Reyna's POV.

Alex didn't wait a second longer as he pulled me off the bed by my arm and threw me to the ground like I weighed nothing.

"Get away from her, you worthless bitch," Alex cursed. The impact he used to grab my arm and threw me off the bed was heavy which made me hurt my waist as I fell hard on the floor.

I shut my eyes, wincing tightly but the pain on my waist was nothing compared to the hurt I felt in my chest.

Now that I thought of how our relationship had been in the last months, I was very sure about the reason why Alex always left home without saying a word to me and also spoke to me harshly whenever he was around.

It's because he had lost interest in me and was now courting another woman. He had always been sleeping with the bitch that I had considered my best friend all these while!

I felt utterly devastated, my heart broken and shattered into irreparable pieces.

I was so tired of Alex treating me like I was worthless. As if my only role was to be a housewife, confined in the kitchen and drowning in endless chores for months without caring for how I felt or how I was coping.

Unable to bear staying in this dying marriage with the hopes of keeping it alive any longer, especially after finding him in bed with Chloe, I decided to put an end to this godforsaken marriage!

I could not keep up with the pretense of being the perfect happy wife before the eyes of everyone while my husband treated me like a slave at home and was having an affair with my ex-best friend. I made up my mind to leave because I couldn't see myself staying in this marriage anymore.

I struggled to get back on my feet, aware of a misaligned bone in my lower back. Taking a deep breath, I tried to steady myself.

Honestly, I must agree that this marriage wasn't worth fighting for anymore. I wiped the tears from my cheeks and, feeling sluggish, I moved closer to him, standing with my arms crossed this time.

"I want a divorce, Alexander,"I announced and Alex's gaze shot at me, his eyes wide opened in shock.

Seeing the expression on his face, I could tell he was completely stupified, clearly not expecting such a bold demand.

"I don't believe there's any reason for that look on your face. You love and care about your mistress more, don't you? Just get the papers ready, Alex, and I will gladly sign it because I am damned fed up of this thing you guys refer to as a marriage." I declared.

He scoffed, "You must be joking, Reyna. There's no way I'd let that happen."

"I'm serious, Alexander. It's either we get divorced, or I'll walk away from you, your life and this miserable marriage!"

"Agree to the divorce, Alex," Chloe interjected with a venomous voice, still holding onto her red cheek. "This witch doesn't deserve you! Only I do, Alex. Divorce the worthless thing so she could just get the fuck out of our lives and we could live happily ever after, My love."

Alex didn't pay attention to Chloe's self centered advise as he swung his legs off the bed, "Fine then, Reyna! Go wherever you want, but I will never agree to a divorce because I know your plans!"

Chloe's jaw fell open in astonishment, not expecting Alex to refuse the divorce and my eyes dimmed as confusion washed over me. "What plans?" I asked, completely clueless.

He leaned in closer, the hairs on my neck and arms standing as he spoke in a chilled, terrifying tone, "I know you want me to lose my company to my uncle. It's stated as a clause in my father's will that if I ever divorce you then I must hand over the company to my uncle. But guess what? I'm one step ahead of you, Reyna, because I will never let that happen!"

So this was the only thing he could make of me? This was what he thought of me?

This was the only reason he didn't want to agree to my demand for a divorce because what mattered most to Alex was not loosing his company to his uncle.

I meant absolutely nothing to him!

Silent tears streamed freely down my cheeks and vanished into the neckline of my cloth, a bitter smile tugged on my lips as I slowly took several steps backwards, my gaze fixed on Alex who sneered at me before returning to his mistress, cuddling her in his arms and petting her cheeks like I was invisible in the room.

I was not able to hold back my emotions any longer as the painful truth of the harsh reality hurt me deeper than I could have ever imagined.

Turning around, I dashed out of the room and out of the estate gates in tears. Cries after cries, sobs after sobs, all of it escaping my lips as I ran off in a direction I wasn't sure of.

My soul was broken, and my heart was wrenching in pain as I ran downtown cause it was clear! It was obvious that Alexander had no feelings for me! He didn't love me anymore and I had to accept that bitter truth!

Somewhere deep down in my heart, I had hoped that he would beg and ask me not to carry on with my decision to divorce him, considering everything I had done to keep us together, but No! I was absolutely wrong!

The only damn conclusion he could come up with was the thought that I had a motive behind my reasons for divorcing him.

Dammit!

Making my way into one of the popular clubs that was known for its high-quality taste in alcohol, loud thumping music was playing in the background as I walked up to the counter.

