CHAPTER 2

-AVERY-

THE BELLERIA HEIGHTS was one of the few 7-star hotels in the state; it frequently hosted governors and presidents, and that was where my husband was holed up.

I got out of my car and ignored the valet who offered to park my car in the underground garage. There was no need for that as I did not plan to be here for long.

I managed to control my emotions as I walked into the reception and went to the desk.

"Hello, I'm-"

"Mrs Vale," the receptionist said.

They knew me, great. I muttered to myself sarcastically. Putting on a fake smile, I said, "Could you check your systems to see if my husband is here, and what room he is in?"

"I'm sorry, ma'am, I don't think I can -"

I dipped my hand into my bag and brought out a wad of cash. The receptionist looked around anxiously before the cash disappeared under his desk. He scrolled on his laptop for a few seconds, then he said, "Suite 353."

I nodded and walked away. I should not be giving away money like that; I was going to need it after the divorce. I half-ran to the elevator as it was about to close. "Hold it!" I called as I slipped through.

There was only one man in there, and he regarded me with a slight smirk on his face, like he knew something no one else knew. Even though he was casually dressed, his aura exuded masculine wealth.

"You don't strike me as the type of woman who comes here alone." His voice was deep and rich in the enclosed space.

"Excuse me?"

"He's not worth it," This strange man said. "Whoever he is. He's not worth it."

"I don't know what you are talking about," I muttered.

The elevator opened, and the man stepped out. He turned to look at me and said, "Suite 261."

I was too dumbfounded to form any retort as the elevator closed and moved on ahead. Had this man just taken me for a hooker?

Men are disgusting! My brows furrowed in anger.

The elevator came to a stop a minute later, and the door opened. I walked out, looking at the labels on the immaculate-looking doors that lined the hallway until I got to suite 353.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I held my breath for long seconds until I heard the shuffle from behind the door, and it swung open.

There was my husband, bare-chested and sweaty, even though the room was chilly and cold.

"Avery-" His face went from shock to spite. "What the fuck are you doing here?"

That was not the question I expected from him, and I looked at him, waiting for an explanation, but he did not say a word. We stood, locked in an intense stare contest. "Today is our anniversary," I managed to say.

He scoffed. "Did you receive my gift?"

"Why, baby-"

"Don't ever call me that again!" He snarled, towering over me menacingly.

"We are married," I said in a small voice. "We have been married for 3 years. I gave you 3 years of my life, of my sweat, Dante, and you choose to divorce me suddenly? Why, Dante? W-Why?" My voice broke into sobs as I spoke.

He remained unfiltered as he looked at her.

"Baby, is that the room service we ordered?" A sultry voice said from behind him.

My heart clenched in my chest. That was a woman's voice. I pushed past him into the large Suite. There was a very beautiful woman lying on the bed. She looked at me nonchalantly as she said, "Is this the room cleaner?" She asked. "My dear Dante could not control himself and spewed his cum all over the floor there, instead of my face. Go clean it up immediately."

"Dante, who is this?" I asked, turning back to look at him. His face was unreadable. "What is going on here?"

"You should get out now, Avery," Dante growled.

"Dante, baby, who is this?" The woman asked again.

"I am his wife!" I snapped. "I should be asking who you are!"

"You are not my wife!" Dante snarled, coming from behind me.

"Oh yeah?" I reached into my bag and took out the shredded divorce papers, flinging them at his face. They rained down like confetti. "That is your gift. You can go ahead and eat it!"

"This is Laura Hills," Dante said. "And I am going to get married to her. You, Avery Quinn, are nothing to me. You have never been anything; I only got married to you out of pity. I saw you struggling with your stupid therapist career, and you suited what I needed for the media at that time. I never loved you. I never cared for you. You could die and I would not give a damn. For fuck's sake, you can't even give a proper blowjob!"

"Dante, I-"

"You should get out before I call security and lock you up!" He cut into me.

I looked at his face, trying to see behind the stony mask, but I could not. I found it hard to believe that this was the man I had gotten married to 3 years ago. The soft-spoken but aloof man was always gentle with me. I looked at him and could not recognize that man; instead, I saw the cold look that was common to all billionaires of his wealth status, which made people wary of them.

But I could not imagine my life without him. My past 3 years have revolved around him, giving him the perfect image to secure more deals and grow his wealth. "Dante, please," I begged. "I -"

"I don't want to hear anything from you, Avery." He said coldly. "My lawyers will send another copy of the divorce files to you. If you like, tear it again, you would see yourself in jail, trust me." He took Laura Hills's hand and climbed into bed. "And I give you two days to sign it, or there will be dire consequences. Get out, Avery." He finished before going under the quilt. Laura Hills gave me a smirk as she threw her head back and moaned loudly to whatever Dante was doing to her.

Gathering the pieces of my dignity, I fled the room with shaky legs, slamming the door behind me. My heart had been torn into a thousand pieces. It felt heavy and painful to swallow.

What would I do?

Where was I going to go?

I closed my eyes, wishing this was all about a bad dream that I was going to wake up from.

I was as lost in the world as a baby without a mother. I took out my phone and dialed my mother.

"Hello mum," I sniffled.

"What is it now, Avery?" Her sharp voice cut into my soul. "Have you managed to fuck up the only good thing in your life?"

"Mum, it was not my fault. I -"

"Of course it is never your fault, you stupid girl," Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "You are perfect, aren't you?"

"Mother-" I closed my eyes as her tone of voice drew me back to my childhood years.

"You are such a miss-perfect that never accepts the blame," she added. "Just like your father."

"I-"

"Did you know your husband came to me, complaining that you never satisfied him?" She laughed. "You were a terrible wife, just as you were a terrible daughter."

Her words cut deep into my heart like a hot knife.

"Anyway, I chose to help him out. Poor man," She sighed.

"What did you do, mother?" I managed to squeeze out.

"Don't worry, I did not sleep with your husband," she laughed. "Not that I don't want to. I knew he was always in love with Laura Hills, one of my models, but at that time, Laura was not good for his image, as you were. So I groomed Laura, and now, she is a top model in the state. They are together now because of me. I am the cause of your divorce."

I could not wrap my head around what I was hearing. It was unbelievable that my biological mother would do this to me. "B-but why?" My voice was a croak.

She laughed. "Laura will give me more money than you can ever have. Don't call this number again, Avery. You are on your own... Oh, and I am not your biological mother. I couldn't care less about you." When she hung up, I remained frozen, holding my phone to my cheek and trying to gather my thoughts.

I found myself walking down the stairs without thinking, until I came in front of Suite 261. I knocked, and the door was immediately opened by the strange man I had met in the elevator.

"I was expecting you," he said, but I wasn't listening. I threw myself into his strong, muscular arms and allowed him to lead me to his bed.