Chapter 1
The day had finally arrived–Hayden Parker was coming back. His friends had all but dragged me, his so–called wife, to the welcome party. I could tell they were just waiting for the moment 1 would embarrass myself.
Whisper of Hayden’s newfound romance overseas had buzzed through the air, a reminder that he was likely returning to sever the last ties of our fraying marriage.
“Do you think Hayden would go through with the divorce? Yvonne Jackson’s grandpa practically forced him into this marriage,” a voice sneered
“Ugh, just thinking about that spoiled, clueless Yvonne clinging to Hayden for all those years gave me chills, another chimed in.
“I heard that on their wedding night, she stripped down and jumped into Hayden’s bed, only to be kicked out. How humiliating the third scoffed.
Their cruel laughter reverberated around the private room, each chuckle piercing my heart like a shard of glass. I clenched my fists, tears threatening to spill.
Yeah, they were right. A decade of my life had been devoted to Hayden–t had poured out my youth and even sacrificed my family. Yet, in the end. I had become linle more than a joke in the whole city of Elysiumville.
For a moment, an invisible weight pressed down on my chest, tightening around my heart like a vice and making each breath feel Laborious.
“Yvonne, why are you just standing there?” A voice cut through, jolting me back to reality.
I turned to find Nevin, Hayden’s younger brother. He had always believed my marriage to Hayden was a catastrophic mistake and had made it his mission to make my life miserable the past year.
Hurry up and come in. Hayden’s almost here, and the show’s about to start.” Nevin urged, and without waiting for my response, he swept into the private room, with a crowd moving in behind him like a relentless tide.
Left with no choice, I steeled myself and stepped in after him, the uncertainty swirling within me like a storm.
As I entered the room, the lively chatter fell abruptly silent. A few people managed to be polite, standing up to greet me with a friendly nod.
I returned with a faint smile, walked over, and settled into a chair. Just then, a booming voice erupted from the entrance. “Hayden, you’re finally here The guys have been waiting”
Instantly, my heart plummeted, a heavy stone sinking into my chest.
“I got held up came Hayden’s deep voice, smooth and steady, just like I remembered. But then, a sweet, cheerful voice followed, completely catching me off guard.
“It’s totally my fault. I dozed off the whole way on the plane. But just as we landed, I felt hungry, and he stayed with me to grab a bite, the woman explained, her tone playful and joyful, laced with a hint of pride
A lump rose in my throat–so, this was Hayden’s new girlfriend! He had actually brought her here. Suddenly, Nevin’s earlier comment about “the good show” clicked into place.
“Wow, looks like your new girlfriend is quite the priority, Hayden. We’ve all been waiting here starving” Nevin chuckled, his voice laced with playful
His words cut deep, sending a sharp ache through my heart. Despite all the time I had spent with the Parker family, Nevin had never truly acknowledged me as Hayden’s wife.
The air was
air was thick with suppressed giggles, and an odd tension seisled over the ro
Before Hayden could respond, the woman chimed in again, “C
“Come on, Nevin, enough with the jokes, I hardly deserve to be called Hayden’s girlfriend” Though her words seemed awkward, her tone told another story
“Nonsense,” Nevin shot bark, a playful smirk on his fa
is face. “Hayden mentioned you took care of him when he was out cold. How could you not be
Yet, his words barrly registered in my mind because. At that moment, Hayden walked in.
The crystal chandelier above cast a warm glow across his tall figure, illuminating him like an ethereal vision. He appeared a touch leaner, the of his jaw–already striking–were now even more pronounced.
Hu brows bore a newfound intensity that made him the undeniable focal point of every gaze in the room. A black rosary bracelet dangled from his
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Chapter 1
left wrist, dark and mysterious, catching the light with an alluring gleam.
In that breathless instant, I felt unmoored. This was the man I had once pursued with relentless passion, the one I would have sacrificed anything for, even my very life, just to be by his side.
Yet now, he appeared so distant and cold. The indifference he had maintained over the past year had long since dulled the once–bright love I had felt for him.
Just then, Hayden’s gaze found me across the room. We weren’t too far apart, but the distance between us seemed to stretch like a chasm. There was an inscrutable depth behind his eyes, a flicker of something I couldn’t quite decipher.
