Chapter 4: Divorce, Deception & A Surprising Twist

Sophia's POV

The moment the news breaks, my phone becomes a war zone of calls, texts, and notifications. Headlines splash across every business and gossip site: Sophia Mitchell and Nathan Carter’s Bitter Divorce! Infidelity, Betrayal, and Millions at Stake! Nathan Carter Speaks Out—The Truth About His Marriage! I scroll through the articles, my jaw clenching with every word. Nathan has played his part well—painting himself as the heartbroken husband blindsided by my “unreasonable demands” and “emotional instability.”

I expected this. I knew he would try to control the narrative, twisting the truth until he emerged as the victim. What I didn’t expect was the extent of his deception. He’s given exclusive interviews, shedding crocodile tears about how “he tried everything to save our marriage” while subtly implying that I was the one who strayed. The worst part? Chloe is right there by his side, playing the doting, supportive girlfriend.

I slam my phone onto the table, my nails digging into my palms. If Nathan thinks I’ll let him walk away from this unscathed, he’s sorely mistaken. He wanted a war? He just got one.

---

The courtroom is cold, but my fury keeps me warm.

Nathan sits across from me, wearing his best concerned businessman expression. His lawyer drones on about how our marriage “simply fell apart” and that Nathan is graciously offering a settlement despite my “unrealistic financial demands.” I almost laugh at the audacity.

Then my lawyer stands, his voice calm but laced with quiet confidence. “Your Honor, we have new evidence to present.”

Nathan stiffens, shifting in his seat. I catch the quick glance he shoots toward his lawyer, a flicker of panic in his eyes. Good. He should be afraid.

The evidence is handed to the judge—bank statements, shell company records, off-the-books transactions. Nathan’s been siphoning money from our joint accounts for months, funneling it into secret investments under Chloe’s name. The betrayal stings afresh, but I keep my face neutral, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me break.

The judge skims the documents, then levels Nathan with a sharp look. “Mr. Carter, can you explain these discrepancies?”

Nathan opens his mouth, then closes it again. He knows he’s caught.

My lawyer continues, “My client is not only entitled to a fair share of the marital assets, but she is also requesting a full forensic audit of Mr. Carter’s financial dealings. Given the clear intent to conceal assets, we believe additional penalties should be considered.”

Nathan’s lawyer mutters something to him under his breath, but I already know what’s happening. They’re scrambling. Trying to contain the damage.

The final ruling is swift. The court grants me a substantial settlement, including a percentage of Nathan’s company shares. It’s not just a victory—it’s a warning shot.

As we leave the courtroom, Nathan finally catches up to me, his face a storm of anger and disbelief. “You just couldn’t let it go, could you?”

I turn to him, my expression ice-cold. “You should’ve thought of that before you betrayed me, Nathan.”

He scoffs. “You really think money is going to fix what happened?”

“No,” I say smoothly. “But ruining you just might.”

His jaw clenches, his hands balling into fists at his sides. Chloe appears then, looping her arm through his. “You’re pathetic, Sophia,” she sneers. “Still clinging to a man who doesn’t want you.”

I smile, slow and deliberate. “Oh, Chloe,” I murmur, stepping closer. “You really think you won, don’t you?”

Her smirk falters for half a second, but it’s enough. I turn away without another word, leaving them both standing there. They have no idea what’s coming next.

---

Revenge is a game of patience.

With my settlement secured, I move on to the next phase of my plan—taking Nathan’s empire apart from the inside. The shares I received in the divorce were a start, but not nearly enough. If I wanted real power, I needed more.

Enter my secret investor.

Through a series of quiet acquisitions, I begin buying up shares in Nathan’s tech company—small enough to go unnoticed, but significant enough to gain influence. My investor, a faceless entity created solely for this purpose, operates in the shadows, making calculated moves that tighten my grip on Nathan’s business.

It’s poetic, really. The same company he built while neglecting me, while lying to me, while cheating on me, will soon be mine.

And he won’t see it coming until it’s too late.

---

The invitation arrives unexpectedly—a corporate gala for the company’s top shareholders.

I almost decline. I prefer to operate in the background, letting my silent war unfold without direct confrontation. But when my lawyer mentions that my “business partner” will be in attendance, curiosity wins out.

Dressed in a sleek, backless black gown, I arrive at the venue with calculated confidence. The air is thick with money and power, conversations dripping with false pleasantries. Waiters glide through the crowd, refilling glasses of champagne. I scan the room, searching for the man I’ve yet to meet—the one who has been working with me to acquire shares.

Then I see him.

And my breath catches.

Alex Carter.

My one-night escape.

The man who made me forget—for a few stolen hours—the wreckage of my life.

He stands near the bar, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, the same quiet dominance radiating from him as it did that night. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the world shrinks down to just us. Shock flickers across his face before it vanishes, replaced by something unreadable.

I take a slow, deliberate step forward. He doesn’t move, watching me with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. When I finally reach him, I tilt my head, offering a cool smile. “Well,” I murmur, “this is unexpected.”

His lips twitch, but his gaze remains locked on mine. “I’d say so.”

The tension between us is electric, charged with unspoken questions. I don’t know what game fate is playing, but one thing is clear—Alex Carter isn’t just some stranger I had a one-night stand with.

He’s my new business partner.

And the war has just gotten a lot more complicated.

To be continued...