Georgia's POV.
“Why are you crying?” She asked, her arms crossing over one another.
I drove a hand over my face, wiping my tears as fast as I could while racking my head for the perfect reply.
“It’s just my best friend. She's going through a divorce at the moment. While comforting her, I ended up crying myself,” I sighed as I paced towards the door, hoping she bought the lie.
Her brows contorted as she rubbed my arm softly, “Ohh…I'm so sorry about that. You have to be strong for her okay? You can even try to help them reconcile.”
I breathed a smile, trying to hold back the urge to break down again.
How can I reconcile with someone who is ready to throw me out of his life?
I nodded softly as I clasped my hands together, “Yeah, you're right. I'd try to do that.”
Kiara beamed, her lips curling into the perfect smile.
“Alright then! I'll be in the kitchen if you want to talk..” she said, slowly stepping out of the room.
“Sure, thanks.” I appreciated before watching her back disappear into the hallway.
Even though I knew the chances of me reconciling with Michael was slim, Kiara's words gave me little hope.
I wanted to try, if nothing, maybe ask him why he wants the divorce in the first place.
And with that thought, I headed for Henry's study room along the passageway.
My pulse quickened as I reached the door, I pushed it open slightly.
Henry's eyes were already on the door, and this made me feel more nervous.
With a firm slam on the door, I approached him.
“I want to talk to you.”
“I'm listening,” his cold voice came in a reply.
“I would like to visit my husband. I received news that he's awake from the coma.”
Henry's eyes moved from the file in his hand to my face, his gaze so piercing.
If looks could slice one, I'd probably be sliced into a million pieces.
“You're in a contract marriage Georgia, didn't you go through the rules?” He asked.
My heart sank, I bit my lower lips as I figured out what to say.
“I'm not supposed to see my husband until the contract ends but I'm urgently needed over there. And I am only going to see him this once and that's it.” I explained.
“How long will you stay?”
His question made my heart flutter with joy–the joy of reconsideration.
“A day.”
He stroked his chin as he stared at me, as if searching for an expression.
“Fine.”
I smiled, “Thank you-”
“But.”
I lifted a brow, “But what?”
“You won't go on your own. My driver will take you there and bring you back.”
I nodded in agreement, “Sure, that's totally fine. Thank you so much.”
“Don't mess things up for me Georgia, I won't take that lightly.” He threatened as I walked away.
I glanced over my shoulders, shocked to hear him say that but I simply smiled, “I won't.”
********************
The air in Greyhound city was a whiff of anticipation, familiarity and nostalgia.
The streets were bubbling as usual–kids running around towards the school bus, flower shops being decorated and of course the train way station being packed with passengers.
I didn't realize how much I had missed home until now.
As the driver drove past the tall buildings, I felt my heart skip a beat.
Michael and I used to visit these places at night, he used to explore these tall buildings with me. But now….
He wanted me out of his life.
I laid my head against the car headrest, not wanting to feel any worse than I was already feeling.
After what seemed like minutes, the driver arrived at Michael's duplex.
His wine-painted building still looked the same–small porch, wooden white fence and a chair outside the home.
I knocked on the door severally but there was no response so I went in, thankfully the door was unlocked.
My brows pulled together in surprise as I noticed pairs of clothes scattered around the living room.
A white dress, a blue bikini and a red shirt.
My stomach twisted into tight knots, Anna was right.
He had really moved on.
“Michael? Where are you?” I called out, but the emptiness of the room echoed my voice.
I headed for his room and as I got closer, I heard distinct noises.
The closer I got, the stronger the sounds became and it didn't take me much to realize they were moans.
But that wasn't what shocked me, what shocked me was the feminine voice was familiar.
It sounded like my best friend.
“Could it really be her?” My heart throbbed against my ribcage, beating faster than normal.
I shook the thought, Anna was engaged.
“Ohh,yes fuck me harder baby.” A loud groan came from the room.
I trembled internally as I reached for the doorknob.
“I love you so much, I'm so glad you left Georgia.. she's a sick bitch!” Those words rippled through my body like stray bullets.