As I tore my gaze away, my attention was drawn to the woman by his side. A wave of instinct nudged me to assess her, and I couldn’t help compare us.
but
She was striking–vibrant eyes that sparkled with life, a radiant smile that could light up the dimmest room, and skin that seemed to glow with an ethereal perfection. No wonder even someone as composed and aloof as Hayden appeared captivated by her charm.
With a sigh, I stole a glance at my reflection in the nearby window. My cheeks were pale; the toll of missed meals and sleepless nights had morphed me into a mere shadow of my former self. Honestly, if I were Hayden. I’d probably pick her too,
“What are you doing here?” Hayden asked, his voice striking with an icy edge. The harshness of his words landed like a blow, snuffing out the last flicker of hope I had held onto for us
After all this time apart, here he was–flanked by another woman and his first words weren’t even a greeting or an explanation. Instead, he launched that indifferent question, tinged with annoyance, as if my presence were an inconvenience.
I forced a brittle smile. I came to welcome you. Nevin set it up.”
Hayden’s eyebrows knit together slightly, and just as I had expected, he cast a frosty glare in Nevin’s direction.
Caught off guard, Nevin immediately recoiled, stammering, T… I didn’t think it would be like this.”“”
Actually, he had orchestrated the entire scene, eager to see me unravel. In the past, I had been Bercely possessive of Hayden–just a single glance from another woman in his direction would have sent me spiraling
Yet here I was, neither crying nor throwing a tantrum. Instead, I managed a calm smile and said to Hayden, “So, this lovely lady is your new flame?”
A gasp rippled through the crowd, and I could sense their curiosity swirling–was there an epic showdown to erupt?
Hayden’s expression shified, more intense than I had anticipated.
Joanna Charlotte, the woman by his side, suddenly seemed nervous as she stammered. “Yvonne, please don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not what it appears to be between me and Mr. Parker. We…
Her faltering words only hinted at a deeper connection with Hayden, making the scene even more awkward.
In another time, I might have charged at Joanna, tugging at her hair, and lashing out for being the other woman. But now, I simply pasted on a smile and said, Tm not misunderstanding anything. I’m just relieved to know you’re taking care of Hayden”
Joanna’s jaw tightened, and she retreated a step, seeking refuge behind Hayden’s broad shoulders.
Hayden’s face darkened in an instant. “Have you said enough?” he questioned, his voice a low rumble filled with an unmistakable edge of warning.
I already knew Hayden held no affection for me, and he probably resented me for pushing him into marriage, Bit as he defended someone else and unleash his harsh words upon me, the last remnants of my heart that I had desperately clung to shuttered.
A decade of unrequited admiration had culminated in nothing but his disdain. A deep sadness washed over me and my vision began to blur.
I fought to hold back tears and kept my smile. “Looks I’m not welcome here, You guys can catch up. I’ll just take my leave.
With that, I turned and walked out of the room without daring to look back. As soon as I reached the stairs, my phone buzzed to life. It was Lucy Coffey, my best friend.
a coma from
“What Hayden brought another woman back? What a jerk! You’ve loved him for so long, and just two months ago, when he was in a co that accident, you even went abroad to care for him.
Does he have any conscience at all!” Lucy’s voice crackled with disbelief and anger on the other end.
“Lucy” I started, but the words faltered, choking i
in my throat. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t suppress the wave of sadness that washed over 2/3
ell
P
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- me.
Lucy picked up on it right away. “Okay, Yvonne, don’t cry. Just divorce him. You deserve so much more! There are plenty of younger guys out there, and I hear a freshman has his eye on you.”
“I can’t even think about that right now,” I sighed, pressing my fingers against my temples as if to will away the mounting emotions.
I had pleaded with my grandfather to allow this marriage for three days. I had believed it was something to cherish, always prioritizing Hayden’s happiness above my own. But now, I found myself wishing for nothing more than for him to ask for a divorce.
“I feel so sorry for you, Yvonne Lucy sighed. “Well, since you’re free for the evening, how about we grab a drink together?”
A drink sounded like exactly what I needed! I–a linle liquid courage to drown my sorrows. But halfway, Xander, Hayden’s grandfather, called me
back.
As I entered Xander’s study, I was surprised to find Hayden there as well. A tangle of confusion tightened in my gut–wasn’t he supposed to be with his new flame at this moment
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