Bella's POV

"And yes, let's welcome to the show... BIG MAN!" The crowd live at the show screamed in cheers and jubilation as their favorite actor came into view to join the show.

"Awwwrn", I exclaimed in awe, my eyes glued to the TV as I watched the show electronically in the comfort of a five-star hotel where I was lodged.

Knock! Knock!

I shot my head at the door. "Who is there?" I queried, pressing the remote control to shut down the TV. There was no reply from the other end and I walked over to see for myself.

I saw a hotel attendant with a broad smile playing on her face and a bouquet of flowers in hand from the tiny security hole embedded in the door to my room. My face plunged into a skeptical frown.

I creaked the door open, curiosity getting the best of me. And with a swift movement, another hand snatched the flowers from the attendant, coming into view from the side of the door, that wasn't visible from the security hole.

A face I know too well, wearing a cute smile stood before me. Alex. How in God's name did he find me, and what was he doing here?

"Hey, babe," He greeted me with a wink, holding the flowers to my face as a loving husband.

He turned to the attendant, who was still smiling so happily like she was the one the expensive flowers belonged to. "Thanks. The surprise was a success". He told her, dragging her back from reverie. She nodded in agreement and walked away, leaving just Alex and me in the room.

I get it now. He had sought her help, pretending he wanted to surprise his wife cos he knew I wasn't going to open the door if he came in person. I snickered, somewhat impressed. Nice acting, Alex.

He flung the flowers across the room and started taking off his coat without a word. I became pissed. Why was he here in my space and still behaving like the boss? He just invaded my privacy and is silent like it's his right.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out, furious.

"What does it look like I'm doing? He questioned with raised brows, backlashing my question with another question. "I'm here to take my wife home of course".

I was stunned and opened my mouth to speak but he added swiftly. "Listen, I forgive you for going way overboard and sending that trash to my office. But I won't tolerate you bringing it up again!"

Oh great! He thinks I'm just fooling around with him? I made to laugh but covered my mouth and smiled instead, still battling to stifle my laugh.

He looked at me quizzically, and his facial expression all the more tickled me, and I roared in laughter, unable to suppress it anymore.

"What's funny?" His face turned red with rage, seeing I ignored him and laughed the more. "Can you just stop!?" His phone blared in his pocket and he retrieved it still not breaking his gaze. He cut the call without even confirming who the caller was.

"Get your things we are going back to the house now!" He ordered, slumping on the couch beside him, to wait while I packed. "Dad's memorial is tomorrow and you wouldn't want to miss it for anything. You owe him that as his only daughter-in-law".

It pained me that he was trying to use his father's memorial to get to me because he knew how much I respected the old man. The only person who didn't behave like the proud Hayes. Sometimes I wondered how a calm man like him got married to a woman like Mrs Caroline. A complete contrast.

"Is this a joke to you, Alex? Didn't you get the divorce papers? I AM DONE! I'm not going anywhere with you. We're getting a divorce!"

He sprang to his feet with a speed that could be likened to that of light. "And who said so?" He demanded, looking deep into my eyes.

My heart dropped to my stomach. What is this? For a moment none of us spoke as we played the staring game. I couldn't understand where all this resistance was coming from. Why wouldn't he let me go...why?

"Isn't that what you've always wanted? And besides, Linda is back, and you-"

"Linda doesn't change a thing". He cut me off. "You are my wife, Bella. And it's your name that sits signed and stamped on our marriage certificate, not Linda's".

His declaration caught me off guard. "So you know I'm your wife, Alex?" I asked, with a calm, soft voice. "Yet you allow your family to treat me like-" My words were trapped by the burn in my throat, caused by the emotional strain memories of my three years with the Hayes brought me. ".....a piece of shit" I added, forcing the words out.

"I'm done, Alex. I don't want to be a part of your life anymore. Just go away!" I said, turning to walk out on him but he gripped me by the hand.

"I make the rules here, Bella. You're not going anywhere until I say so!"

