Chapter 1

Alison’s POV 

On the very day I decided to tell my husband that we would be sharing a 100 billion fortune, he gave me divorce papers. 

I returned home, ready to share the good news with Reid; Reid’s bid for a cabinet position needed enough money to achieve it, and I was planning to support him with all I had.  

In my handbag was a document; all Reid had to do was sign it, and he would be entitled to my 100 billion fortune. My heart fluttered with anticipation. After three long years, I was finally going to reveal to him my true identity. Once he signed the document, I would have come clean to him. 

But when I walked through the door, ready to surprise him, I was met with a coldness I never expected. Instead of pulling me into his arms and kissing me like he used to, he kept his distance and silently handed me something.

I couldn’t decipher the complicated emotions flickering across his face. But the moment I looked down at the papers in my hands, I had my answer.

Divorce papers. My heart skipped as I read the bold lettering.

“Sign it,” Reid said coldly.

Why? As fated mates, Reid and I had been deeply in love for the past three years; aside from not publicly recognizing me, he had given me everything. 

A flicker of hesitation and guilt crossed Reid’s face, but it eventually gave way to resolve.  

“Alison, love.” He tried to touch me, but I stepped back. The divorce papers still clutched in my shaking hand. He grew impatient.  

 “Alison, I need to run for a cabinet position, and for that, I need a wife with power and influence. Which clearly you...” He stopped, unable to say out loud what he thought of me. 

A rogue without family support, without power, without status...

I blinked rapidly, forcing back the tears threatening to fall. When he proposed to me, he had told me that none of those things mattered to him. The only thing he cared about was me.

 “I hoped you would understand my decision.” He cupped my face. I couldn’t move this time; I was still in shock.   

“This is only a sham divorce, and I will continue to provide for you, just like until now —money, houses, cars, luxury goods—nothing would change, love.” He kissed my lips lightly.  But instead of sweetness, all I tasted was the bitterness of my tears.

“Just be patient for one year. Once I achieve my goal, I’ll remarry you. Alison?” He searched for my eyes, wanting me to agree to his outrageous demand.  He couldn’t have missed my red, swollen eyes or the pain reflected in my gaze. Yet he didn’t hesitate. He didn’t waver or show even the slightest intention of changing his mind.

I had always known that Reid was almost obsessive about winning the cabinet seat, but I never expected that he’d decided to sacrifice me. A bitter ache welled up inside me. 

“Who is she?” I asked, staring into his eyes. He averted them. 

“Britta.” He replied, turning away.  Reid’s college classmate, who always called under the pretext of catching up, only to flirt with Reid. Reid had assured me that he had nothing to do with Britta. But I could see the hunger in her eyes; only Reid could have been blind to it, or had he? 

Reid Paced around impatiently. His otherwise pristine hair looked dishevelled as he kept raking his long fingers through it.  He knew he was wrong, but he was desperate and was willing to sacrifice us for political gain.  

“If I don’t agree to this divorce...”

I didn’t get the chance to finish. Reid’s fingers tightened around my wrist, his grip so painful that the rest of my words died on my lips.

“Reid, let go of me! You’re hurting me!”

“It’s just a political marriage. I won’t touch her. You’re the only one I love, but I need her political connections, Alison. You have to understand that, baby.” Reid seemed completely oblivious to my pain. At that moment, the only thing on his mind was persuading me to accept the decision he had already made.

“Alison?”  

A syrupy voice made me turn around abruptly. Reid had even brought Britta over to our home. I wrenched my hand free from Reid’s grip; I felt my heart bleed. To me, their marriage was not solely to gain political support. It was a blatant betrayal. 

Britta, dressed in a sharp business suit, walked in. She must have been waiting outside for quite some time. She approached me arrogantly, dripping fake concern. 

 “Alison, sweetheart. You need to see the bigger picture. You are just a powerless, lowly rogue who couldn’t help Reid in any way, whereas my father, Alpha Morgan, is a veteran cabinet senator. If you truly loved Reid, you shouldn’t stand in his way. Are you seriously going to prevent him from achieving what he’d always dreamed of?”   

She stepped closer to Reid, putting a manicured hand on his arm. It was a territorial move. She was claiming him already. He patted her hand affectionately. My stomach churned with anger.  

“Reid and I are planning to have a child soon. To cement our alliance, don’t get me wrong.” She said it as if it was the most logical thing in the world. 

“A child, Reid?” I said through gritted teeth. I looked at my fated mate in disbelief. I wanted him to negate Britta’s words. But he just stood there letting Britta humiliate me in my own home, as if I was the unreasonable one.  

“Alison, if we want to sell the idea of a happy family, children are part of the package. A child could greatly improve my public image...” He must have noticed my pale semblance with each of his words and tried to hold me again, but he let his hand drop midair as Britta stepped between us.   

“This child would be conceived through in vitro fertilisation, Alison. You don’t have to think the worst of us.” She said, full of self righteousness.  

 “Britta and I would not actually get intimate. Think of her as a surrogate; you can even help her raise the child. Alison, this child is the necessary bridge to solidify my partnership with Britta’s family.” 

Could a man who is married to another woman have a child with his so-called best friend and still think his marriage its salvable? 

Reid continued to ramble on, urgently pressing me to agree to the divorce. But I was no longer paying attention; I was planning my escape.  

“Alison, are you even listening? Stop being so stubborn.” He growled.  

“I agree to the divorce,” I replied calmly.  

“What?” Reid was momentarily taken aback. He did not expect me to agree to the divorce so easily. After all, he knew how much I loved him.  But then he relaxed.  

“Alison, I knew it. You love me so deeply and would do anything for me. You’re not going to regret this, honey. I will make it up to you greatly.” He kissed my temple, but I was occupied flipping through the pages of the divorce agreement with a blank expression.  

I signed the divorce agreement without hesitation. My hand did not even shake.  

Reid, you haven’t realized what you have lost just now. I looked at him; Reid was busy exchanging triumphant glances with Britta and already planning their next step, so he did not notice my cold resolve.  

I agreed to the divorce, but I have no intention of getting back together with him... ever.