"You're simply my wife on paper. You may indulge in my wealth, take pleasure in my body, but my heart will never truly be yours." - Emerald Smith has come to the difficult decision to end her two-year arranged marriage, realizing that no matter how hard she tries to earn his affection, her husband Liam Westmore will never feel the same way for her. However, she was devastated when Liam quickly settled in with Victoria Quinn, his best friend's ex-wife, in their shared home just a week after she had moved out. Now, as a heiress at the helm of a prestigious designer jewelry empire, Emerald returns to Ashford City after disappearing for three years. Her ex-husband appears at her doorstep saying, "I want you back," while wielding concrete evidence that they were never legally divorced.
Chapter 1 Unrequited Love
Emerald's husband of two years, Liam Westmore had completely forgotten their second wedding anniversary, making her doe eyes welled up with frustrated tears.
She had meticulously fitted her slim figure in a velvet sapphire dress and styled her rich brown hair into an intricate chignon at the bottom of her nape, all in an effort to present herself at her absolute best. Yet, the man she had exerted so much effort to impress barely glanced at her.
Even the panoramic window, framing the bustling nightlife of Ashtone City like a work of art, couldn't lift her spirits.
Nonetheless, she couldn't let the hurt consume her entirely. She needed to confront her husband. Nervously smoothening the wrinkles from her dress, she turned to him.
"Liam, do you remember what today is?"
His piercing blue eyes lifted, locking with hers for a moment before they flitted away to something else.
"Uh, Sunday?" He replied with a nonchalant shrug.
The reply felt as sharp and unforgiving as an iceberg, crashing into her with brutal force, causing her heart to shatter in between like the Titanic sinking beneath the waves.
She had hoped for a second he would remember but he was completely clueless. This wasn't the first time he had forgotten something important, but on their anniversary, it stung even more.
"No... It's our second wedding anniversary..."
A moment of understanding lit up his handsome face before it vanished, giving way to a vacant look.
"Sorry. I've been so busy with work and stuff, it slipped my mind."
Sorry? She had heard those words too many times before, and each excuse had chipped away at her fragile hopes for him to change, even care for her.
She had always been the one to forgive, to mend the broken pieces in their relationship, but tonight something had shifted within her. The years of neglect and emotional distance had finally taken their toll.
Anger welled up inside her, ready to burst forth and disrupt the fragile peace she had struggled to maintain
"I have given you numerous chances, Liam. I have remained loyal to you, stood by your side, and made efforts to be a devoted wife. But - but why!" She choked on her words. "Why have you persistently treated me like an outsider?"
She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears. She was determined not to let her husband take pleasure in witnessing her vulnerability.
However, beneath the surface, she secretly longed for him to recognize the immense pain he had caused, hoping that it might soften his stone-cold heart.
"Please stop acting like an emotionally battered wife. You're well aware that I had no love for you before we tied the knot. Mother's illness is what compelled me to marry you."
"Do you think I wanted this either?" I am trapped in a family marriage tradition, and marrying you was the only way to prevent my adoptive father from disowning me!"
"Liam, all I'm asking for is to be treated as your wife, to be shown respect, and for you to remember our anniversary. Is that too much to ask?"
Liam's sharp gaze pierced her.
Fists curled into tight fists, she fought his gaze back with equal ferocity.
"I refuse to pretend that everything is fine when it's clearly not. If you're willing to pretend that our marriage is happy, that's your choice, but I will not partake in that charade."
"So, that's why you're seeing someone else behind my back?" The words slipped out of her mouth before she could even register them.
She couldn't ignore the evidence that had been piling up - the lipstick stains on his shirt collar and the lingering scent of a woman's perfume on his skin each time he went home. All signs pointed towards him having a mistress, and it was tearing her apart inside.
He didn't even look surprised nor did he make an effort to deny it.
"So what?"
His words felt like a slap to her face, stinging her already broken heart. She was his wife. How could he treat her like this?
The anger she felt overshadowed the pain.
"So what?" she heaved. "Are you seriously asking me that? You've been cheating on me, and you have the audacity to act like it's no big deal?"
"I had made it clear to you before we got married that I will marry you but I will never be faithful," Liam clenched his jaw, "I thought you understood and accepted that."
"I can't believe you!" her lips trembled. "I gave you everything, and yet I'm still nothing for you?"
"You can give your heart, body and soul but you'll never be good enough for me, and you never will be, Emerald."
"Why? Is it because of Victoria?"
Liam's expression became taut at the mention of his ex-lover's name. Swiftly rising from his chair, he leaned in with a threatening whisper, "Don't bring her into this."
"Am I right?" She stood up from her chair, displaying no hint of fear, her chin jutting forward. "She's the reason why, despite marrying me, you never truly loved me all these years.
"I thought we had something going on, something worth battling for, at the very least yet how wrong I was."
Liam let out a cold laugh.
"You were simply a wife of convenience on paper. You may indulge with my wealth, take pleasure in my body, but my heart will never truly be yours."
His words pierced through her like a blade, hitching breath in her throat.
She had given her heart and soul to this man, believing one day he'll learn to love her a little. But now, his cruel words shattered any trace of hope she had left.
"How could you be so heartless, Liam? I deserved to be treated better than this!"
"Deserved?" He spat. "You don't even come close to deserving anything, Emerald. You were nothing but naive to believe that I could ever harbor any hint of love towards someone so utterly beneath me. It's your fault that my lover married my best friend-not me!"
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