You tried to kill me

Olivia's POV

"Once Olivia drinks that cocktail tonight, she'll be completely out of the picture. The room is booked, and our guy is ready with the camera. As soon as she's knocked out, we'll get everything on video and make sure it goes viral. Your brother's divorce will be a slam dunk after that!"

"Are you absolutely certain this will work, Victoria? We can't afford to mess this up," Natalie whispered.

"Please. When have I ever failed you? This plan is foolproof."

I felt my blood run cold as I stood frozen outside my husband's study, overhearing Victoria's conversation with Natalie, my sister-in-law. Victoria is my dad's adopted daughter, she is slightly older than me and I know she has always hated me right from childhood but not up to the point of killing me.

The hatred in Natalie's voice was unmistakable. Has she always despised me this much? Enough to destroy my life?

I couldn't help myself. I needed to see who else was in that room. Holding my breath, I pushed the door open just enough to peek inside. What I saw shattered my world in an instant. There, standing between the two women with his arms crossed, was my husband, Marcus, his face hard and unreadable.

No... it can't be. Not Marcus. Please, not him.

"What do you think about all this, Marcus?" Natalie asked him. "You've been awfully quiet. Don't tell me you've actually fallen for her? Sophia is coming back from Paris next month. Have you forgotten about her already?"

I held my breath, desperately hoping he would defend me, tell them they were crazy, that he loved me. But his response cut through me like a knife.

"She's just collateral damage," he said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "I don't care what methods you use. I just need those company shares." He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. "Just make damn sure none of this can be traced back to any of us."

My legs nearly gave out beneath me. I pressed my hand against my mouth to stifle a sob as I stumbled away from the door, nearly knocking over a vase in my haste to escape. I ducked into the guest bathroom and locked the door behind me.

******

Four years of marriage. Four years of what I thought was love and partnership, all built on lies. Marcus never loved me. He was still in love with Sophia, the woman he dated in business school.

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, mascara streaking down my cheeks. My whole marriage was just a business transaction to him, a way to get his hands on my family's company.

"Like hell I'm going to let them do this to me," I whispered to my reflection. With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone and called the one person I knew would help me.

"David? It's Olivia. I need you to draft divorce papers for me. Immediately."

"Whoa, slow down," my lawyer and longtime friend replied. "That's not something you just rush into. What happened?"

"I know exactly what I'm doing," I said firmly. "Can you help me or not?"

He sighed. "Of course I can. But Olivia-"

"I'll call you tomorrow with details," I said, ending the call.

I splashed cold water on my face and repaired my makeup as best I could. Tonight's gala was celebrating Marcus's latest business acquisition, a deal worth hundreds of millions. If he wanted to play games, I could play too.

When I returned to the ballroom, Marcus was charming a group of investors with that million-dollar smile that had once made my heart race. He excused himself the moment he spotted me.

"There you are," he said, sliding an arm around my waist and kissing my forehead. "I've been looking all over for you darling."

I smiled tightly, pulling away from his touch. "Sorry, I just needed a moment."

His eyebrows furrowed with what looked like genuine concern. "Are you feeling alright? You seem off baby."