ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV
I open the trunk of my car and grab the bags of groceries and the red roses I had picked up for Vanessa before making my way towards the house. Getting close I notice that the front entrance is open. Which is odd because Vanessa said she'd be late today.
Or has she decided to surprise me by arriving home early for our anniversary. The thought sends warmth through me and I quicken my pace. This day is getting incredibly good to be true.
I hurry through the entryway and head straight for the kitchen first where I leave the groceries. Taking the bouquet of flowers, I head towards the living room where I am sure she will be.
I will share the good news about my job before going to prepare our anniversary dinner.
"Happy anniversary, love!” I call out as I step into the living room. Vanessa is lounged on one of the plush couches, dressed in her comfortable home attire, flipping through a business newspaper.
"I have something to tell you!" I say, walking toward her. She barely glances up at me.
I place the roses beside her.
"Is this for our anniversary?" I ask, spotting the expensive wine on the table. "You’re so fucking amazing!"
"And you're not!” Vanessa snaps cutting through my enthusiasm like a knife. Have I done something to piss her off already?
"Okay, honey, sorry…” I murmur, finally noticing the seriousness in her expression.
Maybe once I share the news about my job, things will lighten up. I’m sure she’ll start to even love me again.
But before I can utter a word, the living room door swings open, and the last person I expect to see comes in wiping his hands on a drying towel.
It's my brother, Cyrus! Or to put it more appropriately, the man who’s been trying to steal my wife for as long as I can remember. He looks older, more polished than I recall, but it is him all the same. A smug grin spreads across his face when he sees me.
The joy I felt moments ago evaporates and I stand up bewildered. "What is he doing in our house?" I ask Vanessa.
"Our house?” she scoffs. “This is my house, and I am kicking your useless ass out.”
I stare at her, stunned. “Vanessa, what’s going on?”
She stands up from the couch and pours herself a glass of wine. “You heard me. Pack your little belongings and get the hell out of my property.” she says flatly
What? I’m speechless. “Why?”
“Because she’s better off with me,” Cyrus chimes in, a smug grin spreading across his face.
It’s the same old game. Since we were kids, he’s always tried to take what’s mine. I thought once we were no longer in the same house it would stop. But it's like his sole goal is to be wherever I am.
I clench my fists, wanting to punch the arrogant look right off his face. But I realize that fighting him will make me seem like an envious loser. He is here because Venessa let him be. There is little I can do about that.
“Please tell me you’re not seeing him, Vanessa?” I ask my wife, desperation creeping into my voice.
She ignores me and reaches into her purse on the couch, pulling out a stack of papers. She throws them on the table in front of me. I pick them up and scan the sheets, my heart sinking as I realize what they are.
A freaking divorce agreement?!
“Oh my God.”
“Don’t act so surprised, Abel,” she says coldly. “You have been nothing but a lazy maid throughout our marriage. I don't need you anymore.”
“What?” My voice cracks.
“I’m saying it’s over, Abel. Unless you want me print the words and give them to you.” she snaps.
My hands shake badly as I glare at the papers once again. Nothing could have prepared me for this, not even the fact that the past few weeks it has been obvious that she was not so much in love with me as before.
But how did we just get to the point that she is serving me divorce papers out of blue, without any explanation.
I have to take a sit on a couch to be able to get the next question out of my mouth.
"You . . . are divorcing me because you want to be with my brother?"
"He’s better man. Unlike you he has a real job. One that can help my brand," she answers coldly. "Face it. You are a disappointment. You have nothing to offer to me, Cyrus does," she adds.
"I too can be useful if you give me a chance. I got a talent that might be greatly useful to your brand," I plead, scared that this might be the end if I don't fight.
“You have got no talents, Abel. And I’ve made my decision,” she states. “Sign the damn papers and get the hell out of my house. Cyrus and I have a wonderful partnership to celebrate.”
Her bluntness leaves me speechless.
Cyrus smirks, leaning casually against the wall. "You had your chance, little brother. You wasted it."
He is right, Venessa made her decision and I know nothing will change no matter how much I plead. She doesn't know his true character, and won't believe me if I try to explain.
"You have thirty minutes to pack and leave before I ask the security to drag you out," she threatens.
"I would be running out if I were you," Cyrus mocks, his joy evident in his massive smirk.
I grudgingly turn and slowly make my way up the stairs and into our bedroom still trying to wrap my head around what just happened. He had texted her this morning, meaning all this was all premeditated.
