WEBCAM

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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PROLOGUE

"Stop."

But I didn't dare to. From the moment I hear his plead for me to stop, I continued further unto my plan. Besides that, my position is rather comfortable and beneficial for my part. I won't trade something so sweet because of a word.

"Elle, NOT TODAY..."

His words made me stare at him for a moment before smirking.

"Elle. Not now..."

I stared back at him before sighing. Now I have to deal with the snappy old Gabe, again. I get off his desk and strut around his chair, earning another groan from him.

"Elle--"

"Okay, Okay. I'm going out now." I stated in a non challant tone but before I completely went out, I gave him a thought to remember.

I lean down on his seat. Grabbing his cheek using both of my hands, I kissed him and pulled his lower lip with my teeth."El-"

"Elleana Cassidy!" Oops, almost full name. Oh, well. I still won't stop, Mr. West.

They thought he was heartless and I thought the very same thing when I married him. It's not like we marry because we really love each other. It was all just a partnership. A partnership which results to a very powerful company, the Greene-West Holdings Inc.

It all happened a year ago.

When my father called me from Paris to get my ass back here in New York right at that very moment, I know something's up. I am worried sick of course, because he won't tell me the reason. I thought it was my mom or something that concerns my past. But as I step down from the cab, I know that the reason why I'm here has nothing to do with my family. Or even me.

It was for the freaking company.

The memory was so vivid that I have to smile every time I reminisce that day. The day that me and my husband met back at his father's office. We both have gone mad when they announce the agreement but opted to do nothing about it. We are born to comply.

The craziest thing is that we even have to marry before the end of August. Not to mention that fact that we had only two weeks to prepare. Not enough time to plan for a very grand celebration. The wedding was simple and closed from media. It happen inside a chapel in Italy with only our relatives and close friends witnessing it. But the privacy is not maintained. Soon, a couple of paparazzi's came at our reception, spoiling our supposed to be first dance.

Of course, a billion worth of marriage is a breaking news! Two rival families joined as one is a century worth history.

It was that kind of clichè.

But the fact that he'd actually move unto his penthouse after the reception had finished was insane. For me at least. Not to mention the week-long honeymoon vacation spent by only me in Miami. Only me, swimming on the beach while he type away on that piece of metal they call 'laptop' somewhere inside his 'cave'.

Yet the assumption of us not going to have a chance on this marriage change the moment we went back to New York.

It was all because of that chocolate cake I gave him for his birthday. If only I knew from the very start that only a chocolate cake was the key to our relationship!

I don't even expect that he will open up to me right after he had his first bite.I guess I'd never get the chance to have his heart if I hadn't force myself to bake that cake.

I was so engrossed on reminiscing about our past when I hadn't realise that I am now sitting on his lap, again. My hands are raking his hair as I moan. "Elleana...oh Dio!" He groaned, crashing his head on my neck as he took a whiff.

I was about to undress him and let him do the DID to me when his phone rang. "MIO DIO!" He spat, pulling his phone from his pocket.

"West, " he answered looking at me as his lips flattened themselves into a line. A slight frown developed on them as he listen on the voice from the other line.

I sighed, getting up from his lap only to sit on his desk. I watch him as he talk on the phone. He was speaking in Italian so fluent that I haven't had the chance to understand a single thing.

I was almost ready to give myself to him completely but, I guess now is not a perfect time. I am surprise when he stood, ending the call as he look down at me, his eyes wild with emotions.

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