Chapter 2: The Divorce Strategies

CAMILLA

Everything in me seems to stop as the loud music begins to fade. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at Lyra. What sort of disgusting words is she bluffing out?

“You are beautiful; you are a successful lawyer. Every man like Sebastian would want to associate with an independent woman like you. You could seduce him and get the evidence—a video or pictures?” she said casually, as if it were the most normal thing on earth.

My skin crawled. She has totally lost it.

“You have gone mad, Lyra. You need a psychiatrist,” I snapped, not hiding my disgust. “You want me to sleep with another man? Not just another man, but a married man?”

“Don’t worry. He won’t recognize you. He only saw you once at our wedding, and I will pay you for it; you need the money, don’t you?” she added.

My heart sank as what happened at their wedding came flooding back to me. I quickly shook it off.

“I can fight the ugliest divorce case in the world for money, but I will not destroy another person’s marriage for money, and I will not betray Desmond.”

She pressed her lips together, suppressing her laughter, as if everything going on here was some kind of comedy.

“Come on, Camilla. I’m not asking you to have sex with him; it’s just a picture. I know you are conservative. You want to keep yourself for one man, Desmond, on your wedding night,” she mocked, rolling her eyes.

I rolled mine too, already used to that single word.

Conservative.

“It’s just a simple task, Camilla.”

“Just a simple task? Why not do it yourself?” I snapped as I instantly got to my feet to leave, but she dropped to her knees.

My heart sank, and I quickly held her to help her get up. I could see some people staring at us.

“Please, Camilla, help me if not for anything but for what happened ten years ago,” she said, sobbing hard.

My entire being froze as I found myself totally speechless.

“Remember you promised me you would return the favor. Why not do it now?”

My fist tightened. Yes, I know I owe her for that. Yes, I promised myself that if she ever truly needed me, I would not turn away.

“Lyra, you know I love Desmond with all my heart. How could you?”

She held my hands, shaking her head.

“I’m not being manipulative, Camilla. Please, I’m just fed up with this marriage, and if I ask another woman to do it, she will definitely betray me, but I know you won’t. I promise, it won’t ruin your relationship with Desmond.”

My chest tightened painfully. I hate being forced to do anything against my will. I know this is wrong. I know I shouldn’t agree. But ten years ago, when I needed someone most, she didn’t abandon me. And she is only asking for a picture. Not sex. Not a real betrayal. Just a staged photo.

I closed my eyes for a second.

“Fine. Just a picture. And this secret should stay between us. No one should know, especially Desmond.”

She nodded instantly.

“I promise you with my life. I will take it to the grave.”

I instantly tapped her shoulder.

“Stop talking about death. We will both grow old together, okay?”

She nodded instantly, grinning as she picked up her belongings, wrapping her arms around mine as we made our way out of the club to our various homes.

I collapsed on the bed as a loud groan escaped me. Frustration swept through me.

Why the heck did I agree to that? What if Desmond finds out? I don’t want to ruin our perfect relationship.

Desmond is so sweet and understanding. He always chose me first.

I don’t want him to be heartbroken.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I reluctantly grabbed it, but the moment I saw the caller, I sat upright, my heart pounding. It was a video call from Desmond.

I had totally forgotten to let him know that I was already home.

I took a deep breath and slid to answer the phone.

“Hello, babe. Are you home already?” he asked softly, sounding a bit worn out.

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile as I nodded.

He yawned. “Now I can sleep in peace. I’ve been sending invitations to my high school and university classmates. I want this wedding to be so special for a special person like you.”

A shiver ran down my spine as I shyly tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Stop it, Desmond.”

“What? I’m being honest. You are beautiful and special,” he protested.

His words made me burst into laughter.

But something in me suddenly cracked.

Many divorce cases happen when one partner isn’t honest with the other. Maybe I could share Lyra’s plan with Desmond.

“Desmond,” I started.

“Camilla, there’s something I have been trying to tell you. I know it might sound uncomfortable to you, or perhaps you feel I’m being overly reactive, but can you stop being friends with Lyra? Yes, I know you both grew up together. She’s like a sister to you, but I’m really not happy about what happened today. She’s already married, and she goes to the club without her husband. Isn’t that strange?”

My heart sank as my grip tightened around the phone. I could tell he was fighting himself not to ruin our friendship, and I understand. He has always been so morally strict. If Desmond finds out about this plan, he might not forgive me.

And Lyra… how can I suddenly back out after agreeing with her?

“Desmond, you worry too much. I’m not so easily fooled, remember? You remember how intelligent I am at spotting out errors.”

He forced a small laugh, but his expression still showed his disapproval.

“Desmond, don’t be scared. Nothing will go wrong with our wedding, okay? Now you can sleep. Good night, my love.” I kissed the screen.

He chuckled and nodded. “Good night, my angel.”

I instantly hung up and tossed the phone onto the bed as I shut my eyes in frustration.

Damn it.

THE D-NIGHT

I couldn’t stop my heart from racing or my body from trembling.

Everything moved so much faster than I had imagined, and now I was already at the location Lyra had sent me.

It was a luxury hotel owned by Sebastian himself, which made me even more uncomfortable.

But Lyra said she had been planning this for weeks. She had made sure the person in charge of security tonight was someone she trusted, and she had already drugged Sebastian. He is already fast asleep; I just had to lie beside him and take some pictures, cropping out my face.

I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the last floor, the VIP wing.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

My heart skipped, and I instantly pulled my phone out from my purse.

Everything in me froze.

It was a video call from Desmond.

Oh my goodness...why now?