I sat on a stool before the counter and made my order. "I'd like to have two shots of vodka," I said and slid my card over the counter, the bartender gave me a slight nod and strolled away from my front.

I watched him mixing up some liquor, but I didn't bother asking what it was and what it contained. My mind drifted to the scene when Alexander and Chloe were in bed together as they got intimate, and the tears I thought had dried off started rolling down again.

"Two shots of vodka, young lady," the bartender said, breaking my reverie. I quickly wiped my tears and glanced at him as he slid the shots in front of me. Without hesitation, I downed them both, desperate to numb the ache in my heart.

"Make it three extra shots, payment by card," I requested, and he nodded as he went to prepare my order.

"Make that four extra shots. Bills on me."

Reyna's POV.

"Make that four extra shots. Bills on me," I heard a deep voice state calmly behind me.

Surprised, I shifted my gaze to the owner voice and saw a tall figure settling on the stool next to me. He flashed a quick breathtaking smile at me, revealing the silver braces he had on his shiny white teeth.

His sharp manly features was complimented with thick brows, dark orbs that sparkled under the multi-colored clubroom as his lips formed a thin line, few wild strands of his silky curly hair ran down his face, making him look like a seductive warlord.

I tore my gaze away, my eyes still lifeless as the bartender slid another shot across the counter and I didn't wait a second to down them one after the other.

My vision turned blurry, and my head spun due to the side effect of the vodka I drank to numb the feeling of heartache In my chest, but it doesn't seem like it was working cause the intimate scene between Alexander and Chloe kept playing fresh in my memory.

'Cant i just forget those betrayers?' I thought, tugging tightly at my hair.

It was even obvious that Alexander didn't give a damn if I walked out of his life and the consistent remembrance of the truth hurt me deeper than ever, the realization that I had been wasting my time on a man who didn't value me and only sees me as a machine that was meant to be tied up in the kitchen doing chores and nothing else other than that!

A part of me had the uprising urge to prove to Alex and everyone else who had looked down on me wrong, to make them see and know that I was worth much more than they thought.

'I promise you, Alexander Cage, you will come begging on your knees for forgiveness but I swear to God, Alexander, I will never forget what you did. I will never forgive you!'

I vowed in my heart as tears unconsciously rolled down my cheek. I was prepared to take out my makeup wipes to wipe the tears off when I felt a finger lightly graze across my cheek, making my breath seize.

I slowly looked to the side and the stranger had his gaze fixed on my salty tear drop on his finger.

I didn't know why he did that, nor did I have the strength to start up a conversation, so I ignored him, returning my focus to the bartender and yelled in a drunken voice as I banged the counter excitedly, "Bring in more shots, Mr. Make that snappy!"

"No more shots." The stranger's words caught me off guard, and I whipped my head to him, giving him a confused look.

"What do you mean?" I questioned, arching an eyebrow.

"Why are you bent on drowning your tears in liquor all because of a man who isn't worthy of you?" He asked, flicking the teardrop away from his finger. "This isn't the right way to control your emotions, and you know that."

"You don't tell me what to do. It's my choice to get drunk and I'm not trying to run away from reality," I scoffed at him, turning my gaze away.

"When did I make mention of you running away from reality?" He asked with a smug face, I palmed my face in embarrassment as the realization hit me that I had unknowingly poured out my reason for getting drunk.

I was indeed trying to escape the reality of things, to stop the pain I feeling and to forget everything, even if it was going to be for one night, especially when I was fully aware that getting drunk wasn't the best way to handle my feelings but I still did it.

"I go by Theo Hudson, but you can call me Theo for short," He said with an outstretched hand, which I gave a glance, then turned my gaze away to the bartender because I was in no mood to hold a conversation.

"Where's the shot I asked from you?!" I demanded, slamming my palm on the counter, but the bartender didn't give as much of a reaction as I expected.

" 'No more shots' says my boss. So, I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't give you that," He apologized, then turned away to attend to other customers.

I shot Theo a hard glare, to which he chuckled while sliding a white document across the counter.

"You know drinking liquor won't help matters neither would it stop your aching heart from bleeding. You'd only bring more harm to yourself if you continue taking more shots of vodka." He warned in a concerned tone then paused before locking his gaze with mine.

"But if you agree to sign these documents and be married to me for three years only, then I promise to treat you better than he has ever treated you," He offered with a sincere look in his eyes, but it sounded like a big joke to my ears as I laughed it off.

