Chapter 1

"Oh! It's nice of you. I will make it to the restaurant before you, trust me. I wouldn't want to keep you waiting, you know you mean the world to me," Adrain, Natalia's boyfriend, said over the phone.

"I love you, Greg. I just can't wait to get this divorce signed, so we can finally be together once again,” Natalia concluded as she ended the call, making her way to the sitting room.

Seated in the lavish sitting room was Caleb Kensington, the youngest billionaire in all of Italy. He possessed a dangerous aura that repelled people, yet simultaneously drew them in with his captivating and handsome appearance.

Many young ladies would do anything for him, but unfortunately, he was married. To the world, he appeared as a married man, but to his wife Natalia Lawson, and the household, it was no true marriage.

A union devoid of love cannot be deemed a marriage. A relationship where the husband treats his wife like a slave is far from a marriage, and most significantly, when the husband harbours an intense hatred for his wife, surpassing any other sentiment in the world, it can only be described as hell.

Caleb's mansion, belonging to the young billionaire himself, was not a home for Natalia; instead, it resembled a personal hell that she longed to escape. Her parents coerced her into this predicament. It was not the wedding she had always envisioned, walking down the aisle with the man of her dreams, Adrain. Her parents stole that dream away from her.

Shortly after graduating from college, her parents introduced her to Caleb. She initially dismissed it as inconsequential, but one fateful day, when she returned from shopping with Adrain, her parents dropped the bombshell of an arranged marriage. That day marked the saddest moment of her life, a day she wished had never existed, as it extinguished any hope of a dream wedding with Adrain.

Caleb was never the affectionate type. He detested Natalia from the very first day he laid eyes on her, possibly because he was in love with another girl. If it were solely up to him, he would have halted the arranged marriage, but his parents had a say in the matter.

Descending the stairs in a floral gown, her hair cascading loosely over her shoulders, Natalia's countenance lacked the happiness and radiance that once defined her. Since her marriage to Caleb, happiness and smiles have been non-existent. The once vibrant and cheerful Natalia was now consumed by a profound sadness evident to all.

Although denied the wedding of her dreams, she had hoped for a caring husband, someone who would at least show a hint of concern, even if he lacked any genuine affection towards her. However, her husband was the epitome of apathy, never displaying the slightest care for her well-being.

"Ca... Caleb," Natalia stuttered. She wanted to tell him that she was going out with Adrain, but the fear of being locked up again made her stutter.

Caleb slowly raised his head from his laptop and gave her a disgusted look. Natalia swallowed hard.

"I am... going out with Adrain," she said, biting her lip. How she wished he would allow her to leave this hell of a house, but it seemed like the devil knew better.

"You're not leaving the house," he replied coldly, then turned back to his laptop.

“Adrain is already waiting for me. Please let me go. After all, this isn't marriage," she muttered the last part, but Caleb heard her. He slowly raised his head and stared at her, anger surging through his veins.

"To hell with Adrain. You're my wife. He should give up on you," Caleb snapped, slamming close, his laptop.

"But this isn't right. Why are you allowed to do whatever you want, while I am not? You have a lover, and I have one too, but you won't allow me to see him," tears welled up in her eyes as she spoke. He only scoffed and stood up, pushing her off with his shoulder, causing her to fall heavily onto a sofa.

Uncontrollable tears began to stream down her cheeks as she covered her face with her palms. How she wished she hadn't been born into the Roger family. Maybe then she wouldn't be in this situation.

A few minutes later, Caleb descended the stairs, dressed and engrossed in a phone conversation with his girlfriend, Abigail. A radiant smile adorned his face as he strode past Natalia without sparing her a glance.

*********

With sunglasses accentuating his allure, Caleb entered the restaurant. He removed his shades, his eyes scanning the room in search of Abigail. Spotting her, he waved, and a smile tugged at his lips as he made his way toward her. Having booked the entire seating area, they were the only occupants.

"Hey, babe," Abigail greeted, her smile mirroring Caleb's as he sat beside her and planted a kiss on her lips.

"I've missed you so much," she pouted, and Caleb chuckled. A waitress approached their table, ready to take their orders.

"Babe, what would you like to eat? I can't decide," Abigail said, perusing the menu. The waitress couldn't help but stare at them, shock evident on her face.

"Isn't that Caleb Kensington?" she wondered. "What is he doing with someone who isn't his wife? And she even called him babe."

Both couples noticed the waitress's bewildered expression. Although they had already placed their orders, they looked up to find her lost in thought. Abigail tapped her, jolting her out of her daze. 

"Huh?"

“We'll have this and this," Abigail pointed at the food on the menu and the waitress nodded. After the waitress left, an awkward silence enveloped the table. Abigail couldn't resist stealing glances at Caleb who appeared visibly annoyed.

"Is something wrong?" she inquired, and Caleb smiled. 

"Nothing much. Just irritated by how Natalia spoke to me," he replied, prompting Abigail to furrow her brows.

"What did she say?"

"She wants to see Adrain," Caleb hissed, and Abigail bit her lower lip, choosing not to respond. Observing her silence, Caleb placed his hands on hers. "I know what you're thinking," he said, smiling. 

"But I would never fall for Natalia, so don't worry. She's not my type,. You're the only girl who fills my heart."

Abigail's face brightened with a smile, and almost immediately, their order arrived. Just as they were about to eat, the door to the restaurant burst open, and Natalia came in looking so angry. She walked to where the lovers were eating and glared so hard at Caleb who looked so surprised.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Caleb's once-surprised face turned cold immediately.

"You are here having a blissful date with your girlfriend, while I am not permitted to see my Adrain? Are you even human?" Natalia lamented angrily.

Caleb stood up with a murderous scowl, raised his hand, and gave her a slap, dragging her by her hair out of the scene already created.