Chapter 3

Charlotte

"What? Is she really laughing?"

"Has she gone crazy?"

"Does she think this is a joke?" His sisters and cousins whisper around me in confusion.

I raise my head and meet my husband's shocked gaze. I wipe the bead of tear from the corner of my eye, unable to control the wide smile on my face. "Finally. I thought this day would never come."

"What are you talking about?" He blinks at me. "Are you on drugs right now?"

I laugh some more before I bend and pick the papers. Closing the distance between Kevin and I, I pat his chest to search for a pen. I finally find one inside his suit jacket.

"I thought I would give this marriage a few more weeks before I finally checked out, but the earlier the better I guess." I quickly scribble my name on the dotted line.

He snorts. "Stop pretending to be unaffected by this. This act doesn't suit you, wife."

I raise a brow at him. "That's ex wife to you, Kevin."

"Charlotte, enough of this nonsense!" His mother snaps. "This crazy drama has gone on long enough."

"Actually, it hasn't gone on long enough." I reach behind me and pull out the clip holding my hair up, allowing my hair to tumble down my back in riotous waves. Grinning, I blow a kiss at Kevin. "See ya soon. Or never preferably."

"You'll regret this. You'll be back begging."

I laugh. "For what? All you were was a walking ATM to me. Oh and one more thing, pro tip, all the women you've been with lied to you about you being good in bed."

I turn on my heels and walk away, ignoring their furious orders for me to not dare take another step. I'm done taking orders from the Anders family. Now that my mother has a clean bill of health and I've paid a three year advance for a new apartment, I don't need Kevin anymore.

It was fun to use him for a year and play dutiful wife. But it's time to finally shed the mask.

I jump into a waiting cab outside and dig out my mirror to double coat my lipstick. "Take me to The Wilds." It's the name of the newest club in the city, with a steep entrance f*e that makes it exclusive. It's a good thing I have some cash to burn from my dear ex husband.

As soon as I step into the club, I feel curious eyes on me. In my modest grey dress and kitten heels, I look like I'm headed to a funeral, which makes me stand out.

"Isn't that Kevin Anders wife?" I hear someone whisper.

I pull out my buzzing phone, seeing over thirty missed calls from Kevin and his family. Ugh. I immediately turn off the phone and toss it back into my purse, then head to the bar.

"I want two shots and a margarita. Start a tab for me." I grin sultrily at the bartender.

Behind me, I hear the click of a camera, followed by. "That's definitely Charlotte Anders. What's she doing in a club? Especially this one?"

I toss back my shots, ignoring the whispers and head out to the dance floor with my margarita. I jump into the fray, rolling my hips and letting loose. I raise my glass in a silent toast to freedom and that's when I notice him.

The man's piercing gaze meets me from across the club. He's seated alone in one of the upper VIP suites, clad in all black.

I let my mouth curl into an inviting smile and start rolling my body slowly to the beat of the music, raking my fingers into my hair and seducing him. When someone tries to approach me, I move away, never taking my eyes off the man.

To my disappointment though, he's approached by another man and the two walk away.

I stagger to the bar to order another drink. The bartender passes me a margarita before I can even order.

"You have an admirer." The bartender informs me. "He's the one who sent the drink."

"Who is he?" I ask curiously.

"The boss."

I'm about to enquire further when the conversation at my side reaches me.

"Did you hear that this club is owned by Rhys Van Allen?" One of them asks, voice high with shock.

"What? That's impossible. I thought Rhys was ordered to leave New York ten years ago and never return," the other one says.

A third woman pipes in. "I heard that it was Mrs. Anders who ordered Rhys and his mother to get lost because she was afraid her husband would make his mistress' son his heir."

"That's crazy." One of them gasps. "And now Rhys is back? Why?"

"Who knows? But what I know is that he didn't come back empty handed at all. He's the owner of Vertico."

My eyes widen in shock at the information. Vertico is a billion dollar, real estate company which suddenly rose up from nothing and quickly shot to the top. So many other companies- including my ex husband's- have been trying to get in touch with their CEO for a partnership or investment, but he has remained elusive.

Until now.

"I heard he's here tonight." One of the women squeaks excitedly. "Before the night ends, I'm going to become Mrs. Van Allen."

I turn back to the bartender. "The man who sent me this drink, what's his name?"

"It's Mr. Van Allen that sent it." He says.

I smirk. "And where is my secret admirer currently? I'd like to thank him for this drink." At first, my plan was to quietly disappear from the Ander's life, but it seems the plan has changed.

I'm going to make them pay for every single cruel word, every single laughter and abuse.

I toss my drink back and check my reflection on the polished surface of the bar.

"He's upstairs in the rose room. Just down the hallway, and to the left." The man tells me. "Should I inform him that you'll be joining him?"

"No." I smirk. "It's a surprise."