1. Third wedding anniversary

"You have two choices, Audrey. Either you call off the wedding with that crippled loser or you forfeit your inheritance. It's left for you to choose," Elon Lancaster, the influential sixty-year-old billionaire said to his daughter, Audrey Lancaster.

"But I love him, Dad!" Audrey exclaimed. "I love Theodore. Why can't any of you see that?"

"What the hell is wrong with you, Audrey? He's a cripple!" Elon snapped, his irritation palpable.

But his twenty-five-year-old daughter persisted. "Just because he had an accident and lost his legs doesn't mean his story is over, Dad... Stop shaming him! It's not his fault life happened!"

Scarlett Lancaster, who had been observing the drama unfolding, chimed in. "You do realize he's lost more than just his legs, right?" She arched her brows at her daughter.

"Mom, stop..."

But Scarlett continued. "That man has nothing to offer you, my dear. His own family has abandoned him. He has absolutely nothing to his name anymore, Audrey. He's as good as useless. Listen to your father and call off the wedding. Jamie is a better suitor for you. He can take better care of you than that cripple..."

"Mom, stop it!" Audrey's voice strained with heartbreak. "I love Theodore, and I want to marry him, please." She asserted to her mother.

Elon was livid. "I've already given you an ultimatum, Audrey. You will do as I've said, or get out of my house."

Scarlett gasped, her gaze darting to Audrey's father. "Elon, please calm down. It hasn't gotten to do that."

But Elon shot back sharply. "Oh, it has! I won't have your daughter disgrace this family!"

Scarlett implored. "Please, honey, let me talk to her... Just—"

But Audrey interrupted them decisively. "There will be no need, Mom." She added, her firm voice complementing her decision. "I'm leaving."

Scarlett turned to her in disbelief. "What? Audrey, have you lost your mind?"

But Audrey offered a sad smile. "If giving up my inheritance is the price I have to pay to be with Theodore, so be it then. I don't want the fortune. I don't want any of it."

Elon shot at his daughter with contempt. "You disgraceful child!"

"I really hope you don't come to regret this choice later, Audrey," Scarlett said. "You know you can still change your mind now it's not too late."

"No, thanks. This is my choice, Mother." She paused and regarded them. "I'm leaving. I choose a life with Theodore Rodriguez."

******

Three years had passed since the Lancaster heiress, Audrey Lancaster, chose to cut ties with her family for the man she loved.

Three entire years had gone by since she forfeited her inheritance to remain by his side when he had no one left after the life-altering accident that left him disabled.

Still, Audrey didn't regret her decision. She felt no iota of regret for choosing the man she loved, Theodore Rodriguez over her family. She had blatantly defied her father's ultimatum and she felt no remorse about it.

Never a day had she regretted choosing Theodore. In fact, if she were ever put in such a position again, she would still choose him over and over. She loved him so much and knowing he shared the same feelings was more than enough for her.

Their love journey hadn't been an easy one but Audrey never gave up on him. She always believed he would walk again, with time. Yes, her husband, Theodore had been crippled after a fatal accident three years ago.

This was one of the primary reasons her family had been against her marriage to him. Theodore hadn't just lost his legs, but also his position in the company he once led. The board had forced him to resign. He was betrayed by all the people he once helped. They all rejected him as their CEO and no one wanted anything to do with a crippled man—He basically lost everything, however, not Audrey. She was the only one who stayed when all turned their backs on him, including his own family — The Rodriguezs.

Audrey believed in him and chose to marry him anyway, despite the unsettling rumors she had once heard about Theodore's callousness and ungratefulness after he had gotten what he wanted from someone. She remained undeterred by the rumors. She had even relocated to another City with Theodore, needing to be away from her family and everyone else against their marriage.

She vowed to take care of him until he fully healed from his injury. Her unwavering determination pushed her to do everything possible to achieve success.

After facing rejection from her family, Audrey used her savings to start her own business, as her parents had also frozen her actual accounts. Though the amount was small, being a good entrepreneur, she had been able to build her brand from the ground up, all while still taking care of Theodore.

Everyone thought their marriage wouldn't last. They all predicted that Audrey would leave Theodore eventually, but she proved them all wrong!

