LOGINI thought divorce would free me from Roland Voss, the man who turned our marriage into a gilded prison. But walking away from a Voss isn’t freedom. It’s war. The press calls me a gold-digger. His lawyers call me a liability. And Roland? He just smirks across his mahogany desk and murmurs, “You’ll never escape me, Aliyah. Not while you carry my name.” I swore I’d never shatter again until I met him. Dominic Voss. Roland’s younger brother. The man I shouldn’t even look at, let alone want. He sees the cracks in me no one else bothers to notice. When the world turns its back, Dominic leans close and whispers, “Let me protect you. Even if it means going against my own blood.” Every stolen glance is treason. Every brush of his hand sets me on fire. And when Victor Hale, a rival billionaire with teeth sharper than Roland’s, circles closer, I realize I’ve become the prize in a game where men like them never lose. But I’m not the same woman Roland once broke. This time, I’m willing to risk everything, scandal, ruin, even the wrath of the dynasty that branded me theirs to choose the man who makes me feel alive. The question is… Will my freedom cost me my heart? Or will loving Dominic ignite a war that none of us survive?
View MoreAliyah's POV
I sat on the couch as I watched the minutes pass by, the clock ticking continuously as I awaited the arrival of my husband.
The clock ticked closer to midnight, but Roland wasn't here.
No. Not tonight. Not on our third anniversary night.
Frustration boiled within me, heat rising in my chest.
This could only mean one thing. He didn't care about tonight.
I didn't care. No matter when, I'll be here waiting.
My eyelids grew heavy, but I forced them open. No sleep until Roland gets back.
My gaze shifted to the dining table, the dinner I had personally prepared because of the special day lying untouched. The meal had turned cold, making anguish press deeper in my chest.
Moments later, the door swung open and Roland stepped in.
I jumped to my feet, my words filled with anger. It's our wedding anniversary tonight, Roland, I reminded him.
He shrugged, like he didn't have a care in the world. What about it?
His words send a surge of anger coursing through my veins, setting my blood on fire.
How dare he treat today as nothing?! After three years of enduring this loveless marriage?
It's our anniversary, Roland! I yelled. I made dinner, waited for you for hours only for you to come back now? My tone was etched with disbelief.
And all you say is "What about it? I said, my voice laced with sarcasm.
I've had a hectic day, Aliyah. I'm tired, so just rest, he muttered, attempting to ascend the stairs.
I grabbed his arm, forcing him to face me. What have I ever done, Roland? All I did was love you! All I ever wanted was your attention! I've never asked for too much! My voice quivered.
He groaned in frustration, his eyes darkened. “Don't forget your place, Aliyah." This marriage was not built on love, but on power! Wealth! Don't act naive.
His words shattered my heart, tears brimming my eyes.
“But I loved you with every fiber of my being,” my voice cracked.
Roland scoffed, looking so cold and distant. “Don't be mistaken,” he said, the words coming out of his mouth with so much hatred. You are merely a pawn for this game in the business world, Aliyah. A pawn I'm supposed to exploit to my advantage.
I recoiled, taking a step backwards, my voice barely audible as I whispered. What did you just say?
I said what I said, dear wife. You're a trophy. Nothing more. His words crashed into me like a storm, the impact of his cruelty becoming unbearable.
A trophy.... Meant to stand by his side, forcing a smile while acting like the perfect wife.
To the world, we were perfect. A perfect marriage every woman would have prayed for.
Tears cascaded through my cheeks, every word he had uttered, shattering my heart into a million pieces.
I sniffled, letting out a bitter laugh. So that's all I am to you? A pawn. A trophy you flaunt whenever you want?
“Don't twist my words, Aliyah!” he snapped.
I don't need to twist anything, you just made yourself clear. My voice trembled with fury.
Roland sighed heavily, like my pains were nothing but a nuisance to his existence. “It's past your bedtime, Aliyah.
That was a way of telling me I've done enough.
The anguish in my throat tightened, Roland. All I wanted was your love. Your attention.
His gaze darkened. You got married to a Voss. Don't expect more.
His cold words struck deeper than a knife. The way he said it, as though I had married him because of his name....his power.
Visions of building a family with him shattered in an instant.
I should have known, My voice cracked. From the very beginning, I should have seen through you.
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, Then what?
It made my fists curl, but Roland Voss wasn't done.
He stepped closer, his words filled with mockery. If you had seen through me then you would have done what?
Don’t forget. Consider yourself fortunate, Aliyah. You married a Voss.
"Don't make it sound like I married you because of your damn name!" I roared. I married you because I loved you!
Roland chuckled. Love? Don't be naive, dear wife. His hands cupped my face, his grip firm, gaze merciless.
“Love is for the weak!" We don't live on love, we live on power!” He gritted, then took his hands off my face roughly before he stormed upstairs.
He left me picking the shards of my emotions.
He dared to call my love weak?
No love. No feelings. But I was just finding out after three years.
I trailed behind him, walking into our master bedroom but was met with surprise when I saw the sight of him.
Roland was shredding his clothes off, getting dressed in a new suit adorned with designs, the sharp scent of his cologne filling the air.
You....are going out again? My voice trembled.
Without turning to look at me, he responded. Yeah. To a bar.
The realization hit me hard.
He was preparing to go to a bar, seeking pleasure in the arms of another woman.
Pain washed over me, intensifying the torrent of emotion swirling inside me.
Now you humiliate me by flaunting your infidelity? I asked.
I sacrificed everything for him, but to him, this marriage is nothing.
His face twisted with rage. Don't accuse me baselessly, Aliyah.
Before I could retort, his phone rang. He stormed past me, answering the call.
I'm waiting, a woman's voice said from the other end of the phone.
