Chapter 4

Ella's pov

I woke up really tired from last night fun with Justin. He sure knows how to make me feel good. I flinged my shoes off my leg and fell tiredly on the couch.

“Ms. Ella, Mr. Fleming has scheduled a meeting with you at 8 PM at the XX villa,” Zach’s secretary messaged her. 

I opened my eyes wider than normal when I realized the message only interpreted that Zach is back, and he's even in the house. 

Zach’s back? When I got married, I believed I would finally become Zach’s wife, enjoying his love and wealth. But in reality, Zach had only pretended to go along with his father’s wishes. He only saw me as a mere decoration. His marriage to me was like a contract to him.

We've been married for three years but we've never lived like a real married couples. Zach has never had any meal with me, he only shows up when we're having a family dinner.

I learned about Zach’s schedule from others, and if we were to meet, it was always arranged by his secretary. I hate this cold man. No matter what tactics I used, he would never soften.

I wonder why he wants to see me, he just got back from Europe and the first thing he wants to do is meet with me? I had a bad feeling about it, but I didn't want it to bother me too much, he had probably seen the picture flying around. He has never cared about my lifestyle so I don't think anything would change.

I removed my clothes and walked into the bathroom to have my bath before meeting him downstairs. Even though we live in the same house we don't see each other.

After my bath I decided to pick a sexy dress, maybe he might find me attractive for the first time.

I panicked for a moment, even though I thought of seducing him, I still don't have a good feeling about this meeting we're about to have. 

After looking at myself in the mirror for a few minutes, I decided to summon the courage and go to him. He has never cared about what I did so it's not going to change now.

*******

When I got downstairs, Zach was already seated on the couch. “This has to be a serious conversation.” I muttered when I saw a file on the table.

“Hey, you…

“This is the divorce agreement and the property settlement agreement. If you have no objections, just sign here,” Zach said, moving the thick stack of papers on the table to mr. He stood up immediately, probably planning to leave as soon as the papers were signed. 

I was confused, I can't believe he's thinking of divorcing me. 

“You are not serious, are you?” I asked, but then I realized we've never joked with each other before so there's no way he's joking.

“Why will you request for a divorce without prior notice? I have endured this relationship just because this is what the public and both families want, why are you making it difficult for me?” I asked him angrily.

“I can prove to the public that the image flying around isn't me, both of us know that claiming adultery as the reason for the divorce won't do you any good, you'll be left with nothing.” 

“Why? Why do you hate me so much? You have had your own share of this adultery but you want me to suffer the consequences alone? You know you're being very unreasonable.”

“I am not obliged to prove to you that I haven't betrayed our marriage, I don't go around sleeping with married people.” I was left speechless.

“If you sign, I’ll divide the assets according to the original agreement: five properties and other assets. If you don’t sign, you’ll get even less,” Zach said, growing impatient.

I was confused because if I agree to sign the divorce then my social status will drop, the only reason why I have this large visibility is because of my marriage to him.  At this point I didn't know the decision to take.

“Please let's not do this Zach, I will be careful, I'll make sure this kind of thing never happens again.” I had to beg because this marriage means the most to me.

We had signed a contract when we got married, one that acknowledged the marriage was only for our parents’ sake. It covered pre-marital assets and outlined the terms for divorce.

I only wished to play around in his absence. I never wanted to lose my title as his wife. Without that title I wouldn’t be revered in the art world or hold such power. 

“People should be content with what they have. It wasn’t exactly proper that you were chosen to marry me. Just because I didn’t say anything before doesn’t mean I didn’t know,” Zach said coldly.

I froze not saying anything to him. I signed the divorce papers based on the agreement we had prior to our marriage. 

“You don’t have someone else, do you?” I tried probing, handing him the signed contract. I don't believe for a second that Zach could care for someone else. He was as cold as ice, and when he spoke, it was usually to insult someone.

Zach ignored my question, quickly confirming the contract before leaving.

The more I thought about it, the angrier I  became—angry at the money and status I was losing. In a fit of rage, I blocked all of Justin’s contacts.

“I can't believe I met that son of a b**ch ruin my perfect life.” I wailed In regret when Zach was out of the house, soon he's going to announce to everyone that we are no longer together. 

While I was still trying to recover from the shock, the sound of my ringing tone brought me back to reality. 

I picked the call immediately.

“Mummy.” Tears welled down my eyes the moment I picked her call.

“I just got off the phone with Zach, I'm on my way to your house, so don't think of doing anything stupid.” Mom said and ended the call.