The Warlord's Lovely Prize

"Hmm... Landen..."

The sultry voice from behind the firmly closed door froze Kaelyn Barnett's hand mid-knock.

A shiver raced down her spine, the chill creeping from her fingertips to her core, as though she'd been doused in icy water.

For years of marriage, she and her husband, Landen Barnett, had never shared intimacy.

But now, hearing the voice from inside the room, she knew all too well what was going on.

Her breath hitched, disbelief clawing at her chest. Landen - he wouldn't... no, he couldn't.

When they married, Landen had confessed that he had a condition - something that made intimacy impossible. So she refused to believe the one inside to be him.

Kaelyn pressed a trembling hand to her temple, desperate to convince herself otherwise. But when deep male groans followed, the shaky comfort she clung to shattered into a thousand jagged pieces.

That voice was his. She knew it too well.

Her legs wobbled, her back pressing into the cold wall for support. Tears blurred her vision, spilling freely as she cupped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape.

Three years ago, after Landen's car accident left him in a coma, Kaelyn had thrown herself into his care, tending to him with unwavering devotion for two long years, completely brushing off the sneers and dismissive stares from others, solely because he had once saved her when she had an accident.

On the surface, she had just simply looked after him, but secretly, she had treated him with her excellent medical skill, which brought him back from the brink. She still remembered the day he woke up, the warmth in his hand as it wrapped around hers, the weight of his promise to marry her and cherish her forever.

That day was etched into her heart, as was the love she thought they shared.

She had sacrificed everything for him, pouring her heart and soul into becoming his caring wife. And yet, what had she gained in return?

Kaelyn clutched her chest, her breath shallow and jagged, as though a knife was carving into her heart. Everything she had sacrificed, everything she had done for him, felt like a cruel joke.

She turned, ready to run from this nightmare, but her feet froze at the words drifting from the other side of the door.

"Landen, today's your wedding anniversary with Kaelyn," the woman purred, her voice dripping with mock concern. "She's probably sitting at home right now, waiting for you like the devoted wife she is. Isn't it... bad for you to be here with me instead of with her? What if she finds out..."

"Don't worry, Claire. I've told you before, my heart only has room for you. As for Kaelyn, she's just a placeholder. I've never touched her!"

Landen's voice was soft, almost tender, but his words struck like a dagger, cold and merciless.

Kaelyn couldn't take it any longer. Her chest burned with betrayal, and with trembling hands, she pushed the door open with a loud bang.

"Landen, what did I do wrong? Why did you deceive me?"

The sudden outburst froze Landen mid-motion.

He hastily grabbed a coat, throwing it over himself and the woman beside him. His frown deepened as he looked at Kaelyn, irritation flickering across his face. "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to wait at the Barnett Mansion?"

Kaelyn's knees felt weak. His indifference was like a slap in the face.

So this was it? He wasn't even going to pretend anymore?

Her lips curled bitterly, tears blurring her vision as they poured freely. "If I hadn't come, how long were you planning to keep lying to me?"

Landen said nothing. The silence between them was suffocating, his annoyance so blatant that it stole what little composure she had left.

The woman beside him broke the silence, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Don't blame Landen. It's my fault. If anyone's to blame, blame me."

Kaelyn's gaze shifted to this woman. Something about her face struck a chord.

Ah, of course. She was Claire Hewitt, Landen's childhood friend.

Kaelyn had seen her photo once on Landen's desk when they first got married. Afterward, the photo disappeared, and Kaelyn foolishly assumed that he'd moved on.

But now, staring at the woman who had replaced her, she realized just how naïve she had been.

Kaelyn ignored Claire, her focus locked on Landen. Her voice came out hoarse, barely audible. "If you didn't want to stay with me, you could have just said so. Why do this... why on our anniversary?"

Landen's sneer cut through her like ice. "Humph, fine!" His tone was dripping with scorn. "Let's be clear now. I want a divorce. The position of Mrs. Barnett should have been Claire's all along."

Meeting his cold gaze, Kaelyn felt her heart twist painfully, but her voice remained eerily composed. "Fine, divorce then. But I want half of the marital assets. Not a cent less."

Landen's expression faltered, and Claire's jaw nearly dropped. They exchanged a startled glance, disbelief clouding their faces.

Kaelyn, the orphan with nothing, had the audacity to demand half of the Barnett family's wealth?

How absurd!

Claire quickly composed herself, lowering her gaze and adopting a tone of false sympathy. "Kaelyn, isn't that a little unfair? Landen has been the one running the family business while you've stayed home enjoying your life. The Barnett family has given you everything - how can you be so greedy and ungrateful? Please, don't turn the whole Barnett family into your enemy."

Kaelyn's lips curled into a sneer, her eyes sharp and unyielding. "A homewrecker has no right to lecture me about fairness. Let me be clear - I'm not asking for permission. I'm making a statement. And trust me, if this goes public, it won't be my reputation that gets ruined."

Her words were like a whip, silencing the pair instantly. Without sparing them another glance, she turned and strode out of the villa.

The cool night air hit her face as she stepped outside. Kaelyn pulled out her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. After a brief hesitation, she tapped a number she hadn't dialed in years.

The call connected almost immediately, and the voice on the other end was filled with excitement barely restrained. "Kaelyn? Is it really you? You finally remembered me!"

"Yes," she replied, her voice steady. "I'm outside Landen's private villa. Can you come pick me up? I'll send you the address."

"Of course! I'll be there in no time."

Within ten minutes, the quiet street was disrupted by the roar of engines as several luxury cars pulled up in front of her.

The lead car came to a smooth stop, and the driver stepped out. Seeing the familiar face, Kaelyn felt an overwhelming sense of irony.

For years, she had buried her true self, shrinking into the shadows to support a man who didn't deserve her.

How ridiculous!

But now, the veil had lifted, and it wasn't too late to reclaim her life.

"Kaelyn," Sebastian Gill, Kaelyn's subordinate, said, his voice laced with concern as he approached her. "What happened? Why are you crying?"

He hurried over, his eyes widening in shock as they landed on the tear stains streaking her face.

Someone as unyielding as Kaelyn... was crying?

Kaelyn's face remained composed, her hand brushing away the remnants of her tears as she said, her voice steady, "It's nothing. I've just decided to divorce that scumbag."

"Divorce him?" Sebastian froze, the weight of the word hitting him like a bolt of lightning. It took him a moment to process before a wide grin spread across his face, followed by a hearty laugh. "That's fantastic, Kaelyn! You've finally seen the light! Welcome back to being your true self!"