"You know what I think of you men?" I asked as I struggled to hold in my laugh. "You men are all the same. They promised you heaven and earth but ended up doing none of the things they promised." My laughter came out more like I was in a traumatic pain.

"But what if this deal comes with a 30% share of my properties into your name once you sign the marriage papers?" He asked and I gave him an unbelievable look. Why the hell would he give me such an offer?! It sounds too good to be true.

"It's clearly stated as a clause in the documents, you can read it if you don't believe me." He suggested it but I didn't want to confirm it yet. What I wanted to know was what he would benefit from all these. I needed to know why he didn't see anyone else to choose but me.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, unable to accept that this could be real. "I mean, there are lots of other girls out there who would jump at this offer but why did you choose me?" I questioned as I smiled bitterly.

"I am just a worthless housewife; I don't have any usefulness in anyone's life except being trapped in the kitchen, doing the dishes and cooking meals every day. I am sorry, Sir. I can't accept this," I rejected, sliding the documents to him.

"He made you believe that shit?" He scoffed, shaking his disappointment before he returned his gaze to my face. His voice was low and he sounded as if he knew the person I was brooding for.

"I am not sorry to say this, but just know that he is a dickhead and you will continue to be seen as someone worthless if you don't accept my offer, Princess," He slid the documents to me again, still refusing to give up and I knew deep down that he was right.

The urge to prove to them that they were wrong began growing within me again and I sighed deeply before looking up at him.

"Fine then." His eyes gleamed at my consent. "But I won't be signing these marriage papers." His lips fell open slightly and I guessed he must be wondering why.

"I can't get married to you because he has refused to divorce me for his self-fish reasons. I can only pretend to be your wife before the eyes of everyone, but you must keep in mind that we are not legally married, and I am doing this because of the clause stated in the documents." My voice was stern and he nodded slightly, wearing a reassuring smile.

"Good. You'd need to make another contract that doesn't include getting married to you and only has the clause in it." I added.

"Sure, that's still fair enough," He chuckled, stretching forth his hand for a handshake. "So is this a deal? Mrs Theo Hudson" He asked and I accepted his hand with a dramatic eye roll.

"Deal."

Alexander Cage's POV.

Three Years Later.

My fingers unconsciously clenched into fists as I listened to my uncle's demanding tone on the other end of the line, and I could not stay silent any longer.

"You can't force me into signing over my company, Uncle Donald. The clause clearly states that I can only transfer ownership if Reyna and I are divorced. But we are still married," I explained, my voice rising in frustration. "We are not divorced. Reyna just disappeared without a word!" I added, struggling to keep my anger in check.

Uncle Donald had been on my nerves for the past three years, threatening legal action if I didn't comply.

It had been three years since I'd last heard from Reyna, and I repeatedly tried to explain that I had no idea where she was or how she was doing. I asked for more time to find her, but Uncle Donald refused to budge.

"It's been three years, Alexander Cage. Three fucking whole years and you are yet to find your wife. I gave you enough time to bring her back home but you can't do such a simple task!" He spoke as if it was easy to track down Reyna.

"It doesn't matter if you guys are still married. What matters is that you let your wife off and you must find her and bring her home. Failure to do that means you must transfer the company to me, or else I will be compelled to take this issue to court," He threatened, and my expression darkened.

"You can't do that. What does the court have to do with this issue when it can be easily resolved between us?!" My grip on my phone tightened as I spoke through gritted teeth.

"Because_One, you are going against the clause stated in your marriage documents which was created by your late father, Douglas Cage, when you were getting married to Reyna. And_Two, you are being irresponsible because what sort of husband would let his wife run off without giving a damn about where she ran off to for the past three years?!" He demanded and I finally lost it!

"Who the fuck is the asshole that said I didn't give a damn about Reyna?" I snapped back. "I do give a damn, and I am doing everything within my power to find out where she is, but it just feels like she vanished into thin air. There's been no news about Reyna, Uncle Donald."

"Then do better! You have just one week, only one week to find Reyna and bring her home at any cost. If you are unable to do so, then this case would either be brought up in court, or you can decide to be wise by giving ownership of the company to me." He threatened then hung up the call on me before I could say anything.

"Fuck your ass, Donald! Fuck you!!" I cussed loudly, about to smash my phone against the tiled ground to lash out my frustration and anger but the double doors leading into the sitting room caught my attention as it was pushed open, and Chloe sauntered into the parlor in a drunken state.

With a creased brow, I strode slowly to where she was and inquired in a demanding tone, "Where were you last night, Chloe?" I asked and she looked at me, but her gray eyes were unfocused due to her intoxicated state.

