After Divorce, I became the untouchable Tycoon's sweetheart.

(Lydia's POV)

I stood behind the staircase like a ghost in my own home, watching my husband carry another woman in his arms as if she were made of glass.

He was taking her to the hospital again for the fourth time in a week... All for an injury she inflicted on herself just to spite me.

I could never for the life of me understand why someone would deliberately hurt themselves just to set their plans in motion.

“Nora, it’s alright,” he murmured softly.

"I’m right here.”

My fingers gripped the railing so tightly I could feel blood draining from them but I didn’t let go, the pain kept me from falling apart completely.

She was practically clinging to him, her arms looped around his neck, her body pressed so intimately against his chest it made my stomach twist violently.

“It hurts…” she whispered weakly, her voice trembling as she buried her face deeper into his shoulder. “Donald, it hurts so much…”

“I’ve got you,” he said immediately. “I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

That’s when he finally glanced at me, and even then, the irritation in his eyes was unmistakable.

"Are you happy now? Nora is in so much pain because of you."

My throat tightened, but I forced myself to take a step forward. “Donald… I need to talk to you.” I blurted, ignoring his accusations.

He frowned slightly, clearly irritated. "Really? Now of all times? Do you even feel a pinch of remorse for what you did?"

I swallowed hard, my fingers curling into the fabric of my dress. "For the last time, Donald, I didn't do anything to her." I gritted angrily. "I just need a minute please, it's important."

His expression hardened almost instantly. “Important?” he repeated. “Lydia, whatever it is, it can wait. Nora’s health comes first.”

“Donald…” Nora whispered weakly again, her fingers tightening in his shirt. “Please… I feel like I’m going to pass out…”

“I’m here,” he soothed immediately. " We’re leaving right now.”

I almost laughed, because how does he keep falling for this? Nora was totally faking and it was so obvious, well, except to him.

“You know what? just sign this then,” I said quickly, my voice trembling despite my effort to keep it steady.

He drew out a frustrated breath. “What is it?” he asked, frowning as he tried to adjust Nora with one arm and reach for the papers with the other.

“It’s…” My voice caught.

Say it Lydia, tell him these are divorce papers, end of our marriage; but the words refused to come out.

“It’s important,” I said instead, forcing a weak smile. “Just… read it and sign.”

He let out an impatient sigh, glancing down at the papers; and for a moment... just a moment, I thought he might actually read it.

That maybe this would turn into a conversation, or even an argument, then he'll ask for forgiveness for how shitty he's treated me since Nora's return, maybe the divorce wouldn't have to happen.

I exhaled deeply in relief as he began to pull the paper out of the envelope then…

“Donald…” Nora whimpered suddenly, clutching him tighter, her face contorting in fake pain. “It hurts…”

That was all it took, his attention snapped back to her instantly.

He didn’t even look at me again, and without another word, he scribbled his signature across the paper. Like it meant nothing, and then threw it at me.

“Here,” he said dismissively. “It’s signed. Whatever it is, since it seems more important to you than Nora’s health even though you caused her this pain, when did you become so evil?”

The papers hit my chest before fluttering to the floor. I didn’t move to pick them up, I couldn’t.

I just stood there, staring at him.

At the man I had loved all my life, the man I had married; he just ended our marriage without even realizing it.

“Let’s go,” he said, already turning away, and as he walked past me, she looked at me, just for a second and there it was... That smug smirk.

She won.

---

(Two weeks before the divorce)

My stomach fluttered in excitement as I pulled out the lingerie from my wardrobe.

Tonight is supposed to be different, it has to be.

Because it was our anniversary; three years of marriage.

Three years of loving a man who had never truly belonged to me.

And yet… I tried.

God, I tried, and I'm still trying; maybe one day he'll realize just how much I love him and he'll make things right between us.

With trembling hands, I pulled the lingerie over my body, my fingers tracing the delicate fabric hugging my body; this is something I would never wear before but what choice does a woman trying to save her dying marriage have?

I walked back to the living room hoping to surprise him the moment he enters; I laid on the couch, my body angled just right, one arm resting casually, the other brushing lightly against my thigh as I tried to look sexy.

Slowly, the seconds began to drag by; afternoon turned to evening and yet, he wasn't home.

“He’s probably just busy…” I whispered, trying to soothe myself.

I shifted slightly, my body beginning to ache from staying in the same position for too long, still, I didn’t move because if I did… it would mean I had given up.

And I wasn’t ready to do that.

Hours passed, at some point, my eyelids grew heavy, my head leaned against the armrest, I was slowly dozing off.

Maybe just a little rest, just until he gets back

..

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway snapped me awake.

My eyes flew open, my heart racing wildly. “He’s here.”

All the exhaustion vanished instantly, replaced by nervousness.

I sat up quickly, smoothing my hair, adjusting the dress against my skin.

This was it.

I stood up just as the front door opened and smiled widely. "Happy anni...."

The word died on my lips.

Because he wasn’t alone.

My body froze as my eyes landed on the woman beside him.

A beautiful woman, effortlessly beautiful.

Ofcourse it was Nora...

His childhood love, they'd been together for years and even planning marriage, then she ran off with another man.

Donald got married to me a few months after, and I thought I had won, but it was the beginning of my misery... I've heard her name everyday for the past three years, in his sleep and even during sex.

Nora returned to town a few months ago and you'd think Donald would be furious at her, but I've never seen him happier; it was like she never left at all.

I guess this is my reality now.

Heat rushed to my face as I instinctively crossed my arms over my chest, trying to cover my almost naked body.

But it was too late, she had already seen me.

“Oh my…” Nora let out a small laugh. “Donald… is this what you’ve been waking up to for the past three years?”

Her gaze swept over me slowly. “I’m so sorry,” she continued, shaking her head with sympathy. “If I had known, I might have reconsidered leaving in the first place.”

Her words hit me hard against the ear, and Donald? He didn't make any attempt to caution her or defend me.

“Donald…” I whispered, my voice trembling despite my effort to steady it. “Can we talk?”

He finally looked at me properly then, his gaze flickered over my appearance briefly before his expression hardened.

“What are you wearing?” he asked, seemingly disgusted and that stung more than it should have.

“I…” My fingers tightened against my arms. “I dressed up for you.”

“Today is our anniversary,” I added softly. “I thought… we could spend some time together. As husband and wife.”

Nora laughed. “Oh, sweetheart,” she said, her tone dripping with mock pity. “There isn’t enough lingerie in the world to make that body appealing.”

I looked at Donald, hoping that he'd say something to her, defend me just this once.

But he didn’t, instead, he exhaled in clear irritation. “Lydia, go upstairs and change,” he said flatly. “This isn’t appealing.”

The words hit me like a slap. “not appealing…?” I repeated faintly.

“I’m tired,” he continued, like I hadn’t spoken. “I don’t have the energy for this tonight.”

“This?” My voice cracked slightly. “Donald, I’ve been waiting for you since afternoon..."

“I said I’m tired.” he was almost yelling now.

My throat burned as I struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill.

“I did this for you…” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

But he had already turned away, walking past me and Nora followed.

But not before pausing just beside me, close enough for her whisper to reach only my ears.

"You'll always be his second choice, stop making a fool of yourself."

Then she pulled back, her expression innocent again as she slipped her arm through his.

“Goodnight, Lydia,” she said sweetly as the door to our bedroom closed behind them.

He'd taken her into our bedroom... How long will this continue?