Chapter 1

Serena’s POV

I stormed into my flat and slammed the door behind me. "Damn it!" I yelled, throwing my bag across the room.

Tears distorted my vision as I paced the living room, the agony in my chest excruciating.

“How could Ryan have done this to me? Why now?" I muttered as tears streamed down my face.

It was only meant to be a contract, but finding out Ryan was cheating on me with Kate, his first love from college, hurt more than I could have imagined.

I hoped that over time, he would develop feelings for me. But suddenly, those expectations were dashed.

We had only been married for six months, as part of a deal to assist him regain control of his firm.

Ryan and I attended the same college. I was merely Ryan's friend, despite my desire for more.

I adored him, but he was seeing someone else.

I felt lucky when Ryan's uncle, who had been managing Ryan's firm on his behalf, asked that he marry so that his company could be passed back to him after college.

Ryan had no choice but to marry me because our families were so close, and we got married on Christmas Eve after graduation.

Ryan demanded that we sign a two-year contract marriage arrangement since he was not interested in me.

He was and still is the handsome ice hockey player that every woman, including myself, wishes to be with.

But he chose Kate.

Back in school, she was the most attractive and popular cheerleader.

I was still wallowing in agony when the door cracked open, and my husband, whom I had adored for the past several months of our marriage, entered.

He had a profound frown on his face, and his brows knitted together. He fixed his tie as he approached me, and I immediately wiped away my tears, not wanting him to see them.

“We need to talk, Serena." Ryan's chilly voice filled the room. His tone of speaking made me realise there was something amiss.

I gaped at him without saying anything.

"I want a divorce."

He spit it out after noticing I wasn't ready to respond.

I stared at Ryan in amazement, my heart beating faster in my chest.

“A divorce?" I managed to speak, my voice wavering slightly. “Why, Ryan?What did I do wrong?"

He avoided my glance, his face stern. "It doesn't matter what you did, Serena. This marriage isn't working. I believe it is best if we both move on.”

I felt a lump rise in my throat, but I swallowed it, not wanting him to see me crumble.

“Is there someone else?" I enquired, knowing the answer but wanting to hear it firsthand.

Ryan's jaw tensed, and he finally looked into my eyes.

“Yes," he admits. "Kate and I are back together. I love her and want to be with her."

The revelation of his betrayal wounded me so deep that I nearly fainted on the floor.

“I see," I replied gently, regaining my calm.

“If that's what you want, then I'll sign the papers."

He seemed surprised by my readiness to comply, but he immediately recovered and pulled a stack of documents from his briefcase.

“I had them prepared," he continued, setting them on the table between us.

“You can take your time to read through them."

I looked at the documents, legal jargon flashing before my eyes.

"There is no need to delay any longer. I will sign them tonight." I responded, trying hard to be strong.

Ryan nodded, a relieved expression on his face. "That is fair. Serena, if you would like compensation, I could make it available for you. I hope we can resolve this amicably."

I couldn't help but give a sour laugh. "A compensation? Settle Amicably? You want a divorce because you've been unfaithful, and you want it to be settled amicable by giving me a f**king compensation?” I asked, chuckling at his dumb statement.

His frown intensified, but he made no response.

Instead, he kept adjusting his tie."I'll give you some space," he explained.

As he turned to leave, I felt a rush of rage hit me hard. "Ryan," I called after him.

He hesitated at the door and looked back at me. "Yes?"

I took a long breath, "I really hope she's worth it," I murmured calmly, despite the conflict within me.

He didn't say anything, only nodded and walked out the door, leaving me alone in the flat that had once been our shared home.

As the door closed behind him, I collapsed onto the couch, letting out the emotions I'd been keeping back.

The man I had loved and hoped would love me back had chosen someone else. And now I had to pick up the shards of my shattered heart.

I reluctantly took up the divorce papers and the pen he had left near them.

Without much hesitation, I signed the paper and went to our bedroom to pack.

The paperwork has been signed. As a result, we no longer had anything in common. I had to vacate his property.

My mind was racing as I sat in the cab, on my way to my best friend's flat. But the thought that disturbed me the most was something I heard approximately four hours before.

At the doctors' office.

Congratulations, Mrs. Ryan. "You're pregnant!" The doctor had stated, grinning broadly.

My eyes widened as I hadn't expected such news.

"I—I'm pregnant?" I stammered, my hands reflexively resting on my stomach, which I caressed.

But how is this possible? Is it that easy to become pregnant?

Ryan has only touched me once since we married, when he returned home drunk a month ago and had his way with me. I never anticipated it to lead to a pregnancy.

I shook off the thought and rested my hand on my still flat stomach.

"Your father never found out about you, little one. I suppose this is our little secret. We're leaving this city first thing tomorrow morning and starting over."