The Matthew family gathered around the dinner table, the air filled with Henry's lively chatter. As the head of the household, he rambled on about how delighted he was with Nicole's upcoming marriage, hardly pausing for breath.

With every word her father uttered, Nicole's head sank lower, her appetite fading fast.

Olivia, Henry's wife and Nicole's mother, couldn't help but notice the change in her daughter. Nicole's usual spark had vanished; her face looked ashen, cheeks flushed, and a little swollen. Olivia's mind spun with worry, convinced that something was seriously wrong.

"Sweetheart... Are you all right?" Olivia cut in, her voice slicing through Henry's self-congratulatory monologue.

"Olivia! What is the meaning of this?" Henry barked, his brow creasing in irritation. "How dare you interrupt me, woman?" But Olivia ignored his bluster and turned her full attention to Nicole.

"I... um..." Nicole stammered, nearly choking on her food.

"Is she all right?" Henry snapped. "Ha! Of course she is! I've just secured her future. She's going to marry the heir of a distinguished family!"

"Secure my future?" Nicole murmured, barely audible. She raised her tear-filled eyes to her father. "That isn't true."

Heartbroken, Nicole felt every dream she'd ever had slip away. The shame and humiliation from her encounter with Walter that morning still gnawed at her, refusing to let her go.

She had never dared speak to her father so boldly before—not with the sort of man he was—but tonight, her heart and mind were both unraveling.

"What was that?" Henry shot her a bewildered look.

"Father, I... I don't want to marry Walter. You have to call off this marriage," Nicole blurted out, her heart tightening painfully in her chest.

Olivia and Henry stared at their daughter, utterly stunned.

"What?!" Henry exploded. "Have you lost your mind? You have to marry him. Aren't you happy? You're marrying the man you wanted, aren't you? You should be thanking me, you ungrateful girl!"

"The man I wanted?" Nicole's thoughts spiraled as heat rushed to her face. "Does everyone know I'm in love with Walter? Was I really that obvious?" She lowered her head briefly, drew in a steadying breath, then lifted her chin with sudden resolve.

"I can't... I can't marry Walter!" Nicole exclaimed as she pushed back her chair and stood, tears brimming in her eyes. "Why him? He doesn't love me. He doesn't even want to marry me. Walter told me so himself!"

Silence fell over the table. The air grew heavy and tight, broken only by Nicole's uneven breathing.

Henry seemed to be weighing her words, his expression darkening by the second. The color drained from his face before surging back in a furious red. Beside him, Olivia watched their daughter with quiet, aching sorrow.

"Nonsense!" Henry finally thundered, slamming his palm against the table. The sharp crack made both Nicole and Olivia flinch. "No matter what that idiot said, you will marry him. Everything has already been arranged."

"But he doesn't love me, Father!" Nicole insisted, her voice shaking.

"And what does that matter? Since when has love ever been necessary in a marriage? This is business, you foolish girl," Henry snapped dismissively, disregarding Nicole's words with a scoff.

"I just..."

"You like that fool, don't you?" Henry cut in harshly. "Then that should be enough for you to be satisfied. Play the role you're meant to play as a woman and make him fall for you. At least make yourself useful!" His gaze was cold, filled with contempt.

"But, Daddy..." Nicole murmured, forcing herself to breathe.

"I don't want to hear another word about this, Nicole..." Henry growled, lifting a finger in warning, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I... No... I don't agree. I can't do it, Father. I won't marry him," Nicole stammered. Her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, and her resolve was clear.

She had already made her decision and told Walter she was calling off the wedding.

"You won't?" Henry fixed his daughter with a piercing stare, his eyes narrowing as he pressed both palms flat against the table. "Fine!" he sneered. "Don't get married, then. But do you even realize what you're costing me with this refusal? The merger of two major companies, the rise of a business powerhouse, enormous profits, prestige, influence—gone, just like that..."

"No... I don't care..." Nicole faltered, her voice trembling as a chill crept down her spine. "We're fine the way we are. We're already wealthy enough..."

"The insolence in this house is unbelievable... Neither my wife nor my daughter has any respect for me!" Henry's face twisted in rage as he slammed the table even harder, the sound echoing through the room. "So you won't get married? Fine. But you'll pay me back for every single thing I'm losing!"

"What?" Nicole gasped, her face contorting in shock.

"That's right. Not only that, but you'll reimburse me for everything I've ever spent on you—your upbringing, doctors, schooling, all the luxuries, every dress and meal. In fact, I imagine the food alone will cost you the most!" Henry snapped, his glare raking over his daughter, brimming with fury.

