True Beauty

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 Revenge Female-centered Divorce

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It was the day of love, the 14th day of February 2014. Arianna was seated patiently, waiting for her boyfriend. She had not received any special gifts, flowers, cards or letters today but she was still happy because she would spend time with her boyfriend.

She arranged for a romantic meal in a restaurant tonight and everything was set. Oh! Apart from him. Who knows why he is taking so long, it should have been him waiting for her here but now it’s the other way round.

She kept tapping her fingers on the table and continuously checking the time on her wrist watch.

The restaurant was blinking with red lights, and couples were walking in and out, with matching outfits of red and white color, some were with their kids dressed like little adorable angels.

Of course, the representation of Eros; the Greek god of love with his bow and arrow. She had thought of getting one of those cupid symbols but let it go on a second thought.

On her round table were red roses which she had ordered to make the moment more special. Her red strapless gown screamed “valentine`s day!”

***

Arianna was an orphan freshly out of college; she had studied creative arts and design. Hopefully, one day she can achieve her dreams of becoming a Model.

***

Just then, she saw her long awaited walk into the restaurant and she crumpled her face. Not only was he late for their date, but he was dressed in black. Why can’t he try to be romantic for once in his life? It was the day of love for the sake of Christ!

Dave Simons, her boyfriend for the past eight months. For her, they had something serious going on there. He was tall, handsome with an undercut hairstyle that looked real good. Just like her, he was not rich but at least you can’t count him in as a broke ass nigga.

He found her with no difficulty and took a seat at the table, directly opposite her. He was not even smiling.

“Dave… you promised me you won’t be late this time,” she whined and pouted her lips.

Arianna was a very beautiful young lady, the type that looks gorgeous without makeup. Her skin was pale as the moon, completely flawless. She possessed black, curly, silky hair and it was damn natural, she didn’t need to use a curling tool like most ladies would. She had emerald green beautiful eyes that fit just perfectly in their sockets.

She was blessed with long eyelashes and brows that she didn’t need an extra artificial one to look beautiful, her long nose hung perfectly at the right spot and her lips were glossy even without wetting them. She was like the U.S version of the goddess Aphrodite.

“Aria, I was buried with work,” he responded plainly, like it wasn’t much of a big deal.

Arianna was disappointed with his response. Like really? So his work was more important than their valentine's date? He wasn’t even sorry about it, and her looks, she had dressed up all for him but he hadn't even complimented her looks.

She decided to let it go anyway; at least he was here now.

“Okay it`s fine, so what gift did you get me?” She queried with a look of excitement.

She wasn’t expecting much from him but she would be happy if he finally popped the question tonight.

She has been dreaming of this day for a while now, she believed what was holding him back in the past few months was her schooling, but now college is done and dusted, it was time to move forward.

“Um… I was actually in a hurry so I couldn’t get something for you; also I have another reason for…”

“Oh come on Dave” she interrupted him feeling disappointed again.

He showed up late, he was on black and he didn’t get a gift either, what’s going on in his head?

“This is not fair at all Dave, you didn’t get me anything at all. As a rule of thumb, you should get me something on valentine's day,” she grumbled in that angelic voice.

“It's fine anyway, I got you something I am sure you would love,” she said, trying to brighten her face and hide her disappointment.

She took her Satchel handbag from the other chair and placed it on the table, and then she started to search for something in it.

“Um Aria, there is something I need to tell you.” He said, with a poker face.

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