I twisted the door knob open to see Michael thrusting himself hard into Anna under a lilac duvet.
A loud gasp escaped my lips, I couldn't believe it.
“Michael! What the fuck?!” I yelled, my voice resonating with the broken pieces of my heart as I stared at them.
Michael quickly reached for his shorts, putting them on as he got up from the bed.
Anna on the other hand, had no iota of remorse on her face. Her lips curled into a smirk as she wrapped herself in the duvet.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, his green eyes sparkling with irritation.
“Really? Am I now unwelcomed in my home? I fucking came here to ask you why the hell you're divorcing me but you're busy fucking my best friend?!” I snapped, unable to hold myself from yelling.
I tilted my head to the side, “And you, you're the woman he moved on with?! I can't believe you would do that to me!”
“Don’t you dare raise your voice at her you cheat!” Michael warned, his index finger pointed at me.
My eyes narrowed at him, my breath becoming uneven as his words settled in my mind.
“A cheat? I have never cheated on you and I-”
“Oh please. You really think I'd not find out? I wasn't going to be in coma forever Georgia, your little secret was going to be exposed sooner or later.” He spat, his voice dripping with disappointment.
My little secret….those words made me recall my conversation with Anna.
She had mentioned that to me, when I told her about my contract marriage with Henry.
With shaky hands, I moved towards the bed, “What did you tell him?”
Anna shrugged carelessly, “The truth.”
“You were supposed to help me take care of him. I was going to tell him how I got the money for his treatment. Why would you lie?” I questioned as the feeling of betrayal stung.
“Oh please,” she scoffed. “You expect him to believe someone paid you three hundred thousand dollars just to pretend to be their wife? You slept with him, Georgia. That’s cheating.”
I staggered back, clutching my head as her words echoed through my mind like chaotic music on repeat.
My mouth opened but no words came out.
How do you explain a contract marriage to save your dying husband?
Michael pulled me away from the bed, his grip extremely tight on my arm.
“Let me go, you're hurting me.” But my complaints fell on deaf ears.
Michael didn't let go of my hand until he threw me out of the room.
“You mean nothing to me Georgia, you broke my trust without thinking twice. Now, I'm throwing you out of my life. Sign those divorce papers as soon as possible, I'd like to get married to the woman who's loyal.” His words crushed me harder than I had expected.
I sobbed softly as the feeling of betrayal burned the shattered pieces of my heart. It stung deeper than I imagined possible.
This wasn't from a stranger.
It was from the two people I loved the most.
Now, I've got nothing left to lose.
And I'll make sure I get revenge for this.
No one will be spared!
“You two will regret this!” I gritted out.
“Don't even think of laying a finger on my wife, she's three months pregnant!” John fired at me.
My heart stopped.
How was she three months gone when I have always been married to John?
