~Elena's POV~

"Mrs Fox, you have an emergency here at home," Nora announced over the phone. "Please, ma'am, you need to get here as fast as you can".

My heart skipped a bit, then I asked, "What is the emergency, Nora?" There was silence over the phone. "Nora! Nora! Can you hear me? What is going on?".

After a few seconds, she finally broke the silence. "Mrs Fox, I'm sorry but this is not something to discuss over a phone call," she said, "it is something urgent that needs your urgent attention immediately ".

I was beginning to feel tense, so I grabbed my bag and car keys from the office desk. I dashed out of the office and almost bashed Mia, my office assistant. She was approaching my office with some documents I had asked for earlier.

"I'm sorry, Mrs Fox, I didn't see you coming," Mia said as she quickly moved aside. "Are you heading out, ma'am? What about the documents you asked me to bring to your office?"

"Put it on my desk, I will attend to it when I get back," I instructed Mia while walking away from her. "I have an emergency to attend to at home".

***

I parked the car and grabbed my bag, my heartbeat thumped fast as I approached my house entrance. I noticed everywhere was quiet, and I looked around to see if I could spot anything out of the ordinary.

This was unlike Nora to have called me in such a manner. I became terrified, 'What kind of emergency could make Nora call me out from work this afternoon?' I muttered silently to myself.

Just yesterday, I found out my husband was cheating on me, and I'm yet to set my eyes on him since yesterday. And now this.

I grabbed the door by the handle, and it was slightly open, so I walked into the living room in anticipation of encountering the unknown. Everywhere was dark and silent, and I was confused at the same time because I didn't understand what was going on.

"Surprise!" I heard the voice of many yells at the same time as the lights came on. I felt a cold sensation through my body as I flinched in retaliation. Nora and a few of my friends stood in front of me. There were balloons and red petals all over the floor with a nicely decorated cake and champagne all around it, on the center table of my living room.

I widened my brows with my lips slightly parted. I was speechless and at the same time trying to recover from the shock. Then I asked them, "Did you guys do this?".

"Yes, my love, we did it for you," Olivia answered with a bright smile on her face, showing how excited she was to see me surprised. "I'm so sorry I missed your anniversary yesterday. So I, Debbie, and Natasha, with the help of Nora, planned this surprise package for you".

I turned to face Nora, standing in the corner. "Was this the 'urgent something that needed urgent attention'?" I asked with a pleasant smile on my face, "You got me scared. I won't lie, you got me there".

"Yes, ma'am, it's something urgent that needs your urgent attention," Nora responded. "I'm sorry, but I had to make it look real so we could get your attention".

I felt heartwarmed and said, "This is great, and I'm so happy to see you all here today." I held both hands to my chest.

"Happy fifth anniversary," Debbie chorused.

"Thank you all, I appreciate this." I stretched out both hands wide to receive a huge hug from them.

"This calls for celebration," Natasha announced as she popped the bottle of champagne and poured it into various glass cups. She handed everyone a glass each and said, "Cheers, everyone".

I can't believe they went this far just for me. My friends have always been supportive in every way, but I least expected this. It was as if they knew I needed a distraction from yesterday night's discovery. I went to work looking unhappy, thinking of how to handle what I saw last night.

"Mrs Fox, lunch is ready and served," Nora divulged

"Okay, thank you, Nora." My friends departed for lunch.

After having lunch with my companions at the dining table, Natasha received a call and had to leave. While I sat to watch a movie with Olivia and Debbie.

"Where is Alex? I have not seen him around," Olivia announced

"Yes, Lena, where is your husband? You both are supposed to take the week off from work to celebrate your anniversary," Debbie commented.

I didn't know what to say at this point, I didn't know how to explain to them that Alex has not come home since yesterday, and he has been emotionally distant lately, so I stared at them as tears rolled down my cheeks. It was obvious I was going through hell with Alex.

"I don't know where Alex is," I divulged, "he has not been home since yesterday".

"What do you mean he's not been home since yesterday?" Olivia queried, "I hope he is not seeing another woman?"

"No, Alex loves me so much and can not cheat on me," I responded. I knew if I disclosed all that I saw on my phone last night, they'd go crazy. "Please let's change the topic and talk about something else".

So we discussed other things.

*** A few hours later***

Alex walked in a few minutes after I showered and was ready to retire for the night. He had a briefcase in his hands, looking so exhausted.

