissed. "It's my brother" she sat back in her chair. My eyes widened. Nicolas came?

"He is not alone though," I said. Ashley turned and gasped. Nicholas had come with his best friend and other of his friends.

"Oh my god he's here" Ashley squealed, clasping a hand over her mouth. She has always had a huge crush on Marcel, her brother's best friend. "How do I look?" Ashley asked and I nodded.

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