I reach our bedroom and sink onto the bed. I couldn’t have imagined this, never in my wildest fucking dreams would I have thought that I’d feel this type of pain.
"Fuck love!" I mutter under my breath. All I ever did was love her, and this is how I’m repaid, getting kicked out like a worthless dog.
All I want right now is to go back down there and tell the two how evil they are. But instead I force myself up and gather my few belongings into a single duffel bag. I remove the expensive watch she gifted me on my 29th birthday and place it on her dresser, along with the car keys. I take one last look around the room before striding out into the wide hallway. Halfway down the stairs, I hear Cyrus' honeyed voice.
"I promise I'll do more than just warm your bed and cook, unlike that loser." I don't wait to hear Vanessa's reply. I know it will only break my heart more.
I descend the rest of the stairs to find the two of them seated close together on the large couch, sipping the expensive wine. One of her gate's security guards is also in the room. Seems she wasn't even planning on giving me the thirty minutes she promised.
"Is that all you own?" Cyrus asks with a mocking laugh glancing down at my single bag.
"Escort him out." Venessa orders the security guard, tearing her gaze away from me.
I don't resist as the older man motions for me to move, he follows closely behind until I am out of the main entrance. It has started to drizzle. Of course, I couldn't be homeless on any other day.
The only thing I am thankful for right now is that I at least have a job to look forward too.
VANESSA STERLING'S POV
"So, you said I’ll never get to meet your mysterious stay-at-home husband? I've been dying to see what he looks like!"
My close friend Aubrey says as the young male waiter refills our wine glasses.I wait for the waiter to move out of earshot before I respond. "You won’t. I divorced him yesterday.”
Aubrey’s eyes widen. “Wait, what? I always wondered why someone as beautiful and successful as you would marry a... well, a loser."
Aubrey, my parents and a few more close friends were the only ones who knew about my relationship with Abel, and I am so glad she never met him. He was a mistake I’d rather not talk about.
I shrug and quickly change the subject. "So, what’s with the sudden invite?" We usually stick to meeting on weekends, but she texted me in the middle of a crazy week.
Her face lights up, and she leans closer, grinning from ear to ear. “You won’t believe it! My agency is about to blow up! I hired this stunning male model, he is absolutely stunning! I'm telling you, all the top fashion brands will be fighting to book him!"
Aubrey runs Fashion Finesse, the modeling agency her billionaire father started. Just yesterday, they were auditioning new models.
"Beauty doesn't automatically make someone a good model, Aubrey. It takes more than just a pretty face to sell clothes." I tell. " Your model also needs to have presence, charisma, the ability to sell the clothes to the camera, not just a pretty face."
I've had my fair share of a handsome men, Abel was as beautiful as he was worthless.
"Well, I'm sure this one has all that," Aubrey insist. " I could barely take my eyes off him during the audition."
I smirk. “Sounds like someone’s got a crush.”
Aubrey blushes slightly but then laughs, shaking her head.
"Maybe a little. I mean, he's undeniably gorgeous, but he needs to be successful too if he wants to catch my eye."
I laugh, admiring her high standards. Aubrey is definitely not the type to settle for just looks.
I would consider taking the handsome male model she's talking about but my brand is doing well, and Cyrus's new beautiful designs are mostly for women.
