Reyna's POV.
Alex didn't wait a second longer as he pulled me off the bed by my arm and threw me to the ground like I weighed nothing. “Get away from her, you worthless bitch,” Alex cursed. The impact he used to grab my arm and threw me off the bed was heavy which made me hurt my waist as I fell hard on the floor. I shut my eyes, wincing tightly but the pain on my waist was nothing compared to the hurt I felt in my chest. Now that I thought of how our relationship had been in the last months, I was very sure about the reason why Alex always left home without saying a word to me and also spoke to me harshly whenever he was around. It's because he had lost interest in me and was now courting another woman. He had always been sleeping with the bitch that I had considered my best friend all these while! I felt utterly devastated, my heart broken and shattered into irreparable pieces. I was so tired of Alex treating me like I was worthless. As if my only role was to be a housewife, confined in the kitchen and drowning in endless chores for months without caring for how I felt or how I was coping. Unable to bear staying in this dying marriage with the hopes of keeping it alive any longer, especially after finding him in bed with Chloe, I decided to put an end to this godforsaken marriage! I could not keep up with the pretense of being the perfect happy wife before the eyes of everyone while my husband treated me like a slave at home and was having an affair with my ex-best friend. I made up my mind to leave because I couldn't see myself staying in this marriage anymore. I struggled to get back on my feet, aware of a misaligned bone in my lower back. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself. Honestly, I must agree that this marriage wasn’t worth fighting for anymore. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and, feeling sluggish, I moved closer to him, standing with my arms crossed this time. "I want a divorce, Alexander,"I announced and Alex's gaze shot at me, his eyes wide opened in shock. Seeing the expression on his face, I could tell he was completely stupified, clearly not expecting such a bold demand. "I don't believe there’s any reason for that look on your face. You love and care about your mistress more, don't you? Just get the papers ready, Alex, and I will gladly sign it because I am damned fed up of this thing you guys refer to as a marriage." I declared. He scoffed, “You must be joking, Reyna. There’s no way I’d let that happen.” “I’m serious, Alexander. It’s either we get divorced, or I’ll walk away from you, your life and this miserable marriage!” "Agree to the divorce, Alex," Chloe interjected with a venomous voice, still holding onto her red cheek. "This witch doesn't deserve you! Only I do, Alex. Divorce the worthless thing so she could just get the fuck out of our lives and we could live happily ever after, My love." Alex didn't pay attention to Chloe's self centered advise as he swung his legs off the bed, “Fine then, Reyna! Go wherever you want, but I will never agree to a divorce because I know your plans!” Chloe's jaw fell open in astonishment, not expecting Alex to refuse the divorce and my eyes dimmed as confusion washed over me. “What plans?” I asked, completely clueless. He leaned in closer, the hairs on my neck and arms standing as he spoke in a chilled, terrifying tone, “I know you want me to lose my company to my uncle. It’s stated as a clause in my father’s will that if I ever divorce you then I must hand over the company to my uncle. But guess what? I’m one step ahead of you, Reyna, because I will never let that happen!" So this was the only thing he could make of me? This was what he thought of me? This was the only reason he didn't want to agree to my demand for a divorce because what mattered most to Alex was not loosing his company to his uncle. I meant absolutely nothing to him! Silent tears streamed freely down my cheeks and vanished into the neckline of my cloth, a bitter smile tugged on my lips as I slowly took several steps backwards, my gaze fixed on Alex who sneered at me before returning to his mistress, cuddling her in his arms and petting her cheeks like I was invisible in the room. I was not able to hold back my emotions any longer as the painful truth of the harsh reality hurt me deeper than I could have ever imagined. Turning around, I dashed out of the room and out of the estate gates in tears. Cries after cries, sobs after sobs, all of it escaping my lips as I ran off in a direction I wasn't sure of. My soul was broken, and my heart was wrenching in pain as I ran downtown cause it was clear! It was obvious that Alexander had no feelings for me! He didn't love me anymore and I had to accept that bitter truth! Somewhere deep down in my heart, I had hoped that he would beg and ask me not to carry on with my decision to divorce him, considering everything I had done to keep us together, but No! I was absolutely wrong! The only damn conclusion he could come up with was the thought that I had a motive behind my reasons for divorcing him. Dammit! Making my way into one of the popular clubs that was known for its high-quality taste in alcohol, loud thumping music was playing in the background as I walked up to the counter. I sat on a stool before the counter and made my order. "I'd like to have two shots of vodka," I said and slid my card over the counter, the bartender gave me a slight nod and strolled away from my front. I watched him mixing up some liquor, but I didn't bother asking what it was and what it contained. My mind drifted to the scene when Alexander and Chloe were in bed together as they got intimate, and the tears I thought had dried off started rolling