"Alex, where have you been, and why did you come home this late?" I questioned him, not minding that he looked like someone who needed to rest. "Didn't you get any of my calls or text messages?".

"What makes you think I need to answer that question?" He dropped his briefcase and sat on the bedroom sofa to pull off his shoes. "Elena, as you can see, I'm exhausted and I need to rest".

"We need to talk, Alex," I demanded

"Talk about what exactly?" He asked, "I'm not in the mood to talk now." He pulled off his wristwatch.

"Who is the lady you were with last night?" I queried as I flashed my phone screen to his face, revealing the pictures of him and a younger woman checking into a hotel.

"What is the meaning of this, Elena?" he stared at the phone screen with narrowed brows, then shifted his gaze towards "Are you stalking me?".

"That is not the answer to my question, Alex," I declared. "I can't believe you stooped so low, cheating with a cheap slut".

"Enough, Elena!" He declared, "How dare you call her a cheap slut? At least that cheap slut is more fertile than you are".

I gulped hard on hearing those words from Alex. I tried to digest them as they echoed in my mind. Did he just use those hurtful words on me? And he still has the guts to defend her right in front of me. That's uncalled for.

"Just so you know, her name is Riley, and she is carrying my baby. So I'm going to be a father soon," he divulged, "she has given me what you could not. A baby."

My heart skipped on hearing his revelation 'Did he say she's pregnant for him' I mused and was dumbfounded, staring at him, uttering those words to me. Tears flowed down my face, and I was deeply hurt.

"You know what? I have been seeking a better time to give you this, and I think now is the time. There is no point delaying the inevitable," he said, as he opened his briefcase and handed me a document, "sign it".

I looked at the documents with widened brows and rounded lips. I couldn't believe my eyes, 'Am I dreaming? Is this not a divorce agreement?' I muttered silently.

~ELENA'S POV~

"You know what– I have been seeking a better time to give you this, and I think now is the time. There is no point delaying the inevitable," he said, as he opened his briefcase and handed me a document, "sign it".

I looked at the documents with widened brows and rounded lips. I couldn't believe my eyes, 'Am I dreaming? Is this not a divorce agreement?' I muttered silently.

Tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at the papers and gazed at Alex standing in front of me. I was lost in deep thoughts to myself and couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

Has he been planning this all along? To divorce me and marry a younger woman? So, this lady has been the reason Alex has been so distant and cold towards me' I silently said to myself.

"I won't sign it" I slammed the papers against the table while staring into his eyes. "I can't believe you did this to me. After everything we have been through over the years".

I was so emotionally shattered and didn't bother to go through the contents of the divorce agreement, I wasn't going to sign it anyway. Besides, I'm not ready to give up my marriage for a younger woman.

Alex and I have gone for medical check-ups, and the doctor confirmed we are medically okay, so how is it my fault we couldn't have babies of our own? Why has nature decided to punish me in this way?

"You dare not!" He thundered, while choking my neck against the wall, with a furious look on his face, "I have been through nothing but pain with you all through the years. I'm done going through unnecessary pain all because of your inability to give me a child".

"Let me go, Alex, you're hurting me," I announced in a faint tone. I tried to free myself from his grip as I couldn't breathe.

"Then sign the divorce papers," he declared and pulled away from me. He bagged out of the room.

***

The next morning, I woke up to loud echoes of my phone ringing. I checked, it was a call from Mark Wilson, the hospital doctor.

"Good morning, Mrs Fox, I am calling you from Medstar Washington Hospital Center. I would like to inform you that your mother, Mrs Frost, is awake and your presence is needed at the hospital right away," the doctor revealed.

"Oh my god– really!?" I jumped out of bed into the shower. "I'll be with you shortly".

***An hour later***

I walked into the doctor's office, and he was sitting behind a desk, writing on a sheet of paper with a computer in front of him.

"Good morning, Doctor Mark," I stretched out my arm for a handshake.

"Good morning, Mrs Fox," he also stretched out his arm and shook my hand. "Please have a seat."

"I got a call from the hospital this morning, stating that my Mom was awake. So, I rushed down here to see how she was doing," I reported.

"Yes, Mrs Fox, your mother woke up from her coma earlier this morning, but she's not fully conscious as we speak," the doctor announced

I cried upon hearing the news. I might have failed in my marriage, but at least my mother is alive and well. "Thank you! Thank you! This is good news, Doctor Mark".