"Henry, you can't do this!" Olivia exclaimed, pushing to her feet, stunned by his cruelty.

"What do you mean, I can't?" Henry shot back. "I found a husband for this ungrateful child! Who else would even look at her? Just look at her—she's fat and apparently just as foolish!"

"Henry, that's enough!" Olivia cried out, stepping forward, her indignation burning.

"Shut up!" Henry shot back, striking his wife across the face.

"Dad!" Nicole cried out and rushed around the table, wrapping her arms around her mother as Olivia clutched her reddening cheek. "Fine. I accept. I'll do it," Nicole said desperately. "I'll work as hard as I can and pay you back every cent you've ever spent on me, and everything you've lost because of this deal!"

Nicole's body shook as she clung to her mother, instinctively shielding her, bracing herself for another blow. But instead of striking again, Henry drew in a slow breath and straightened, smoothing his suit as if nothing had happened.

"And you think I'd make it that easy for you?" Henry asked coldly, a twisted smile curling his lips. "I'll personally see to it that you never find a job. No one will hire you. You won't even be fit to work as a maid. You've been nothing but a burden, a spoiled, useless child who never once thought about her parents or her future. The only thing you're good at is eating and getting fat. Who would want you like that? Who would ever give you work? Tell me. You stupid girl."

Henry stepped toward them again. Nicole and Olivia both flinched, their eyes squeezing shut as they waited for another strike.

"Listen to me carefully, Nicole!" Henry shouted, his voice sharp and menacing. "You will marry Walter, even if it's the last thing you do. Because if you don't..." His voice dropped into something colder. "I swear I'll make your life unbearable. At least living like a beggar will help you lose some weight. Without my money. Without my food. Without a job. And don't bother looking, because I'll make sure no one hires you. Not even as a cheap prostitute."

Nicole lifted her head, tears pouring down her face as she faced her father. He meant every word. If there was one thing she knew about her him, it was that he never made empty threats.

"And you won't be the only one to suffer," Henry continued darkly as he moved closer. "Everyone will pay the price for your stupidity. Your useless mother will pay too, for failing at the one thing she was good for, giving me a worthy heir. Instead, she gave me a daughter I have to bargain with. A daughter who isn't even beautiful enough for wealthy men to fight over. No. She gave me a fat, foolish girl that nobody wants, not even her so-called friend."

Nicole gazed at him, fury burning through her fear. For a moment, she wanted to speak, to fight back, to be strong enough to escape him and protect her mother.

But the terror he had drilled into her for years crushed the words before they could form. All she could do was clench her jaw and endure. When Henry finally turned away, satisfied that his threats had achieved their purpose, Nicole and Olivia collapsed against each other, their sobs breaking free as they cried uncontrollably.

The wedding day arrived far too quickly. Excitement filled the air. It was a highly anticipated union between two immensely wealthy families, and the significance of the event drew relentless attention. Members of the press swarmed the venue, and every guest belonged to the highest tiers of society.

Of them all, Nicole was the most unsettled. She had not seen Walter since the day he had made his refusal clear, since the moment she had sworn she would put an end to the engagement. Since then, her father had kept her under strict watch, forbidding her from leaving the house for fear she might do something reckless. She had not even been allowed to see Amanda.

In every sense, she had become her father's prisoner.

Her heart felt as though it might burst from her chest, her hands trembling uncontrollably. In just a few minutes, she would be standing before Walter, dressed in white, facing the man whose thoughts she dreaded most.

Surely by now, Walter believed more than ever that she had orchestrated the entire marriage. At this very moment, he was probably convinced of the worst, certain that she had deceived him. Perhaps he even hated her.

Nicole let out a shaky sigh, despair tightening her throat as she wondered how she could ever make him understand the truth.

She stepped toward the mirror and studied her reflection. The corseted gown cinched tightly at her waist, its sweetheart neckline accentuating her figure.

From her waist flowed a wide skirt adorned with intricate embroidery and shimmering stones. Her hair was arranged in a delicate updo, a tiara securing the white veil in place.

She had to admit it. She looked beautiful. If only Walter loved her... Nicole's eyes burned as she fought back tears. This day was supposed to be the happiest of her life.

When the moment came, Nicole walked down the church aisle beside her father, her gaze lowered, her hands clasped around the bouquet as the wedding march echoed through the hall.

At last, she lifted her eyes. Walter was watching her. He looked as striking as ever in his tailored suit, yet there was no warmth in his expression. Unlike the dreams she had once clung to, where the groom gazed at her with tenderness, Walter's eyes held only a deep frown and unmistakable disdain.