I'll be there in a jiffy, Roland replied, his tone flat.
The sound of his retreating footsteps echoed through my ears.
Then he was gone, leaving me to process everything that had happened.
He wasn't just discarding me, he was cheating. Betraying me.
The realization cut sharper than a blade.
Then I knew it was time... time to liberate myself from the shadows that had consumed our marriage.
Tonight, I vowed. I was done being his trophy. And this was the beginning of my end with Roland Voss.
Aliyah's PovI kept my trembling hands hidden at my back as my gaze moved from Ronald to Dominic. I felt a cold breeze over my ear, making it seem the heater in the room was broken. Ronald's presence suffocated the whole room. Dominic immediately stepped back, his hand falling from the document he’d just handed me. “What,” Ronald’s voice came low het rough, “did I just hear?”My throat tightened. The paper trembled in my hand.Dominic swallowed hard. Ronald, I was just.....“You were just what?” Ronald’s gaze moved from between us, “Offering my wife a contract marriage?”Dominic’s lips parted, then closed again. He tried to stay calm. “Aliyah deserves a choice, Ronald. You’ve trapped her long enough.”“Choice?” Ronald’s tone was ice. “You don’t get to talk to me about choices in my house, about my wife.”I drew a breath, my pulse racing. “Stop it. Both of you.”Ronald turned to me, jaw flexing. “Do you think I am not aware of what has been going on? You think I wouldn’t have heard
Aliyah's PovI should have said no. I should have left him standing in the hallway, but I let him in. The door clicked shut behind him, sealing us in the same air. The air shifted around him, heavy with authority. Dominic put his hands in his pocket, entering the empty living room. Then his gaze darted towards me, piercing through me like he could see through my soul. Why are you here? My voice cut through the silence in the room, rough and raw. I see you are barely trying to hold up, he sneered. His words were like a punch to my guts, but I refused to let the hurt in my eyes show. If you came here to mock me, then please save it! I clenched my jaws. You know, he said, his voice low. Most people don’t bother reading the fine print until it’s already strangling them.The sting of his words made my throat tighten. You can't come into my house and mock me, Dominic!He smirked, like he was enjoying every bit of this. Mock you? No.Then why are you here? Clearly, just not to taunt
Aliyah's PovDominic's command still rang in the air, like a line drawn with blood. His eyes were fixated on Roland and then, he turned to me.Heat rippled through my spine once I realized that I was under his gaze. For the briefest second, the room fell away.No headlines, no cameras, no whispers. Just me, pinned under the weight of Dominic’s gaze.Roland noticed it as well. His smirk spread wider, his words laced with venom.Funny thing about family, he said to his circle, voice carrying just enough for me to hear.No matter what happens, Aliyah will always belong to mine. One way or another.The chandelier seemed to spin above me. I wanted to scream. I wanted the ground to swallow me up. I wanted to hurl my champagne in his smug face. But instead, I turned sharply, my heels striking marble as I made for the nearest exit. But then, click. A flash.Cameras, the paparazzi had struck again.I flinched instinctively and Dominic noticed. His jaw hardened, and in one smooth motion, he
Aliyah's POV Are you planning to throw yourself under the next car? Dominic's voice cut through my thoughts. He let go of my arm, his green eyes dark and dangerous. I could only stare, words caught in my throat. Come on. I'll give you a ride, he said. “I don't need your help!” I rasped, voice thin and shaky. He scoffed. Then, would you rather walk back into the traffic? Or watch these cameras as they break you till there's nothing left to pick up?I swallowed hard, gaze darting around everywhere. Flashes. Whispers. People were watching. If you are done thinking about it, then get in the car. His tone was sharp, commanding. I wanted to refuse, but my legs betrayed me, moving after him like they were being pulled by invincible strings. The sleek black car waited at the curb, gleaming under the city lights. Dominic opened the door, not out of courtesy, but something I couldn't fathom. I slid in, the door sealing me in with a shut. Dominic rounded the car, slipping into the dr
ALIYAH'S POV The vow carried me into his office the next morning, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Roland looked up from his desk, his cold gaze locking on me. The husband who had built me only to crush me, bits by bits, until I barely recognized myself. What a surprise. Why the sudden visit, Aliyah?Roland's voice was calm, taunting. After he left last night, he hadn't stepped into the house. But I was done with the endless waits. I stepped forward, slamming the divorce papers onto his desk. Sign them, I snapped.My voice shook with rage, making the words cut through the silence like broken glass. Roland leaned back in his chair, smug and unbothered. His dark hair slicked back, cufflinks glinting, jaw freshly shaven. The ruthless billionaire the tabloids worshiped and feared.He didn’t glance at the papers, just smirked. Sign them? His voice dripped with mockery. I don’t take orders from you, darling.My nails dug into my palm until I nearly drew blood. I’m not aski
Aliyah's POV I sat on the couch as I watched the minutes pass by, the clock ticking continuously as I awaited the arrival of my husband. The clock ticked closer to midnight, but Roland wasn't here. No. Not tonight. Not on our third anniversary night. Frustration boiled within me, heat rising in my chest. This could only mean one thing. He didn't care about tonight. I didn't care. No matter when, I'll be here waiting. My eyelids grew heavy, but I forced them open. No sleep until Roland gets back. My gaze shifted to the dining table, the dinner I had personally prepared because of the special day lying untouched. The meal had turned cold, making anguish press deeper in my chest. Moments later, the door swung open and Roland stepped in. I jumped to my feet, my words filled with anger. It's our wedding anniversary tonight, Roland, I reminded him. He shrugged, like he didn't have a care in the world. What about it?His words send a surge of anger coursing through my veins, setti
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