"Why didn't come home yesterday and did not also pick up my calls all through the night?" I asked and she walked past me in zig zags, heading upstairs as she responded in a drunk voice. "I was out with my girlfriends, dummy head. Where else would I be?"

I grabbed her wrist and turned her to face me, "You lie, Chloe. I called all your friends last night and asked where you were but they all said they had no idea. So tell me right now, where were you? Who the fuck are you seeing behind my back?"

Chloe yanked her hand away from my grip, almost falling to the floor but she managed to regain her balance as she pointed her finger to my face, "You have no right whatsoever to ask such a ridiculous question, Alexander Cage. We are not married, and I have every right in the world to see who I want!" I raised an eyebrow, finding it hard to believe all of what she said.

"I can stay out all night, get drunk and fuck with any man If I must! You hold no place in my life, Alex!" She stated and I watched her storm off into the bedroom upstairs.

I heard a familiar mocking chuckle, and I turned in its direction. There I saw Maddox, walking out of the kitchen with pizza filled in his mouth.

"When the hell did you get your ass into my house?" I questioned, but he continued laughing at me, so I grabbed a pillow from the couch and threw it at him angrily. "Stop laughing, man, and answer my question. What's so funny?"

He dashed to the side, dodging the hit as he continued his mocking chuckle which annoyed me further while he settled on a couch that was far away from me for his safety.

"It's clear that your perfect life has been turned upside down ever since my sweet sister-in-law left you." He said, and I silently slumped on the couch, massaging my temples cause I knew the blabbermouth must've heard everything between me and Uncle Donald. Then there's Chloe too.

"I warned you multiple times, Alex, but you just wouldn't listen. Now look at the mess you're in," he said, shrugging as he took a bite of his pizza. "But hey, 'that's none of my business,' just like you always say. Anyway, I wanted to ask if you're aware of the banquet at the Hudson residence for the billionaires."

"Yeah, I know about it. What's going on? Any problems?" I replied, my tone flat. His eyes lit up unexpectedly.

"I heard the heir of the Hudson family died in a fire a few months ago, and his wife took over his properties and companies. But what's intriguing is that nobody knows who she is. They're holding a banquet party tomorrow to reveal her identity."

"What does that have to do with me?" I scoffed, shutting my eyes.

"Don't tell me you're considering skipping it! Do you have any idea how many tycoons and billionaires will be at that party?" He stood up from the couch, pizza in hand, and took a few steps away from me.

"This is a massive opportunity to network and grow our business, Alex. If you say no, then I might have to agree with Chloe that you are indeed a Dummy head," he added, his tone playful yet provocative.

My eyes flew open at his words, but he was already retreating, knowing all too well the consequences of provoking me.

****

The next day, I reluctantly agreed to attend the Hudson Banquet Party, thanks to the blabbermouth Maddox's relentless persuasion. I hadn't wanted to go at first, but his endless lectures about the importance of being there were unbearable.

When we finally arrived, the party was already in full swing. I realized I had wasted so much time debating whether to go and what outfit to pick that I ended up missing the beginning of the event.

The lights in the hall suddenly went off, and a spotlight was shone on the stage before us the hall went silent, and every gaze was fixed on the stage as an elderly man dressed in a black tuxedo was pushed onto the stage in a wheelchair by his bodyguard.

He was known as Roberto Hudson, one of the richest billionaires in the county before he retired and put his late son as the successor to his company and properties after a tragic accident that held him captive in a wheelchair for years.

"As we all know, my late son, Theo Hudson, who had been running my business and moving it to greater heights ever since I retired, sadly died in a tragic fire outbreak a few months back, which I am yet to recover from the loss of my only son. But I am glad that he left someone worthy enough. A woman with the brains and also the heart to keep the business thriving."

"Yo, man. Here comes the big reveal," Maddox whispered, nudging my shoulder excitedly.

"Shhh, you talk too much," I complained, shooting him a glare. Sometimes Maddox's childish antics left me wondering how we've been friends for so long.

Then I heard it: "So let's welcome on stage my late son's wife and the sole heir of the Hudson properties and companies, Reyna Hudson!" Roberto announced.

My attention was drawn to the stage at the sound of her name, and there she was, walking confidently in a glittering black dress that accentuated her curves perfectly under the spotlight.

Her blue eyes shimmered, her face radiant, looking more breathtaking than I remembered. But I was left bewildered by her last name.

"Reyna Hudson?" Maddox and I whispered in disbelief.