Chapter one

CHlOE’S P.O.V. 

Today was my wedding but I am planning to make it the worst day of my life. The maid walked past me in the changing room while I was admiring myself in the mirror. I signaled her to come over and she did, bowing her head as she stood in front of me. 

“What do you need, ma’am?” She asked. 

“Nothing much. Take this.” I handed the Bluetooth over to her. She looked at me wondering what I wanted her to do with it. 

“Why?” She asked. 

“It's a song for my husband, play it before we say our vows,” I answered, fixing my diamond necklace. I looked beautiful. I have always looked very beautiful. 

My wedding gown hugged my body beautifully, enhancing my shape. 

The maid blushed. 

“Ma’am you have such a perfect life. I envy you a lot,” she said. 

“Of course, why wouldn't you.” I arranged the golden bracelet around my wrist, carefully. 

She smiled and then bowed her head before leaving. 

I felt that she was affected by what I said but I didn't care. Finally, my dad came over. He cupped my face, and a proud smirk appeared on his face. He looked genuinely happy that I was getting married. I wished that it was the same case for me. 

“Today, you will stop bearing my last name and that makes me proud as a man but sad as a father. Anyway, I know you are going to be happy. I believe so.” He smiled proudly. 

And there was me with an expressionless face although I tried smiling back to my father. I tried to make him believe that I was happy and his words were true. He stretched his arm to me and I held it. 

With this, he walked me down the aisle. 

Grayson Sanders, my husband, stood in front of the altar with a bright smile on his face. He was the only man I allowed myself to love. The one I gave my heart to. Yet, 

He was one of the staff in my father's company.

Although as the heiress of Seprahims Holdings Company, many people believed I would get married to another heir or CEO of a company, but I chose him instead.

Suddenly, my best friend, Olivia, waved at me. She was my chief bridesmaid. She waved at me excitedly. The corners of her lips almost touch both sides of her ears. This gesture annoyed me to the point of irritation. And then the urge to smack her in the face settled in me. My anger was so visible, that I started to crush my flowers. 

Dad smiled at me and then placed me in front of my Grayson. And Grayson, the bastard smiled sheepishly to me. The smile was so fake. It was unreal. How come I didn't see it prior? How did this man fool me? It hurt because I didn't see it coming. I depended on him. I thought I had found a soul mate only for him to crush my hope. 

The big screen was in the middle of the hall, everyone could see it and it was connected to the large speakers. I waited patiently for the video to play. My shakes trembled slightly, not because I was scared but because reality was about to set it. Grayson’s evil works would be revealed to the world and this wedding would come to an end. 

“What is this?” The crowd gasped, getting my attention. I turned around and saw the video playing. 

It was a video of Grayson, my ex-fiance, and Olivia, my ex-best friend having sex. 

“Is that the groom having sex with the chief bridesmaid?” The crowd gasp filled the room, followed by rumors and curses. 

Grayson grabbed my hand. 

“Stop this. Stop it right now!” He shouted but I laughed softly, almost pathetic. 

“When did you know?” He asked, holding me tightly. 

“You think you can do things behind my back? I am Chloe Hathaway, nothing passes me!” I shouted, snatching my hand from him. 

“Please Chloe, stop the video. Please.” Oliver fell on her knees behind me and continued to beg. Tears rolled down both sides of her cheeks. And again, I let out a fake laugh. 

“But the best part of the video hasn't been shown yet.” I raised my head to the screen. The duo fell next to each other and began to talk. 

“Grayson, why are you with Chloe? She doesn't even deserve you.” My Best Friend hissed. My ex-best friend. 

“Is it not because she is rich? Chloe is nothing but an arrogant bitch. I am with her because she is smart and her father is a billionaire. Nothing more,” he replied. 

Everyone gasped again. Then they looked at Grayson and Oliver with scornful faces. 

“How dare you, Grayson?!” My father shouted, grimacing on his face. He looked just as angry as my mom who stood beside him. 

Then I turned to Grayson and Oliver who stood by each other. Grayson had pulled her up shamelessly. 

“Why don't you marry her on the altar instead of me? You two fit each other anyway. You are both poor and ugly. I brought you up with my money. My money. Without me, you are nothing and you repay me like this? Fuck you!” I groaned. My body trembled lightly. 

They were the only people I allowed in my life; they betrayed me this way. The thought of it alone gave me a headache. 

When I walked into them having sex, my heart ached. I wasn't one to cry but my entire body ached. My heart felt void, and the pain seeped through my skin. That was how I felt on my wedding day too. It was supposed to be the happiest day of my life but it turned sour quickly. 

* 

A YEAR LATER. 

I watched the judge sentence my dad to years of imprisonment for fraud. My hands clenched and I fought back the tears that were burning my eyes. I stood very quickly to try and hold my dad before he would be taken away but the policemen wouldn't let me. 

“Dad... Please let me speak to my dad.” I cried, stretching my hand while they pushed my dad out. They treated my dad like a piece of thrash like he wasn't the billionaire they had all repeated prior. 

