Chapter- [ 1 ]

[ Adeline ]

A marriage for some people is a union between two lovers who wants to spend their lives together. For people like I and Arthur, it is a diversion in order to attain a prize.

"So, this is true?"

I glanced down on the papers, the black ink on white papers were mocking on my fate.

"I guess, it is. Addison is pregnant and I do not want my child to born a bastard. I must marry her before the end of this month and it can't happen until you sign these papers of marriage annulment

Don't worry, you'll get the compensation. " He said without any remorse.

He made it clear since the beginning of this marriage. He has loved my sister Addison since the high school.

It was my parents' pressure or rather I should say condition that Arthur must marry me, the elder daughter of Greyson family and he did but he couldn't accept me by heart.

"I won't divorce you, Arthur." I threw the papers away. My heart rioted inside my chest, a wave of pain surged through me.

"Do not test my patience, Adeline. I want you out of this house before the evening. Of course, these papers should be signed before you leave. I kept my promise for two years, wasting away my life when I could be with Addison. I have a reason now." He said.

The dull pain of a heartbreak forced me to analyze the present situation. Arthur came with the proof of his cruelty. My younger sister was actually pregnant but  a foolish me wasn't ready to see the truth presented to me on a silver platter.

"I want a DNA test to be done before I make a decision, Arth." I said with determined tone which seemed to blaze his anger.

In a swift moment, he grabbed my arm and twisted it mercilessly. I yelped in pain but he didn't care, I saw passionate hatred for me, contrary to what he feels for my sister.

"I am saying this for one last time, Adeline. I don't want you anymore in my life. You were the step I had to climb in order to win my ultimate prize. I don't need a slut like you in my life, I never wanted but your father left me with no other option except to impose his burden on me." He hissed venomous words, he referred to me as a 'burden'.

I shoved him away and slapped him hard across his left cheek. He was left stunned but I reached on my limit bearing with him in our forced marriage.

But I loved him.

And I regretted loving this man who could never be mine.

I may loved him but loving this version of him would be impossible. He only showed his villainous side to me but for the rest of the world, he was a great man.

"Where my love lacked, Arth? I did my best to be a good wife for you. I love you, Arth. Why can't you see it?" I begged, despite of seeing his final decision in his eyes.

The soud of heels clicking on the tiled floor put a pause on our 'last conversation'. I turned my head only to see the source of my sufferings, my sister.

She stood beside my husband whose eyes glanced at her with affection. He loved her.

"Hey, big sister. I hope Arthur told you about our baby." She stroked her flat belly. A pang coursed through my chest.

It was a sight I dreamt for me and Arthur.

"I don't believe you, Addie. So, stop playing with my husband's feelings. You're a lier!" I screamed at her.

"Arthur, I told you. She can't see my happiness. I am giving you what she failed to do, an heir." She rubbed salt on my wounds.

As much as I hated her taunting me for having a barren womb, she was right. I couldn't fulfill my duty as his wife. A child could fill the ridge between us but God deprived me of every kind of happiness. Hot tears brimmed in my eyes.

"I suggest you to stop acting, Adeline. You have two options. Leave my life with respect and a wealth that you'd enjoy till last breath or stay here as our baby's caretaker." A cruel smile kissed on the corner of Addison's lips.

"No, Addie, I don't want her anywhere near our child. I don't trust her. She played tricks to get married to me. I can't repeat the same mistake again." Arthur quickly turned her offer down and left me with only one choice.

Divorce him.

"Okay, I'll do it if it makes you happy, Arth." I wiped my tears.

I would only be making a joke of myself if I kept begging him for anything.

This man was a coward whom I loved since the moment I saw him walking into my father's office.

"Great! You can also mention everything you want in alimony. My company will compensate as soon as possible." He said eagerly.

"Arthur, what are you saying? She lived a life of a queen for two years. You didn't lack in anything. Don't you think we should just send her away? I mean she made us suffer a lot. It's our time to pay her back." Addison said with a sinister smirk.

Arthur's face twisted.

"No, I want nothing. She'll be just a closed chapter of our lives. Let her have whatever she needs. I don't want her portray me a villain in the eyes of the world." Arthur denied her suggestion.

He thought this low of me?

"Name your price, Adeline." His next words were directed on me.

"I only want the villa in Malibu and your oil shipping company. I don't think I'm asking for much." I told him in a cold tone.

His brows widened.

"You want the most expensive house I own? I should have known, Adeline Greyson that you were just blinded by my wealth. You just proved it." He gave me a disdainful look.

I wish he could understand why I wanted the villa. He made love to me for the first time during our one week stay in that villa. I treasured most of our good memories there when he was a real husband to me, it was when my hope sprouted that he wanted to give us a chance.

"Sign it, Adeline." He handed me a pen while his beloved brought the papers for me to sign. I stared at the blank line where I was supposed to write my name.

I looked at him for one last time and finally signed on the death note of my marriage.

I was no longer Mrs. Adeline Linwood.

"When you realize, it'll be too late to mend broken relationships, Arthur." I told him weakly, though I wanted it to come out confident and I took my first step out of the front door of my house.