Georgia's POV The first ping of my phone broke the stillness, but by the tenth, I already knew something bad had happened."Georgia! Did you notice this? Mia's voice came through the speaker, scared and nearly high-pitched.My hands trembled as I opened the note she gave me. A picture. Nolots.Pictures of me at the party last night, having fun, drinking, and getting far too close to Henry. And then, right when I thought my heart would stop, I saw Henry's fingers brush across my waist as we argued near the balcony.The headline hit me in the face:"Is the CEO's wife a friend or a mistress?" The Georgia Sparks homewrecker scandal.I stopped. My lungs stopped working.Mia: "Georgia, listen to me. Don't freak out. Anna is here. It must be. She is the one who did this."But... these pictures, Mia, they make it look like I wanted this." Like I wanted him.Mia: "It's messed up." It's not true. But Anna understands how to hurt people, and she picked the right weapon.I slapped the phone down
Henry's POV"Don't give me that look, Georgia... else I could forget why I should despise you.His voice was harsh, nearly cracking, and in that dimly lit room, his words hurt me more than any insult.The study was dark, and the only light came from the fireplace, which broke the tension. Henry's eyes focused on mine, and my heart raced against my ribs. He appeared angry, yet there was something deep down that he wasn't saying.I gulped hard and wouldn't let my eyes drop first. "You're the one staring, Henry," I murmured, my voice hard. "If you hate me so much, stop looking at me like you can't decide whether to kill me or""Or what?" he snarled, advancing closer and casting a shadow over me. "Don't finish that sentence."His voice was frigid, yet his fists were tight at his sides, as if he was trying not to touch me. With each word and breath, the gap between us got smaller."You don't scare me anymore," Georgia said. Not because you are quiet. Not with your threats. "Not even with y
Georgia’s POV"Henry, she doesn't belong here." Stop it before she messes everything up.Henry's mom's angry voice cut across the corridor like broken glass. I couldn't move behind the half-open door because my breath seized in my throat.The big home was peaceful save for that harsh voice coming from the study. The fragrance of ancient books and burning wood from the fireplace surrounded me, but instead of comfort, I felt frigid anxiety.Henry's mother was sitting in one of the leather recliners, and her pearl necklace shone like a chain of judgment. Her lips twisted up as if she were sick of me.Henry's mom: "This girl is a stain on your name." You are better than her. Henry, contracts end. "Finish it early and finish it cleanly."Henry said, "Mother..." in a calm, deep voice.The way he hesitated made my stomach turn. He wasn't standing up for me. He didn't say she was wrong.I put my back against the wall and strained to hear, which made my chest feel tight.Henry's mom: "If you k
Georgia’s POVThe lights above the crowded ballroom shone like diamonds, but all I could feel was the storm in my chest. As I crept in the side door, unseen in the darkness, my pulse raced against my ribs. I wasn't simply a visitor tonight; I was a trespasser. I just came for one thing: Anna.Music. Laughing. The sound of glasses clinking.Everything looked so beautiful and golden. But my eyes were glued to her the lady who took everything from me.Anna.She stood in the middle of the room in a blood-red gown that screamed triumph. Andrew was next to her, smiling as if she hadn't ripped my life apart piece by piece.I forced myself to move ahead by swallowing hard.Georgia (inside): Don't lose your cool. Not yet.I moved closer. My fingers shook as I held the glass I swiped from a waiter's tray, but I had to keep my voice firm.Georgia spoke out loud, "Are you having fun tonight, Anna?"She turned around carefully. Her lips curled into that arrogant, venomous look that always made me
Henry’s POV"When she smiled, my chest clenched, but not with happiness. There was something off about her, like music that was performed in the wrong key.Soft piano music filled the restaurant, and low golden lights made the polished tables look cozy. People whispered to one other over wine glasses, and laughing came and went, but none of it reached me. I couldn't take my eyes off her.Mary. Or the lady who said she was her.She sat across from me, her posture flawless, her smile prepared, and her fingers delicately tapping on the stem of her glass. The way her hair flowed over her shoulder, the way her nose sloped, and the way her lips curved as she turned her head all seemed familiar. But my stomach turned.This wasn't the Mary I recalled.It's been... years." Even when I attempted to keep my voice calm, it cracked. "You disappeared without a word, and now you're here, smiling like nothing happened."She laughed softly, which should have calmed me down but instead made me angry. "
POV: Georgia"So, they're having a party..." Georgia muttered to herself, her knuckles becoming white around the wine glass she was holding. "Why are you celebrating?" "Is this humiliating for me?"The room was silent, save for the clock's soft ticking and the low buzz of voices coming from the opposite side of the hall. As Georgia came closer to the slightly open door, her shoes quietly tapped on the marble floor. She held her breath and listened.She could hear Anna's laughing insidehappy, light, and carefree. It hurt her ears.Andrew's voice came next, low but distinct."Anna, this will be something you'll never forget. We deserve this party."I understand." It finally seems right after everything. I can't wait.Georgia's heart beat so loudly that she was afraid they would hear it. She put her hand on her chest, and her nails dug into her palm.Georgia said to herself, "Right?" Do you believe this is right? "After everything you both took from me?"Her breath shook, but her eyes sh