Chapter 1: Bought and Betrayed

The sound of papers hitting the table broke the silence in the room.

“This is the divorce agreement,” Dylan Edwards said coldly, his sharp eyes fixed on her. “Sign it.”

Cassidy stood frozen by the bed, her fingers clutching the edge of a shirt she’d been folding. A heavy weight settled in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Her husband, no, the man who had only ever seen her as a contract, stood tall and indifferent, wearing an expensive suit. His handsome face was carved in cold lines.

“Changed your mind?” Dylan asked, one eyebrow raised, his voice dripping with mockery.

Cassidy swallowed hard, tears threatening to fall, but she held them back. Slowly, she reached for the pen, her hand trembling as she signed her name.

With that single signature, the last thread between them snapped. Dylan Edwards, the powerful CEO of Edwards Group, the man everyone thought adored his wife, was no longer hers. But in truth, he never had been.

Two years ago, she married him to save her dying mother. It was supposed to be simple: two years as Mrs. Edwards in exchange for her mother’s medical treatment.

But it hadn’t been simple. Somewhere along the way, she had fallen for him.

And now, it was over.

Dylan snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray and shoved the agreement toward her.

“You’re not stupid, Cassidy. Pack your things and be gone before I get home tonight. I don’t want to see you again.”

A check fluttered down onto the bed.

“One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. That should be enough to start your new life,” he added, his voice devoid of emotion.

Cassidy’s hands curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. For a moment, she considered tearing the check in half. But pride didn’t pay bills.

She took the check without a word.

By nightfall, the rain hammered the city, heavy and relentless. Cassidy zipped up her suitcase, her heart hollow, her face numb. She opened the door,

And someone shoved her backward.

A familiar scent, cologne and whiskey, invaded her senses.

“Dylan?”

His tall frame loomed over her. His eyes were glassy, unfocused, his face flushed with alcohol.

“Selena, ” he whispered, voice cracking. “Don’t leave me, ”

Cassidy froze, the name slicing through her like a blade.

Selena.

The woman she could never compete with. The woman who had haunted their marriage from the shadows.

“I’m not Selena,” she said quietly, pushing against him. “Dylan, let go.”

But Dylan didn’t hear her. His mind was somewhere else, drowning in the past.

“You can’t leave me again,  I’ll make sure you remember me.”

His hand trembled as he grabbed a lit cigarette from the ashtray.

“Dylan, ”

Before she could stop him, he pressed the burning tip against her chest.

Pain exploded across her skin.

Cassidy gasped, shoving him away, her eyes wide with shock.

Dylan stared at her in confusion, his drunken haze slowly clearing.

But the damage was done.

The mark was there. The scar.

And so was the truth.

Cassidy Aarvi had just been discarded like a used contract. But Dylan Edwards,

He wasn’t finished ruining her life.

The next morning, the rain hadn’t stopped. But the wind outside the mansion had calmed, as if the storm had only settled inside her chest.

Cassidy winced as she pulled on her clothes, each movement scraping against the fresh burn on her skin. Her body ached in places she didn’t want to think about.

Beside her, an older maid helped her button her shirt. The woman’s eyes briefly met hers, soft, sad, but she said nothing.

Across the room, Dylan lay sprawled on the bed, fast asleep. His face was peaceful, his breathing steady. You’d never guess what he’d done.

Cassidy’s heart twisted. But there was no time for emotions.

His words from last night rang in her head:

“I don’t want to see you again.”

She grabbed her suitcase and slipped down the stairs, her legs weak, her heart even weaker.

But when she opened the door, her breath caught.

A woman stood outside.

Tall. Elegant. With flawless porcelain skin and a colorful designer dress that hugged her figure. Her delicate face was framed by perfectly styled waves.

She smiled, poised and graceful.

“Hello,” the woman greeted warmly. “I’m Selena Johnson. Dylan called me last night.”

Cassidy’s lips parted, but no sound came out. Her stomach twisted. So this,  this was her.

Without waiting for permission, Selena stepped inside, scanning the mansion with calm familiarity.

“Where are you headed?” Selena asked casually, her eyes twinkling as if she already knew the answer.

The words pierced Cassidy’s chest. She straightened her shoulders, forcing out the truth.

“Dylan’s upstairs,” Cassidy replied quietly. “Waiting for you.”

Selena’s eyes softened with mock sympathy.

“I know who you are. You’re the one who made the smart choice. Leaving Dylan,  It’s the best thing you could’ve done.”

Her smile deepened, almost nostalgic.

“He’s liked me for years. But he’s always been,  afraid. Afraid of hurting me.” She sighed, as if it pained her. “Still, I hope you find happiness someday. Though, men like Dylan,  they’re one in a million.”

With that, Selena’s hand found the door handle. In that instant, her entire demeanor shifted. The air of pity disappeared, replaced with quiet authority, as if this house had always been hers.

Cassidy said nothing. The door clicked shut behind her, and it felt final.

It was final.

Her marriage. Her home. Her foolish hopes.

