Chapter 1

"I can no longer continue with this facade. This charade of a marriage must end today. I want a divorce, Tracy." Charles Parker, her husband announced as he stopped her along the hallway. 

"My father threatened my claim to the Parker Enterprises as the true heir if I didn't get married to you. He would have disowned me and left me with nothing had I not given in to his wish. He broke my soul when he did that. I mean how cruel and heartless could he be? And yet, knowing I did not love you, and to add salt to injury, you foolishly agreed to get married to me. But I can't do this anymore. I want out." He mumbled as Tracy fiddled with her hair and kept a glance at the portrait of the two of them on their wedding day on the wall behind Charles.

Her mouth parted open trying to make sense of what had just happened while she kept her glance at the photo on the wall. 

"I - I - I" Charles cut in before she could say a word. 

"I - I - nothing. This nonsense must end and it must end today. And look at me when I'm talking to you" he warned and pushed her head from glancing at the photo any further.

"I am now the CEO of Parker Enterprises. What am I saying?. I mean I have been the CEO of Parker Enterprises for three years now and nothing and no one can change that. My father used to have a say, but not anymore because I am the one in charge." He splattered.

"You decided to do this to me today of all days?" Tracy queried as tears rolled down her face. 

The day marked Tracy's 28th birthday and marked the day her parents were involved in an accident that killed her mum on the spot. It was also supposed to mark their third year wedding anniversary.

"To hell with that. I knew very well that today was your birthday and I am very much aware that your parents died years ago on this same day, but I don't care. To me, today is an ordinary day just like any other day. There is nothing special about today. And oh, no amount of tears can make me change my mind. Do yourself a favor by erasing the thought that this day was supposed to mark our 'so-called' third year wedding anniversary celebration because that crap ain't happening this time around." Charles muttered as droplets of saliva from his mouth fell on Tracy's face.

Over the years, they had celebrated two wedding anniversaries that had friends, families and loved ones in attendance. 

And he had celebrated Tracy's birthday on this day and gone with her to lay flowers on the graves of her late parents. But Charles was a different person this time.

"Why do you talk to me with such a tone? Please don't do this to me," her voice trembled as she pleaded with him. 

Tracy did not think Charles would do this to her. 

She had a crush on him since childhood and thought he would make a great husband. She was only twenty five years old when she got married to Charles. 

But Charles only loved her like a sister. 

Charles had a reputation for being rude, but not with her. He only flipped after they got married. 

However, he has a soft spot for dogs regardless of the situation and that gave Tracy a reason to believe that he would eventually have a soft spot for her too and love her back. 

She never thought he would one-day ask for a divorce. 

"You are just selfish and heartless, Tracy." He accused her. 

"So you would rather I fake my happiness and make everyone believe this sham of a marriage is ideal?" He mumbled pointing to the ring on his ring finger. "Clearly you are out of your mind. Or perhaps high on something."

Tears continued to roll down her face and onto her white dress. And the droplets from her  makeup stained her white dress.  

She stretched her hand in hopes to grab his shoulder. "Are you doing this because you genuinely want a divorce or you want to leave me for Fiona? Tracy asked. 

"Are you seriously asking me this dumb question?" He flipped and pushed her away. 

Fiona was a lady Charles introduced to his family as his friend. He had accidentally hit her with his car when she was coming from a coffee shop. At least that was what Charles told his family.

When his father, Mr Edward Parker realized how he looked at Fiona, he knew he had to make him marry Tracy early enough. 

"So you think Fiona is my mistress? Is that why you went to her apartment? Where from this stinking insecurity? I thought I made it quite clear years back. Listen, she is just a friend and a friend she will remain. I take interest in her affairs because I nearly caused her to lose her life. And knowing very well that she has nobody, the least I could do is to make her my responsibility. And why am I explaining myself to you? What does it matter?" He fumed. 

"You know, for someone who is an orphan just like her, I thought you'd feel her pain and empathize with her. But no. You decided to feel jealous of her instead." 

"But what you think is irrelevant. The point is that I don't love you and that is why I want a divorce. Whether or not I take a mistress is entirely none of your business. And you shouldn't care about that either.  Hear me out, even if I took a liking to Fiona, It would be because I love her, genuinely. Unlike this thing we have together." He bellowed.

"Tracy, I know you never liked Fiona. I know my dad made me marry you because he knew I would have probably married her instead of you. And what did he do? Plotted with you and stole my happiness. But I want that happiness back and I am taking it by force" Charles roared.

"My happiness may lie with Fiona or someone else. But the fact is, it is not with you, and whoever I settle with eventually is none of your business. You should be grateful to my father because he threatened me with my birthright  and had me in a tight corner with whatever hidden motive he had to have arranged this marriage." He revealed. 

"Now that you have a masters degree in business administration and ready to take on more responsibilities at Parker Enterprises, I dare say that you would be able to claim your birthright as the heir to the empire on one condition. On condition that you marry Tracy Brooks. Failure to do so would result in me disowning you and I would make your sister June the heiress to the empire." He recalled the exact words his dad had told him. 

"So you see, this marriage was never meant to be in the first place. It was imposed on me and I have paid the price with my happiness for far too long. Don't push me any further by saying anything." He warned her and reached out for the divorce papers he had kept on a shelf next to his right hand side. "Here are the divorce papers. You have a week to read through and do whatever it says."

Tracy's eyes were now puffy, and red-rimmed. Dried streaks ran down her face which left her makeup discolored with patches. Charles' words pierced her heart as she reached for more tissues to wipe her face. Her efforts to make a statement are immediately encountered by Charles. 

"It doesn't have to be like this Charles. I know you two are just friends and it is fine with me. But please don't do this to me. I love you and I think we can make this work, please." She pleaded once more. 

"You and who can make what work?" He shot back at her. "I am not interested in any of that. You should blame yourself entirely for forcing yourself into a marriage that was never meant to be. Here are the papers once again" he told her and put it back on to the shelf.

"Now if you will excuse me, I have to leave now" Charles said and banged the door behind him making Tracy alert. 

Before Tracy could put herself together, the portrait of the two of them on the wall dropped and the sound of broken glasses echoed in the hallway.

Immediately, there were footsteps approaching.