down again. "Two shots of vodka, young lady,” the bartender said, breaking my reverie. I quickly wiped my tears and glanced at him as he slid the shots in front of me. Without hesitation, I downed them both, desperate to numb the ache in my heart. “Make it three extra shots, payment by card,” I requested, and he nodded as he went to prepare my order. "Make that four extra shots. Bills on me."Reyna's POV."Make that four extra shots. Bills on me," I heard a deep voice state calmly behind me.Surprised, I shifted my gaze to the owner voice and saw a tall figure settling on the stool next to me. He flashed a quick breathtaking smile at me, revealing the silver braces he had on his shiny white teeth.His sharp manly features was complimented with thick brows, dark orbs that sparkled under the multi-colored clubroom as his lips formed a thin line, few wild strands of his silky curly hair ran down his face, making him look like a seductive warlord.I tore my gaze away, my eyes still lifeless as the bartender slid another shot across the counter and I didn't wait a second to down them one after the other.My vision turned blurry, and my head spun due to the side effect of the vodka I drank to numb the feeling of heartache In my chest, but it doesn't seem like it was working cause the intimate scene between Alexander and Chloe kept playing fresh in my memory.‘Cant i just forget
Alexander Cage's POV.Three Years Later. My fingers unconsciously clenched into fists as I listened to my uncle's demanding tone on the other end of the line, and I could not stay silent any longer."You can't force me into signing over my company, Uncle Donald. The clause clearly states that I can only transfer ownership if Reyna and I are divorced. But we are still married," I explained, my voice rising in frustration. "We are not divorced. Reyna just disappeared without a word!" I added, struggling to keep my anger in check.Uncle Donald had been on my nerves for the past three years, threatening legal action if I didn’t comply. It had been three years since I'd last heard from Reyna, and I repeatedly tried to explain that I had no idea where she was or how she was doing. I asked for more time to find her, but Uncle Donald refused to budge."It's been three years, Alexander Cage. Three fucking whole years and you are yet to find your wife. I gave you enough time to bring her bac
Reyna's POV.The spotlight shone on me as I walked upstage, a bright confident smile displayed on my lip while making my way to Father Roberto's side as the paparazzi captured and took shots from different angles. A round of applause resounded in the hall by the guests. They all had the look of amazement, surprise, and admiration on their faces, and I gave appreciation by giving a slight bow before them, and then the lights were turned back on. "Thank you all for joining me tonight at my banquet. It’s a true pleasure to celebrate my success with you. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m grateful for how far I’ve come, and I hope to reach greater heights as we get more connections and make more investments." I flashed a dazzling smile at the crowd, about to conclude my speech, but the moment our eyes locked, time seemed to stop, and I forgot how to speak or breathe."Alex," I whispered, my voice barely audible, captivated by his striking features. It was those same features that ha
REYNA'S POV. The sounds coming from the party were faint since the washroom was a bit far away. It was like we were in a different world. Never in my wildest imagination would I have imagined this sufferable man would have kissed me. Alex was so fucking annoying, and those sharp blue eyes that felt like he was seeing through were dumb and smart at the same time. What was wrong with me? My brain was shut down and still lagging because why haven't I shoved him away up till now? I hate him; his touch should disgust me, remembering everything he did to me, but yet I let him control me with his scorching lips that dominate me, forcing me to melt under him, forgetting every sense of reasoning. His hand snuck around my waist to pull me close, giving him more access to my mouth, and I foolishly let him. Was it because I missed the taste of his lips that I was letting him kiss me? The kiss became hungrier. He was a greedy bastard who wanted an entire arm after a finger wa
ALEX She didn't glance back at me, not even once. All I could do was watch her leave. She had changed, she was not the same Reyna I knew. I didn't know if I hated this change or not but she made me look like a fool. That day she said she was going to leave. I thought it was a fucking joke, but she went ahead and got married to a fucking Theo. She must be delusional because I never agreed to get divorced, and her so-called marriage to Theo was a joke. I would never accept it. The cell gate clanked as the metal was pulled close. The police officer locked the gate before giving me a look of disdain and then walking away. "You can't fucking lock me in here. You have no idea who you are messing with!" I barked at him but he didn't even glance back and continued whistling. A chuckle caught my attention from inside the cell; it was a guy who had a black eye and reeked of alcohol. From my guess, he probably got into a club fight. I could not believe that Reyna locked me u
