Chapter 1

Layla

It's evening and as the rain pours heavily outside, it matches the tears dripping from my eyes and down my sweat drenched face.

It's been ten minutes now and I'm still heartbroken and in shock as I look down at the divorce papers on the living room table.

Nathan and I have only been married for eight months and it's already gone downhill so fast.

He's had a hard time ever since both his parents died in the private jet accident.

I've done nothing but stand by his side and every time, he's only pushed me away.

When he told me he needed to have our bedroom to himself so he could cope, I assumed he just needed more time so I let him be. The last thing I expected is this divorce.

Desperate to find him, I run around the mansion. I even take the built in elevator and the entire time, more tears stream down my face no matter how many times I wipe them away.

It feels like an eternity trying to find him and when I can't do it anymore, I inquire from the house chef, who tells me he's out by the balcony.

That's the one place I haven't yet checked.

As I push open the glass doors, my hands still tremble in shock and I see him sitting on a couch with a bottle of whiskey in front of him.

He's staring at the rain, which hits the balcony floor and seems to be spreading out, but he doesn't care.

I part my lips to speak but don't even know how to start.

My heart then breaks further when he speaks first.

"I'm hoping you came out here to tell me you'll sign the divorce papers."

I almost drop to my knees, his words shattering me.

"Why did you suddenly make this decision?" I ask, my lips trembling as I get closer behind the couch.

"It wasn't sudden." He scoffs. "I've been planning this for a long time now."

"How long?"

"I said a long time. Are you deaf?"

"You're drunk."

"Even when I'm sober, it won't change my mind about divorcing you."

"But what happened?"

"Do you even have to ask? This isn't working! And look at you!"

"What do you mean?"

I walk over to the other side until I'm standing in front of him.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about. Just look at the way you're dressed!"

"You're acting like you don't know. I've had a hard time since-"

"Don't you dare blame this on the miscarriage because it's already been three months! And I lost both my parents just two months ago but you don't see me looking unappealing all the time!"

"Is this what this is about? You're not attracted to me anymore because you think I've let myself go?"

"Are you blind? You've definitely let yourself go! Besides, I met Miranda after such a long time. She was always the girl of my dreams and seeing her again sparked something in me, which I don't feel when I look at you."

"Nathan?" My vision blurs from my tears.

"Spare me those tears. I don't love you and you know it. This was nothing but a contract marriage, which we don't even need anymore!"

The Partridge family's worth billions of dollars and after the death of Nathan's parents, he and his siblings had a struggle for the ownership of the various assets their parents owned.

That also took a toll on him but no matter what, it hurts to hear him say he's seeing someone else.

"You really don't want me in your life?" My voice trembles in emotional pain.

"The divorce papers speak volumes for me."

"I've done nothing but stand by you and support you through all this!"

"And look how I turned out, absolutely miserable! Just sign the divorce papers!"

He storms out by pushing past me and I drop to the floor, bawling my eyes out like never before.

What did I ever do to deserve this? I didn't see things ending this way between us.

When I finally pick myself up, I head to my bedroom and actually find the divorce papers on the bed. He personally brought them here.

Shattered, I give my mother a call and as soon as she picks up, I cry even more, hoping she'll comfort me.

"Mom."

"What happened this time?" She already sounds irritated.

"Nathan wants a divorce."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing."

"Of course you did something! I warned you not to mess this up, stupid child!"

"He doesn't want me anymore. Please tell me, what do I do now?"

"I don't care but you better fight to stay in that house and don't come back here!"

"But, mom-"

The sudden beep indicates that she just hung up on me and I slouch as I sit on the bed.

While my mother and I aren't close, I blame myself for believing she'd take my side this time around.

She forced me into this marriage because of all she stood to benefit, but now that it's all going downhill, I'm of no use to her.

Even when I try to sleep, I find myself staring at the papers.

Despite this marriage starting out the way it did, I slowly developed feelings for Nathan and believed our relationship could develop into something deeper. But here I am, contemplating my next move if things don't work out.

Deep down, I'm hoping that I'll wake up tomorrow and everything will be alright, that he'll change his mind, stop seeing Miranda and we can work things out.

It doesn't matter if we've been sleeping in different bedrooms, as long as this goes away.

~

It's bright and early in the morning and as I drop my head to the side, my eyes land on the divorce papers on the table.

For a moment, I tell myself they're just papers and don't mean anything as long as Nathan is back to his senses.

