Moonlight Warriors English

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 Revenge Female-centered Divorce

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Prince Joven's fast strides and heavy breathing could be heard in the dark passage of their palace. His sweat was flowing from his forehead as he kept looking back, fearful that the ones behind him had caught up with him.

When he heard the voices of the people chasing him, he raced even faster. He crept approached their castle's tower through a tunnel. A tall, spiral stairway appeared in front of him. He climbed it quickly but carefully till he reached a small room. When he entered, he instantly scanned the surroundings for a hiding spot, but the room was empty except for the big dusty bed.

His chest yanked when he heard a loud bang on his door. The door was almost smashed due to the intensity of the knock from whatever was behind it. He hastily slid beneath the bed and covered his mouth.

"I know you're in there, Prince Joven," a woman's voice said. "Why are you hiding from me since you said you wanted to marry me before?"

When the prince recognized the owner of the voice, he burst into tears.

(Flashback)

A masquerade party was held in Prince Joven's kingdom five days ago. For that momentous event, his father invited almost all of their kingdom's wealthy households.

While sitting on his throne, Prince Joven's attention was drawn to the wine he was drinking. He refused to choose a girl to dance with, no matter how much his King father insisted.

He spotted a woman wearing a long black cloak while observing the dancers in the pavilion's midst. Because of her huge veil, he couldn't see what the girl looked like. He gave her a brief smile, but she abruptly turned around and went away. His curiosity about the mystical woman looked piqued. He adjusted his mask and followed the damsel.

As the maiden made her way down the peaceful hallway, Prince Joven's footsteps became more abrupt. Even though he hadn't seen her face yet, he appeared confident that this was the woman he wanted to bring to his father as his wife.

"Wait, my lady!"

The woman came to a halt but did not return her gaze. "How can I help you, dear Prince?"

As he approached her slowly, Prince Joven flashed a smile. "I'm relieved to learn that you recognize me."

"Is there anything you want?" the woman said once more, her back facing him. She bent and covered her face with her cloak.

The prince stood in front of her. "What's your name?"

"It's Martha, my Lord."

Prince Joven nodded. "Martha... What a lovely name. Whose ancestry are you from?"

"I am one of your servants here in the kingdom."

The prince raised his brow and inspected Martha's physique with interest. Martha's body is in fine shape, so he doesn't mind if she's a slave.

The Prince stated emphatically, "I want you, Martha."

"But my Lord, I am only a humble servant."

Prince Joven moved closer to Martha. "It doesn't matter. Tomorrow morning I will let Father know that we're getting married next week..." He held Martha's hand.

Martha had a strange feeling in her heart. The loud beating of her chest and the warmth of her cheek were obvious. This is the first time she has heard a man profess his admiration for her, and she never thought it would come from such a handsome prince.

"Could you please show me your face right now? I'd want to see your majestic beauty."

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