ALEX The sun was about to cross the horizon as it was very early in the morning. The weather was cold, with it biting on my skin, but the little cold bites were the least of my problems. "Please don't get me started on Chloe right now. She is a lot, and I ask myself what the hell was I thinking that day." I snapped back at him. Honestly, at times, I don't understand my actions, but the deed has been done, and I need a way to solve this problem. "Well, you fucked up, man; I don't know what to say." Maddox sighed; he walked past me, patting my shoulders. "Come on, let me give you a ride home." Releasing a sharp breath I followed after him to his slick black BMW that was parked not too far away. After taking my seat in the front passenger's seat. Maddox ignited the engine and we drove away. A lot was going through my mind as my eyes were locked on the fleeting images of the less busy street since it was very early in the morning. "Do you have an idea about what
ALEX The entire room was spinning as I lost my footing and then rolled down the stairs. A sharp pain ran through my back and head, I felt something wet running down my face. It was blood but my entire body was too numb to move an inch. Everything happened so fast to comprehend. “ Chloe,” A low groan tried to leave my lips to call for help, but there was no one, and slowly, everything turned dark. **** The slight beeping sounds of a machine caught my attention. A low groan left my lips as my eyes slowly pried opened but I was forced to shut it back again due to the bright lights. "Fuckin hell," I cussed, pressing my eyes together before I blinked it again, trying to adjust my eyesight to the bright lighting. The first thing that came to my sight was the clear white ceiling then my eyes slowly darted around the room to realize I was in a hospital. How did I get here? I wondered. "Chloe," I muttered, remembering we had an argument, but what happened after that? I
ALEX Luckily I didn't have to stay in the hospital for long before I got discharged. I only sustained some injuries on my head due to the fact Chloe broke a bottle on my head, and the craziest part was during my stay at the hospital, she didn't even visit me once. "You are cleared to leave, just make sure to clear all the discharge documents." The doctor informed me, adjusting the glasses on her nose bridge. After giving some advice, the doctor left, closing the door behind her; I had a lot on my mind. I have been absent from the office for days. Although my assistant seemed to be handling things there were still some things I had to handle myself. The loud ringing tone of my phone caught my attention; I quickly reached out for it, thinking it was my assistant, Jonathan, wondering if there was an emergency at work. My brows pulled together, and I was immediately displeased to find out it was Uncle Donald. The last person I wanted to talk to right now.
Xavier's POV “Fuck.” I muttered, slipping my hand through my already disheveled hair. I need to blow off some steam. If I don't, I'd do something I'm not meant to do. Like blowing off the head of that bastard. How did this even happen? I've been in love with that woman for years now and did not do anything about it. So, why now that her good for nothing ex showed up? Why am I feeling as though if I don't end him by myself, I won't feel at peace? “Hey man.” I raised my head up to see Derek's annoying face in front of me. “What's up?” I asked. “I've been here for a couple of minutes now, but you seem to be in your own world. Care to tell me what's got your panties in a twist?” I stared at him like he had two heads. “Is that even an expression that you're meant to use for a fellow man?” I asked him in a bored tone, leaning back into my chair. “As long as you understand what I mean. I'm good. So, please, tell me what's up. As much as I don't like you, I don't want a bestie that w
Morgana’s POV I didn't mean what I told him earlier, but there was no point in him knowing the truth. Since this is us trying to hurt each other, I might as well up my game at doing it. I've made a lot of bad decisions in my life before and this will not be the last one. Sitting back in my chair, I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes angrily. These days, I wish we went back to the days where we didn't have any issues and lived cordially with one another. I mean, we lived together for the past five years without any hitch. And I won't agree that all this is happening because of the fact that I wanted to show myself in public. There was a knock on the door that jolted me out of my thoughts. “Come in.” My assistant walked in without any worry in the world. I rolled my eyes internally at the act. “Ma'am, I looked through the new partnership, and checked through all the portfolios of the investors, there is nothing out of the ordinary there.” She said in her firm voice. I raised
Chapter 14Morgana's POV:“What the hell are you doing here?” I snapped.Simon leaned back in the chair like he belonged there, like the past didn't happen, like I didn't crawl out of the grave he helped put me in.“I missed this fire,” He said with a nostalgic smile that made my stomach churn. “You always lit up a room when you were mad.”I took a step forward, fists clenched. “I said, what are you doing here?”“I came to talk.” He shrugged. “You know, clear the air. Things didn’t end well between us—”“You mean you didn’t get to finish destroying me? Is that what you’re here for now? To finish the job?”His smile didn’t falter. “Relax. You’re doing well for yourself. I just thought… with everything going on, maybe you’d want someone who understands.”I scoffed. “Understand me? You never even tried to. And if you think I’ll let you mess with my life again, you’re more delusional than I thought.”Simon stood up slowly, walked around my desk, and perched on the edge like he used to ba