I yanked my hands free from his grip, my morale rising. I mean who the hell does he think he is to tell me that? Even in a situation like this, all he cared about was his ego.

"And who are you to tell me that? I walked into this damn marriage on my own because I loved you. I wanted to save your family's name from being dragged in the mold; that

the...."I threw my two hands up in a gesture of exaggeration. "...almighty Hayes were ditched on their son's wedding day. But what did I get nothing but rejection".

He looked at me unfazed. "I don't know what you're talking about Bella. You're not rejected and you've never...been rejected. It's just that you're too blind to see that Mother loves you. She only corrects you because she loves you". He paced around flickering his nose with impatience. "I mean what else do you want? I always take care of your needs. Every fucking thing you need, Bella!"

My eyes and brows narrowed instantly in anger. "I wanted more, Alex. Why was it so hard for you to be that husband who stands by me when your mum says those hurtful things to me that you claim to be corrections? The husband that comes back home and appreciates every single thing I do for him!"

For a moment he stared at me. Something in his eyes told me I had hit a spot in him. "I wanted you to look at me with love and not those cold, soul-piercing eyes of yours that take sleep away from my eyes. But you did none of those". Leaving him in his state of self-reflection, I walked over to the bed and sat down.

I sighed shakily, "The damage is already done and I don't need them anymore. Let's just get a div-"

"We are not.... getting a divorce! Be careful what you wish for, because if you walk out of this marriage, you are going to regret it!".

I sprang to my feet, determined to make things clear to him. "No. You are the one that's going to regret it".

"I am not sparing any of my properties to you, Bella. Just so you prepare your mind for life on the street".

I scoffed, "To hell with your money, Alex. I'm only leaving this marriage with what belongs to me. And all I need are my artworks".

He was taken aback, "Your what?" He asked, feigning deafness.

"You heard me. My crazy miserable arts are going with me, Alex!"

Alex's POV

I sat behind the wheel barely focusing on the road before me. My mind was a mess. What I saw back there scared me to my bones. I felt like there was an exchange somewhere because the Bella back there, with all the determination and audacity, was definitely not the one I married.

"You should have just calmed your fucking nerves down man!" I cursed under my breath, banging the steering for emphasis. I had messed it up again as always. I should have been gentle with her in my words and approach, but I let my emotions get in the way. Now did that solve the problem? I've only scared her the more, straightening her resolve to divorce me.

I drifted my eyes lazily to the side of the road as a sigh escaped my lips. I needed to do something, anything to keep Bella from leaving. Because if she did it was going to be a disaster for us.

Mother had always cursed Bella's artwork as unrealistic and worthless fantasized images. But the truth is, she has surreptitiously made billions from them weekly. Her fashion hub bloomed with greater recognition and fame after my marriage to Bella, because of them. She had extended it into a full-fledged gallery and made it a brand in her name, clearly taking the glory for Bella's sweat. Only the family was aware of this. And over the years our name reigned high and supreme. But now, she wanted them back. If Bella cut ties with us, the truth will be revealed to the world. Mother and even the entire family could be to be charged for pure impersonation!

I raked through my hair vigorously as if trying to shake off a solution that was tangled between the strands of hair. How am I even going to break the news to Mother?

I pulled up in the parking lot of an exotic spa. It was Friday, and of course, Mother and Sophia would be here for their weekly pedicure and manicure routine.

I headed for the VIP room where they were always attended to.

"....and yes that sluggish little brat of the Grey's family would know her place. Once I arrive at the ball with the latest edition she had searched for her entire life, she will know that the Hayes are not of their class!" I overheard Sophia titter meters away as I approached the VIP.

"The Grey's think-" Mother made to say but paused on sighting me.

"Oh! Look who we have here!" She exclaimed. She was seated, wearing a white robe with a glass of champagne in hand as her toes were meticulously messaged. Sophia who was seated at the other end, flashed me a smile.

"The most handsome man there is! Look at all the freshness of the Hayes you exude" She praised, playing along with dreamy eyes I would have mistaken for something else if she were not my sister.

