I want you now and forever

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: Forget the lights sweetheart

The car pulled to a stop, and the driver turned to Sarah. "We are already here, ma'am."

Sarah nodded with a faint smile.

"I have to go, Cara. I have already arrived at his place. I'll talk to you later."

"This is madness,Sarah," she pressed further. "It would have been better to take up my offer of coming to Italy after college graduation. I have a bad feeling about this."

Cara was the only person who had ever treated Sarah with love and kindness. Cara was part Italian, they had met and become great friends in college.

"Don't worry,Cara. I'll be careful. I have to go. I'll call you later. Bye."

Sarah swiftly ended the call before Cara could protest further. She was aware of the look of displeasure on the driver's face from the front mirror. She offered him a small apologetic smile and slid out of the car. No sooner had she alighted, did the car zoom off and her attention was immediately drawn to the palatial edifice before her.

Sarah swallowed the nervous lump in her throat and smoothed her dress with her clammy hand. With her purse clutched tightly in her hand and determination in her stride, she approached the door.

Sarah was ushered into the house and taken into a tastefully furnished, and designed bedroom.

"When do I get to see the owner of the house?" Sarah asked the servant who was about to leave the room.

"Master gave instructions to bring you here once you arrive, Miss."

Sarah nodded. "And when will he be back?" She needed to impress him- whoever he was. Her family's salvation depended on it. If he wanted a bride, then that is what she would be.

"Master will be back soon, Miss. Make yourself comfortable. Dinner will be sent up to you soon."

Sarah was herself confused about the entire arrangement, but she dared not voice her opinion. Her family's benefactor had sent a car earlier that evening to bring Veronica to him, but alas it was her that had come instead; but she was yet to meet him.

The servant left, and Sarah was left alone in the huge bedroom. The assortment of different mouth watering delicacies was later brought up, and Sarah ate as much as she could with her stomach in knots.

Sarah decided to take a shower and change into the delectable and expensive looking lingerie that was led out on the bed for her.

Sarah was fast asleep, when she awoke to someone hovering above her. Sleep quickly vanished from her eyes, and she quickly made to turn on the light switch above the bed, but warm and firm large hands swiftly caught hold of her wrists, pinning it down to the pillow on both sides of her head. Sarah knew this must be the man she was here to meet.

"Forget the lights sweetheart. I just want to feel you," he drawled in a rich baritone. His speech sounded a bit slurred. His expensive manly cologne- a marriage of musk, leather and sandalwood, enveloped her.

Sarah felt him inhaling her scent, sniffing, and trailing kisses on her skin along her nape, and down to the base of her throat. She froze in his arms.

Sarah found a surge of panic when she felt his other hand exploring and pressing her body. She had never had a boyfriend or been this close to a man before.

"You smell and feel more beautiful than I even imagined, darling," he husked in her ears, making a strange warmth spread all over her.

Sarah's mind raced- did he know her before? Of course not. He had requested the daughter of the Maxwell family. Of course he was referring to Veronica. He thought she was Veronica.

Sarah felt him loosen the knots of her silk robe, and slide down the straps of her nightgown. She was a virgin, but she was not dumb. She knew where this was heading. She would have preferred to get to know this faceless stranger, first– or at least sign the marriage certificate before going this far.

Sarah had not even seen his face because of the darkness in the room,but his firm and toned body was taut with muscles,pressing her into the soft silken sheets. She guessed he was probably a young and fit man.

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