Deus Mortis Vendetta

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

Aurora's POV

"I want revenge for the death of my parents." I fumed, but a tad bit scared at the decision I had made.

"What do you mean by having revenge?" He asked, looking bewildered.

"I can't think of anything else to do, Uncle. The thirst for revenge doesn't want to be quenched even if it's all in the past."

"You can't have any revenge and you won't. This isn't the right time."

"No! Uncle. There is no way I'm going to let the death of my parents slide. Those people made me orphans and even though they aren't alive to face the consequences as I'd have wanted, their sons will pay for it." I spat, my fingers clenching into fists as my face turned red.

My uncle, Lorenzo, had told me the truth about the death of my parents yesterday and I couldn't just stay still. Anger boiled in me as I remembered the story he told me, and I wanted nothing more than to kill them myself.

It wasn't possible as Aldo Moretti was dead and so was his wife.

"No, principessa. You are a woman and you should concern yourself with getting married, raising kids and pleasing your husband. Not going on some revenge mission like your life depends on it." He snapped, getting frustrated at my resolve to get revenge.

"Unfortunately, my life depends on what I'm about to do. There's no way I can live like a normal human knowing that my innocent parents are still stirring restlessly in their graves. My decision is final and I'm leaving for New York next week." I concluded, with my jaw ticking in absolute resolve.

There was nothing he could do to change my mind.

I stared at my uncle's house one more time as I stood at the facade. My eyes darted to the flowers that decorated the porch and the white frangipani trees that were planted in a straight pattern. I could remember feeling whole whenever I inhaled the vanilla scent of its flowers.

The beautiful bungalow I had known to be home wouldn't be one anymore.

Finally, I'd found a way to convince my uncle on my revenge mission. I had to do it for my sanity to remain intact and also to honor my late parents. They didn't deserve to die as the reason for their death still sounded trivial to me.

"Promise me you'll be fine, Principessa." Uncle Lorenzo tugged my arm like a little child and I could see him struggle to keep his emotions in check.

We were both strong people that taught ourselves never to show our emotions. I'd have cried if I was any other girl, but I wasn't that type. Crying wasn't just my thing.

"I'll be fine, uncle and I promise to text you everyday." I promised as I put the last box in the car's booth.

He hugged me as I relished every moment of our time together. I was taking a big risk and Matteo would never forgive me if he found out my true intentions.

"If things spiral out of your control, please come back home."

"Sure thing." I said as I pulled out of his embrace and hopped into the 2018 Toyota Mirai that was to take me to the airport.

Everything was set in place. I'd found a spot in the Capo's house which was what I needed. There was a saying that the easiest way to get a man was his stomach, I wasn't sure it applied to him but I still had to try.

My flight was scheduled for 2pm and I just had thirty minutes left to get to the airport. Streaks of nervousness were already flowing into me but I calmed myself.

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