Impermissible Desires

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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KITTEN’S POV

“Bye, dear!” My mom told me as she hurried down the driveway. She was late for work and had little time to get ready, so her vibrant red hair was a mess, and I almost chuckled in amusement as she tried to tie it into a knot while running down the street.

“Safe journey, mum,” I waved back until she was out of my sight. Then I went back into the three-bedroom apartment where we live. My stepdad bought it 2 months before he died 7 years ago. He’d saved up to buy this dream home for all of us, but sadly, he never got to live in it. Mom has never opened her heart to any other man, so she never remarried. I do hope she does so one day.

I have a stepbrother, and his name’s William. We’re both 18 this year and have finished high school. As it is, our dear mother hasn’t been able to raise money to further either of our education, and we decided not to stress her more than she already was. I took on a part-time job as a waitress at a nearby famous restaurant, and my stepbrother, a popular gamer, would often lock himself up in his room, gaming most of the time.

From the time I turned 14, I started growing feelings for him, and it scared me at first. I knew it was wrong and tried everything possible to get rid of the feelings, but I failed. I couldn’t stop my feelings from becoming stronger. I successfully hid my feelings from him, though and played the role of a good stepsister, even though I wanted to be something more- a sister with benefits.

While I inherited my mom’s red hair, green eyes, and petite figure, William, on the other hand, was well-built with dark hair, ocean-blue eyes — the colour of the sea in winter — and an athletic body that didn’t make sense, since he was always indoors, playing games.

Whenever I saw him, I just couldn’t help thinking that he’s the creator’s favourite. I mean, how could a human look so damn hot?

As I scanned the living room with my eyes, I finally focused my gaze on the clock. It’s 9 minutes past seven. I’m pretty sure my stepbrother’s still in his room gaming.

He hardly socialised anyway.

I headed to my room and changed out of my clothes into a white towel, and then I headed out to the bathroom. With full confidence, I opened the bathroom door wide and entered, only to hear a scolding

“Can’t you knock?”

My eyes met the side profile of my stepbrother, nude in the shower. I knew he was hot, but gosh! This was too much of a feast!

Yet I knew I couldn’t look on any longer.

“I’m sorry, William. I thought you were still in your room,” I said with an apologetic face while having no intention of leaving.

“Get out!” he barked in ire, his hands covering his special part from my sight, and a part of me really wished he didn’t cover it at all. This was such a fantastic opportunity!

“Are you deaf?” he threw a slipper at me, and in the process of dodging, I slipped. While trying hard not to fall, desperate for anything to hold onto, my towel decided it was done cladding my body too, and so it loosened and fell off before I fell to the floor.

“Ahhhh!” I let out a shriek on seeing my exposed state. Next, I covered my boobs with one hand as I hurriedly rose to my feet, picking up the towel.

“I’m sorry,” I apologised before rushing out of the bathroom without closing the door behind me. I headed straight to my room and slammed the door shut. Only then did I realise that I was just holding the towel. I tied it around my chest and sat on the bed, covering my face in mortification.

He’d clearly seen what I was trying to hide, and since I didn’t even recall covering myself before fleeing, he must have seen my nude butt as I ran off.

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