The Girl With The Map

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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Hanley ✓

During the first full moon of every eighth month of the year, Masarkkav held a ritual marking.

A period when the Shape-shifter alpha comes to choose his mate.

We respect it like we respected God, but that's for them, not me.

Girls at the age of eighteen to nineteen are tied at the village ground where they'll be marked, if chosen.

They always say the lucky ones are those who are taken by the alpha's and high ranked Betas, but to me, it's a hell nightmare.

Last year, the Alpha had come, leaving without a mate. It was said none were of his taste.

This year, he's gonna come for sure, maybe to find his luck... I guess.

The elders has send letters to all families whose daughters would be participating for the ritual.

Since my entire life, as far as I was never picked, I never seemed to care.

Until today, when mother read the shocking letter to me. " Hanley, you've been picked for the ritual. "

Right now, I felt like exploding. And if the ground would open in half, I would be glad to have myself thrown into it.

" I'm leaving Masarkkav for good." I said to their amazement.

" You're what?! " Dad stormed as he dropped what he was doing to look at me. " Did you just say you're running?"

" I can't stay here, dad. I don't want to undergo the ritual. " I insisted.

" Don't try what you'll regret after. " He said.

" There's nothing to regret in this. I'll just run and when they don't find me... that's it. No markings. "

" Now you listen to me young lady, get yourself ready for tonight. Whether or not you like it, you must participate in the ceremony. " He finalized.

I know there was no way out of these. There will never be a way out of these as far as mom and dad are concerned. Especially Dad.

I went to Florence's house to spend the rest of my day with her while I think of how my night will be. She was making sandwiches for the family.

Her grandmother had convinced her parents to have her make it. All those grandmother's who talks about marriage even when you're twelve. Tsk.

" Hi." I greeted, drawing her attention.

" Hey. " She beamed her lips with a smile, then returning her gaze back to the sandwiches on fire. " Thank your stars you came at the right time."

" I always come at the right time. " I said, knowing that I'll have a share from the sandwiches.

I sat on the stool by the side. " So, did your parents receive any letter?" I asked.

" You mean for the ritual? " She asked, not looking at me.

" Yes. "

" Nope, no letter. What about you?" Now she was looking at me for an answer. I nodded my head. " Really? "

" I thought about leaving the village but then, dad said I must stay whether or not I like it. I don't know why he has to be this mean over things. " I scoffed.

" I don't wanna stay, I don't wanna stand between those fires and I don't wanna think about being chosen. Flo, this shouldn't be happening, at all. " I said, depressed. " I'm scared, Flo. I really am."

" Look Han, your father is right about what he said. You running away will only end up getting your parents in danger. No matter what, you must stay and participate. " She advised.

" Honestly, I wish I were you, I won't have to bother about the ritual for the whole year. "

She chuckled. " Let's just hope it doesn't work out this year. Because, that's the only way you can become like me. "

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