Chapter 1

CHARLOTTE FLAIR

"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you my fiancée, Avery Gilbert!"

My husband's announcement hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me shocked and breathless.

I stood frozen in the crowd, my eyes fixed on Desmond's beaming face as he proudly introduced another woman as his fiancee.

I knew her— Avery Gilbert, daughter of one of the prominent billionaires in the country. 

My husband and her used to be in a relationship, but they broke up, and then he married me.

I might be his wife, but this woman was clearly the one he truly loved.

I felt a wave of insecurity wash over me as I stood there, watching the two of them, my hands clenched into fists and tears welling up in my eyes.

Six years of marriage, and he had never once looked at me the way he was looking at her now. 

Now that his true love was back, I wondered if I mattered to him anymore— I thought, worriedly, knowing that the feelings I had for him weren't going to fade easily. 

Six years ago, my husband had been drugged, and I had woken up beside him in his bed. Our parents had quickly arranged our marriage, and everything had happened so fast.

On our wedding night, he had said bluntly, "If you're expecting love from me, I don't have that to give you. However, I won't betray you, but know that this is a marriage of convenience."

I knew exactly what that meant— a business arrangement, nothing more.

I had agreed, knowing my dad would kill me if I refused.

He had made it clear— this is my only chance to connect with the Elliot's family and expand our family business. If you ruin this for me, prepare to forget you belong to the Flair's family, Charlotte. 

Those were his words to me... more like a threat. 

Desmond, however, started controlling every part of my life, dictating what I wore and what not to. I had almost fooled myself into thinking he was starting to love me, and even care.

I had felt hopeful and started putting in more effort to become the perfect wife he seemed to want. 

A few months later, he started to sleep with me, even though I never took in despite trying countless times. He never changed too, he was still cold. He would only show his tender side whenever we're about to make love. 

Everyone in the room applauded as she stepped onto the stage, swaying her hips towards Desmond in her long, slit black gown. 

Tonight important for Desmond. He had launched a new company and was hosting a dinner party. I had attend because Alice, his mom had persuaded me to, believing I have the right to be here. 

But seeing this, I'm not sure I deserve to be here. 

My husband looked at her with so much love and warmth, as if she was the only person on earth.

The truth hit me hard, far harder than I had thought— I was just a replacement. 

After six years of marriage, I had finally seen the truth— my life with him had been nothing but a cruel joke. 

I felt hurt and betrayed, and worst of all, I couldn't dare to challenge him.

Why?

Because I knew I didn't have the right to do that. I was just a girl forced onto him. 

Despite his status in the society, no one knew about us outside his family members. He'd never shown me off as his wife because I wasn't the woman in his heart. 

The one who had always held that spot was right there beside him.

"Good evening, everyone," Avery began, her face beaming with happiness. "Thanks for coming to celebrate with us. I'm thrilled to announce that JPGilbert Chase & Co, and Elliot Elijah Empire are merging and becoming one. Let's all toast to a long-term partnership!" she said, raising her glass.

As she looked through the crowd, her gaze landed on me, and she flashed a sly smirk before looking away.

I should've confronted them and asserted my position, but I couldn't.

I watched as they stepped off stage, my husband introducing her to the guests, my chest tightening. 

Without confronting them, I slowly turned to leave, my legs trembling beneath me. 

But as I reached for the exit door, a firm hand grasped my arm, roughly spinning me around.

I turned and met Avery Gilbert's gaze. 

She flashed me a troubling smile, locking eyes with me. "The party's just started, where are you off to, Mrs. Elliot... Oops, my bad. I meant, Ms. Flair," she said mockingly. 

I frowned, my brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

Her eyes widened in a fake shock as she smiled again, covering her mouth slightly. "Wait, you don't know yet?" she asked. 

"What should I know?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Your separation with Desmond, of course," she responded happily. "He will divorce you and marry me. He hadn't told you yet?"

My anger boiled over as I glanced at Desmond, standing a few feet away, his back facing us. 

Is this true, Desmond? Are you planning on divorcing me?— I thought, before looking back at her. 

I should've put her in her place, but I couldn't even speak. I just stood there frozen, clenching my fist to suppress my anger. 

"Yes. He's going to divorce you, and marry me. Then I will take back my rightful place as his lawful wife," she announced, her expression determined. 

For a moment, I simply stood there, staring at her with a blank expression, trying to process the utter audacity of her statement. 

Without uttering a word, I turned around to leave, but she stopped me, grabbing my hand and forcibly turning me to face her again, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Where do you think you're going? I'm not done talking yet!" She spat, her voice dripping with spite.

I exhaled heavily, shutting my eyes closed for a brief moment, before opening them again to meet her gaze.  

My hand was still clenched in a tight fist, trying to control the emotions swirling inside me. "What do you want?"  I asked, my voice surprisingly calm, despite the turmoil simmering within me.

"You... I want you gone! Out of Desmond's life, and out of everything that has to do with him!" She hissed, her words laced with a toxic mix of anger and entitlement. "If you hadn't forced your way into his life that night, the tittle of Mrs. Elliot would've been mine!"

I nodded slowly, a sad smile curling up at the corner of my lip. "Well, congratulations to you, as you're about to hold that tittle now. At least, he just announced you to the whole world as his fiancee. It's just a matter of time, and you'll become his wife," I said simply. 

But, the second those words left my mouth, her expression changed,  her face twisting into a deadly glare. "You think you're perfect, don't you?" She asked, her voice dripping with menace. 

I frowned, my eyes narrowing sightly. "What do you mean?"

"Stop pretending!" She yelled, her glare intensifying. "Stop acting like you're not bothered, because I know you are, Charlotte. You're not as unaffected as you seem."

"I don't-" I started. 

But she cut me off, her voice rising in a high pitch volume. "I'm not letting this go your way, Charlotte," she said, shaking her head, her face twisting in a snarl. "Desmond is mine, and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen, even if you have to be gone," she threatened. 

I simply stared at her, bewildered. "You're drunk, because you don't know what you're saying."

As if what I just said upset her, her face suddenly twisted in fury, and a maniacal laugh erupted from her mouth, sending a weird chill down my spine. 

"Should I show you what a drunk person is capable of?" She asked, a dangerous smirk curling up at the corner of her lip. 

Then, she brought out a sharp hairpin from nowhere, and my eyes instantly widened in shock.

I knew exactly what was coming, as I tried to stop her, my heart racing with panic. 

I'm not ready to die yet, but it was already too late.

She suddenly turned the whole thing around, and stabbed herself instead, letting out an ear-piercing scream to draw attention.

People immediately rushed towards us, including Desmond, as they shrieked in horror at the scene before them.

"Avery!!" Desmond yelled, his voice laced with worry as his eyes widened in horror. 

He crouched down beside her on the floor, and with her in his arms, his head snapped up at me with a menacing gaze. "What the hell did you do to her?" He seethed, his tone cold and accusing. 

I tried to speak, my lips slightly parted, but no words came out. I just stood there, frozen.

Desmond's threat was icy. "You had better pray nothing happens to her, or you'll reget this, Charlotte," he said, before scooping her up in his arms and walking out.

•

At the hospital, Claire stormed into the patient room, lunged at me and slapped me hard across the face, taking me by surprise.

"Because of your stupid jealousy, do you know what you almost caused my family?" She snarled, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Claire, I—" I tried to explain, but she cut me off.

"Spare me the details," she said, raising her hand. "I don't want to hear your silly excuses. In fact, as soon as Avery wakes up, you'll get on your knees and apologize to her. And, until she decides to let it go, you won't set a foot out of this room."

I frowned, my brows furrowing in disbelief. "What?"