Hidden Ties A Small Town Saga

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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Just like every other day after my job as a waiter, I proceeded to the locker room and changed back into my casual clothes. Being a waiter isn't anyone's dream job, it isn't what I love to do but I have no choice because I need to provide for my daughter and me

After changing back into the clothes I wore to work this morning, I grabbed my handbag and made my way out of the restaurant building. I work in a restaurant but yeah, I work as a waiter.

Coming out of the restaurant building, I turned to my right and began to work down the road to my daughter's preschool which was a few minutes' walk away from where I work.

My lips curved into a small smile when I remember my daughter. Her name is Mia, she looks so much like me. She's smart and she's my life. She's my source of motivation and I promise myself to always do my best to give her a good life, a life far better than mine.

Moments later, I arrived at Mia's preschool. I was talking with her Teacher when I heard that very familiar voice.

"Mama," Mia said excitedly before running up to me.

I smiled, crouched down to my knees, and spread out my hands, ready to hug her.

"My love, I missed you," I said as I embraced her into a hug and kissed her forehead.

"Miss you too mama." She grinned at me.

I rose to my feet with Mia on my lap. "Were you good to Aunty Maya today?" I asked my little girl, referring to the teacher who was standing in front of us.

"Yes, mama." Mia nodded her head and I kissed her cheek for being a good girl.

I talked some more with Mia's teacher, picked up Mia's backpack and lunch back then my daughter and I made our way home.

................

The smile on my face turned into a frown when Mia and I stepped into our home. Everywhere was a mess, it was the exact opposite of how I left it this morning. Thanks to my baby daddy who was always giving me so much work to do. He couldn't care less about personal hygiene and I'm honestly fed up with him. He never helps with cleaning the house, running errands, or doing dishes and laundry. Instead, I have to remind him all the time where he has to place his shoes and dirty clothes.

He never helps with anything, not even to watch over Mia when I had to run errands. He doesn't pay Mia's school fees, I buy groceries most of the time, I pay the house rent. He only gave me the part payment of our house rent a few times.

I do not know what to do, maybe we should get separated but I don't want my daughter to grow up without a father but as things are going now, I think getting separated is better because I can't let my daughter see the mess her father makes every day. God this is not how I want my life to be, my life is even better before I met him when I was with my parents.

"Mama, why are you crying? Are you hungry?" My daughter brought me out of my thought and wipe away my tears I did not even know that is there

"I am fine my baby, I am not crying something enter my eyes that is why there is water in my eyes

I take her to the living room to watch kids TV and clean the entire house then make food for us. How I wish to go back to my life before I came to California, I am not rich but am happy with my family

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