"Sign the papers, Bianca." Five years ago, Bianca Reed gave up her name, her identity, and her heart to marry Johnny Ryder-the ruthless billionaire who never loved her. Their marriage was built on duty, not love. But when Johnny hands her divorce papers, expecting her to break, Bianca does the one thing he never saw coming-she walks away without a fight. Now, she's back. Not as the desperate wife he discarded, but as the heiress to the Reed empire, a woman untouchable and out of his reach. "You think this is over?" Johnny growls, stepping closer. Bianca lifts her chin. "I already left you once. Don't make me do it again." But Johnny isn't done with her. Not when another man-**Jasper Sinclair-**stands at her side. Not when the fire between them refuses to die. And certainly not when he finds out the biggest secret of all... His ex-wife never truly left him.
Chapter one
At the gala night
Bianca's POV
"Tracy," Johnny breathed, his voice filled with something I hadn't heard in a long time-genuine happiness. His arms opened wide, and before I could even blink, she was in them.
I stood there, frozen, as he hugged her tight, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Like she belonged to him. Like I didn't exist.
"It's been five years," he murmured, his hand sliding down her back.
Tracy laughed, a soft, sweet sound that made my stomach churn. "Too long, Johnny. I missed you."
I clenched my fists. I shouldn't react. I shouldn't feel this way. But how could I not?
I was his wife.
I was the one standing beside him tonight, wearing the dress he picked for me. I was the one who bore his son. The one who cooked his meals, waited for him to come home, and suffered through his coldness every single day. And yet, right now, I was nothing.
Johnny pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her. His hands stayed on her waist. His eyes drank her in.
"You look... amazing," he whispered.
I felt invisible.
I swallowed my pain and forced my lips to curve. "Johnny, aren't you going to introduce me?"
His body stiffened for a second before he turned, pretending like he wasn't causing a scene. "Oh... yeah. Bianca, meet Tracy."
I smiled and held out my hand, even though I knew she wouldn't take it. "Nice to meet you, Tracy."
She barely spared me a glance before looking back at Johnny. "Johnny, can we dance?"
My stomach dropped. My heart clenched. I already knew his answer.
"Of course," Johnny said without hesitation.
Not once did he look at me. Not once did he remember I was here.
I stood still, watching as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
I could barely breathe.
He had never danced with me. Not even once.
Even on our wedding night, when couples filled the dance floor, he didn't take my hand. He said he didn't like dancing. Said it wasn't his thing.
But now? He was holding her close, moving with her as if they were the only ones in the room.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. My hands trembled at my sides.
He never fails to remind me how evil I am.
I stole his chance with Tracy.
I married a man who never wanted me.
I was nothing more than a mistake he was forced to live with.
I closed my eyes, but it didn't help. Because even in the darkness, I could still see them.
I could still hear Johnny moaning Tracy's name in his sleep.
"Tracy... baby..."
I could still hear him whisper it when we were in bed together, when his hands were on my skin, when his breath was hot against my neck.
"Tracy... God, Tracy..."
I had learned to bite my tongue, to swallow the pain, to pretend it didn't hurt. Because every time I brought it up, every time I asked why, he would just scowl at me.
"If it weren't for you, I would be with her."
Every single night, I slept beside a man who wanted another woman.
Every single night, I prayed that maybe, just maybe, he would love me one day.
But deep down, I knew the truth.
Johnny and I? We weren't a love story.
We were a tragedy.
I blinked back my tears and focused on the scene in front of me.
Johnny was smiling. Actually smiling. His fingers traced small circles on Tracy's back as they swayed.
He was lost in her.
And I was lost in the pain.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours. I didn't know anymore.
Then, suddenly-
Tracy leaned in.
I saw it happening before Johnny did.
Her lips pressed against his.
Right there.In front of me,In front of everyone Johnny didn't pull away.He didn't stop her.And I...I gasped, my voice shaky, my heart breaking into a million pieces.
"What the hell?" I whispered.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
But no one heard me.No one cared.Not even my husband Not even Johnny.