Chapter 13Morgana’s POV:I stirred awake to the faint buzz of my phone vibrating on the nightstand. It was still dark in the room, because the glow of the sunrise barely passed through the edges of our drawn curtains.My fingers blindly reached for the phone, and the moment I unlocked it, headlines filled the screen.“Netizens Want Xavier and Caitlyn Back Together?”“Old Flames or Just Business Partners? Caitlyn and Xavier Spotted Together Again.”“#Xaitlyn Trending Again as Fans Fuel Reunion Rumors.”My eyes widened, and the back of my throat burned as if I'd swallowed acid. My eyes darted to the side of the bed instinctively. Empty?Of course, it was. He had probably already left—early, as usual—off to the office to meet Caitlyn.Again.I sat up slowly, clutching the phone in both hands as if the force of my grip could erase everything I just read. The en-suite bathroom door clicked open, and I looked up to see Xavier walking out, towel around his waist, water dripping down his
Chapter 12Simon's POV:I paced near the window, with a glass of whiskey clenched tightly in my hand, its contents barely touched. The ice had long since melted, much like the patience etched on Marilyn's face as she stood with arms crossed."Simon." Marilyn began. "This has to stop. Ever since Morgana resurfaced and we discovered she's married to Xavier, you've been... different.”I scoffed, downing the lukewarm liquid in one gulp. "And whose fault is that, Marilyn? Every time I turn around, you're there, reminding me of what Morgana did to you, how she 'almost killed' you. It's like you enjoy playing the victim."Marilyn's eyes narrowed. "Playing the victim? Simon, she pushed me down a flight of stairs! I was hospitalized for months! Or have you conveniently forgotten that?"I slammed the empty glass onto the windowsill. "Of course, I haven't forgotten! But dredging up the past every time we have an argument isn't helping.""It's not the past if it's still affecting our present," S
Chapter 11Morgana's POV:For five years, Xavier and I had maintained a marriage that was more of an alliance than a romantic union. Our interactions were cordial, and our conversations centered around business and Noah. Intimacy was a concept we both seemed to sidestep, perhaps out of self-preservation.However, as we began collaborating more closely on company projects, an unexpected shift occurred. Late nights in the office led to shared dinners, where discussions of quarterly reports seamlessly transitioned into stories from our pasts. I found myself laughing more, the sound foreign yet comforting.One evening, as we wrapped up a particularly grueling meeting, Xavier leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my pulse quicken. "Morgana.” He began. "There's an art exhibition this Friday. Would you accompany me?"Surprised, I met his gaze. "Are you asking me on a date, Xavier?"A wide smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Perhaps I am."The evening of th
Chapter 10Morgana’s POV:I could feel everyone’s eyes burning into my skin, waiting, wondering how I’d react. But I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction—not yet.Before I could clap back, her voice rang out again. “But isn’t it strange?” She asked. “That you sold off your ex-husband’s empire?”Someone cleared their throat, and chairs shifted slightly.Strange?What was strange was how deeply invested she seemed to be in something that had nothing to do with her.I glanced at her—well-dressed, with heavy pearls sitting proudly at her throat. She looked like the type of woman who lived for charity luncheons, gossip cloaked as “concern,” and scandal disguised as curiosity.I bit down on my inner cheek, trying to steady my breathing.BInstead, I turned to Xavier.His gaze was already on me, and I didn’t have to say a word. He knew. I needed him to handle this—for both our sakes.Xavier cleared his throat, then turned to her. “That’s enough, Mrs Howard.” He said, his voice calm but e
Chapter 9Morgana's POV:After Noah got better, I made the decision to finally start working officially at the company. It was overdue—long overdue.I was supposed to leave with Xavier this morning, but he had already gone before I woke up. Again.That made it three days in a row.Three days of waking up to cold sheets, three nights of falling asleep alone, and not even the sound of the room door closing behind him. He came and left like a shadow, just like I had asked for… unintentionally.‘You don’t have to be worried because he’s not your son.’ Those words had spilled out of me in a moment of anger, and now they sat in my chest like a stone. He didn't say anything, neither has be brought it up. But his absence screamed louder than any argument could.The truth was, Xavier and I never had a real relationship. Our marriage was a contract—two broken people agreeing to coexist, nothing more.At least, that’s how it started.But after a year… something changed. It became purely sexual
Chapter 8Morgana’s POV:He wasn’t moving.I stayed crouched by Simon’s side, fingers hovering just above his neck, unsure if I wanted to know what I might—or might not—find.“Xavier…” My voice came out lower than I meant it to, nearly drowned by the thud of my heartbeat in my ears. “What if you—”“I didn’t hit him that hard,” Xavier said, but his voice lacked conviction. It wasn't convincing neither was he sure that he didn't hit him dead.We both stared at the man lying motionless on the cold balcony floor, the evening breeze rustling his shirt slightly.I reached out and touched Simon’s neck—then sighed with relief. “He’s breathing.”Xavier exhaled. “Good. Then I won’t have to spend the night in a jail cell.”I looked up at him. “But you might still have to deal with a lawsuit. You punched a powerful man in public, in front of witnesses.”He ran a hand through his hair, pacing a few steps back. “He had it coming.”“And what if he wakes up and spins this into something bigger?” I st