Two years into their marriage, Audrey's business transformed into a remarkable and reputable enterprise. She had quickly appointed Theodore as CEO, despite his disability, while she took on the role of his senior secretary.

As luck would have it, Theodore gradually regained his ability to walk after a surgery that cost Audrey millions of dollars.

However, after he became CEO, he persuaded Audrey to step down from her position as secretary in the company, insisting that he wanted to pamper her like the queen he believed she was. He expressed his dislike for seeing her overwork herself, promising that now he was back on his feet, he would manage the company affairs. He thereafter assured her that the brand would still carry her name!

Audrey couldn't help but feel blessed for having a man like Theodore, who wanted nothing more than to treat her nicely and spoil her. Little did she know...

Even though she had been reluctant to resign from her position at first, with his persistent persuasions, she eventually succumbed to his pleas.

And just like he promised, Theodore had transformed the company into something more successful after Audrey's resignation. His savvy business skills, along with his prior experience, allowed him to significantly change the company, increasing its wealth. They became very wealthy over time.

Now, this particular day marked three years since their wedding, where she cared for him and helped him regain his societal status.

Not just that, it was their third marriage anniversary tonight and Audrey was currently shopping for gifts at the City's renowned shopping mall.

She had just three hours left before her anniversary celebration with her husband at 8 PM. Theodore had promised her he would be home early tonight, given that the last couple of weeks, he had been staying out late, working in the office. He had assured her that tonight would be different. Of course like the good wife she was, Audrey completely understood him.

However, Audrey was still indecisive about the choice of gift for the celebration tonight. The reason was because she had accidentally snooped into Theodore's home office earlier that morning and had found a fancy wrapped jewelry box in his drawer.

She recalled how her eyes had dazzled with admiration upon revealing the jewelry from the wrapped box to see it was a diamond necklace with a love pendant. It was the most beautiful and precious piece she had ever seen. She needed no soothsayer to tell her that that would be Theodore's anniversary gift to her tonight. The thought of that had caused excitement to ripple through her and she had been bubbling with anticipation ever since then.

Now aware of what he planned to gift her, she felt compelled to find a gift that would stand out as well. Although she knew nothing would compare to that beautiful necklace, she was still determined to select something special.

"What do you think about this diamond watch, ma'am? It's the first edition recently launched by T.A.J Group, the renowned jewelry company in the Country." The female attendant who had been assisting Audrey in shopping for a suitable gift item broke into Audrey's reverie, snapping her from her thoughts.

Audrey turned to the attendant with a keen surprise, but it wasn't because of the dazzling diamond watch the young lady was offering her; rather, it was because it was touted as the latest release from her own business, T.A.J Group. Of course, the attendant didn't know this fact. In fact, no one knew Audrey was the real owner of the company, having given ownership to her husband. Nonetheless, she felt a sense of pride hearing the saleslady had just referred to her company as 'renowned'.

"Oh, wow," Audrey eventually remarked, her grey eyes shining with admiration as she observed the jewelry piece. "This looks lovely, but I'm sure you have other recommendations." She said, not wanting to purchase something she knew her husband likely already had, given he was the CEO of T.A.J Group and certainly had the latest additions in his watch collections.

"Alright, ma'am. Just a minute," the saleslady replied as she placed the jewelry back before retreating to look for suitable gift items.

Audrey was still searching for the perfect present when she received several notification dings from her phone.

"Excuse me," She muttered to the salesperson who nodded in response as she began pulling her phone from her bag.

Audrey's expression was neutral as she unlocked the screen, wanting to see who had messaged her.

But upon tapping on the text from a rather strange number, Audrey's heart sank.

The texts revealed images of her husband, Theodore, seated at a well-known luxury restaurant, gazing affectionately at another woman while holding her hand—The kind of look that should be solely reserved for his wife. They appeared to be enjoying a romantic dinner date.

Audrey's heart thumped as her eyes darted between the images, recognizing the woman in the picture.

It wasn't just any woman, but her best friend—Emily Carter—who also happened to be the employee her husband had replaced her with after she resigned from her position in the office.

Audrey was shook with bewilderment.

It wasn't just that, that sent Audrey into a frenzy, but when she had zoomed in on the image to see Emily was wearing the same diamond necklace she had found in her husband's home office earlier!

What the fuck?!