Chapter 1

LIANA'S P. O. V

"Sign here. Mrs.  Vale. And here."  The lawyer slid the paper towards me and handed the pen,  her voice cold.  

The pen felt like ice in my fingers but I felt numb within me so it made no difference.  "You can take off the title "Mrs Vale" now.  She doesn't need it anymore.” Elena said with a smirk on her red lips,her hand leisurely caressing Gabriel's chest.  

"Is this what you want? " I asked him and his gray eyes were cold as he replied. 

"Sign the papers Liana.  As per the agreement,  you get to keep the townhouse” I glared at him, my fists clenching around the pen. The pen suddenly flared hot under my hand. 

"Ouch!” I  jerked back,  letting the pen drop to the floor. 

Elena laughed. “Careful. If you get angry you’ll have scars. He designed it that way. So be calm,  okay." She said it like a joke. 

I glanced at Gabriel and he didn’t deny it,didn’t look at me. I took a deep,  trembling breath.  "As you wish. I hope you find the happiness I couldn't give you." 

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he gripped the table edge until his knuckles went white.

I signed the papers quickly. The ink in the paper shimmered black, then faded. Disappearing ink. Gabriel once said it was only used in a life or death situation.  As long as I didn't do anything that went against our divorce, like trying to get him back I would be fine.  

Who would have known that such a paranormal pact would also be applied to me?  

I never put much thought into Gabriel's family dealings with a bit of the supernatural. He said it was a family long tradition so I wasn't going to start now.

I took my bags and headed to the townhouse.  The townhouse welcomed me with its silence.  Cold and filled with unfulfilled promises memories I wish I could forget.  I sat down slowly on the nearest sofa,  letting my tears fall freely.  Three years.  We had been married for three years and this is what I got,on my birthday,  a divorce. I didn't want to keep the house the same as before so I quickly got to work.   

I got rid of anything that reminded me of Gabriel. Picture albums in the fireplace. His monogrammed cuff links I sent down the garbage disposal. The custom suit I got him for his last birthday,  I shredded with scissors. It took me over two hours to finish but I was satisfied.  I need to forget him and move on.  Suddenly my phone rang. 

"Hello." I answered weakly. 

"Is this Miss Liana Claymore? " an unfamiliar male voice asked. 

"Yes. "

"I'm calling to inform you that your membership to the tennis women's club has been canceled. "

"What?  But why..." I didn't finish when the line went off.  "Strange." I muttered. 

My phone rang again. 

"Miss Liana Claymore? " 

"Yes? " my chest began to beat in a frenzy. 

"Your membership to the reading club has been canceled.  Thank you. "

"But I didn't... " the line went dead again. I stood up and stared at my phone in confusion. Why was this happening? 

It didn't take two minutes that my phone rang again.  I stared at it wearily before answering. 

"Yes. "

"Miss Liana,  this is "Beauty's Delight Boutique. " 

"Yes? " I replied already dreading whatever was going to come out of the person's mouth. 

"You haven't made your payment for the last batch of accessories and dresses you ordered two months ago. "

My eyes narrowed.  "That's impossible,  I never ordered any of that.  It can't be me. "

"It says here that you specifically called and ordered these items which have already been sent to you. "

"I didn't receive nor order any thing. " I exclaimed. 

"Ma'am I just wanted to inform you that you have until next month to make your payment. Thank you. "

"Wait... " they hung up again.  "Arrgh!  Come on,  this can't be happening to me.  What's going on? "

First,  my memberships were canceled,  now I have to pay for something I didn't even order? I bit my lips in panic.  Then my phone rang again.  I stared at it like it was the devil,  resisting the urge to throw it away. I picked the call and snapped. 

"I didn't order anything and as for canceling my membership,  I know that already. "  The other side was silent for two seconds when a grating laugh sounded in my ears. 

"I see you've gotten the news huh?  How do you like my surprises? " "Elena?" I seethed. 

"Who else?" She taunted. 

"Why are you doing this?  You already have Gabriel. I signed the papers. I'm not going against the rules, why are you doing this?"

"I know,  but I just want to have a bit of fun.  How does it feel to be discarded?  To feel powerless,  huh? I did once,  and I didn't like it.  At all." She chuckled.  "Oh heads up.  I still have one more surprise for you." Then she ended the call with a snicker. 

"That bitch! " I yelled,  finally flinging my phone.  "What did I ever do to her?"

It was my mistake for not suspecting anything. If only I had seen the signs. To think they had been having a relationship under my very nose and I couldn't see it.  You wouldn't blame me.  I never imagined Gabriel would ever do something like this to me.  Never. He told me all his family's secrets. Everything. 

How they had believed in the supernatural and still used it,  but rarely. 

So how could I not trust him? 

A knock suddenly sounded on my door,  I jumped,  startled.  Who could be at the door?  With a pale face,  I opened the door. 

"Good day Ma'am.  I suppose you're Miss Liana Claymore? " the suit-glad older man asked,  his bald head shinning. 

I nodded, too scared to speak. 

"Right,  I'm here to make sure you stick to the agreement made on the furniture in your house. "

My eyebrows trembled.  "What agreement?  My furniture? " The man frowned. 

"Yes,  your furniture.  They have been sold and are now under the ownership of my boss.. Mr.  Gold. "

I swallowed a thick lump.  This had to be Elena's doing.  Tiredly,  I looked at the man. 

"Can I speak with your boss?  Please. "

He said nothing,  but he turned towards a black sports car I hadn't noticed.  The passenger side opened and a young man stepped out.  As he walked towards us,  I noticed he was tall,  a bit muscular underneath his black suit.  He had on a pair of black shades but somehow I felt he looked familiar. 

"Good day. " the man said,  his voice husky as he looked down at me.  That sense of familiarity became stronger.  I swear he looks familiar. 

I cleared my throat. "Good day Mr. Gold.  I'm sorry to disturb you but I hope you can cancel your order for the furniture. "

"No way!" The older man exclaimed. 

"Smythe. " Mr. Gold simply called.  He pulled off his shades and smiled. I gasped and widened my eyes.  Those gray eyes.  That smile.  I can never forget that smile. 

"Richard?"