Chapter One

Vivian's Pov

"Bullshit!" I cursed from the bottom of my chest as I watched the TV. 

The news channel headlined "Top actress and supermodel Goergia see linking arms with CEO of Vale Tech - Syrus Vale." 

I threw the coffee mug I was holding shattering the television. I had seen these reports before, but this one hurt more.

That good for nothing husband promised to come home for my birthday, yet here he was, not just late, but fooling around with another woman, not just any woman but his ex-fiance to boot. 

I  was the one who married him in the end, but it never felt like Syrus left her behind.

I looked at the dinner table, still set with candles and the meal I spent hours making. 

The cake I baked sat there, untouched, its frosting melting. My hand shook as I picked up my phone and saw a message. It was a photo from Georgia. 

She rested her head on Syrus’s shoulder while he smiled, a smile I hadn’t seen in years.

My breath caught in my throat. I felt stupid for holding onto hope. My friends had warned me before I married Syrus, saying his heart was still with Georgia. But I thought I could change that. I gave up my comfortable life and my family’s support, all for him. Now, I realized I’d given up my pride too.

Without thinking, I typed: “I saw the photos. I want a divorce.”

I hesitated for only a second before sending it. Almost right away, Syrus called me, but I ignored it. The weight on my chest lifted a little, but the pain stayed. When the phone rang again, I answered, trying to stay calm.

“What are you doing?” Syrus snapped on the other end. “You’re going to cause a scene over this? I told you I had business with Georgia. I know it’s your birthday, but you need to grow up. Not everything is about you.”

My stomach twisted. “I’m not causing a scene, Syrus. I’m telling you it’s over. I’ll have the papers ready tomorrow. And if you don’t show up, I’ll let everyone know about your affair with Georgia.”

His voice turned cold. “You wouldn’t dare.”

I hung up without saying another word. I stood up, walked to the table, and started clearing away the untouched dinner. There was no point in keeping anything. The house felt empty, just like our marriage. Three years of trying to win his love, of trying to prove I was enough, and it was all for nothing.

I had hoped that by being patient, by loving him enough, Syrus would eventually turn to me. But now I saw that I was fooling myself. The more I gave, the more he took, leaving me with nothing.

I walked through the mansion, my footsteps echoing in the empty rooms. I had tried to make this house a home, but Syrus was never there, always finding reasons to be away. I had built my hopes on something that crumbled beneath my feet.

The next morning, I woke up early and packed my things. As I looked in the mirror, my eyes red from lack of sleep, I wondered how I let myself fall this far. I covered my tired face with makeup and ignored the missed calls from Syrus.

My phone buzzed again. This time, it was Syrus’s mother. My jaw tightened as I picked it up.

“Where are you? You were supposed to be here hours ago! Do you enjoy making our family look bad? You were never right for my son. I warned him about you, but he didn’t listen. Now look at the mess you’ve caused. It’s about time this marriage ended.”

I listened to her harsh words. I had heard it all before. For three years, I blamed myself for how they treated me, believing I wasn’t good enough. I swallowed my pride, followed every demand, and played the role of the perfect wife. But those days were over.

“You’re right,” I said calmly. “I’ve decided to divorce your son.” I ended the call before she could say more.

After gathering my papers and belongings, I left the house. Before heading to the courthouse, I sent Syrus a message: “Meet me in two hours to sign the divorce papers. If you don’t, I’ll release proof of your affair with Georgia.”

I knew he would come. He wouldn’t risk Georgia’s reputation. Sure enough, Syrus showed up at the courthouse an hour later, looking angry. He walked up to me, clearly not used to being challenged. I didn’t back down.

“Do you have the paperwork?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

His eyes narrowed. “Do you really need to make this public? I told you—no one can replace you as my wife. But there are things I can’t give you. Things you need to accept if you want to stay in this marriage.”

His dismissive tone would have crushed me before, but not anymore. “I’m not interested in your excuses,” I said coldly. “If we don’t finish this divorce today, I’ll make sure everyone knows about Georgia.”

He scoffed, like he didn’t believe me. I pulled a stack of photos from my bag. His eyes widened as he flipped through them. Every photo showed him and Georgia together, in secret moments, kissing, holding hands. If these got out, Georgia’s career would be ruined.

“Where did you get these?” he growled.

“Does it matter? What matters is what’s in them.”

“Yes, it does,” he yelled.

“And why should that bother me?”

“You b*tch!”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine as long as you sign the papers.”

He stayed quiet as I turned and walked into the office. A few minutes later, Syrus followed, still silent. I handed him the papers, already signed by me. He glared at me before signing them, sealing the end of our marriage.

“You’ll come crawling back,” he muttered as he gave the papers back. “You’re throwing everything away for nothing.”

For the first time in years, I smiled. A real smile.

“I don’t need your money or your name. I never did.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“I’d wish you luck, but you’re the worst man I’ve ever known. Goodbye and good riddance.”

Syrus glared at me, but my words hit him hard. He always thought I’d put up with his cheating forever.

He was wrong.