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Spin the Bottle

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 One: Senior Year

Stephanie Valentine hops into the passenger's seat of Brooke Dawson's car in the morning.

"Hey," she says as she buckles her seatbelt.

"Good morning," Brooke replies.

"How was your night?"

"Okay," she answers. "Yours?"

"Normal. You ready?" Brooke asks as she grabs the steering wheel.

"Yeah. Let's go," she replies and Brooke turns on the ignition and slowly backs out of the driveway.

Brooke is Stephanie's best friend. They've been best friends since freshman year. Brooke drives her to school and back almost everyday. They're seniors now and they're still best friends.

"I know we just started senior year like two weeks ago but I can't wait for this year to be over. It has been boring so far," Brooke says giving Stephanie a quick glance.

"Me too," Stephanie agrees.

The ride to school goes silent for a while before Brooke decides to break it.

"Did you hear about the party?" She asks.

"What party?" Stephanie asks with confusion written all over her face.

"The one Jason's throwing over the weekend. On Friday night," she explains.

"Didn't hear about it. Don't care about it," Stephanie replies nonchalantly.

"You know," Brooke sighs. "It wouldn't hurt to have fun."

Stephanie rolls her eyes knowing where this conversation is heading towards.

"I have fun, B. But not that type. I don't do parties," She tells Brooke.

"Fun? You call reading fun?"

"Yeah. I watch TV too," she replies.

It takes all in Brooke not to face palm herself or even better, hit her head against the steering wheel.

"You know, I do parties and it doesn't extract anything from me. It's your last year in high school, Steph. Giddy up. Enjoy it as best as you can," Brooke gives one of her speeches.

"Don't you sometimes feel like you're missing out?" Brooke speaks again.

Stephanie's lips form a thin line as she thinks about Brooke's question.

Sometimes, she does wonder what she's missing and she knows it's a lot of high school experience but really doesn't care.

She stares out the window as they enter the parking lot.

This isn't the first time such a conversation is happening. Brooke gives her special motivational talk once in a while. Telling her to let loose and live high school to the fullest.

Whatever that means.

Stephanie really likes how she is though. Not drawing attention, getting good grades and having a great best friend.

But Brooke doesn't seem satisfied with that. She wants her to be more social. Brooke actually has other friends but she isn't one of the popular crowd. Brooke loves parties so whenever she gets chance to go to one, especially one that has the popular crowd, she doesn't take it for granted.

Stephanie isn't socially awkward or anything, she just likes solitude. She prefers to be alone than get in social gatherings. That's why she tries her best to be discrete and unnoticeable in school but everyone knows her in her neighborhood. She sometimes babysits. She's the PG kind of girl. She doesn't drink, doesn't smoke and doesn't party. The last time she remembers going to a party was in middle school and it was a cousin's birthday party. She's isn't shy either. She just prefers things to be the way they are.

At school, she spends time with only Brooke.

Sometimes, you'll even wonder how she ended up being best friends with Brooke because they're kinda opposite.

Stephanie and Brooke always have lunch together though. Brooke isn't exactly very close to her other friends.

Stephanie has always hated when Brooke brings up the 'living the life' topic and she still does. Her answers are always the same when Brooke persuades her to go to a party.

NO.

She knows that soon enough, Brooke would ask her to go to Jason's party and that isn't happening. Her answer would still be the same.

She unbuckles her seatbelt and is about to open the door but Brooke's voice makes her pause.

"This conversation isn't over," Brooke says sternly.

"Whatever," she groans and begins to walk towards the school front doors.

"Wait up," Brooke yells and hurries up to catch up with her.

"You do know we have few minutes till first period," Stephanie deadpans.

Brooke shrugs in reply.

They walk through the front doors together and down the hallway.

They both sight the most popular couple in school.

Luke and Ivy.

They both call her poison ivy though, they can't just help it 'cause of her personality.