THREE YEARS LATER VANESSA STERLING'S POV "Another lawsuit!" William informs, dropping a pile of documents on my desk. "They’re claiming we stole the designs we released last week."Not again!There have been plenty of bad news for the past three years since I made the gravest of mistakes, marrying the worst of men and appointing him as the head designer of my brand. I trusted Cyrus and believed in his designing talent. His countless impeccable designs had brought great acclaim to my brand. I chose to marry him to ensure that he would always work for my brand.However, it soon turned out that he has been stealing designs from lesser known designers and passing them off as his own. Now we're being sued left and right. Customers are outraged, and our competitors are circling like vultures."That's not all. Our sales are plummeting at an alarming rate. Customers are outraged." Amanda, the head of my marketing team, adds as she takes a seat."You should see the reactions to the marketin
VANESSA STERLING'S POV My hands clench with rage as I step into the garage of my villa. I just got a bank notification about a massive withdrawal from my emergency account. Only my lazy, good-for-nothing husband, Cyrus, has access to that account, and the thought of him squandering more of my hard-earned money on his ridiculous luxuries makes my blood boil.Besides stealing designs, he hasn’t worked a day since we got married, yet he spends millions on designer clothes and jewelry. I had cancelled all the credit cards I gave him, but I didn't think he would be so disgraceful as to withdraw from my emergency account.“Cyrus!” I yell as I enter the living room.Mary, the housekeeper I hired after Abel left, rushes in, concern plastered on her face. “You’re back early, Mrs. Vanessa. Dinner is almost ready.”“Where’s Cyrus?” I snap.Mary hesitates. “He’s in the bedroom, ma’am. Is something wrong?”“Leave, Mary. I’ve given you the evening off.” I want her gone before I unleash hell on tha
VANESA STERLING'S POVA swarm of paparazzi surrounds us, their cameras flashing relentlessly as soon as we step into the hall of Blue Havana Hotel, where Maison's fashion show is being held. I flash a polite smile for their cameras, but they don't let go, they follow, shouting questions about my pathetic husband's stealing scandals. "Miss Sterling! How do you feel about the copyright allegations?" one persistent reporter yells. I ignore them, knowing they are fishing for a response or a reaction that will make the headlines. The security steps in to form a barrier, guiding us through the throng.The crowd behind erupt in cheers as they spot other celebrities and fashion icons arriving, and the paparazzi finally let go.The venue inside is already packed to the brim. Beyond the reserved seating area, a velvet rope barricade has been set up to keep the raucous public crowd at bay."Wow, look at the crowd! This model must be a small god," William remarks, adjusting his tie."Who wouldn
VANESSA STERLING'S POV No, this can't be Abel!I scroll up, and more images of him in different designer outfits flood my screen.... I had to search online to see for myself."What is the 'runway angel's' real name?" I asked Amanda.“It’s Abel Blackwood,” She replies, glancing up.I feel blood drain from my face, as the shock set in. “What? No,""You know him?" Amanda asks, noticing my reaction.I quickly, shake my head. “ No, just surprised.”Three years since our divorce, and now he is a top model, his face plastered everywhere.I had kicked him out of my house like stinking trash. At the time I never thought he was someone capable of attaining his own success. He was such a committed house husband who never seemed passionate about achieving anything else. Which is why it's difficult to believe that he is the super talented model that every that every brand and modeling agency now wants."Check this out! He’s in an interview,” Amanda says, excitement in her voice as she turns the l
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV I like doing what I do. I love being a model. But the psychotic bullshit that is coming with it, is something I didn’t see coming. It’s all becoming very overwhelming, especially at the moment."Who are we going to meet?" I ask my boss, as we weave through the throng of glamorous dressed guests."Someone very rich and famous," she replies, just as a swarm of influential women surrounds me, clamoring for selfies."Excuse us, we’re in a hurry," my boss says, pulling me away.We walk into the VIP section and find a plumb man in a blue suit and a woman in a blue dress seated on the plush couch by the mahogany table. Another figure in emerald green suit pants is hidden by the waiter serving them wine. I can see the beautiful lean feet in the classic closed heels but nothing more."You’re about to meet the owner of Starlight Styles. She asked to meet you in person." My boss informs and my heart races. The owner of Starlight Styles?! Doesn't that mean my ex-wife?The wa
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV "Vanessa freakin' sterling asked you to work for her and you said no?! Why'd you turn that down? Are you out of your mind?" Wesley screams at me as we enter the gym.He wouldn't stop bugging me about who our boss took me to meet in the VIP section yesterday. He pressed so much that I had no choice but to give him a name.My heart was just beginning to heal from the pain of betrayal, but then she showed up again and freshened the wounds. I shrug. "I have my own reasons" The only reason she is looking for me is because my brother didn't turn out to be what she expected."What reason could you possibly have? One of the hottest, rich women in the whole world asks you to model for her brand, but you have reasons What if she also wanted something beyond work? Do you know how many guys would kill for that opportunity?" he literally chastises."You would have preferred I lay it down for her because she is rich and hot?" I ask, disgusted."Well, yeah!" Wesley says. "I d