I get out of bed and head to the bathroom so I can stare at myself in the mirror. My eyes are so puffy right now with dark circles.

It's a good thing he won't see this. I'll cover it up with makeup to make it less obvious.

Once I'm all dressed up, I find Nathan at the breakfast table before he leaves for work.

I greet him as I pull out a chair, but he doesn't even respond and leaves without saying a word.

I'm hurt but don't bother to go after him.

He suddenly comes back and I have a glimmer of hope, but his next words leave me shattered.

"Did you sign the divorce papers?" He asks in the presence of the maid and I feel humiliated.

"Uhm...not yet."

"What the hell are you waiting for? Just do it already!"

His yelling makes me flinch and right after his demand, he storms out, leaving me in tears.

The maid asks if I'm okay but I just excuse myself. I don't feel like eating anything.

I return to my bedroom and curl up on the bed. So many things are wrong with his reasons for divorcing me.

How could he expect me to get over the miscarriage just like that and look as appealing as he wants me to be? It's not fair and I wish he could see that.

But it's clear he's determined to throw me out of his life. It doesn't matter what his other reasons are, it's mainly because of Miranda.

Still, maybe I can hold on just a little longer and things will be different.

~

Days have now turned into weeks and Nathan treats me worse every time. Sometimes, he doesn't even come home but when he does, he's with Miranda.

They're both so shameless that they kiss each other in my presence just to frustrate me.

Sometimes I walk past his bedroom, which was once our bedroom and I hear them moaning.

It's gotten to the point where I can't take it anymore.

It's another bright morning and as soon as I open my eyes, my phone vibrates. I don't feel like getting out of bed just yet or moving, but I have to do it. I wonder who's just texted me.

When I reach for my phone and check the message, my face brightens up a little. It's Pamela, my best friend. She wants us to hang out together. It's been a while since she's been traveling a lot.

Having lived the past few weeks in misery. This will be good for me.

After I wash my face, I stare at my reflection. It's the first time I didn't cry myself to sleep. My eyes don't look as puffy as usual.

Even with that, I put on some shades and a beautiful red dress, then leave to meet up with her.

We end up going to the spa for some of the most luxurious treatments and I can't believe it all feels this good. Spending so much time with her has put a smile on my face.

As we ride on a yacht together and have a meal, she leans forward and places her elbows on the table.

"Okay, what's going on with you?" She curiously raises her eyebrows at me.

I sigh with relief as I remove my shades, thinking about how being outside and seeing the beautiful views has made me feel so much better.

Shaking my head with a slouch, I say, "Nothing's wrong. Everything's great."

"Give me your hand," she says, holding out her own on the table.

As soon as she firmly holds my hand, she smiles at me.

"Layla, you're one of the strongest people I know. Despite what everything you've been through in just three months, here you are, still standing. I'm so proud of you and you know what? Things will get better."

Pamela doesn't yet know about the divorce and even though I haven't yet told her about it, I apply her words of comfort and encouragement to my current situation as well. It's because I already told myself something similar when we were at the spa.

Looking forward to turning my life around, I raise my glass for a toast and smile. "Here's to new beginnings."

"You've got that right. To new beginnings." She nods with enthusiasm.

After we toast, I empty my glass with hope, seeing the world in a different light.

I've cried so much over Nathan that I can't do it anymore. Maybe it's because my tears have dried up, or because I now realize I shouldn't stay where I'm not wanted.

At this point, I don't want anything to do with him, so much that he can keep all his money.

I really wanted the best out of this marriage despite how it started out, but there's no point in crying about it.

In the evening, as soon as I return home, I check the money I have in my bank account. It's enough to give me a fresh start.

I'll have to live a very simple life, but at least it'll be peaceful.

That way, I can enroll in an online program and gain the necessary skills I need to find a job.

When I first got married to Nathan, he told me there was no need for me to work because of all the wealth we had.

How stupid I was to fall for that. Here I am, about to start from scratch.

But I remind myself that it's never too late to have a fresh start. Besides, I'm still so young.

Now that I've made my decision, I reach for a pen and sign the divorce papers, just as he wants me to.

I then toss them aside, taking a moment to see if I feel awful, but on the contrary, I don't.

I only need to rely on myself. I've seen him take pleasure in seeing me suffer and cry over him. But starting now, I'll show him that I'll be just fine without him and one day, I'll make him pay for hurting me so badly. The same goes for Miranda.