"You're welcome, Mrs Fox, but there's just one problem, though," the doctor divulged.

"What is it?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Your mother needs a refill on her medications, and your husband has not paid for her medical bills in the past three months. He said he won't. He said he needs to talk to you first," the doctor revealed.

I quivered as I felt a cold sensation run through my spine the moment I heard those words from the doctor 'Alex has not paid for the past three months? How could he do that to my mom?' I pondered.

"Really? He said that?" I queried, "How come you never told me about it, not until now?

"Each time I reminded him, Mr Alex promised to pay, and specifically instructed us not to tell you," the doctor disclosed.

I gulped hard as my heartbeat increased. 'What has Alex been doing with the money allocated for my mom's medical bills?. Is this part of his plans to punish me for not giving him a child?' I thought to myself.

Alex and I owned a jewelry company together, though it was his money, but we co–managed the business together. He was the CEO, and I was the design director. I owned shares in the company as his legal wife and Co–co-business owner. We had an agreement to pay my mother's medical bills with my profit shares. So, where is the money now?.

"Okay, fine, I'll talk to him about it and get back to you, I promise." I pronounced, "Can I at least see my mom now?"

"Yes, of course, Mrs Fox," the doctor said, "and I'll look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible. Most importantly, your mother needs you for her healing".

"Thank you, Doctor Mark, I'll take my leave now." I grabbed my bag and headed out of the doctor's office to see my Mom in her hospital bed.

After seeing my mother at the hospital, I picked up my phone and dialed Alex's number.

"Why didn't you pay my mom's hospital bills?" I asked

"I was going to pay, but it skipped my mind," Alex answered. "I'll pay if you agree to sign the divorce papers today. Where are you right now?. Come to the office right away."

I know how much I hate to do this, but at this point I don't have any options, because my mother's life was at stake. And I'm ready to do anything to make sure she is okay.

****

I walked into the office and I saw Alex and his mother, Renee Fox, sitting in the office. The divorce papers were right on the desk. He handed me the papers and a pen to sign. I examined the divorce agreement.

I narrowed my brows. "You're taking back my shares?" I clarified

"Remember, I funded the company," Alex explicated. "I gave you the shares, and I have the right to take them back, as part of the divorce settlement. You'll receive a million-dollar payment, and I'll pay your mother's hospital bills to the current date."

I know I didn't contribute financially to fund the company, but I put in my blood, sweat and time to see the company move forward.

I grimaced when I noticed another term on the contract: You want me to give up claims to my previous designs? You know very well they are my designs?".

"You are an employee in the company, so everything you do in the company belongs to the company," Alex rectified. "Aside from that, you'll be dismissed, Elena".

"We both know that we can't work together in our situation," Alex elaborated. "Think about it, Elena, we will have nothing to do with each other, I'll move on, and you should move on with your life also."

I took a deep breath, 'It hurts,' I mused. No matter how much I think about it, I know Alex was right. There was no point delaying the inevitable, so I signed my name and the other copies of the contract as tears rolled down my cheek.

I shifted my gaze towards Alex with narrowed brows. "I regret ever having anything to do with you, I hate you and never want anything to do with you again".

I noticed the look of shock on his face as I dashed out of his office. I went straight to see my best friend, Olivia. The moment I walked in, she knew something was wrong. So, I explained all that happened between Alex and me. She consoled me and tried to make me stop crying.

"Baby girl, you don't look so good right now," Olivia said. "I understand how hurting this could be, but I can't allow you to continue like this. I have suggestions to lighten your mood and make you forget about today."

"What do you suggest?" I enquired

"Let's go to the club and have a new experience of life," She proposed. "Lena, remember you're no longer married and free now."

"Liv, I don't think that's a good idea," I declined

"Girl I wasn't asking," she declared, "get your ass off the bed and go into the shower."

*** A few hours later***

I wasn't interested in Olivia's idea of going to the club at first, because I wasn't the clubbing type. At the same time, I needed some distractions to put me out of my misery. So I followed with her idea.

We got to the club, and there was so much noise and dancing. Even with the noise and crowd surrounding me, I couldn't get my mind off the pain and heartbreak I felt inside of me.

"Lena, our order is taking longer than expected. I guess I'll have to go get it myself," Olivia announced

"Okay, that's fine, Liv," I agreed

I felt twitching in my bladder, making me uncomfortable. I figured I needed to use the restroom.