Gone.

The rain soaked her as she stood there, dazed. Her phone rang, snapping her back to reality. The screen flashed with her mother’s name.

She answered quickly.

“Cassidy, ” Her mother’s voice shook. “It’s me,  I don’t think,  I might not make it.”

Panic sliced through her.

“M-Mom? Stay there. I’m coming.”

Cassidy hailed the first cab she could find, her wet suitcase thudding beside her, her heart pounding.

By the time Cassidy reached the hospital, the best in the city, her clothes clung to her skin.

The nurse pointed her toward a private room.

Cassidy burst through the door, only to freeze.

A stranger stood by the window. Middle-aged, scruffy, with sharp, calculating eyes. His presence immediately set her on edge.

Before she could ask questions, her mother’s voice rang out.

“Cassidy! You finally remembered you have a mother.”

Her mother, Sameen Aarvi, lay on the bed, her skin healthy, her cheeks flushed, her hair freshly styled. She looked far from death’s door.

Cassidy’s eyes widened in confusion.

“I’m starving,” Sameen complained, pouting. “If you took any longer, I would’ve fainted from hunger.”

Cassidy opened her mouth, but her mother’s eyes narrowed at her soaked clothes.

“Why are you dripping wet? And where’s your umbrella?”

Cassidy’s throat tightened. For a moment, all the pain, humiliation, and exhaustion pressed down on her. But she only whispered,

“I,  I got caught in the rain.”

Cassidy barely had time to breathe before her mother’s sharp voice cut through the room.

“Forget it,” Sameen snapped. “Clearly, you weren’t paying attention.”

She motioned toward the man standing by the window.

“This is Jaylord Harver. CEO of Harver Group. A  long-time friend.”

Cassidy lowered her gaze. The man’s suit looked expensive, but he couldn’t hide the arrogance in his eyes or the unsettling smirk twisting his lips.

She didn’t understand why her mother was introducing him to her. A heavy feeling settled in her stomach.

“I’ve been counting the days, Cassidy,” Sameen continued, her voice cold. “You’re divorced now, right?”

Cassidy hesitated. The lump in her throat made it hard to speak. She gave a small, reluctant nod.

Sameen’s eyes darkened.

“Where’s the money?” she demanded.

Cassidy blinked in confusion. “What money?”

But before she could finish, Sameen’s voice exploded, raw and furious.

“You ungrateful girl! You sold yourself to that man for nothing?!” Sameen cried, her voice cracking with fake despair. “What are we supposed to do now? What am I supposed to do?!”

“Mom, I, ” Cassidy tried to speak, but her mother’s next words slapped her silent.

“Shut up! Get out of my sight!”

Cassidy stood frozen for a moment, then turned and walked out, her head pounding, her chest tight.

Behind her, the conversation continued.

Sameen’s tone softened, sickeningly sweet.

“So, Mr. Harver,  what do you think of my daughter? Satisfied?”

Jaylord rubbed his chin, watching Cassidy disappear down the hall. His eyes lingered shamelessly on her soaked clothes, the rain outlining every curve.

“Not bad,” he muttered. “Name your price.”

“Seven hundred fifty thousand dollars,” Sameen declared, crossing her arms.

Jaylord let out a low, mocking laugh. He pulled off a gold ring and twirled it between his fingers.

“Seven-fifty? Forget it.” He turned to leave.

Sameen’s voice tightened. “Three hundred thousand! She’s Dylan Edwards’ ex-wife. Imagine the humiliation for him,  and the fun for you.”

Jaylord paused. A cruel grin spread across his face. He fished a check from his pocket.

“A divorced woman, three hundred grand? Dream on. Here’s thirty thousand. That’s all she’s worth to me.”

“Thirty?!” Sameen screeched.

Jaylord shrugged, already tucking the check away. “That’s enough for plenty of women.”

But before he could pocket it, Sameen snatched the check from his hand.

“We’ve known each other for years, Jaylord,” she hissed. “Deal.”

Jaylord’s chuckle was low and greasy.

“Cassidy, come in!” Sameen called sweetly, as if nothing had happened.

Cassidy stepped back into the room, her expression guarded.

“I’m not feeling well,” Sameen lied, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Be polite. Say goodbye to Mr. Harver.”

Cassidy hesitated. “Let me change my clothes first,” she murmured, the humiliation of her rain-soaked appearance sinking deeper into her skin.

“Go ahead,” Sameen agreed quickly, her eyes glinting with something Cassidy couldn’t quite place.

Cassidy made her way to the hospital bathroom, borrowing clean clothes from the nurse’s station. The moment she was alone, she leaned over the sink, splashing cold water on her face.

Wake up, Cassidy.

But when she raised her head,

A scream tore from her throat.

Jaylord stood behind her, his reflection grinning in the mirror.

Before she could turn, his arms snaked around her, pulling her back against him. His breath was hot against her ear, his smile filthy.

“Didn’t your mother tell you?” he whispered. “You’re mine now.”