The ceremony passed in a blur. A brief, emotionless kiss before the assembled guests sealed their union, followed by thunderous applause. Nicole remained visibly shaken, though most dismissed it as nerves. Walter made no effort to mask his scowl, not even for a moment.

The couple barely exchanged a word, constantly surrounded by well-wishers, acquaintances, and strangers offering congratulations and praise. Only when the crowd finally parted and the floor was cleared for their first dance did they find themselves alone.

"Congratulations. You finally got what you wanted," Walter murmured as they danced alone in the center of the hall, moving in time with the waltz.

"What?" Nicole lifted her face toward him, stunned, her heart lurching painfully.

"You played the obedient daughter," Walter continued, his jaw tightening. "You manipulated everyone and forced me into this marriage."

"No, you don't understand, Walter. I asked my father to call off the marriage, but..." Nicole's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes darting around the room until they met her father's stern, watchful gaze from across the hall. A chill swept through her.

Nicole could never, under any circumstances, speak ill of her father or reveal what truly happened at home. That was another unbreakable rule in their family. Even now, with marriage as her only escape from that prison, her father's grip on Olivia remained ironclad.

If Nicole dared to speak up, she knew her father would make sure her mother paid the price.

"Do you honestly expect me to believe the precious daughter of the Matthews—her parents' pride—was forced into marrying the man she wanted?" Walter scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Really, Nicole. Do I look like an idiot?"

The precious daughter of the Matthews? Yes, that was the story her father had spun for everyone. The reality was far different.

"Walter, wait..." Nicole tried to protest, her breath catching as if the words themselves were stuck in her throat. Walter stopped abruptly in the middle of the waltz, his expression closed.

"I'll tell you one thing, Nicole—something you already know. I don't love you, and I never will, so don't expect anything from me as your husband," Walter muttered, his eyes cold and unyielding. Then he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving Nicole stranded in the center of the dance floor beneath the curious, astonished eyes of everyone in the room.

...

Two years later...

"Congratulations, Nicole!" Brenda cheered, raising her wine glass and clinking it against Nicole's.

"Thank you," Nicole replied softly, managing a small smile as she took a sip.

"Oh, come on, Nicole—cheer up! You're graduating! You finished your studies, you did it, and with honors, no less!" Brenda beamed at her, pride shining in her eyes.

"Yes, I know, and I really am happy..." Nicole let out a heavy sigh, her gaze lingering on the bar counter where her phone rested. "But…"

"But you can't stop thinking about him, can you?" Brenda finished for her, rolling her eyes in clear exasperation. Nicole pressed her lips together, sadness flickering across her face. "How long, Nicole? That man doesn't deserve a single one of your thoughts..."

"Brenda…" Nicole murmured. "He's my husband..."

"Your husband?" Brenda arched an eyebrow. "Only on paper... You'll forgive me for saying so, but I've told you before—not to think of him that way... How long have you two been married now? Two years?" Nicole nodded. "And in all that time, what has this so-called husband of yours done? He's ignored you, belittled you, and treated you with nothing but coldness and cruelty."

"No, it's just... You know it's complicated," Nicole protested, her voice barely above a whisper as she sighed again.

"Complicated?" Brenda shook her head. "He's called you manipulative, accused you of being opportunistic and selfish. And when he isn't mistreating you, he's simply leaving you alone. What would you even call a husband like that?" Her irritation was clear, but Nicole only let out another weary sigh.

"I knew I shouldn't have told you any of this. You don't understand..." Nicole turned away, frowning as she stared into her wine glass.

"What do you mean I don't understand?" Brenda shot back. "Would you rather have kept hiding it, bottling all of that up inside you?"

"No, but..."

"Nicole, tell me one thing..." Brenda said gently. "After everything you've endured in that marriage—the rejection from your so-called husband—what did you expect today? You left for six months to complete your studies, and all that time, he never called you, never reached out..."

"Well... I... I thought..." Nicole dropped her gaze, a lump forming in her throat. "I thought maybe if I stayed away for a while, he'd start to miss me, even just a little." Nicole's eyes drifted back to her phone. "Yesterday, I sent him a message to tell him about my graduation. Foolishly, I hoped he'd show up for the ceremony, or at least call to congratulate me, but..."

"As always, he didn't even send you a single message," Brenda finished, frustration clear in her voice. Nicole closed her eyes, cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Oh, Nicole," Brenda murmured, squeezing her friend's hand. "How long are you going to keep loving that man? Walter Gibson doesn't deserve your love—not even a little. It's time to move on. Celebrate your graduation, focus on your career, on building a life for yourself. Become your own woman—powerful and independent. And when you do, you'll finally have what you want most: the chance to help your mother."