The bass thumped through the floor, pulsing up my feet as I slipped through the crowd. Strobe light painted the surroundings in flashes of red and electric blue.

After I was done making use of the restroom. I pushed open the restroom door lock. I sighed and rested my head against the wall, causing my eyes to drift shut.

"Elena, you'll be fine," I reassured myself silently.

I turned around, stepping into the chaos as I moved past grinding bodies and raised glasses. My heels twisted slightly, causing me to lose balance. And I was about to crash against the floor when I felt a strong embrace out of nowhere.

"Whoa– careful there," a deep voice said, grasping me by the arm.

I looked up, winking against the flickering lights.

To my greatest surprise, he had a walking stick in one hand and was able to grab me with the other hand before I could fall to the ground. He was tall, with dark hair, a broad chest, strong arms and an easy confidence in the way he stood, like the room moved around him and not the other way round.

"I'm– sorry, my heels–" I stuttered, stroking a lock of hair behind my ears, my face burned. I didn't like how my voice trembled at small moments.

"Are you okay now?" He said with a smirk on his face.

"Yes, I'm fine," I rubbed my palms against my neck.

"I'm Max," he said

I hesitated, then lifted my chin, "Elena".

~ELENA'S POV~

"I'm Max," he offered.

I hesitated, then lifted my chin, "Elena".

"Elena," he repeated, as if trying it out.

"Well, Elena," he said, stepping aside and motioning towards the hallway, "I'm guessing you are headed somewhere before your little accident".

"Oh yeah, just trying to get back to my table," I answered with a faint smile.

"Okay, well, say hello to fate for me," he smirked.

"Who is fate?" I inquired with narrowed brows.

He leaned in tenuously, voice low and coltishly. "She just swept you off your feet so you could fall into my arms," he replied while grinning.

Eyes rolled, but couldn't fight the curves of my lips, "that was cheesy".

For the first time all night, I didn't feel invisible.

"Maybe. But effective," he said, raising a brow, "did you come here alone?".

"No, I came here with a friend of mine," I answered, pointing my index finger backward. "She must be waiting for me as we speak, so I'd better get going before she comes to find me".

"Do you mind if I join you at your table?" he proposed. "I came here all alone, and I would like company".

Of course. Besides, he's the reason I felt a little better, and he was good-looking. No girl in her right senses would say no to such a good-looking man, and most importantly, I came here to be distracted from my trauma, so anything to achieve that works for me.

"Yes, that'll be fine," I declared. I left, and he followed behind.

I moved through the mobbed club, Max following closely behind me. The music pulsates every inch of my body, swaying bodies, frolicking flashes like distant lightning. I didn't look back, but I could feel his eyes fixed on me.

"There she is," I announced, sliding into my seat. Olivia was near our table, dancing with a stranger whose shirt sparkled under the lights. I emailed faintly and looked at Max, "I guess she is busy".

"I can see that," he responded, while settling opposite me on the other side of the table. He signalled the waiter, "drinks on me".

"I want two glasses of whiskey," he ordered.

"Two glasses of whiskey coming right up," the waiter disclosed.

"So," he began, staring closely at me as he handed me my glass of whiskey, "what do you do outside all of these?".

"I'm a jewelry designer," I gulped hard, the liquor burned down through my throat.

"That sounds... unique," he complimented, raising both brows.

"Yeah. Unfortunately, I have spent the last few years putting beautiful things together while the rest of my life was falling apart." I held onto my glass of whiskey, staring closely at it.

He didn't respond right away, he stared closely at me, studying every part of my body he could view. The look in his eyes wasn't describing pity but interest, presence– Like he wasn't waiting to talk but to hear me out.

"Sounds like there is a story to it," he said, putting down his glass of whiskey.

"There is," I replied with our eyes locked into each other.

"Would you like to share?" he inquired in a soft and mild tone. "I'm a good listener".

I was hesitant initially, but I was beginning to feel comfortable around Max and needed to lift the pain off my chest. Olivia was having a fun night and I wouldn't want to ruin it for her.

"I can't believe Alex would divorce me and also humiliate me publicly, after being married for five years now. As if that is not enough, he took my company shares and rights to my designs away from me." I felt my heart constricting as I explained, I turned my gaze away from his direction, tears flowed down my cheeks."He refused to pay my mother's hospital bills till I signed the divorce papers. How could a man be so cold and heartless?"

