Chapter One

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, 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.