Once Innocent

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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At seven o’clock, Amanda is already dressed up for school. Did I say school? – I meant school mate’s birthday party.

It seemed kind of surprising to everyone, Amanda barely watches television programs with everyone but was still staring at the mirror smiling, dressing her hair back and forth still uncomfortable, she lets her free.

Mom stood speechless watching, a companied by Brother Paul, I and Gloria our housemaid. Her smiles at no one exactly were worth the family checking up on her if she’s okay or if she needs the help of the mental asylum. After a while, she started murmuring to the tin air as if answering questions. She shakes her head moving her blonde hair back and forth trying to behave shabbily.

After some time, she laughed out and her cheeks flush red maybe because of her complexion or maybe she was blushing at tin air too.

Mom couldn’t take it anymore the whole thing looked crazy to her, she felt like slapping her but rather she called on her rashly.

“Amanda, are you okay?” She asked looking at Amanda’s body response; she seemed to be absent-minded the whole time.

“Mum,” she responded looking at me and Brother Paul. The way we stood stationary explains that we were there for a long time staring at her mode display.” I was practicing,” she added scratching her hair and putting her face down.

The surprise on everyone’s face was kind of scary.

I thought you were going to a birthday party?” mum asked.

“Yes mom,” she responded

“What then are you practicing for?” mom asked curiously.

Immediately, her brain ran as far as it could to solve for a response that wouldn’t warrant any further questions.

“You see, I am the assistant senior prefect, the head girl of the college and you know that,” she breaks and swallows. “I have to give a speech,” she added running out with her bag.

Though she didn’t tell me as always where she was going, I knew whose birthday would drive her crazy, ‘Mac-Dicky’s.’

Mac-Dicky is the most handsome guy in school, as they say forgetting that I exist. He is the only crush my sister ever had since from js1 (first grade).

I don’t know if it was because of his cuteness or his brain.

Mac-Dicky although being handsome, had time for his books and has never failed a test.

While he is not the only boy with good grades in my school but his class Ss3.

The other boys in his class were into girls calling themselves playboys.

I wonder what gave them that mindset!

Mac-Dicky isn’t much of a freak he just lives his life and was very much close to my sister but unfortunately, he never asked her out but would come to gist with her.

One crazy thing that made me burst into laughter was when he started dating my sister’s best friend ‘Grace’

Who from the start knew about my sister’s crush on him or should I say love for Dicky because it lasted too long.

“Can they still be friends?”

If I am to be asked, I’ll say I don’t know because they still talk and walk together. The only difference is that my sister doesn’t smile and laugh with her often as her gist with my sister is mostly about Mac.

“Wait a minute,” mom halted her movement, walking towards her and standing right in front of her.

“Where’s your gift for the celebrant?” Mom asked shaking her head slightly and standing akimbo.

“Does she need a gift?” Big brother asked.

For a moment, everyone stood quietly staring at him.

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