Forbidden Desires by Namiko Aris

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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"Good morning sir!

I'm the new nanny,you asked that I resumed today".

"Oh,the one from coco?

Yes sir! I replied.

Welcome,settle in,tomorrow you begin your duties.

Breakfast is at 7:00pm not a minute delay.

sheyla's school bus arrives at exactly 7:30,pls no delay. She gets to choose her hairstyles. No tea,compulsory cake in lunch box,bedtime,9:00pm sharp,no exceptions understood?

"Yes, sir," I replied lost in thought trying to recollect all he just mentioned.

We would see later in the day he said as he stormed out with his dangling suitcase.

"My name is peri ....yes peri,short for periwrikles,chuckles ,"yes I know,who bears that? Well periwrikles was mum's favourite sea food as at the time I was born.

" Chaotic right? Took her a whole 9months to come up with a name and she settled for that ? Issssh to say that dad agreed to.....

"Miss peri?"

I Jolted into reality,"yes miss peri"I said amidst smiles."I see,well I am Janet the previous nanny,here to pack up my...."

Did you get fired? I asked concerned.

"Oh no, I didn't,"I am relocating with my family."

"Oh, nice I said," relieved.

"Any tips for me?" I asked smiling

"Well you might need an helmet to protect your head from sheyla's antics"she stated laughing.

"That bad?"I asked worried.

"Oh, no, come on, I was only kidding,sheyla's a good girl,she only needs to get used to you,I hope she warms up to you soon."

"I'll leave you to settle in".

"Alright Janet,thank you and do have a safe trip."

* * *

As I stepped into the bedroom allocated to me, I was taken aback by its elegance. "Exquisite taste," I breathed, impressed. The king-sized bed was the centerpiece, with bamboo wood stands adorned with intricate, flowery patterns.

The artwork on the walls was a treasure trove of colors and emotions, a perfect antidote for a bad day.

I rushed into the bathroom, and my jaw dropped in wonder. "Never seen a bigger bathroom," I exclaimed, and it's in my favorite color, "purple!".

The marble tiles glistened like the ocean, radiating a sense of serenity. I flopped onto the bed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Home sweet home!" I squealed, feeling like the luckiest person alive. "I hope Sheyla and her father treat me as well as this room is decorated," I chuckled, laughter bubbling up from within.

* * *

Grrrrrrrrrrr! Grrrrrrrrrr! I woke up to a blonde-haired girl staring at me, her face inches apart from mine. I felt like I was dreaming, but when I closed and opened my eyes again, the unsettling reality remained.

I let out a terrified scream and sprinted to the door, only to remember I had just moved into Mr. Pius's house, who has a blonde-haired 9year old daughter, "Sheyla!"

I returned to the bedroom, trying to compose myself. "Sheyla?" I called, extending a hand in greeting. "Nice to meet you. I'm the new nanny."

Sheyla looked at my hand with disgust and pushed it away. "I don't like you!" she exclaimed. and "I want to have a cake!" she said, storming out of my bedroom.

I couldn't help but think, "It's only my first day, and I already have a hater!" Sheyla's parting words still lingered in the air. I murmured to myself, "Oh lord, remind me not to get on the bad side of Sheyla...

" Grrrrrrr... I picked up my phone to turn off the alarm and caught sight of the time - 6:00 p.m. already! I had slept for a long time.

Mr.pius had said I could resume work the next day,"why is sheyla being hostile toward me? "To say that she is requesting for a cake today of all days!.

Truth be told I had only started mastering my cake making skills after applying for this job.

Gina had suggested I included baking as a skill so I watched videos on YouTube to practice until I landed the job,well everything happened so fast, I got called up three days later,here I am in my full glory and disaster.

Walking into the kitchen my present dilemma could not distract me from seeing the kitchen in its glory,I would pay to cook here!

The utensils are arranged in order of their colours and sizes,they looked like they have never been used,sparkling clean!

It has a mother flipping air conditioner and an heat extractor!

Holly Molly! This is my dream kitchen!

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