VANESSA STERLING'S POV Name : Abel Blackwood Address : 123 Black street, Apartment 7, vpPhone Number : *****Relationship Status : None IndicatedFriend : William, also a model, often seen together at eventsI pore over the executive summary of Abel's background check for the hundredth time since I received it hours ago from a private detective I had hired. I'm looking for some insight into my ex-husbands life.This background check has produced nothing remarkable, except the last fact which has been at the forefront of my mind. No relationship since we divorced! I'm impressed but I fear I broke his poor little heart way too much.When we met yesterday, he was just as physically appealing as I remember but he wasn't as sweet and kind as my Abel. He was tenacious, but I believe that's all because I kicked him out in the worst way possible in this unforgiving world and he had to adapt.I’m not happy that I’m now behaving like a stalker but I need to think of the best ways to win my
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV I arrive at the grand lobby of the prestigious central city hotel and head to checks in at the front desk."Excuse me, I'm here to meet Aubrey Ravens," I say to the neatly dressed bellhop behind the counter."Right this way, Ms. Ravens is expecting you," he replies, stepping out from behind the desk. I follow him down a wide hallway to an exclusive wing of the hotel.We take a beautiful spiral staircase up to an open dining area where several people are eating at tables. For a moment, I have never felt so grateful for the outfit Aubrey sent me. Its like she wanted to make sure I will blend in with the elite rich, which seem to be working as some of the well-heeled diners turns to glance at me.In fact I overhear a teenage girl at a nearby table tell her mom "That has to be the famous runway angel!”. I never thought that I would no longer be walking around earth in complete anonymity. The bellhop leads me down a short hallway and stops at an ornate golden door. "
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV Once Ms Raven leaves, Vanessa turns to face me, cracking her knuckles. “You’re lucky I didn’t knock her ass out for bringing you here. You know that, don’t you?”"Seriously! Why are you being such a bitch Vanessa? You have no fucking right to decide who I can and cannot be with." "I'm trying to keep you safe Abel. There are people around you who want to hurt you, and you don’t even see it. So yeah, I have the fucking right to decide who you can and cannot be with. Every fucking right." "I don’t need your protection, I’m not your responsibility. And how can you claim you want to protect me after disgracing me in front of the whole world," I angrily respond. "You feel disgraced?" she raises her eyebrows. "I only acknowledged that we were once married and asked for your forgiveness.""Forgiveness? Is that what you call what you told the media?” I scoff. "Being known as your ex-husband is an awful disgrace," I say and her eyes flash with a mix of anger and hurt."O
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV "You need to go to the media and tell them what kind of a terrible wife she was to you. You should expose how she couldn't even be faithful to you, despite your devotion" Ms Raven urges as soon as we settle into our table at the vintage hotel. I booked a table for our meeting here since I figured that my usual restaurant will be a cheap place for Ms Raven to be and an unsuitable place for me when my face is plastered all over the internet. It only took a few hours for Vanessa's confession to be featured on countless gossip articles and with massive speculation."But that's not true," I tell. "Vanessa was good to me, faithful, even, until the last few months before our divorce."Ms. Raven scoffs. "What does it matter? She publicly humiliated you, making it sound like you were worthless and dependent on her. You should tell everyone she’s been harassing and stalking you.”I know she’s just angry about Vanessa revealing her secrets to her parents. What she doesn't
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV "Making obvious mistakes is so unlike you Miss sterling, I mean you're a business genius and world's richest woman. It's a shock to hear you dumped a diamond only to replace it with fake gold." Miss lane tells."That's true. None of us is devoid of mistakes apparently. But I believe in second chances, or at least in claiming them. I can assure you that my diamond will come back to me soon or later." Vanessa answers confidently.For some reason she sounds very certain that I will reconcile with her. But she is mistaken if she thinks I want to be treated like a doormat again."That's amazing to hear, because I literally cannot think of another man worthy of your precious attention. It's sad that you lost Abel Blackwood once, do you think getting him back now may be a little difficult since he has found a bit of success of his own?" Miss lane asks."If he knows what's good for him , I am certain he will come running." Vanessa states matter-of-factly. The audience la