I had an emotional breakdown and told Max everything that happened between Alex and me, though it wasn't intentional, but at the time, it seemed like what I needed to do. He said encouraging words to lift my spirit.

"I'm sorry about everything. You're a very good woman, he doesn't deserve you, and clearly, wasn't worth your tears." He consoled me and handed me a handkerchief.

"Come on, cheer up– have you met you? Your smile glitters and your beauty is an imagination," he complimented. I smiled as I wiped my face

"Dance with me?" he offered with one hand stretched towards me.

I hesitated and took a deep breath, then I stood up, leaving the rest of my whiskey behind.

We danced for a while and had a couple of drinks together, then he asked, "Do you want to go somewhere private, like my hotel room?"

I looked up at him, eyes glassy but hazy, "yes".

Moments later, we arrived at Max's hotel room. I was tipsy and hazy at the same time. I noticed Max was on a phone call when we entered the hotel room. He finished the call and dropped the phone on the table, then turned around to see me standing right in front of him.

Our gaze locked into each other, I subconsciously leaned in closer, lifted off my chin with my hands wrapped around his face and embraced his lips with mine. He tried to pull off immediately, but I begged him not to stop, so we continued kissing. Soon we were on the bed with me sitting on his member when I pulled off my clothes as we kept on kissing.

I felt a bonny under his pants as we continued to pull off everything material on our bodies till we were completely naked. He grabbed me and rolled me over, causing me to be underneath. I felt his thick and long member thrust in and out of my rose; it felt so good. We ended up spending the night together in the same bedroom.

****

The next morning, I woke up in Max's hotel room. Sunlight spilled into the room through floor-to-ceiling windows, washing the space in a warm, golden hush. I sat up slowly, my muscles sore in the most intimate way. I observed the room–modern, clean lines, everything curated and especially not trying too hard. Not flashy. Just powerful.

For a brief moment, I forgot, then it all came rushing back. The club, the dancing, the sex. Max. I was caught in a deep reflection of last night when the bedroom door opened with a gentle click. Max walked in with two cups of coffee.

"Good morning sunshine," he handed me one cup of coffee, then sat back and watched me closely as silence encroached the atmosphere.

He sat across from me, sipping his coffee. "I know you have questions," he said.

"Yes, I do. Starting with Who the hell are you?" I inquired, and I sipped on my cup of coffee

"I'm Max Dickson, the eldest son of Dickson's family," he revealed.

I blinked, my fingers tightening around the cup. "You're that Max Dickson? The one and only?".

Max is the eldest son of the Dickson family. One of the wealthiest families in Washington, D.C.

"Yes, I am," he confirmed

"What was last night to you?" I asked while stroking a lock of hair behind my ear.

He paused, thoughtful. "It was honest."

I didn't respond at first, and I gulped hard. "I felt safe," I admitted, surprisingly.

"Good," he said. "I'm very sorry about everything that happened between you and Alex, but I can help you get back the rights to your designs and even a better jewelry company of your own, which will thrive with my support. I will also take care of everything you need, including paying your mother's hospital bills and ensuring her recovery. Lastly, I'll help you get justice for all that Alex has done to you. But on one condition."

"Really? You'll do all that for me?" My eyes narrowed with curiosity written all over my face, "What condition?"

"A contract marriage," he said without hesitation.

I froze, staring at him. "Excuse me?".

He leaned forward with his elbows resting on his knees and said, "I want us to get married legally, publicly. But with an agreement. One year. Strictly business"

I stared at him, not knowing whether to talk or walk out. "You don't even know me," I exclaimed.

"I know enough," he said mildly, "I know you were publicly humiliated. I know you're a brilliant designer. And I know that whatever happened between you and your ex, Alex, doesn't define you".

My breath caught, and I looked straight into his eyes. "Why would you do all that for a lady you met last night?" I asked

"Because you're worth investing in. My grandfather has been pressuring me to get married. You don't need to know the full details, but what I'm saying is that getting married is beneficial to me in many ways." He explained and then asked, "So Elena, what do you think?"

I looked away, my heartbeat thumped faster as I thought silently. It's too early to be in another marriage, although it made a strange kind of sense. What do I have left to lose after all?

I was deep in thought when my phone rang. It was Dr. Mark on the phone, and I picked up.

"Mrs Fox, your attention is needed urgently at the hospital; your mother had a cardiac arrest," the doctor divulged.