"Bryan, how could you?" Her throat tightened as she fought the tears that threatened to fall, trying to process why the man who had claimed to love her for the past three years was home with another woman. His face showed no remorse as he tossed the divorce papers at her, his lips twisted in disgust as he spoke; "Get out of my life Amelia, I don't need you anymore." *****
Chapter 1 The Divorce That Broke Her
AMELIA'S POV
I was excited.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I stepped into the penthouse, my happiness soaring than it had done in weeks. I spent the entire afternoon preparing a very special anniversary dinner for my husband.
One that I hoped would bring back the warmth that had been missing in our marriage. It was finally happening. The good news we needed was finally here.
Realizing that he would be home by now, I smiled to myself as I walked further in, but I suddenly stopped in my tracks as dread crawled over my skin.
There was someone else.
The air was filled with the smell of expensive whiskey and perfume, which definitely wasn't mine or my husband's. I had left the penthouse in an arranged order, making sure everything was perfect for our dinner.
But now... it was a mess.
I glanced up at the sight in front of me and I froze.
Bryan was not alone.
He sat on the leather couch as he stretched out his long legs with a lazy expression on his face. He held a crystal glass filled with whiskey in one hand and his other arm was resting on the back of the couch- no, his hand was resting on the back of a woman.
A stunning lady.
My heart stopped for a moment as I took in the lady's appearance. She was stunning, with her dark hair running all the way to her waist and a red silk dress that clung to her body like it was made for her.
She had a devious smile on her lips and her expression was smug as she gently rubbed her perfect hands on Bryan's arms.
I sucked in a sharp breath as I took a step forward, my head turning with millions of questions. Who was she? Why were they so close? Was I dreaming?
Bryan finally looked up at me as I approached them, and a small, indifferent smile formed on his lips as he stared at me. There was no sign of guilt in his expression, no shock or hesitation. He didn't care that I just caught him with another woman.
It was almost like he had been waiting for my arrival.
"You're home early," He said as he took a sip of the whiskey in his glass and I could literally hear my heart beating in my ears.
"Who is she?" I managed to ask, my voice coming out as a soft whisper and to my surprise, she let out a soft laugh before turning to me.
"Patricia Styles, you may have heard of me." She answered as she crossed her legs slowly and my blood ran cold.
Styles. As in Styles Group?
"You brought another woman into our home? On our anniversary?" I asked as I turned to Bryan, my vision blurring with tears running down my cheeks and he sighed in response before standing up.
"Oh, come on. Let's not do this, Amelia." He said with a lazy stretch and my heart clenched in pain as I took a step forward.
"Do what, Bryan? Ask why my husband is with another woman? Ask why you're acting like I don't exist?" I asked and Patricia scoffed in response.
Bryan didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled out a thick envelope lying on the table and threw it onto my feet. My hands were shaking as I picked up the documents and I could see the smug look on Patricia's face.
"Sign these," He said without any hint of remorse or affection and my heart sank as I read the words on the paper in front of me
Divorce Settlement.
"Bryan... Why?" I managed to ask, my throat tightening in pain as my grip on the documents tightened and he let out a sharp breath like he didn't want to have the conversation.
"We both know this marriage isn't working."
"That's not true. You know it's not-"
"Isn't it? You can't give me what I need, Amelia. I need an heir. I need a wife who can..." His voice trailed off as his eyes held an emotion that resembled disgust.
"A wife who can do what?" I asked as my heart stopped in shock, and he met my eyes without any hesitation written on his face.
"A wife who can bear children."
"You're divorcing me because I haven't given you a child?" I asked in despair as my hands clenched in anger and he ran a hand through his hair, with a look of frustration on his face.
"I don't have time for this conversation."
"So that's it? You're throwing me away because I had miscarriages? Because I lost-" My voice cracked and I bit down on my lip hard, not wanting them to see break.
He didn't care. He just stared at me like a pest in his way.
"I need a family, Amelia. You can't give me that." He replied coldly, and I scoffed before turning to glance at Patricia, who was enjoying the show.
"And Patricia? Is she your new-"
"She can give me what I need."
I should have known. How was I so blind? The way he got cold towards me, his distance, it was all because he had moved on. He left me behind even after promising me the world.
My hands trembled violently as I picked up the divorce papers and scanned through the details. He had thought everything through. He divided the assets and everything about me was out of his life.
He didn't just make this decision.
He had planned this for a long time.
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips as I turned to look at Patricia who stood up to stand beside Bryan. They were a perfect match. Who was I to compare?
I had loved Bryan for years. He reassured me that he didn't care about my status or class. He said he loved me and would never leave me. Were they all empty promises?
"Is this really what you want?" I asked again, my tears were gone and a cold expression graced my face.
"Yes." He said with no hesitation and a bitter laugh tumbled out of my lips. How did I fall in love with such a man anyway? Tossing me away just because I had multiple miscarriages.
I wasn't infertile. I could carry my own babies. But...