Chapter 3

AVERY WINTERS

"So, not only are you a barren but a bully too?" He asked in a very disappointed tone, then hissed before helping her stand on her feet. He wipe away her fake tears before turning to face me, looking angry. His eyes were burning with so much rage.

I clenched my palm into a fist, my hands trembling in anger as I glared at the two of them. I can't believe he's taking her side, despite everything I've done for him.

The most frustrating part is that I couldn't speak. I tried speaking but words failed me completely.

And when I finally opened my mouth to explain myself, even though I have no reason to do that now, Caden cut me off rudely. "Apologize to her now," he ordered.

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Apologize to her? You don't even know what happened!" I finally burst at him for the first time in our marriage, but his uncared expression didn't waver.

"I don't need to know the details. You're the one at fault... You always bullied her and as you can see, she's already scared of you as it seems. So, you'll apologize to her now" he said again.

I stared at him shocked as I feel the surge of anger rising within me. How dare he reduce me to nothing before my bully? How could he trust her words over mine? 

I am the victim here!

"So, you're not even going to listen to my side of the story?" I questioned in an unbelievable tone, tears welling up in my eyes again.

"Look, Avery, either you apologize to her now, or you'll be force to leave this house right this instant. Your choice," he threatened.

I stood there, staring at him unbelievably and hated myself for loving a man like him. The fact that he wasn’t remorseful of his actions pains me the most. I just caught him cheating on me with my stepsister yet, he doesn't look regretful.

Maybe, this is a sign to finally let him go and focus on myself. This is what he wanted after all.

How could I’ve just realized this now? That I deserve better and not a jerk like him.

This is enough!

If we’re going to get a divorce, then I'm going to do it with dignity. I will prove to him that I’m no longer that weak girl he once knew.

I wipe away my tears and said to him in a calm tone. "Alright, I'm going to accept your wish."

Caden looked at me, confused. "And what do you mean by that?"

"Let’s get a divorce, Caden Brooks," I said in a firm tone, while looking him straight in the eyes. “I will sign the damn papers!”

He stared at me unbelievable, as if I’ve lost my mind.

And without waiting for a response from him, I slowly moved back and turned around to leave the room.

As I stormed out, his unfair demand for an apology again played in my head.

"Apologize? For bullying his mistress?" I murmured under my breath with a scoff escaping my lip.

Tears finally run down my cheeks as I walk out of the house and headed to where I had parked my car.

Before I could think of what next to do, I felt my phone buzzed in my trouser. I pulled it out, only to find a notification from my bank- Account credited with $100, 000, 000.

My eyes widened in shock and confusion at the same time.

H-HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS?!

Before I could process the whole shock, my phone begin to ring in my hand. And the caller ID displaying an unknown number.

"Hello?" I said, cautiously.

"Avery Winters?" A smooth, middle aged voice asked.

"Yes, speaking"

"Ms. Winters, my name is Lucas Theodore. And I represent the estate of the late Mr. Michael Lucason, your uncle."

My grip on the phone tightened more. "My uncle?" I asked, confused.

"Yes, ma'am. You're the sole beneficiary to his vast fortune. You've been chosen as his next heiress to succeed him. We've been trying to locate you for a while now and fortunately, we finally found you."

The man explained excitedly.

My mind begin to reel with many thoughts. I had never heard of the name- Micheal Lucason, let alone being his niece.

"W-What do I need to do?" I stuttered as I asked.

We can meet at the Black Tower, top floor, New York City at 7 PM prompt. We will discuss the details there when you come," he explained again.

I hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

As I hung up the call, my mind swirled with tons of questions.

Who is Micheal Lucason?

How is he my uncle, and why had he left me his fortune?

I quicken up my pace and headed back to where I had parked my car. I got in, ignite the car engine and drove out of the house in a hurry.

•

I sat nervously, biting my lower lip as I stared at the papers in front of me, I don't know if I should sign them or not.

Twenty minutes ago, I had arrived here and met Mr. Lucas, the man who called me earlier, seemed nice and explained to me.