Nicole nodded, her smile faint and bittersweet. Brenda was right—she'd made it. She had finished her specialization and was poised to earn a major position in the family business.

Still, she knew her father's ambitions too well. As long as Olivia remained under his control, he'd keep manipulating Nicole's life.

But Nicole was done letting him win. She would work, she would fight—she was determined to buy her mother's freedom, to rescue her from that man once and for all.

As Nicole turned these thoughts over in her mind, the phone on the counter suddenly rang, sending her heart racing.

Nicole glanced at Brenda, wondering who could possibly be calling at such a late hour. Together, they stared at the phone as the screen lit up, Walter's name appearing in bold letters—her husband.

Nicole froze, stunned—it was the first time in two years of marriage that Walter had ever called her personal phone.

Brenda quickly gestured, urging Nicole to snap out of her daze and pick up. With shaking hands, Nicole managed to answer.

"H... Hello?"

"Nicole..." Her husband's deep voice resonated through the line.

"Yes? Walter..." she breathed, her heart pounding and nerves stretched thin.

"I take it you've wrapped up whatever you were doing abroad?" Walter's tone was flat and unfeeling.

"Yes, my studies. Like I said in my message, I finished my specialization and..."

"I don't care." Walter cut her off, blunt as ever. Didn't he care at all? Nicole's heart plummeted—so this wasn't a call to congratulate her? "Are you coming back tonight?"

"Uh... no... I'll be back the day after tomorrow... I have to handle some paperwork first..."

"Whatever you need to do isn't my concern..." Walter interrupted again, cold as ice. "I'm only calling to let you know."

"Let me know? About what?" Nicole asked, bewildered.

"When you return, the divorce papers will be waiting for your signature. I refuse to keep up this farce any longer..." Walter's words landed like a punch, leaving Nicole breathless.

"What?" Nicole's whole expression changed in an instant.

"What's going on?" Brenda whispered, noticing the shock etched across her friend's face.

"Now you know. When you get here, you'll just sign—no drama, and none of your usual tricks..."

"Walter, I..." Nicole's eyes glistened.

"By the way, where are you?" Walter suddenly asked. "I hear music—and a lot of men talking..." In the background, the shouts of a few guys playing pool echoed faintly through the phone.

"I... Uh... I'm in a bar..." Nicole said, startled. "I'm with a friend. We're celebrating my graduation..." Her voice faltered, confused by the question.

Walter had never asked her anything like that before. He had never shown the slightest interest in her whereabouts.

"Of course... "You went abroad to study—supposedly," Walter muttered sarcastically. His teeth clenched audibly as anger seeped into his voice. Then the line went dead.

Nicole let the phone slip from her fingers. A wave of dizziness washed over her. Was it real? Had all of that truly just happened?

"Nicole, what happened?" Brenda grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently, forcing her to snap out of it. Nicole stood there frozen, tears still streaming down her face.

"He... He... Walter... Walter asked me for a divorce." Nicole struggled to speak. The words came out broken and uneven. She reached for her glass and drained the remaining wine in one desperate gulp.

"He did what?" Brenda exclaimed. "Over the phone? That miserable, heartless man!" Her voice shook with fury.

"I... I don't know," Nicole sobbed. "I don't understand what went wrong. What am I supposed to do... I thought... I hoped... that you would miss me, that you would finally realize. I always believed that one day you would fall in love with me. I tried everything, Brenda, I swear I did, and he never believed me... Maybe… maybe I understand him. Look at me, Brenda. Walter is right. Someone like him could never be interested in someone like me." Nicole's words dissolved into incoherent sobs as Brenda watched her with quiet, aching sadness.

"Nicole," Brenda said softly, reaching for her. "Don't say that..."

"I thought he cared for me, even a little," Nicole went on, her voice cracking. "After his father died, he didn't ask me for a divorce. I took it as a sign—I let myself hope he might feel something for me. How foolish was that?" Her lament deepened. "What am I supposed to do now, Brenda? Tell me, what should I do? Our families' companies are merged, and after his father's death, Walter took charge of everything. He handed my father the full share owed to our family, but as for me... He only provided what I needed to live as his wife—a house, food, clothes. It took me a year and a half to save enough for this specialization. And now, after the divorce, I'll have nothing left!"

