34

Nina's POV

They turned, startled. Alexa adjusted her blouse with a smug look, while Jordan had the audacity to look bored.

"Nina," Alexa sneered, folding her arms as if she owned the place. "What do you think we’re doing?"

I felt as if I’d been slapped. My lips trembled as I turned to Jordan. "Is this… is this really happening? Today was supposed to be our anniversary." My voice broke, the words tumbling out with my tears. "How could you… with her, of all people?"

The sudden shift in atmosphere caught their attention, and Alexa looked up first, her expression smug as she zipped her dress back up. “Oh, Nina. Didn’t anyone tell you?” Her eyes sparkled with malicious delight.

I took a shaky step forward. “How could you?” My voice trembled as the words escaped, barely audible. “ I loved you as my sister!…”

Jordan shrugged, his face devoid of emotion. He didn’t even look guilty. “Sign these,” he said, handing me a piece of paper.

I stared at it, struggling to make sense of what he was asking. Divorce papers. Boldly typed, ready for my signature.

A harsh laugh bubbled from Alexa’s lips. “You poor thing. Did you really think you meant anything to him? Look around. Jordan’s been mine all along. You were just…temporary.”

I shook my head, looking desperately into Jordan’s eyes, searching for some sign of remorse, anything that might make sense of this. But all I saw was indifference. It was as if he’d erased every moment we’d shared in the past two years, every promise, every touch, every *I love you.*

“Sign it, Nina,” he said coldly. “You’re done here.”

My voice cracked as I asked, “Why? After everything I gave up…for you?”

He didn’t answer, his eyes flickering to Alexa. That was all the answer I needed. I took a shaky breath, feeling every piece of my heart shatter and scatter inside me.

Fine. If they wanted me gone, then I’d give them what they wanted. I took the pen, my hand trembling, and began to sign, every stroke of the pen tearing through me like a blade. Just as I was about to finish, I paused, the pen hovering over the paper.

I stood in the doorway, heart pounding, as Jordan’s cold words echoed in my ears, “I don’t love you. I never did. It was all just an act.” His face was a mask of indifference, eyes hard and unfeeling. It felt like the ground was shifting beneath me. My husband—the man I’d devoted two years of my life to—looked at me as though I were nothing more than an inconvenience.

My eyes darted to Alexa, my stepsister, who stood beside him, smug satisfaction plastered on her face. She sauntered to the table, reaching into her designer bag to pull out a document, laying it open in front of me. “This is a one-billion-dollar contract with Mark’s Group,” she said, her voice laced with mockery. “Jordan signed it just today.”

“Jordan, this isn’t what you think. Please, just let me explain—”

“Don’t say my name. It makes me sick,” he cut in, his lip curling in disgust. His words felt like a slap, sending an ache through my chest so sharp that I could barely breathe.

I forced myself to stand tall, despite the tears stinging at the back of my eyes. I couldn’t let them see how broken I felt. “Jordan, you don’t understand. I’m the daughter of Liberty Enterprises—the heiress to my father’s fortune.” My voice shook, but I held his gaze, hoping for just a flicker of recognition or regret.

They both laughed, cruel and condescending, as if I’d just told a bad joke. “Look at you,” Alexa sneered, her eyes sweeping over my plain clothes. “A poor, little cleaner claiming to be someone important? You’re delusional.” Her laughter was sharp and grating, each sound stabbing deeper into my heart.

I took a shaky breath, gathering my resolve. “I’m serious. I personally ensured your company received that contract. And there will be more, whether you want to admit it or not.”

Alexa stepped closer, a malicious glint in her eyes. “Shut up, Nina. That contract was my doing. I pulled strings, not you.” She tilted her chin up, her face only inches from mine, daring me to challenge her. “Don’t you dare take credit for my work.”

I looked at Jordan, hoping against hope for some sign that he might see through her lies. But his expression remained cold, his gaze filled with nothing but disdain. “Stop fooling yourself, Nina,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper but laced with venom. “Just accept it. You mean nothing to me.”

My chest tightened painfully, the betrayal cutting so deep it felt like I was being torn apart. But I refused to let them see me break. I squared my shoulders, lifting my chin as I looked between the two of them. “You may have stolen him, Alexa, but at least I’m not a homewrecker.”

Alexa's smirk wavered for just a moment, but she quickly recovered, flipping her hair back with a laugh. Jordan reached into his pocket and pulled out a sleek golden card, thrusting it toward me. “There are two million dollars on this card,” he said, his tone icy. “Consider it a parting gift. Use it however you like, but stay out of my life.”

I stared at the card, feeling the bitterness rise within me. It was like he was trying to buy me off, as though our marriage—our love—had meant nothing. “To hell with your money,” I spat, the words escaping before I could think.

I glanced up at them, feeling a sudden, fierce determination rise within me. “You know what, Jordan?” I said, my voice no longer shaking. “You may think I’m nothing, but you have no idea what I’m capable of. You’ll regret this one day. Mark my words.”

They both laughed, dismissing me as though I were a foolish child. But in that moment, I felt a fire reignite within me, something fierce and unbreakable. They could laugh all they wanted. Let them. Because I would prove them wrong.

I walked out of that office with my head held high, the divorce papers still unsigned, and a promise burning in my heart. They thought they’d broken me, but I’d show them that I was far stronger than they’d ever imagined.

As the doors of the elevator closed behind me, I made a silent vow. I would rise from this betrayal, stronger and more powerful than ever. And one day, Jordan and Alexa would realize what they’d lost.