Fraud was found in the company’s statement leading to our family’s downfall. Everything was taken from us. Everything. Our accounts got frozen and we were left with nothing but the things we had on that particular day. 

I froze on the spot while watching the van my dad was pushed to drive off. Every inch of my body ached with pain. The pain was severe. It made me feel weak. 

As if I should fall to the floor and just cry my heart out. 

“Does it hurt?” The voice sounded behind me. I recognized the voice very well. Although it had been a year, I knew it like the palm of my hand. 

Behind me was Grayson Sanders, my ex-fiance, and beside him was my ex-best friend, Olivia. She stood with a smirk on her face, a mocking expression I sensed. 

Grayson was the one who presented evidence of fraud against my father. He worked with our company for years hence he knew his way around. I was certain he manipulated and bribed his way through the entire thing. He has vowed to make me pay for the humiliation I caused him on our wedding day, I don't know that he will get back at me through this way.

But he truly fulfilled his vow.

I glared at him, clenching my fist as if I should punch his head off his neck. 

“I am sure it hurts, her rich father is now a criminal. I am not even sure she has money to eat.” Olivia laughed. 

“You came all the way here to mock me? Wow, I am that special?” I placed one hand on my chest dramatically. Olivia rolled her eyes and looked away. It was obvious she was avoiding eye contact, she still couldn't stand me for sure. My presence still scares the shit out of her. 

“If you fall on your knees and beg us, Chloe. We would help you.” Grayson uttered and for real, I busted into laughter. My laugh was so long, it caused the duo to grow grimaces on their faces. I laughed hard. Too hard. 

And then I paused at once. 

“You think you are capable of helping me? Even in a million years, you would still be useless. The two of you are from poor backgrounds, you are nothing without me!” I boomed. 

“Your pride is your downfall, Chloe. Your mom is battling cancer while your dad is now a prisoner. You are the only one left in the cruel world. Now you would understand how life works without those connections your parents created for you. I bet that you won't be able to last two days before you break!” Grayson spat.

The words hit me like an arrow, stabbing my skin and making pain travel through my body. Because he was right and I was scared of falling to my knees. Of begging. Although I knew I was at the edge. 

“You will never see me beg, never,” I commented calmly. I was still in check with my emotions. My insides were breaking, shattering, and fighting to burst but I could still control it. And, that makes me a winner. 

I turned around and walked away from the toxicity. It was not what I needed at the moment. With this, I ordered a cab which took me to the hospital where my mother was. Getting to her ward, I noticed she was sleeping. The money I got from the gold I sold was used for her treatment. I ran my hand up her cheeks, my heart tightening as I did it. Her skin was pale. My mom used to have glassy skin, her skin was spotless and many of her friends envied her. 

Just then, a nurse walked into the room. 

“The doctor would like to see you,” she said, making me raise my head. The way she looked at me was quite different. There wasn't respect in her eyes or the usual smiles. It was the same as the cab driver. It was contemptuous. 

“Okay,” I replied and looked back at my mom. Afterward, I went to the doctor’s office. He was working on his laptop when I walked on. 

“You called,” I said and sat in front of him. 

“Yes. Your mom’s hospital bills are due and we are going to move her to a lesser room. Also, she would only be given one week of treatment, if you don't make payments during this period, we would have to stop treatment.” He looked into my eyes calmly. He uttered the words like they had no worth. 

“My mom? Have you forgotten how much she helped this hospital? Have you forgotten her donation to your hospital? How can you treat her like that?” I asked with anger in my voice. 

“If we continue to do charity, do you think this hospital would stand? We are willing to give you a one-week ultimatum.” He responded, unfazed. 

I was stunned. I almost couldn't believe it. My mom and dad did a lot for this hospital. How could he say such words casually? My heart burned, I had never felt such an emotion. It hurt. A lot. 

“But I can help you.” He stood and walked closer to me. I didn't move, just watching him step closer until he was inches away from me. The next second, he moved the hair disturbing my face behind my ear. 

Yet, I didn't speak. 

“I can give you as much time as you want as long as you make me happy.” He smiled and then brushed his hand down my arm. 

“You are shameless!” I slapped his hand off and stood. 

Tears burned my eyes, persistently. I didn't want to cry not in front of this bastard. I am not weak hence I wouldn't cry. 

“You better take my offer, your mom will die without treatment!” He spat cruelly. His words were like fire burning my skin painfully. 

“I will pay!” I shouted. 

“I will pay!” I breathed and then ran out of the room. Goodness, it hurts. I held my chest, trying to stop the burn in my chest but it wouldn't stop. It hurts so much. I hate it. But I wouldn't give in, not to this cruel world. I am better than this. Better. 

Just then, my phone beeped and I picked it up. It was a message that quickly popped out after unlocking my phone. 

“Hi, Miss Hathaway, let's meet up and talk about a new business opportunity that can bring you out of your predicament. By 2 pm, and you are not allowed to be late.”