Chapter 7

ROOSEVELT’S POV

I stared at the paper in my trembling hands. The black ink blurred as tears filled my eyes.

It's definitely for mina

I glanced at the black box on my table. The necklace sparkled under the light. Just minutes ago, I had felt so happy. I thought my husband was finally choosing me.

But it wasn't a gift, It was a distraction. It was a cheap toy he threw at me to keep me quiet while he secretly promised forever to his ex-girlfriend.

Forever Yours, Z.

The engraving echoed in my mind, mocking our wedding vows.

Suddenly, I heard the shower off. Zyran would be out in a few seconds.

Panic and anger flooded me. I cannot cry, I told myself not in front of him. I have to protect myself and my baby.

My hands shook, but I moved quickly. I folded the paper as I found it and pushed it back into the pocket of his suit jacket.

I rushed to the mirror, grabbed the diamond necklace, and put it around my neck. The cold stones now felt heavy, like a chain. I quickly wiped my eyes and pinched my pale cheeks to make them look pink again.

The bathroom door opened. Steam rolled into the bedroom. Zyran stepped out, a white towel wrapped around his waist. Water dripped from his dark hair onto his broad chest.

He looked up and saw me standing by the mirror. A satisfied smile crossed his lips.

"It looks perfect on you, Roosevelt," he said. He walked over and stood behind me. His warm hands rested on my bare shoulders. Our eyes met in the mirror. "I knew it was exactly what you needed."

I looked at his reflection, he seemed so calm and sincere

"It is beautiful, Zyran," I replied, forcing a smile. My voice remained steady. "It must have taken you a long time to pick it out."

I paused, gazing deeply into his dark eyes in the mirror.

"Did you look at anything else while you were at the jewelry store?" I asked softly.

Zyran didn’t blink. His expression didn’t change at all he just leaned down and kissed my neck.

"No," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin. "I walked in, saw this necklace, and knew it belonged on my wife. I only had eyes for this, I didn't look at anything else."

He lied straight to my face without a hint of guilt.

My heart turned to ice. I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat and placed my hand over his.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Two weeks passed. On the outside, our marriage looked perfect.

Zyran came home early, we ate dinner together. The house was quiet because Mina had officially moved into the Lakeview penthouse. Zyran didn’t mention her name once.

But I knew the truth. Every time he looked at his phone, every time he came home smelling like a different coffee shop, I knew he was seeing her.

I kept quiet. I spent my days planning the Annual King Foundation Charity Gala. It was the biggest event of the year. For the past three years, hosting the Gala had been my job. It was the one night where the world saw me as the powerful Lady of the King family.

It was Thursday evening and the Gala was only two days away.

I sat in the living room, focusing on seating charts. On the table, hidden under some papers, was a tiny white box. Inside was a pair of baby socks and my first ultrasound picture.

The doctor said my baby was healthy. I had decided I would finally tell Zyran tonight. He had a right to know he was going to be a father. I hoped that learning about his own child might wake him up and pull him away from Mina.

The front door opened. Zyran’s heavy footsteps echoed in the hall.

"Zyran!" I called out, forcing excitement into my voice as I stood up.

He walked into the living room, pulling off his tie. He looked tired and frowned when he saw the papers on the sofa.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice flat.

"Just finishing the VIP guest list," I smiled, stepping toward him. "I picked up my dress today, Zyran. It is an emerald green gown. It matches the necklace you gave me. I can’t wait for us to walk the red carpet together."

Zyran stopped walking. He set his briefcase on the floor and crossed his arms and looked at me with cold eyes.

"Sit down, Roosevelt," he said.

My smile faded sensing something was wrong I slowly sat back down on the sofa.

"What is wrong?" I asked, my heart racing.

Zyran sighed heavily. "There is a change of plans for the Gala this Saturday."

"A change of plans?" I frowned. "Is there a problem with the food? I can call the caterer right now—"

"It is not the food," Zyran interrupted. His voice was sharp. "It is you, you are not going to the Gala, Roosevelt."

The room fell silent. I stared at him in disbelief.

"I am... not going?" I repeated. "Zyran, I am the hostess! I planned this event for six months. I have to give the opening speech."

"I am taking those duties away from you," he said smoothly. "The news reporters have been harsh lately, they found out about Mina’s fire. They are spreading rumors that she is a homewrecker and they are calling her my mistress."

"And what does that have to do with me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"I need to protect her," Zyran stated, as if it were obvious. "The only way to stop these rumors is to show the world she is respected. I have to show everyone she has my support."

He looked me straight in the eye.

"I have made Mina the new Director of the King Charity Foundation," Zyran said. "She will host the Gala and she will walk the red carpet by my side."

I felt blood drain from my face. The room began to spin.

"You gave her my foundation?" I whispered, feeling like I was choking. "And you are taking her to the Gala? You are going to showcase your ex-girlfriend to the cameras while you force your wife to stay hidden at home?"

"Stop acting crazy, Roosevelt," Zyran snapped. He seemed annoyed. "You are my wife behind closed doors, that is what matters. Mina has lost everything. She needs the protection of the King name right now, this is just a PR move."

"A PR move?" I exclaimed, jumping to my feet. Hot tears streamed down my face. "You are replacing me, Zyran! You are telling the world that she is the woman by your side! What about my pride? What about my feelings?"

"Your feelings are fine!" Zyran shouted back. His voice shook the room. "I provide for you. I give you a beautiful home and whatever jewelry you want. I thought you were strong enough to handle this but you are acting like a jealous, selfish child!"

I looked at the man I loved. He truly believed he was doing the right thing, like he was damn so fucking blind.

"I worked so hard on this," I said, my voice breaking into a whisper.

"And I thank you for your background work," Zyran said. He sounded indifferent now. "But Mina has already changed the guest list. It is done, Roosevelt, just stay home on Saturday and rest."

He picked up his briefcase and turned his back on me.

"I have work to do in my study," he said without looking back. "Tell the maid to bring my dinner upstairs."

He walked away, leaving me alone with my tears.

My legs collapsed. I fell onto the sofa and cried into my hands. I looked at the table. The tiny white box sat there, untouched.

He doesn't deserve to know, I thought, touching my stomach, he doesn't fucking deserve us.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed on the cushion next to me.

I wiped my eyes and picked it up. It was a text message from an unknown number. I recognized it was Mina because she texted me with it the day she appeared in my life.

I opened the message.

It was a picture of Mina standing in the penthouse I designed for her. She wore a beautiful, custom-made emerald green gown.

It was the exact same design I had ordered for myself. Sparkling on her finger was the $250,000 diamond ring.

Under the photo, she sent a text:

“Zyran said green isn't your color anyway. Thanks for the dress idea!”

My grip on the phone tightened. I wanted to scream.

Then a second message popped up. It was an audio file.

My hands shook as I pressed play.

The sound of Zyran’s deep, familiar voice filled the quiet living room.

"Don't cry, Mina," Zyran’s recorded voice said softly. It was the gentle voice he never used with me anymore. "The marriage is just on paper. Roosevelt is just a responsibility. As soon as this Gala is over and the press calms down, I will have my lawyers draft the divorce papers. I promise I am bringing you home."