Chapter one: Laura's Bitter Reality

LAURA’S POV

“Laura!”

My husband, Elijah Reed, roared the moment he woke up beside me in bed. His face was twisted in fury, and my stomach sank with dread.

My heart thudded in my chest as I stared at Elijah, unsure of what to expect.

Would he regret the night we shared?

“What the hell are you still doing here?!” he snapped.

“But... I’m your wife. Where else would I be if not here?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“I gave you clear instructions last night at the business conference,” he growled. “You were to do your job….as my secretary. Not seduce me in that slutty dress. Yes, we slept together, but that meant nothing! Unbelievable,” he scoffed.

A sharp pain pierced my chest.

“Seduce you? Elijah, you followed me. We danced. We made love. If you truly believe I seduced you, then you’re wrong about me!” I protested, my voice low but firm.

“If you think that night meant something or that I’d ever fall for you, you're fooling yourself, Laura,” he barked. “I told you…my heart belongs to only one woman. Astrid.” His brows furrowed as a hard look settled on his face.

His words shattered me.

Astrid….the woman he had always loved. I had only ever been a placeholder. A burden. The pain in my chest intensified as I looked into his hateful eyes. My heart pounded faster.

“I didn’t seduce you,” I said through clenched teeth. I looked him over—his shirt half-buttoned, reeking of alcohol. Another drinking spree, no doubt.

“I thought… I thought last night meant something to you.”

“You’re so naive, Laura,” he sneered and stood from the bed, ignoring me as he reached for his robe.

“You think I’d fall in love with you just because we’re secretly married?” He let out a bitter laugh.

“I didn’t exactly say that,” I panicked, reaching out to touch his arm…..his strong, muscular arm, but he yanked himself away like I was a virus.

“Don’t ever touch me again!” he snapped. “Don’t forget why I married you. I’m only keeping my grandfather’s promise,” he said sharply. For a brief moment, I thought I saw sorrow flash across his face.

That promise... it was the only thing that kept us tethered for the past two years. If not for that, he would have divorced me, and fired me…a long time ago.

I nodded slowly, the threat of being left hanging over me. After two years together, all I had managed to break through was the cold shell of a man who hated me.

My eyes flickered to his lips. I swallowed.

“Laura, snap out of it!” I scolded myself mentally.

“I only told you what I remember, sir,” I muttered, trying to keep my tone neutral.

I met his gaze with quiet strength. I wouldn’t let him crush me today.

“You’re lucky my family likes you. If not, I’d have ended you myself,” he muttered coldly. His green eyes glared through me like a sniper locking onto its target.

I raised my head proudly, even as his venomous words stung.

“Whatever stunt you pulled last night, the dance moves, the seduction, it better not happen again. I only played along to save face. I don’t want anyone thinking I have something with you,” he said, ice dripping from his tone.

I looked him dead in the eyes…for the first time in a long while—and all I saw was hatred. Why did he hate me so deeply?

“Got it,” I replied quietly, my hands trembling, sweat beading on my forehead.

“Good,” he said curtly. “Make yourself useful for once. I’m expecting a special guest today. Her health is delicate, so don’t mess this up.” He gripped my arm with a bruising hold.

Who is “she”? And why is she so important?

Questions swirled in my mind, but I knew better than to ask Elijah anything. That only brought more pain.

He looked at me like I was an insect beneath his shoe.

“Elijah, you’re hurting me,” I flinched, his grip tightening. He moved closer, our lips nearly brushing.

“I’ll do worse if you mess up anything concerning my special guest…Astrid Stone,” he hissed, then pulled away.

I exhaled sharply, not realizing I had been holding my breath.

“Astrid Stone?” I whispered.

“Yes. Astrid. Don’t mess this up, or you’ll regret it.”

“Spoiled brat,” I muttered under my breath, hoping he hadn’t heard.

Everyone knew Astrid Stone…his childhood best friend. Rumor had it they once dated until her father got transferred overseas for a major contract.

Elijah never spoke of her. I never dared ask. But deep down, I always knew she’d come back someday to claim what was hers.

She was his true love. I was just the convenient, disposable wife. Soon to be divorced—and probably fired.

Was that... jealousy I was feeling?

I watched him walk away, every inch of him still holding my heart captive. But our marriage had rules—no falling in love. No touching.

“I can finally be with the love of my life,” he muttered as he grabbed a can of soda.

Then his phone vibrated on the lampstand. My heart stopped when I saw the name flashing on the screen….Astrid Stone.

I reached to pick it up.

Before I could touch it, he strode over and grabbed my wrist with a bruising grip.

“Don’t you dare touch my phone. Know your place,” he growled and shoved my hand aside. A burning pain spread where his fingers had pressed into my skin.

Tears blurred my vision as I stood frozen, clutching his scented pillow.

He answered the call.

“Hi, love…” he said, his voice soft and affectionate as he walked out of the room.

And I stood there….alone, invisible, broken.