Chapter 1

“A good heart is the heaviest burden to bear…”

Kaylie recalled one of her grandpa’s statements, which she never understood its weight until she received the notification of the new pictures her husband’s driver sent- the photo that shattered her heart.

Right in her hand was the picture that had been making uncontrollable tears flood out of her swollen eyes- a clear image of her husband and his unknown mistress, which she was eagerly on her way to find out.

“We’re there, ma.”

The car parked, and she got down.

She dug her hand into her jacket pocket and fixed her eyes on the luxury gate of the mansion, which was certain her husband was inside with his mistress.

She sniffed and wiped her face. “Calm down, Kaylie,” she said to herself in a whisper.

She wiped her face and licked her lips before inhaling deeply and exhaling softly, stopping the tears. “Kaylie, remember why you are here….” She told herself, and without waiting for another second, she put her phone in her jacket pocket and paced toward the gate.

“You got this, okay?”

Growing up with her adoptive family where she wasn’t shown love, Kaylie thought she didn’t have a place in the world until Bryan, a billionaire heir, came into her life. 

Bryan showered her with love and she quickly accepted his marriage proposal, thinking she would finally find a place she belonged and build her family. However, Bryan’s attitude changed a few days after their marriage, but Kaylie didn’t relent.

For a year and a half, she was determined to chase after his heart, hoping she could win her heart and he would fall in love with her again, and she only lost interest the moment she set her eyes on that picture. And the reason for Bryan’s attitude instantly became clear to her.

Kaylie creaked the gate open and immediately as she stepped inside, Echo, her husband’s driver, who sent her the pictures, approached her. “What are you doing here, ma?” He asked, his voice layered with concern.

He stretched out his arms beside him, blocking her from moving forward. “You shouldn’t be here, ma.” He cautioned her. He sent her the picture but refused to reveal the location. 

“Let me be, Echo.” She said, walking to the other side.

Echo ran to her front and blocked her again. “I’m sorry. I can’t allow you to go inside, ma.” He knew about Kaylie’s efforts to win Bryan’s heart and had warned Kaylie countless times. Since he knew the reason Bryan didn’t want Kaylie again, he informed her, but Kaylie refused to reason, so he sent her the picture as proof and reason to walk out of the marriage.

Knowing Echo wouldn’t leave her, Kaylie ceased attempting to move forward. She sighed and looked him in the eyes, slightly nodding. “I understand you, Echo. I know you’re trying to help but believe me, I’ll be fine,” she uttered in a low voice. “What else can I witness that’s more heartbreaking than knowing my husband is cheating on me?”

She pointed at her eyeballs. “Look at my eyes, Echo. they’re swollen. I’ve been crying for over an hour. But that shouldn’t be all I could do,” she said. “Believe me, I’m just here to see the lady. I want to know what she possesses that I lack that made her win Bryan’s heart. That’s all. Believe me.”

“I understand, but-” Echo still has doubts, but Kaylie didn’t allow him to complete his statement.

She placed her hand on his shoulder and feigned a smile. “Don’t worry, I won’t create a scene. I’ll be fine.” She said. She took her hand off his shoulder and headed towards the mansion. 

She grabbed the door lever, and as she wanted to open it, Echo ran to her side and grabbed her hand.

She stared at him with a furrowed face, and he looked into her eyes. “Ma, whatever you see in there, tell yourself you’re strong. Remind yourself that you didn’t deserve what you witnessed in this marriage.”

He took his eyes away from her and slowly released her hand, saying, “boss, and whoever he’s in there with isn’t worth a drop of your tears. You deserve better. Okay?”

Echo’s statement was unclear and suspicious. It made her feel like he already knew who was inside, but since she didn’t even want to hear it from him, she joggled her head, and without saying a word, she opened the door and banged in.

Immediately as she closed the door behind her and took a step forward, her body suddenly began shivering, and her leg froze, making it difficult to take a step forward. “What’s wrong with me?” She wondered, unsure if her reaction was out of fear or maybe what she was about to face would be more painful than she had imagined.

She struggled to lift her feet from the ground, but it got more difficult and sweat instantly came out of her forehead. “No, Kaylie. You’ve got this,” she whispered to herself.

She already cried for hours before deciding to come, so she wouldn’t turn around and just walk out without accomplishing her mission.

Her heart started racing fast, and she placed her left hand on the left side of her chest where she felt her heartbeat. She half closed her eyes and slightly stared downward.

“Be strong, Kaylie…” She encouraged herself. She took in a deep breath and opened her eyes before exhaling.

She took her hand off her chest. She raised her head and her gaze set directly at her husband walking out of the bedroom with his arm rounded at the neck of the person she couldn’t believe it was yet.

“What?!” Kaylie screamed in silence, her eyes widened in disbelief coupled with shock, staring at her younger sister placed her hand on her husband’s chest as she gave him a soft kiss.

She slowly raised her finger and pointed it at them. “Wendy!” She shouted, her mind still unable to process the truth that was in front of her.

Wendy and Bryan were carried away and didn’t notice her presence until they heard her voice, and looking at her, Bryan’s eyes enlarged.

“Kaylie!” Bryan exclaimed. He walked towards her in a hurry, but Wendy dragged him backward.

Kaylie planned to see who the mistress was and veered around without saying a word before proceeding to visit the lawyer and then file for a divorce. However, seeing her sister, who never ceased showing her hatred toward her husband- the same person who refused to attend their wedding because she felt Bryan didn’t deserve her, she couldn’t just turn around and walk away.

She took her hand down and walked closer to them in a weak stride. “Bryan…” she called, but couldn’t complete her statement.

“What are you doing here, Kaylie?” Bryan threw a question.