They always did this no matter how many times I've been to this place and I'm not sure they were ever tired of it cos every damn thing they said was true. I was perfect. I'm a Hayes after all.

But today the energy was different. I simply paced around the room with my hands tucked into my pocket, not giving the affirmation or attention they needed. Their expression softened.

"What's wrong son?" Mother asked, with a concern etched face.

They both stared curiously at me, waiting for answers. Sophia's brows knitted together when an idea struck her, and she jerked her head backward. "Wait. Don't tell me you....you lost the billion-dollar contract with the L&B group!?" She asked wide-eyed as she retracted her legs from the grip of the attendant who was servicing her.

"It's not that" I mumbled. I stopped pacing and held the bridge of my nose with closed eyes. How am I going to say this?

"Whoosh!" Sophia exhaled with her hands resting relievedly on her chest. "Well, big brother..." She stood to her feet and grabbed her glass of champagne. "If that's not the problem, then there is no problem at all. We can talk about whatever later. I'll be back mum" She said, perking mother as she exited the room.

"Okay you're getting me nervous now, son. What is wrong? Talk to your mother". She queried. Seeing the attendants littered all over the place made it all the more difficult to say a word cos you never know the gossip mongers among them.

Mother sensed my hesitation and, with her eyes, urged them all out. "Can you talk now?"

"Bella wants a divorce!" The words jumped out.

Her eyes flickered with unbelieve. "Really?" She scoffed. "Don't tell me that's why you're so worked up".

My face folded in confusion. I didn't see this coming.

"Why wouldn't I be mum? It's my wife we are talking about here".

"That is not a problem. Listen, it's about time you let her go. She was never the right one for this family". She stated. "And besides Linda is back now". She added. I felt a burden in my heart weighing me down like I was going to drop from its weight any minute.

I always gave excuses for my mother's actions towards Bella, feigning it was mere corrections. But I knew better. She never held even the thinnest of affections for Bella.

No matter how mother felt, I still wanted Bella in my life. She had become a part of me these past years, and her leaving would create a huge vacuum in my life. And the truth is, Linda would never fit in. Not as a wife, nor in playing the role Bella was playing for the family.

Lost in my thoughts, mother's voice pierced through, sharp and venomous, "But come to think of it, that little tit-wit has grown wings, I see. Who told her she is the one to make such decisions for us?"

I dropped my shoulders, my frustration mounting. Mother was certainly not getting the point. This wasn't the time to apportion blame. I still need Bella. We need her. "Look, mum-"

"Your father's memorial is tomorrow, and I'm sure she won't miss it because she respected the old man. Don't sign the divorce papers yet." She ordered with an icy tone. Her eyes narrowed, "I want to see if she has the guts to look me in the face and talk about divorcing my son. She is not going to have the luxury of dumping us. We are the ones to do so and I will make sure she comes crawling and begging to be accepted again!"

Linda's POV

For what seemed like the hundredth time, I dialed Alex's number but it went straight to voicemail. A mix of anger and frustration swirled over me.

Why is he ignoring my calls? My nails crawled into my mouth, my teeth trapping them in a monstrous clamp.

I furrowed my brows, my mind racing. Alex would always be the one to call, to check up on me. If I did a deliberate accurate count, it should exceed seven times he called in a day while we were still dating. But since I returned, he barely called. Today, I had to force myself, when it passed mid-morning and I still didn't hear from him, to drop a beep across, hoping he would return it, but he didn't.

Was he now distracted because he was married to Bella? That good for nothing! I gnashed my teeth, so hard that I feared they would crack. Why was she always standing in my way? If only she hadn't interfered three years ago by getting married to Alex, my plans would have moved seven times ahead. But the next day after I ran from the States, her grand wedding to the formidable Hayes buzzed the internet non-stop, to my bewilderment.

Right from college, Bella has always loved Alex, from the very first day he came to El Camino as a transfer student. But despite his coldness and constant rejection towards her, I never thought even for a second that she had gone ahead to marry him at that dying minute.

