Divorce and Revenge: Marrying My Ex's Enemy

Stephanie‘s POVThe sunlight filters through my window, weak and indifferent, as if it knows nothing can lift the weight crushing my chest.I smooth down my blouse, take a deep breath, and tell myself it doesn’t matter. Work is the one thing I have left, the one place I can prove my worth. I won’t let this ruin that, too. My name is top of the list for a supervisor promotion. I’ve worked my ass off for this, and I deserve it. And today is the big day.When I step into the office, the air feels strange. People glance at me, then quickly look away, whispering behind their hands.“Stephanie?” I hear someone mutter as I pass. Their tone is laced with disdain, and it makes my heart picks up speed, my stomach twisting.I shake it off. Maybe it’s just paranoia. Maybe I’m imagining it. Then I see it. “Hey!” I shout, my voice sharp enough to make heads turn.Two coworkers are standing at my desk, carelessly tossing my belongings into a cardboard box.My breath catches in my throat as I sto

Stephanie‘s POVThe taxi ride is a blur, the soft hum of the engine barely cutting through the storm in my head. My fingers slide restlessly across my phone, refreshing my emails, scrolling through apps, anything to distract myself.The thought of facing my parents fills me with bother. They’ve never cared about my life—only about what I could provide. Since marrying Vince, their demands for money have been relentless, their concern for my well-being nonexistent.My jaw tightens as I think about telling them about the divorce. How will they react? Will they rage about the lost financial pipeline, or will they simply dismiss me, as they always have?The taxi pulls up to the house I once called home. I steel myself before stepping out. My mother is seated in the living room, her lips pressed into a thin line. When she looks up at me, there’s no warmth, only the cold judgment I’ve known all my life.My father and brother didn't show up, a situation all too familiar to me. It usually mean

Stephanie‘s POVThe room feels emptier now, and I am alone with Henry. His presence dominates the space.He can’t be serious? A guy like him, succumbing to family pressure and proposing a contract marriage? I don’t know why he’s going along with this stupid ordeal.I meet his gaze, keeping my voice steady. “Why me?” I ask, the words sharper than I intended.Henry doesn’t flinch. Instead, he regards me with a measured calm, like he’s been expecting the question.“I need a wife. And since you owe me a favor, I hope you'll marry me.” His tone was casual, as if the matter were of no significance. “After all, you mentioned being willing to help me in any way you could, and this is what I'm asking for.”"What... what?" I rubbed my ears, feeling like I had heard too many absurdities today. "Marrying for a favor?"“This is good for you too.” he replies. “I might not be the wealthiest in my family, but I’m far wealthier than Vince. I can provide for all your needs. I can help you build a bette

Stephanie‘s POVAs Henry guided me across the dance floor, I couldn’t help but notice the hushed murmurs and the eyes that followed our every step. It came as no surprise that arriving with an exceptionally handsome companion turned heads, yet I hadn’t anticipated just how skilled a dancer he would be. His movements were fluid, effortless, as if the music itself bent to his will. I love dancing. I always have. But I can’t recall the last time I stepped onto a dance floor. Vince never liked me in such settings; he always said it was unbecoming, too frivolous. As we moved in sync, I became acutely aware of Henry’s hand on the small of my back. His grip tightened subtly, pulling me closer with each spin. Our bodies were no longer just near each other—they were pressed together, his chest grazing mine with every shift. His warmth enveloped me, the scent of him—subtle, clean, undeniably masculine—making it hard to focus.It felt… intimate. Too intimate. My pulse quickened, not entirely f

Stephanie‘s POVThe cold night air bites at my skin as I stand outside the venue, staring at Henry with disbelief. The crowd has dispersed, and we are finally alone—well, as alone as one can be when tension hangs as thick as fog.The crowd, especially Vince and Darci, had been dealt with—at least for now. But there was still one more important question that needed to be answered.My voice quieter now but still laced with the urgency of my confusion, "Why did you do it, Henry? In front of everyone… Why announce our engagement like that when I haven’t even said yes yet?" Did he truly have intention of giving up on that contract marriage? Was he using this opportunity to push things forward? He had previously told me I could take some time to think, but now I couldn't help but wonder—was that just a stalling tactic?Henry let out a small sigh, lifting a hand to rub his forehead, trying to ease his tense nerves. He nodded toward the car parked by the side of the road and spoke in a calm