Kaylie clenched her fist, her hand feeling the urge to punch Bryan in response to his question, but she controlled herself, remembering her determination to not act recklessly. 

She snickered. “Asking what I’m doing here?” She repeated, amazed, keeping her voice low and cool. “Isn’t that a stupid question? Shouldn’t that question come from me? What’s between you both?”

“You left the house three days ago for a business trip. Is she the client you’re meeting with?” She interrogated.

Wendy scoffed. “Are you sure you want to hear the response?” She intervened. She took a step forward to stand next to Bryan, but before she could say another word, Kaylie gave her a deadly glance.

“Have you no shame, Wendy?” Kaylie said in a questioning tone, willing to say more, but Bryan stamped forward.

“Don’t worry, Wendy. I got this,” Bryan said. “Kaylie, there’s something you need to know. I should have told you a long time ago, but I couldn’t because I know how painful it would be. I’m just waiting for the perfect time.”

“I think I already know what it is, but it would be more interesting to hear the details from you.” Kaylie permitted, crossing her hands over her chest.

“To be honest, Kaylie, I never loved you…” Bryan confessed.

Forgetting about her promise, Kaylie loosened her hands from her chest, her eyes enlarged at his revelation. “What?!” She raised her voice in disbelief.

“That’s…” she wanted to speak with anger but controlled herself. She half closed her eyes and folded her arms. “Your opening line is intriguing. It captivates my interest, please continue.”

“I married you because my investigation showed that you’re your grandfather’s favorite. He owned the highest share and since he didn’t give it to his son, I presumed he would pass everything to you. But I was wrong,” Bryan explained. “It was late when I figured out you’re an adoptive granddaughter. Maybe he only shows you love out of pity. He can never favor you with his properties. If he would favor anyone, it would be Wendy.”

Kaylie joggled her head and clapped her hands. “To cut a long story short, you married me because of property, right?” She interrogated.

“Yes,” Bryan answered in simplicity. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Had it been you’ll be useful to me, I might have developed feelings for you. But I can’t help it. I need a strong woman who will be in power to support me when it’s time to fight for inheritance.”

Kaylie blew soft air through her mouth and loosened her arms, slightly joggling her head. “All the love and affection you showed was just to seek Jaxon’s favorable side?” She said in a questioning tone, expecting no response, but Bryan nodded.

“I’m useless for your ambition, so you opted for her?” She raised another question, but Bryan didn’t respond. She chuckled softly and without looking at Wendy, she taunted her. “And as a numskull person she is, she accepted.”

“Watch what you said!” Wendy protested, taking a challenging step closer to Kaylie. “I’m not a numskull!”

Kaylie gave Wendy a side stare, smiling discreetly. “Then what are you?” She asked in a low tone. “Wendy, don’t you get it? He abandoned me because I was useless for his ambition. What guarantees he won’t do the same to you if he finds another lady who could be more useful than you?”

“Hun!” Wendy’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped at Kaylie’s question. She has been blinded with love and never for a second thought about that, so she has no answer. Instead, she took a step backward and glanced at Bryan’s face.

Kaylie scoffed, feeling accomplished. Her statements bashed Wendy as aimed, so she furthered, mocking, “or maybe I shouldn’t call you a numskull, but a tool. Bryan’s tool to chase his interest,”

She brightened at her smile and winked at Wendy, whose confusion was written all over her face. “What do you think about that?”

Wendy was already confused and Kaylie’s statement sank into the depths of her heart. She was worried because it was hard to wave off her mind, but she didn’t want to give Kaylie the satisfaction she wanted. “Whatever. It’s none of your business, but mine,”

She raised her chin and crossed her hands over her chest, slightly bending to the left. “I don’t care about what his intentions are,” she let out. She raised her brows and locked eyes with Kaylie. “I love him and I’ll happily do whatever it takes to support him. Even if it means I’ll be a numskull or even a tool. For Bryan, I’ll joyfully bear any name.”

Kaylie clapped her hands, her mouth opened, pretending to be impressed. “Wow!”

“You see, Kaylie. That’s love and all that matters,” Bryan said. He moved to Wendy’s side and kissed her on the forehead. “Wendy is ready to fight with me. She didn’t care about any other thing. She wants me and I want her,”

He faced Kaylie, proceeding, “it’s just a pity I didn’t figure it out until after I was stuck in a fruitless marriage with you.”

“Stuck in a marriage with me?!” Kaylie sounded amazed, her right hand on her chest and her head moved backward a little, with furrowed eyes.

She stood straight and looked into Bryan’s eyes. “If anyone is stuck here, it will be me! I sacrificed my days and nights just to make you love me again! I put effort into winning your heart because I thought you were once in love, but fell out of it!” She unintentionally raised her voice.

Pulling out those words made tears rise in her eyes again, but she would rather let the ground open up and swallow her than release those tears.

She licked her lips and blew a heavy air through her mouth. “Fine. Let’s not argue about it. This marriage has been a burden on us both. So, let’s just end it. Now!”

“Fine,” Bryan agreed. “You will hear from my lawyer by tomorrow. Kaylie, you agree to the divorce, so please, make sure a word about it didn’t get out,”

“Only your family and I know about this marriage, so no one should hear a word about the divorce. If money is what you need, talk to my lawyer. I’ll pay you. I can’t let anything go south because of you. Okay?” He added.

Kaylie snickered. Her mind was filled with bitter words that she didn’t want to split out because they would make tears flow out of her eyes at ease, so she had her mouth under control.

“To hell with you, your money, and everything you have that makes you think you’ve control over me…” she split out, her mind boiling with rage.

She moved forward until there was almost a non-existence gap between her and Bryan. She locked eyes with him and ground her teeth, pointing a finger at his face. “I curse the day I met you.”