I'd stuck to Alex initially because he was the only way for me to get close enough to the Hayes, to enable me execute my plans. But now he was married to Bella, I had to start all over again to gain his trust and get him to marry me instead before I strike with the intensity of light.

I clamped my hands together, my feet stamping the floor with persistence that reverberated with impatience, as I sat, perched at the edge of the bed. What do I do now? There is no way I'm letting anyone ruin it for me this time. Whether married or not, I don't give a fuck! I need to reunite with the true love of my life, who had also for this same purpose, married into a loveless and frost marriage with the Hayes, where he hides his true identity and is treated with disdain. Only my marriage to Alex can get this plan rolling for us. That is our turning point.

Something had to be done and on time too-Either Bella clears off the way, or I would have to help her do it!

I sprang to my feet and made for the wardrobe with a resolve. First, I need to make Alex fall for me again. I'm going to cling to him at all times, everywhere he goes, every damn thing he does, that all he sees is me. I'm going to make him fall so hard, that he will cut Bella off and make me his wife.

After what felt like an eternity, I arrived at the magnificent and sleek building of one of the top thriving companies in the country. The Stardom Empire, Alex's company. I pushed through the revolving doors, straight to his office on the 10th floor.

"Sorry ma'am. I can't let you in. Do you have an appointment with the CEO?" The voice of his secretary halted me. I had ignored her earlier when I alighted from the elevator, but she was fast enough to catch up with me just before I got into his office.

I replied with a scornful look that swept her frame, from top to bottom, feeling displeased that I had stopped for a poor thing like her. There was no use wasting my precious voice on someone who couldn't measure up to my status even till her fourth generation. Just a low class, scrambling around as a secretary, to make a living. Pathetic!

I turned on my heels and continued towards his office, reaching out to turn the door knob. Relentlessly, she still followed behind me. "Sorry ma. The CEO is not in. You can't be here".

I guess he must've heard her protest earlier because the next minute we had company. A man who I recognized as Alex's assistant joined us. He recognized me as well and bowed slightly in courtesy. He has been Alex's assistant for as long as I've known, and I am sure he was aware of everything concerning our relationship.

The office was empty and I almost reddened. "Where is Alex?" I inquired, my eyes dimming with weariness. After countless attempts to reach him on the phone, only to come all the way to his office, and he is not here too?

"He stepped out for a bit, ma". He replied.

I exhaled deeply. What do I do now? Thinking about heading home, already made my legs go numb.

"I'll wait in the office then. You two can go", I said in a tone of finality.

Tristan, his assistant made to protest that it was against their office whatever....but I shushed him, slamming the door in their faces. I sank into the chair, my mind dazed with thoughts on what to do next, as I glanced across his table halfheartedly.

Something clicked.

I caught sight of a file, tucked neatly under another, which appeared quite peculiar from the rest. I shoved it out curiously.

My eyes boomed when the revelation before me struck. "What? Divorce?" I exclaimed, my mouth agape from shock. My lazy bones seemed to receive newfound strength, and I sat up, flipping through the pages. I discovered Alex had not signed the agreement yet, but that did not steal the laugh of excitement that erupted from my lips. Were they getting a divorce already?

Heaven must certainly be on my side, cos how..... My plans were already moving faster than expected! I grabbed my bag hastily from where it sat on the desk and fumbled for my phone, to break the good news to the only person that mattered in my life. My love. For whom I had come this far. My desire to reunite with him was the only motivation I needed to keep pushing.

Adrenaline washed over me, and I found myself murmuring as I scrolled through my contacts in search of his number, "Soon baby. Very soon. You will be free from that sham of a marriage. We will be together again. We'll travel the world" I squeaked at the thought. Yes, soon the wealth of the Hayes will be ours, once Alex gets married to me. That was all that remained. I was going to get him to sign the divorce papers, and then all that awaited the Hayes was...DOOM!