Stolen Empire, Stolen Child, Stolen Life

ey's

rented under a new name, a stark contrast to the sprawling mansion Donovan and I once shared. But it was

and facade, the manicured lawns-they all mocked me now, monuments to a stolen life. The house was empty

ble floors, the crystal chandeliers, the vast, empty rooms felt more like a mausoleum than a home. I walked through the

h salmon, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs. My hands moved with a practiced grace, the familiar rhythm of chopping and

perhaps even closure. I knew it was foolish, a naive yearning for an honorable ending to a dishonorable st

. Not a call, not a text. Just the gaping void of absence, a familiar companion in our marriage, now amplified to

t. I stood by the window, watching him swagger from his car. His jacket was askew, his hair tousled,

n him on our first anniversary, the one he swore he never took off, was gone. It had held a tiny, faded picture of us,

ettling on me. His eyes held not curiosity, but annoyance. "What is this, Audrey?" he a

my voice flat, devoid of emoti

ulous. You're still upset about that file, aren't you? I tol

, from my pocket. I placed them gently on the pristine white tablecloth, next to the

cked up the document, his brow furrowing as he read. "You... you signed these? Without

aw through your charade? That I understood I was nothing more than a convenient acces

alking about? There's no surrogate! And Jazmine? She's our business partner, your b

ut your plans to have her raise my child as her own. I know you saw me as a biological vessel, nothing more. I was there, Donovan, when s

udrey, that' s insane. You' re ima

y hidden? Just like you hid the true nature of our pre-nup, ensuring I'd be left with nothing after I built your empire. Just like

re not leaving me! Not now! Not ever! I will not allow it!" The fl

over me. "The legal process has begun. You can tear up the pape

Financially, professionally. I'll make sure of it." He reached into his wallet, pulling out a wad of cash. "Here. Take this. Is this what

. "Keep your dirty money, Donovan," I said, my voice a low growl. "Your wealth is as hollow

en words, with years of deceit. "This is over.

to find me, Donovan," I warned, turning back one last time. "Because

e the house, the sound of breaking glass, then a guttural roar of sheer fury. He was destroying things, breaking down. But I was already