Chapter 1 ; DIVORCE AND DEALS
The Grand Ballroom of the sterling plaza was a sea of shimmering silk and clinking champagne flutes. It was the three year anniversary of sterling pharmaceuticals, and more importantly, the third wedding anniversary of seraphina and Arthur sterling.
Seraphina stood in a corner, earing a simple, high necked dress that the sterling family had approved for her. She had spent the morning in a grueling six hour secret surgery under the alias Dr.S, and her hands were still slightly trembling from the adrenaline.
Seraphina! why are you standing there like a statue.
Her mother in law, Lydia sterling, hissed in her ear, Go make sure the sharps are refreshed. And don't speak to the guests, Yu have a way of making us look.... common.
Seraphina looked at her mother in law's neck. The woman was wearing a sapphire pendant that Seraphina's own father had given her as a dowry, of course, Mother.
She turned to find Arthur, her husband. He was the man she thought had saved her father's life with a kidney donation years ago. for that debt, she had played the role of the dutiful, invisible wife, and taking all the insults from his families and friends and all the maltreatments just for him to shine, hiding her genius to let him shine.
But as she approached the VIP lounge, she heard a giggle that made her blood run cold.
Through the cracked door, sahe saw Athur. his arm was around Melaine, the Medical Heirness of the rival Vance Group.
Arthr, when are you going to get rid of that boring nurse, Melanie pouted, tracing the lapel of his expensive suit. My father won't mrge our companies until you're a free man.
Athur laughed, a sound that lacked any warmth seraphina had fallen for. Tonight, darling. seraphina served her purpose. she kept the house running and helped me understand those complex medical jornals i had to present.But let's be honest she's a peasant. she has no idea i faked those donor records. Her father died thinking i was a hero, when i actually just bought a kidney on the black market and took the credit.
Seraphina felt the world tilt,the debt was a lie, Her marriage was a scam, the man he trusted was a total scumbag and a jerk who would go all length to destroy me, so all this years i was so delusional and marrying myself all this while. The red flags was there but due to the debt i owed him i stayed wanting to be that dutiful wife to him, without knowing i was been fooled all along.
She didn't cry, instead, a cold sharp clarity settled over her, the same clarity she felt when she held a scalpel.
She pushed the door open.
The black market, Arthur that's a felony, even for a sterling.
Arthur jumped back, his face turning a sickly shade of gray. Seraphina! i... you weren't supposed to be back yet.
I am early, she said ,her voice like ice. She reached into her clutch and pulled out a foutain pen.
And am finished.
She walked to the center of the ballroom, where the microphone stood for the anniversary speech. The room went silent as the invisble wife of the CEO took the stage. Even though there was silents yet lots of murmuring in the background.
Attention, everyone, seraphina said, her voice echoing.Arthur sterling has a gift for you tonight its a revelation of his true character.
Arthur rushed toward the stage, his face red with rage, seraphina, get down from there ! You're embarrassing yourself! No one will believe an invisible you over me.
No, Arthur, she whispered, looking him dead in the eye, i am freeing myself, am done living in the dark, am done living with your lies.
She grabbed a stack of papers from the podium the merger documents he was so proud of and flipped them over. On the back, she scrawled two words in bold, surgical precision, DIVORCE ME
She threw the papers into the air. as they fluttered down like snow, she walked off the stage and headed straight for the exit.
The rain outside was a torrential downpour, she stood under the awning, her heart hammering, she was free, but she was alone, not knowing what exactly to do at that moment, for a seconds she starts remembering all the heartbreaks she went through just iun the name of repaying debt, and a single tear dropped out of her eyes not because of the divorce but because she devoted her life to those disgusting people.
Suddenly. a fleet of black SUVs pulled up, splashing water onto the curb, the center vehicle was a reinforced Rolls-Royce phantom with a license plate that simply read VANE.
The door opened, A man stepped out, his presence so heavy it seemed to stop the rain itself, it was killian Blackwood. The cursed tycoon. The man the sterling family whispered about in terrified tones.
He walked straight to her, ignoring the bodyguards holding umbrellas. His eyes, dark and piercing, scanned her face.
Dr S, he said, his voice a low rumble. I have been looking for you for a long time.
Seraphina didn't flinch, i am not on the clock , Mr.Blackwood.
I am not here for a check up, killian said, stepping into her personal space, he held out a handkerchief to wipe a stray drop of rain from her cheek. i heard you just became single. i happen to be looking for a wife who can handle the sight of blood.
Seraphina looked back at the sterling plaza, where her Ex husband was currently being swarmed by confused investors.
And what do i get in return, she asked
Killian leaned down, his breath warm against her ear. Everything they took from you, and the head pf every man who ever made you feel small. Do we have a deal, seraphina.
Drive, she said we have alot to talk about.
