Broken Marriage of Convenience

aming through the windows. The once-vibrant 32-year-old had become a shadow of herself, weakened by the relentless prog

convenience and family pressure, had never been one of love. Helena's father had needed Sergey to stabilize the family business, and Sergey had nee

hed as always. He was tall, handsome, and impeccably dressed, but there was an air of aloofness that

th both sickness and desperation. "Can you stay for

d around, his eyes were devoid of any compassion. "I'm going to see Gabrie

he betrayal stung deeply, but the truth was, Sergey had never pretended to love her. Their marria

ling up in her eyes. "I'm not feeling well

through this. Our marriage was a business deal. Your father needed me to sa

y. She had tried so hard to make him care, to make their marriage mean something, but it was a

"Helena, I don't have time for this. G

pain and frustration. "I'm your wife. I'm here, suffering alon

s marriage. I didn't want this life, but I had no choice. Now I'm trapped in this loveless charade while you cli

but hearing his words cut deeper than any physical pain. "I

eality. Accept it," Sergey said, his voice

ush her spirit. She was left alone once more, battling her illness in solitude,

rward, determined to make it through the evening. Tonight was the charity ball for the orphanage where Sergey had grown up, a place that held special significance for both

once lustrous hair had thinned, her skin was pallid, and her eyes, though still a striking dark brown, were sh

felt a pang of nostalgia as she entered, remembering better times when she and Sergey had worked together for these

r Sergey, but he was nowhere to be seen. As the evening wore on, Helena found herself growing weaker, the nausea from h

hs. The night was still, the air crisp. She closed her eyes, all

ee Gabrielle approaching, her elegant figure clad in a stunning red dress that highlighted her pregnan

trying to keep her voice steady.

mous. "You never expect anything, do you? You just float through

"I don't understand. Sergey

of your father's ridiculous conditions. He can't leave you until you either

mained calm. "I never wanted to trap anyone.

"I am tired of waiting for you to die, Helena. Sergey deserves to be hap

dy herself against the pillar. "I'm sorry you feel that

, her voice icy. "You're the reason for

tone that set off alarm bells in

ergey and I have a plan, Helena. A plan that ensure

in shock. "What are

d have just died quietly," she spat, shoving Helena with surprising force. Helena stumbled, her

ring in a distant, surreal way. Pain exploded through her body, and she lay on the cold asphalt,

Helena.

his cruel plan. Her heart ached with unanswered questions and a profound sense of betrayal. And then, she