The Forsaken Wife's Empire

(Patricia's POV) The kitchen was hot, the smell of boiling stew clinging stubbornly to my skin. I stirred the pot slowly, sweat slipping down my temple, the wooden spoon heavy in my hand. Suddenly, cheerful voices drifted in from the garden. Voices I knew too well… voices that reminded me of the pain I carried. My hands froze on the spoon. I didn’t want to look, but out of habit, I glanced through the window. And there they were. A man and a woman, running through the garden with their little boy. “Try to catch me, Dada!” the boy shouted, staggering as he ran a few unsteady steps. “I see you, little rascal!” the man laughed, jogging after him with easy amusement. The woman giggled behind him. “Catch me if you can, Honey!” The man scooped the boy into his arms, spinning him in the air, the boy’s laughter spilling into the warm evening. Then he gently caught the woman when she tried to run past him, holding her close, his smile wide and proud. Their laughter echoed th

(Patricia's POV) “What… what did you just say?” Mason’s voice shook with confusion. “I want a divorce,” I repeated, my throat tight. The room went still. No one moved. Their faces froze... shock, anger, disbelief moving across them like shadows. Mason’s eyes widened, as if those were the last words he ever thought he would hear from me. “You?” Elizabeth was the first to snap, pointing her finger at me. “How dare you? Asking for a divorce from my son? Who do you think you are?” Her voice was sharp, cutting through the air. My chest ached, my heart pounded, but I gripped my dress tightly, forcing myself to stay calm. “Do you even know what you’re saying? Useless woman… always whining, always failing. And now you think you can leave my son?” Gilbert barked, his voice booming. “I’m sure she doesn’t mean it,” Lucy said, folding her arms. “She’s just throwing another tantrum. As always. You know how dramatic she is.” Mason blinked, finally getting hold of himself. He hurr

(Patricia's POV) The car stopped in front of a huge and luxurious mansion. It was three times bigger than the house I once shared with Mason. Everything shouted old money and prestige. “Are you ready, ma’am?” James asked from the passenger seat, his voice warm and soft. Ready? I was nowhere near ready. My life had changed in a few hours. We’d driven straight from the hospital to the late Mr. Smith’s house... the house I apparently owned now. Mr. Smith had left everything to me. Everything. How could I ever be ready? I didn’t tell James that. I simply nodded. He climbed out and hurried to open the back door for me. As soon as I stepped down, heads bowed. People in different uniforms stood in line before the mansion, and a red carpet ran from where I stood to the front door. The whole place was decorated with flowers, as if a lost princess had returned. My heart melted. I never thought I’d have a place like this. Not in this life. I never guessed fate had such plans for me. T

(Patricia's POV) My steps were sharp and steady on these heels. My shoulders straight, my chin lifted high, and my eyes burned like fire, ready to burn anyone who dared look into them. I didn’t need anyone to tell me I wasn’t the same person. No... that old Patricia had died. It took a full month of hard work and dedication to become this Patricia. Because to rule this empire, I had to be this Patricia. It was my first day in the office and my first boardroom meeting as president of Smithfield Global Group. The shareholders had called the meeting, acting like they owned every decision, but I was about to crush their ego. The security at the boardroom opened the door before I even got close. I stepped in with James walking firmly behind me, carrying my documents and folders. All heads turned. Conversations died instantly in their throats, eyes fixed on me without blinking. And for the first time, I felt it... Power! Not the kind of respect the maids and bodyguards had shown

(Patricia’s POV) From where I stood, I could see the guests filing into the ballroom. They came dressed in their finest... jewels, suits, glittering gowns. Their faces said it all: hungry. Hungry for power, for deals, for partnerships. But I wasn’t interested in any of them. My eyes were searching for only one family. And then, they appeared. The Bedfords. Draped in suits and dresses that looked newly bought, probably purchased just for tonight. My fists tightened around the cold balusters as I watched them walk in. They looked happy. Fulfilled even. Lucy’s grin stretched from ear to ear, and Mason… Mason looked proud. Too proud. While Rose clung to his arm like he was her anchor, like she belonged there. My blood boiled. I followed their every step as they walked confidently to the table reserved for them, like they belonged here. “It’s time, ma’am,” James’s calm voice cut through my burning thoughts. “All the guests are here.” I didn’t take my eyes off the Bedfords. “Th