ABEL'S POV Sasha is beautiful, not nearly as Vanessa, but she is pretty in a warm, inviting way that makes you feel at ease. Vanessa used to make my nerves go wild. A part of me liked that. I still do admire her wits, determination and sheer beauty. But she broke my heart in the worst way possible.“Want some more?” Sasha asks playfully after I finish my first mug. I shake my head as I have started to feel buzzed already. In the past few years I have discovered, my alcohol tolerance is virtually nonexistent. One drink is just about my limit.Just then, a group of her young female customers walk in, giggling and chatting excitedly. I take it as my cue to leave.“I should get going,” I say, and Sasha looks up, her brow furrowing slightly. “Not really in the mood to socialize more today.”She brightens a bit. “Would you mind stepping outside for a walk with me? I'm sure it’ll help with your moods.”I hesitate, glancing back at the giggling girls heading to the other side of the bar.“Do
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV I turn on the flat-screen television so there's noise to provide some semblance of distraction from my heated thoughts. I still feel hurt by Wensley's earlier accusations but I do feel guilty for not coming clean sooner. But how can I explain the truth when he is so quick to judge?I know I will have to deal with him sooner or later so I might as well take a drive by his place now and explain everything. The truth might hurt him more though.Twenty minutes later I am arriving at his place. There is limited parking space so I pack one block down by the side of the street and walk over to his apartment, glad to see the lights on.I go up the steps like I am going to jokingly bang inside the house, but something inside stops me. We freely walk into each others places and even as I am about to grab the door knob and let myself in, I think this time it would be prudent to knock, since I'm not sure we are still in good terms. Looking through the door window as I am abo
ABEL'S BLACKWOOD'S POV I have lost count of how many times I have attempted to talk myself out of calling Vanessa for help. I keep reminding myself Cyrus problem won't solve itself. The man wouldn't leave until I promised I'll will indeed quit my job. I only agreed to that to get him out of my apartment, but I can’t let him drag my name through the mud by going to the media about my marriage with Vanessa.With a deep breath, I dial Vanessa’s private number. Since she married Cyrus he is her problem as much as he is mine. She picks up almost immediately. This will be so fucking awkward.“Hey, Vanessa... it’s Abel.”"I know. Surprised to hear from you." Her tone is so warm and welcoming.“Yeah, it's definitely surprising. Cyrus was here. He was making demands.” I inform.“What? Why did you not call me right then?”"Maybe because he was holding a gun to my head. He wants me to quit my job or he’ll go public about our marriage," I answer.There’s a pause on other end. “And you think tha
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POV I wake up to the persistent ringing of my phone. Groggy and unwilling to get up, I fumble around the table, but my hand brushes against nothing. Groaning, I push myself up from the couch to find Wensley looming over me, my phone in his hand.“Why is our boss texting you saying she’s sorry about what happened yesterday and wants to meet and explain?” he questions, brows furrowed. “She’s been calling you all night.”I sit up straight and snatch the phone from him. “Why the hell are you going through my personal texts?” I shoot back, glancing at Ms. Raven's messages flooding my screen.“What happened yesterday? Were you at that fundraiser with her?” Wensley asks just as my phone rings again, Ms. Raven's number flashing on the screen.“Why don’t you answer?” he presses. “Because it’s complicated, and you shouldn’t have picked up my phone in the first place,” I snap.He laughs sarcastically. “You almost had me fooled.”“What?”“You almost had me fooled that you’re cl
ABEL BLACKWOOD'S POVWensley pulls up sooner than I expected, and I hop into the front seat, muttering a quick, “Thanks.”“How’d you get here so fast?” I ask, glancing out the window just in time to see Vanessa's bodyguards heading back inside.“I was nearby at a club. Surprised to hear from you at this hour. What are you doing at such a high-profile event?""It's just a fundraiser,” I reply, trying to keep it vague. I know he won’t want to hear that I was invited by Miss Raven.“A fundraiser? How did you get invited to a billionaire's fundraiser?” Wensley presses, clearly intrigued.Fuck, here we go. Damn Aubrey for leaving me at that party. And damn me for being an impulsive idiot that agreed to go with her.“Can we talk about it tomorrow?” I suggest, hoping he won't remember about it by tomorrow.“Sure, no problem,” he replies, driving out of the sprawling estate.“Before we head home, I need to pick this chick up at the club,” Wensley adds, shooting me a playful grin.I raise my e
ABEL'S BLACKWOOD'S POV "Where did I ever go wrong raising her?” Mrs. Raven groans burying her face in her trembling hands. Her husband pulls her close, his own expression a mix of anger and despair. “It’s not your fault. You raised her the best you could. She chose this herself.” Vanessa comforts as if she hadn’t been the one to stir the pot in the first place.Mrs. Raven lifts her head slightly, her eyes red and puffy. “But did she have to be with a criminal? Her father's age?” “I’m so sorry for inviting Senator Jonathan,” Vanessa says. “If I hadn’t .....”“No, thank you for inviting that idiot,” Mr. Raven interjects bitterly. “Otherwise, we would have never known our daughter is a. . . ” He pauses, his voice thick with disgust, “a disgrace.”He turns back to his wife, his tone softening as he whispers, “Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.” He stands and gently guides her to her feet.As she rises, Mrs. Raven grips Vanessa’s hand tightly. “You should have been the kind of daughter