That; Uncle Micheal was my mother's junior brother. My grandfather, the chairman of LS Group, disowned my mother for marrying my father against his wishes. At that time, my mother was pregnant. My uncle became the next heir to take over him but, he never had children of his own. At the brick of his death, he left me his fortune.

Before me lay the will, stating that; I would receive $900 million, in addition to the $100 million already in my account, and take over the company but, only if I marry the CEO of Reed Empire and become his wife.

"So, Ms. Winters, are you signing the papers?" Mr. Lucas asked in a gentle tone. I looked at him for a second, then glanced back to the papers in front of me again.

I know I'm desperate right now but, how can I marry someone I know nothing about?

Before I could respond, the door burst open, and a good looking young man walked in, appearing to be in his mid 30's.

Mr. Lucas swiftly sprang up from his seat, looking tensed already. "Mr. Reed, what brings yo-"

"Has she signed them?" He interrupted rudely. His tone cold and detached.

What a rude guy!

How was he raised to speak to someone old enough to be his father like that?

"Um, you're here just in time. This is her," Mr. Lucas said, pointing at me with a nervous smile on his face. "Ms. Winters, this is Mr. Bernard Reed, your future husband."

"What?!" I shrieked, my eyes widening in horror.

But this rude guy on the other hand didn't even spare me a glance. He just walk closer to us and slammed a document on the table in front of me.

"W-what's this?" I asked.

"A contract agreement. You will be my wife on paper for a year, then everyone will go their separate ways. Now, sign it" he explained briefly.

"A contract marriage?" I asked, confused.

"I'm sure you're not deaf. Sign these fucking papers! I have other important place to be," he hissed angrily.

"I-I'm a divorcee" I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, I just ended my marriage today. Are you okay with that?" I asked hesitantly, fearing he would also reject me after hearing me say that.

But instead of backing off, my words seemed to angered him more.

"You think I fucking care about that?" He hissed, his anger palpable. "Just sign the damn papers so I can leave this place!"

Avery, are you sure you really want to do this?This man seems dangerous, with his anger issues.

His disregard for people's feelings is something to be cautious about.

What if, he hurts you? What if, he's worse than  Caden?- A voice in my head reasoned, worriedly.

But another voice immediately countered- You better sign this papers, Avery.

Remember, signing these papers means accepting a new responsibility. Not only will you become rich but also lead a whole company.

Just then, before I could come to a conclusion, I heard him hissed again.  "I'm not here for this nonsense. If she's not ready, then find me someone suitable, someone reasonable enough to know what she wants!" He muttered angrily, attempting to snatch the papers from my hands.

"No!" I exclaimed, grasping his wrist and locking gaze with him. "I-I'm... I will sign the papers. Please don't ch-change your mind" I stuttered, my eyes pleading with him desperately.

I'm really desperate right now, and marrying him seemed like a better option than being haunted by memories of Caden.

A sinister smile slowly crept onto his lips as he released the papers to me. "You must be really desperate, huh" he said. 

It's not a question but a statement.

I nodded silently, unable to deny the truth.

He's right. I'm really desperate.

"Good. Now, sign them" he ordered, his voice firm. 

Without a second thought, I took the pen and hurriedly sign the papers.

"Lucas?" He called, turning to face the old man. 

"Yes, Mr. Reed?" 

"I believe you know what to do"  he said, his eyes glinting with an unnerving intensity.

"Yes, Mr . Reed" Mr. Lucas replied.

He turned to me, and flashed me a smirk, sending a shiver down my spine.

The way his gaze roamed over my body like a predator sizing up its prey, I instinctively adjusted my dress to cover myself properly.

He looked at me one last time, and then walked out of the room.

Then, I heard Mr. Lucas asked, his voice laced with concern. "Are you okay?"

I nodded softly. "I-I'm fine. But is he always like this? Why is he so rude?"

He chuckled at my question before replying with, "Mr. Reed has always been like this. With time, you will get use to it since you will be becoming his wife soon."

Okay, that still sound weird— I thought, trying to wrap my head around it.

Just yesterday, I was a married woman. A few hours ago, I was a divorcee and now, I'm about to become someone's wife again.