Incompatible

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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Lopez Financing Corporation is one of the biggest and trusted companies in Spain.

This is the legacy that I will inherit in the future, or so I thought.

After graduating from Harvard majoring in a double degree in Finance and Economics at 19 years old, yes, I was young when I studied and was accelerated in school, I joined our company. It was not an option. Being an only child, the "heiress", I had to think of the future of our family's company and those under our employment.

Being Maria Cassandra Villanueva Lopez is not an easy job.

I had to study until my eyes bleed. I had to learn and excel in everything.

I have dreams but I chose to live their dreams for me.

The pressure I felt growing up is nothing like the pressure I am feeling right now.

We are now facing bankruptcy! How and why? I am still doing my research. But it is inevitable.

We are going to lose everything and I have to deal with this before it gets worse.

"Cassandra!" from the intercom, I heard my father, the CEO called me into his office.

"I'm coming, papa." I responded in the intercom link.

"Meet us for Dinner tonight, we have something important to announce."

"Papa, I still have a lot of paper works to finish before the meeting with the Board of Directors next week. Can't it wait until Sunday?"

"No! You have been slaving yourself for weeks now. We still have not found the culprit who did this to us. Embezzling money is a crime! We have to make them pay but it cannot help us bring our company to its former glory."

"Relax Papa. No need to be overworked. I am doing this for us remember?"

"I know, prove it tonight by meeting us for dinner. I will send you the location and time.

"Can't we just have dinner here at the office?"

"No. Va a seguir mis instrucciones y no hay más discusión! Tu puedes ir."?No. You are going to follow my instruction, end of discussion! You may go.

I left the room feeling heavy. I felt useless.

I worked with this company for almost two years and I have not once doubted anyone. But it's different now.

***

I do not usually dress up for dinner since I do not have time for any fancy setups. But a strict instruction from my father to dress like its a ball made me wince in pain.

I hate dressing up. I am a jeans and shirt kind of girl. I may be of a rich stature but I never dressed fancy like those socialites I know.

My assistant Keri ordered the silver gown with flower embroidery and deep V-neck. It fitted me nicely and showed my curves. It was very classy and elegant and suited my black waves and honey brown eyes. My petite figure is nothing compared to runway models or celebrities, but I felt pretty when I saw myself in the mirror. Thanks to the stylist that Keri forced me to go to. I looked like the star I have been dreaming to be.

Well, that was just my long buried ultimate desire, to be an actress and singer.

"You are sunlight, and high moon, joined by the God's of fortune... " As much as I would love to finish Lea Salonga's Ms. Saigon song, I picked up my cellphone as my mother's picture was flashing on the screen.

"Mama."

"Hija, the driver is waiting outside your building. Please do not keep us waiting."

"I am coming Mama. My condo is just 5 minutes away from there, I could have walked."

"Nonsense! I hope you are wearing something appropriate."

"See you soon Mother." I ended the call feeling frustrated. They really do not trust my judgment.

The drive to the Italian restaurant was quick.

As I entered the hall, I felt all eyes was on me. There was a large screen playing some of my pictures and another's. But the caption was what made me freeze on the spot.

It was like I was brought into a nightmare that I cannot get out of.

"Miguel & Cassandra's Engagement Party"

I could almost taste the tears that were about to fall. I saw my parents approach me with a warning glare. They saw my expression and they know I do not like their surprise, or should I say ambush?

"Mama! Papa! What is the meaning of this?! This is absurd! How can you do this to me?!"

My mother approached me cautiously.

"Cassie honey, I'm sorry if we may have surprised you."

"Surprised is an understatement! You're trying to kill me here."

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