The Wife You Never Wanted by Bitter Egg

Flash Marriage To My Best Friend's Father

Madel Cerda

I was once the heiress to the Solomon empire, but after it crumbled, I became the "charity case" ward of the wealthy Hyde family. For years, I lived in their shadows, clinging to the promise that Anson Hyde would always be my protector. That promise shattered when Anson walked into the ballroom with Claudine Chapman on his arm. Claudine was the girl who had spent years making my life a living hell, and now Anson was announcing their engagement to the world. The humiliation was instant. Guests sneered at my cheap dress, and a waiter intentionally sloshed champagne over me, knowing I was a nobody. Anson didn't even look my way; he was too busy whispering possessively to his new fiancée. I was a ghost in my own home, watching my protector celebrate with my tormentor. The betrayal burned. I realized I wasn't a ward; I was a pawn Anson had kept on a shelf until he found a better trade. I had no money, no allies, and a legal trust fund that Anson controlled with a flick of his wrist. Fleeing to the library, I stumbled into Dallas Koch-a titan of industry and my best friend's father. He was a wall of cold, absolute power that even the Hydes feared. "Marry me," I blurted out, desperate to find a shield Anson couldn't climb. Dallas didn't laugh. He pulled out a marriage agreement and a heavy fountain pen. "Sign," he commanded, his voice a low rumble. "But if you walk out that door with me, you never go back." I signed my name, trading my life for the only man dangerous enough to keep me safe.

Romance CEO Billionaires Age Gap One-night Stand

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Isla's POV

The rain poured heavily outside, tapping against the windows like impatient fingers drumming on glass. The cold air seeped into my skin, but it was nothing compared to the chill settling in my heart.

I sat at the dining table, staring at the untouched dinner before me. A candle burned in the center, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Two plates, two glasses, two sets of silverware-everything was perfectly arranged.

But there was only one person sitting here.

Me.

I clenched my hands into fists, pressing my nails into my palms. I had spent hours preparing this meal, foolishly thinking that tonight would be different. That maybe, just maybe, Adrian would remember what today was.

Our wedding anniversary.

Two years ago, I had vowed to love him in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow. But from the moment we got married, he had kept his distance. No warmth, no affection-only cold indifference. He treated me like a stranger in our own home.

And now, after all the waiting, all the silent prayers for him to look at me, to see me... he finally spoke the words that shattered everything.

"Let's get a divorce."

My breath caught in my throat. My fingers trembled as I looked up at him. He stood across from me, his face unreadable, his expression as calm as ever. As if he wasn't breaking my heart. As if our marriage had meant nothing at all.

I swallowed, my voice barely above a whisper. "Divorce?"

Adrian nodded, sliding a document across the table. "I've already prepared the papers. You just need to sign them."

I stared at the crisp white sheets, my vision blurring. My name was printed neatly next to his, binding us together in ink. And yet, with a single signature, everything would be erased.

Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I lifted my gaze to him, searching for something-anything-that showed he cared.

But there was nothing.

His dark eyes were emotionless, his lips set in a firm line. The same distant, indifferent expression he had always worn.

I forced out a shaky breath. "Why now?"

"Isla, my Father made marry you. I never loved you," he said.

The words sliced through me like a dagger.

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