Chapter 3

"I am back at Mallory"

What! Aren't you supposed to come back in a month?" Abel asked and was beaming at the news. 

So that was it, Riana was coming back and that was why he wanted a divorce and wanted it finalized in a month. Nicole thought.

"Yeah, but I want to surprise you"

"Wait for me at the airport, I will be right there"

Quickly, Abel stormed out of the house.

Nicole was disheartened. She was crushed and broken. The joy on Abel's face a while ago when answering Riana's call made her realize that she had lost the man she loved. Despite all her efforts, she was not able to win his heart instead all her sacrifices were thrown back at her face. She smiled wryly at her foolishness. 

Later in the day, Abel came back home with Riana, his hand wrapped around her waist as he led her into the house. Nicole's heart dulled in pain. Abel had never treated her with such love and it hurt her soul. 

When their eyes met, Abel's face quickly turned to disgust.

"She never gets tired, when will she ever get it, that no matter what she does, she will not get my attention" Abel murmured and pulled Riana closer. 

At the same time, Nicole's phone beeps, and a text message pops up.

"I am in your backyard,"  she read. 

She gently dropped the plate of food in her hand on the table and left through the back door.

"Oh Riana, you are back. Welcome home honey" Nora Abel's stepmother greeted and hugged Riana. 

"Abel, you should take Riana inside to freshen up before joining us at the table."  Nora continued. But Abel's mind was on something else. His gaze was on the woman who slipped out through the back door.

 

"Excuse me, I will be back in a moment. Abel mumbled and hurried up to the back door.  Just then a black Rolls Royce pulled up and Nicole entered. The car zoomed off, shortly after Abel came out.

"Such a despicable woman, she just came back from prison and was already in a relationship even before we could divorce. Yet she claims to love me" Abel said, clenching his fist and anger pouring within him. Even though he never loved Nicole, he still can't believe that she could move on so quickly as if he never existed.

"Didn't I tell her to stay here until after the divorce is over? She is not only a criminal but also a professional harlot. How could she cheat on me in that manner"

 He quickly called his assistant Jason.

"My wife left the house a few minutes ago, find out the owner of the black Rolls-Royce E3546 she boarded."

"I thought you got divorced this morning? Why bother about her?"

"Shut up and hurry before they go far" 

 Jason chuckled and went out in search of Nicole.

Inside the Rolls-Royce, Nicole rested her head on  Sebastian's shoulder. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"I am glad you are back"

"I know, you never wanted me to be out in the first place"

"Your decision was stupid, you even went to jail because of that crap, yet he treated you with contempt"

 

"Whatever I did, I did it because I loved him. But it's all in the past now"

"Of all the days, he chooses to divorce you on your wedding anniversary. What a hunk he is"

As soon as the words left Sabastian's mouth, Nicole's heart tightened. She swallowed the lump in her throat and shut her eyes. The thought of that night, when she signed a contract agreement with Abel came to her memory. Old Bennett wanted a decent woman for his grandson and would not stop bothering him. Riana the only woman he loved was not worthy of the old man's blessing.

Abel reasoned that since Riana would be traveling abroad for her studies, he would use that opportunity to enter a contract marriage with Nicole, whom his grandfather adored.  Nicole saved the old man's life and won his heart on that day. He would get her divorce immediately after Riana returned home. Without wasting time, Abel divorced her as soon as Riana came back.

Riana also ensured they were never together all the while she left by making her go to jail in Abel's place. She had been a fool to believe that Riana would leave Abel for her. 

"I am sorry sis, but you shouldn't have done that. You throw everything away just because of that fool including your identity"  Sabastian continued. Then Nicole had to change her identity just to win Abel's heart, but that has changed now because from now on, Nicole Miller no longer exists but instead Avery Clinton has emerged.

 

Immediately the car pulled at Clinton Meanor,  blue and red fireworks lit up the sky and the word Welcome home Princess appeared in the dark cloud.

Nicole smiled and looked at Sabastian.

"You set up fireworks for me?"

"Not me, Adam did. He wanted to surprise you and lighten up your mood" Just then, Adam appeared from the door and hugged Avery.

"Welcome home Princess," he said.

"Thank you, Adam, that fireworks were so thoughtful of you"

"Anything for my big sister"

"Where is Father?" Avery asked.

"In his study, he can't wait to see you" Adam replied and led them to their Father's study,