The Ugly Heiress

[Heather]

I was so tired from my day's work and hoped to find peace at the mansion. But when the butler opened the door, I felt the cold air of the residence. I had lived here for a year but had never felt the warmth of being at home.

Blaze had been busy with the hospitality venture he started last year. Therefore, he was rarely at home and had many business trips to meet his colleagues. Knightley Group added to his list of achievements after successfully growing Knightley Corporation, his construction company.

As his wife, I was very proud of him. I hoped after that business trip, he would be home more often. I now understand Mom's feelings, living for many years with Dad, who was very busy with his work.

"Good evening, Ma'am. There was an important document delivered by a special courier this afternoon. I put them in the study," the servant reported politely.

"Really!? Thank you." I curbed my urge to go to my bedroom and walked towards the rarely used office. There must have been a gift from my husband. Today was our wedding anniversary.

Seeing a large envelope on the desk, I approached. There was no description on the front of the folder. Did he give me a building or land? I opened the cover and read the letterhead on the first page: divorce agreement. I looked at it once more to make sure I read it correctly.

My hands were shaking, making the letters even more impossible to read. My eyes heated up, and my vision blurred. My heart was beating so fast that it was suffocating my chest. What was this? Why did he suddenly file for divorce? He had even put his signature on it.

I took my cell phone out of my bag and dialed his number. Waiting for a while, he didn't answer my call. I tried one more time while climbing the stairs. Finding his bedroom empty, I wasn't surprised. He was planning to come home tomorrow morning.

But realizing the atmosphere was a bit different, I checked his wardrobe. "No way," I said quietly, seeing the condition of the spacious room.

He had already brought all the personal items that were in his closet. His favorite watch collection wasn't even left behind. He seriously wanted to walk away from my life and this marriage.

"Good evening, Miss Bailey," Blaze's secretary greeted me when I called him on his cell phone.

"Kyle, do you know where my husband is?" I asked without replying to his greetings.

"As far as I know, he's in his room after dinner with his colleagues," he replied politely.

He wasn't busy, so why wasn't he answering my calls? Was he deliberately not answering my calls? I knew he didn't have friends and would be alone in his suite after work.

"Is there a problem, Miss Bailey? Would you like me to go to his suite and give him this phone?" he sincerely offered.

"No. No need. Thank you," I declined.

I couldn't ask him to do something that wasn't his job. He'd been working all day, and this was his break. Blaze would get angry if interrupted during his downtime because I would if my assistant contacted me outside of working hours.

I decided to send a voice message through an app. "Blaze, I know you're holding your phone. We need to talk, please answer my call. You didn't mean it, did you? Today's our first anniversary. H-how could you give me divorce papers on our wedding anniversary?"

I tried to call him again, yet he didn't answer. I wanted to send another voice message but canceled it. He might have a problem with his company or the meeting earlier. I should wait when he was ready to talk.

My cell phone alarm vibrated in the morning for the umpteenth time, waking me up. If it weren't for today's big event, I'd want to lie in bed all day. I was exhausted after trying to sleep last night but to no avail.

A surprise was waiting for me when I walked out of the front door. A black Audi was in the front yard. The butler opened the door for me so that I could see the driver.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get in," Blaze said impatiently.

My heart was beating rapidly, happy that the person I was expecting was right before my eyes. I thanked the butler and then got into the car. I fastened my seat belt before greeting him cheerfully, but he was silent.

"I thought you weren't coming," I said, not hiding my surprise.

"He's still my father-in-law," my husband replied coldly.

"And will always be your father-in-law," I said firmly, giving him the signal that I didn't want the divorce. "Happy anniversary, honey."

Blaze did not reply. Seeing his cold stare, I decided to keep quiet. His being here with me was enough. I was sure we could talk about the misunderstanding between us later, just like before. I had to focus on the event at Dad's house first.