"Don't say that!" Brenda burst out, her voice thick with emotion as she saw her friend so broken. "That's why you studied so hard, Nicole! Isn't that right?" She gripped Nicole's shoulders firmly. "You did it to become an independent, empowered woman, so start acting like one!"

Nicole blinked, caught off guard; Brenda had never yelled at her like that before.

"Listen to me, Nicole Matthew," Brenda said, her tone unwavering. "You are done begging that jerk Walter for anything, and you will not keep humiliating yourself for him. That idiot doesn't realize the incredible woman he's losing. Got it?" Nicole could only nod, tears brimming in her eyes. At that moment, thinking for herself felt impossible. "You're going to sign those damn divorce papers, and then you'll demand a managerial position at the company. They can't deny you that—it's still your family's business, even if you're divorced. You'll work your way up and become exactly what you've always wanted to be—a beautiful, independent woman. You'll save your mother. Just watch—Walter will see the mistake he made." Brenda ended with a mischievous glint in her eye.

"What?" Nicole stared at her, bewildered.

"You're not going to let him get away with this," Brenda insisted. "You need to make him see that he's the one losing out."

"No... I don't understand..." Nicole murmured, her brow furrowing.

"We'll turn you into an absolute diva," Brenda declared. "Your soon-to-be ex-husband will be green with regret the moment he sees you with another man. That'll be your revenge..."

"With... with another man?" Nicole stammered, even more confused. "What man?"

"A real man," Brenda said with a smirk. "Someone gorgeous, powerful, the kind of arrogant brute who turns heads when he walks in a room. Just wait—Walter will regret ever letting you go. And if we have to, we'll hire you a fake boyfriend." Brenda's mischievous grin grew wider.

...

Nicole shifted restlessly in her seat, glancing toward the bar's entrance every few minutes. She still couldn't quite figure out how she'd let Brenda talk her into this.

"Nicole, enough already—stop fidgeting! You're making me anxious," Brenda complained, her patience thinning.

"I can't do this, Brenda. I really can't..." Nicole muttered, stealing another nervous look at the door.

"Of course you can!" Brenda insisted. "Come on, it'll be fun. It's a shame I won't be there, but just picturing it..." She grinned to herself, clearly entertained by the thought.

"I don't want to," Nicole admitted, dropping her gaze. "I'm not someone who takes revenge. That's just not who I am..."

"Don't think of it as revenge. It's nothing serious, Nicole..." Brenda replied, pausing as she considered how best to ease her friend's worries. "Just treat it as a harmless little joke. Aren't you at least curious? Wouldn't you like to see how your husband reacts?"

"I... well... maybe I am curious," Nicole admitted, cheeks reddening. The idea of Walter being even a little jealous felt oddly thrilling, even if it seemed impossible.

"Then it's settled!" Brenda declared.

"Wait... Tell me something," Nicole said, leaning closer. "How did you find this man so quickly?"

"Let's just say..." Brenda shrugged, feigning innocence. "I'm an independent woman who isn't interested in falling in love, but I do like to spoil myself with a handsome man every now and then."

"Brenda!" Nicole gasped, scandalized, her entire face burning with embarrassment.

"Okay, okay, I'm kidding," Brenda said, laughing. "Honestly, I just searched online. It was easy..." She checked her watch and her eyes went wide. "Oh my God, look at the time!" She suddenly jumped off her stool.

"What? What is it?" Nicole asked, completely bewildered.

"It's late, I have an appointment, and that man still hasn't shown up. Ugh—how irresponsible!" Brenda grumbled, stamping her foot in frustration.

"What? You have to leave?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Then... I'll go with you," Nicole offered, starting to rise, but Brenda stopped her with a firm hand.

"No way. You're staying right here and waiting for him. I'm messaging the agency now; he'll be here any minute," Brenda explained, tapping quickly on her phone. She fished a thick envelope from her purse and pressed it into Nicole's hand. "Here, this should cover everything—just don't pay him all at once."

"So much... there's so much money in here! I can't take this, Brenda. How could I ever repay you?" Nicole stammered, scandalized, trying to give the envelope back to her friend.

"Relax, Nicole..." Brenda said warmly, squeezing her shoulder. "You can pay me back by telling me all the juicy details—or, better yet, when you're running the company better than your future ex-husband ever did, you can return the favor then." With a playful wink, Brenda turned and started toward the door.

"Brenda—wait!" Nicole called out, her voice edged with nerves. Brenda turned back, expectant. "I... How am I supposed to recognize him? I've never even seen him before..."

Brenda's eyes sparkled with mischief. "When the tallest, most muscular, and downright attractive man in the entire bar walks in. You'll know."