Something Between Us

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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CHAPTER 1

I navigated my way through the crowded sidewalk, the sweet scent of food emitting from the food trucks by the side of the street floated through my nostrils, a ghost of breeze blew through my dark brown shoulder-length hair as I sprinted, the slit on my dress spread, revealing my caramel thigh as I rush through the crowd, I stumbled slightly when my stilettos painfully pinched my feet.

Tears marred my vision, and my breath caught in my throat when the painful memory flashed before my eyes.

I couldn't believe Felix Jones had finally shown himself to me. But why now? after 2 years of going AWOL? I didn't care to know now, the urge to slap him hard across the face was stronger than anything I had ever felt.

My relationship with Felix Jones was nothing peculiar. He showered me with sweet words dripping like honey and clinging to me every second and when I shared my dreams of building a home he proposed to me right there and I thought this could finally be it. The dream of having my own family.

Only to wake up the next day and find out everything from my account had been cleared out, and some things in the house had been taken. I couldn't believe it until I saw a scrawl on a dirty piece of paper on the table that read; "All is fair in love and war" he had always liked that phrase.

He ran off with what I had toiled for my whole life, everything went down the drain.

I desperately searched online and every source of communication I could use yet it was like he had disappeared from the face of the earth.

When I finally found his vacated rented apartment I found out he was married. He has a wife I never knew existed.

Only then did I concede with my Mother's words, that men were indeed nothing but trouble.

My parents didn't have a happy marriage, they were cordial enough to live under the same roof.

When my Dad died my Mom got fired from her job and we slowly slipped into poverty, she became a shadow of herself.

I stopped school and decided to roll up my sleeves, wait tables, and take on part-time jobs to provide for the family.

Mom hardly spoke, when she did, she would only murmur how love was never enough and how it brought nothing but trouble.

One day, with cold eyes, my Mom announced her plans of getting married to a professor in Canada. I was enraged, with tears shining in my eyes I said;

"I don't support this, I won't allow you to do this."

"Am not seeking your permission Em, and there's no need for you girls to come, you're a woman now, stay and take care of your sister. Make sure you marry a wealthy man someday and live well." With those spoken words, she departed.

Once in a while, she would send gifts, which I refused to accept time and time again. Then they stopped coming altogether, five years now and not a word from her, all I knew was that my Mom now sired two daughters.

The ringing of my phone drew me out of my reverie. I peered down at the screen, and Beth's name flashed on the screen.

I ignored it and crossed the busy street, causing a slight havoc.

I finally stood at the other side and my eyes searched for the silver car, but it was nowhere in sight.

My phone rang again, I knew my persistent friend wouldn't stop calling if I didn't answer.

"Why in the world did you run out like that?!"

"Richie found him Beth," my voice trembled.

"Found who?"

"Felix, b-but he's gone– he's gone again, how will I find that bastard again…"

"Wait, wait, wait. Don't tell me–But how, why now?"

"I have to go after him, Beth."

"What? No, snap out of it Em, at least not now, he's not worth losing your job over. The boss will go ballistic if you're not here. Now compose yourself and get your ass here!'' and the line went dead.

I slowly dropped the phone from my ear and crouched down. I struggled to keep the sob that threatened to break out of my throat. How dare fate bring Felix Jones back into my life again and demand me to endure it.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

I hurried into the building, where Robert Crest, the founder of Sunshine Publishing's retirement party was being held. I pulled my shoulders back and entered the beautifully decorated hall, the scent of delicious food and cuisines wafted through my nostrils as I delved deeper into the magnificent bright room, the room was flooded with high-class, pretentious sophisticated guests, clad in formal attire, mostly colored black or gray.

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