Chapter 1

Olivia's POV 

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the fifth wedding anniversary of Liam Rockwell and Olivia Sinclair!”

The emcee’s voice boomed around the hall as I stood on the stage, the corset of my custom-made gown squeezing my 150 kg body so tight I could barely breathe.

I forced a smile, the same plastic one I’d worn for five years, pretending I was the perfect trophy wife everyone expected.

Liam didn’t even glance at me, not once, he kept his eyes fixed on the crowd, shoulders stiff, like he was embarrassed to be standing next to me and couldn’t wait for the whole thing to be over.

These five years had been hell.

Our marriage was arranged because the Sinclair family modelling agency needed the Rockwell media connection, and Liam needed the shares my father dangled.

My husband never hid how much he was ashamed to be seen with me in public.

I was never invited to family functions and the few times I showed up anyway, all anyone talked about was my size. 

“How did she even fit through the door?” “Poor Liam, stuck with the fat one.”

Liam refused to touch me when he was sober, only when he was drunk would he stumble into the bedroom.

“Don’t get naked,” he’d snap every single time. “Your body is disgusting. Just lie there and keep quiet.” 

I’d stare at the ceiling while he used me like I was furniture without looking at my face or even kissing me.

Afterward he’d roll off, mutter something about how hard it was to lift someone my size, then leave me alone in the dark.

Every dress I owned had to be custom-made because nothing in the store fits me and designers charged triple because “it takes extra fabric.

I’d stand in front of mirrors and cry, wondering why I couldn’t just disappear.

Tonight I tried to feel pretty. I’d even put on extra lipstick. When the music slowed and couples started dancing, I leaned toward him, hopeful, even though I knew I'd be embarrassed.

I pressed my lips to his cheek as the camera lights flashed our way and he jerked back like I’d burned him.

“What the hell are you trying to do?” His voice was low, venomous. “You want to compress me? Crush me under all that weight?”

My throat closed.

He leaned closer so only I could hear. “Women like you don’t deserve love, Olivia. Look at your sister, Isabella. She's so perfect unlike you. You're so disgusting! You better lose some weight because I’m tired of being tied down to an obese woman.”

I tried not to cry in front of everyone and just smiled as he walked away, pretending he had just told me something sweet.

The emcee’s voice cut through again. “And now, a toast from the family!”

Bella climbed the podium in her shimmering size-zero gown, hips swaying, every eye on her.

I already knew it was going to be bad. She’d hated me since we were children.

My father never hid that I was a mistake who ruined the Sinclair family image because of my size and because I was too big to walk the runaway.

As a result of that,  Bella was the golden child, the face of the agency. I was the one they kept hidden.

Bella raised her glass, smiling sweetly.

“To my sister Olivia and her wonderful husband. Five beautiful years.” She paused, eyes glittering. “Though I have to admit, it’s been hard watching someone sabotage the company that keeps us all fed.”

Murmurs rippled through the room.

Bella continued, voice dripping fake concern. 

“I caught her myself and I've been keeping tabs on her ever since. She's working with rivals of the Nova group and I saw her emailing confidential merger documents, I have evidence. I shouldn't have said this, but I can't just keep quiet, because brother in-law is a good man and he doesn't deserve what my sister is doing to him” 

The plate of chocolate cake I’d been holding slipped from my fingers. It hit the floor with a wet splat.

“No…” My voice cracked. “That’s not true. I would never…”

Liam snatched the microphone from the emcee.

“Not only are you obese, you’re a conspirator.” His eyes raked over me with disgust. “Look at everyone here eating healthy snacks and here you are, stuffing your face with junk like always. No wonder you fart through every meeting. The whole office can smell you coming.”

Laughter exploded around the room.

My knees buckled from shame.

Liam’s voice rose. “In fact, I’m tired. Tired of pretending. What you did is unforgivable. I want a divorce.”

He gestured and his lawyer  stepped forward with a leather folder.

“My lawyers have already prepared everything. I signed the papers the very day we got married. I was just waiting for the right moment.”

The folder landed at my feet.

I dropped to my knees, dress pooling around me as tears streamed down my cheeks.

“You can’t do this to me, baby. Please. You know I’d never do something like that. Bella is lying against me! This is all a set up. I've been a good wife, I cook, I clean. Remember when you had kidney failure, I gave you my kidney Liam. I helped you build Nova group to the position it is right now, even when your father didn't believe in you, you can't strip me off my dignity in front of all these people please, Liam”

As I was speaking Liam sank to one knee.

I knew it! My husband would never take my sister's side, my heart leapt with joy, I never knew Liam could kneel in front of everyone to apologize for hurting me.

I was about to rush to him when he pulled out a diamond ring and turned to my sister, Bella.

“Isabella Sinclair,” he said, loud enough for every camera to catch it, 

“Thank you for saving my life tonight and for exposing the truth. You're everything Olivia would never be.. Would you do me the honor of making me the happiest man alive… and be my wife?”