Chapter One

It was past 3 pm, and I was busy prepping ingredients for dinner when I heard my phone ringing. I rushed out to pick, thinking it was the delivery guy.

"Hello," I answered immediately.

Jared's voice filled the receiver, cold as ever and devoid of any affection.

"Don't wait up for me," I heard him spit out. I was about to ask what he was up to when he hung up on me.

I don't even know why I bother with him anymore; we have been this way since the very first day of this prison called marriage, but it still hurts each time he gives me a cold shoulder.

I was confused, wondering what to do since he wasn't even going to be home for the special dinner I was prepping.

But then an insane idea popped into my head. I knew it was a terrible idea, one I would pay dearly for, but it was his birthday, and he deserved some special homemade meal.

Dropping the phone on the counter, I quickly rushed into the kitchen to whip up something really quick for him. I made his favorite creamy pasta and some chocolate and raspberry cake; he would kill for this.

I packed up his dinner, a bottle of wine, and a bouquet of white roses.

I checked the time, and it was a few minutes past 6 pm. I hurriedly took my bath and put on a white dress. I made my way downstairs.

It was a 30-minute drive to his office, but I felt uneasy as we got close. We drove into the parking lot, and I couldn't move from my seat.

When I found my footing, I picked up the cake and the basket of food and wine, and with the bouquet of white roses in the basket, I made my way to the elevator.

I was nervous, but I found a way to remain calm.

I got off immediately the door opened.

Smiling I spoke with the secretary.

"Welcome, ma'am, to the Long Conglomerate; how may I help you?"

"I am here to see Jared Long," I replied.

"Do you have an appointment?" she asked. "

"No"

"I'm sorry, ma'am..."

"Tell him, Samantha, his wife is here to see him," I said, still smiling.

I watched as the smile on the secretary's face disappeared; she kept looking from me to the picture on the desk.

"Is there any problem?" I asked her.

"No, ma'am," she replied, forcing a smile before picking up the phone to call.

"What are you doing here?" I heard his deep baritone voice from behind me. My heart skipped a bit, but I pretended like I didn't almost die of a heart attack just hearing his voice and turned.

"Honey, happy birthday," I said, smiling and holding up the cake that was in transparent packaging.

I saw his face darken without any emotion; he gave me a good stare and turned to his secretary, who was watching the drama the whole time.

"Get this woman out of here." I heard his cold voice as he gave out the order. I was used to his harsh, cold words, but for some reason, it hit me harder than it ever had before.

He walked past me without a glance in my direction, heading to his office.

"Sir, the woman... she said... she is your wife," the secretary stuttered. I heard him stop and turned almost immediately.

"I don't know her; now get this thing out of my sight," he barked at the secretary, while the bouquet I was holding fell out of my hands. Tears flooded my eyes, blinding me.

He stormed into the office, banging the door behind him. I stood transfixed on the spot.

"Please, ma'am, you should leave." She said, I couldn't move from the spot; my heart broke into many pieces. But the whispers brought me back to reality.

It continued even while they knew I could hear them; some said I was crazy trying to impersonate Jared's wife. The other said he knows Jared's wife and it's not me.

"Please, ma'am, I don't want to lose my job; you shouldn't pull this kind of stunt again," the secretary warned, taking the cake and basket from my hands as she led me out of the floor to the elevator.

How do I explain to her that the man who just denied knowing me was my lawfully wedded husband? I don't blame any of them; how would they know when he has banned me from coming anywhere close to his office?

I wasn't allowed to make any public appearances with him; the bastard made me sign a prenup before the wedding. I was only too glad I was still allowed to work, but never to mention the almighty Jared Long, as my husband.

I knew what I was getting into but only thought he was going to change.

I was waiting, with the secretary beside me when the elevator dinged and pulled open. A tall, beautiful lady was in it. The secretary immediately dropped my stuff on the ground and bowed to the lady, scared.

"Mrs. Long," she said. I was in shock as she walked past us, giving me a disdainful look. I heard the rest greet her as she made her way into Jared's office.

"Who is that?" I finally found my voice.

"Mrs. Jade Long, the CEO's wife," she said, turning almost immediately to leave.

How did I miss the fact that my husband introduced Jade, his ex-girlfriend, as his wife?

I was heartbroken.

Jared wrenched my heart out, and I was bleeding nonstop.

My world suddenly came crashing down on me. How I made it out of there was still a mystery. I wandered off in the street, crying, wondering where I got it wrong. I can't believe I took time off work to prepare him a birthday dinner and this is what I got.

I was about to cross to the other side of the road when I noticed a long line of people waiting to get into a club.

Without thinking twice, I decided to join the queue. In a couple of minutes, I was in the club; I took a few bottles of drink, and I was already wasted.

I danced so much and drank so much; I had completely forgotten what having fun looks like sacrificing everything only to be stabbed in the back.

"Hello, beautiful." I heard the sweetest voice I have ever heard in New York; it's deep and rich, quickly turning me on.

We clicked immediately and danced, lost in each other's embrace, till our lips were locked.

* * * * * *

I opened my eyes and was confused, staring at the ceiling, wondering where I was. I tried sitting up, but I had a splitting headache that made me lie back.

I heard the sound of the shower, and that was when I realized that I was naked under the duvet.

I jerked off the bed, shocked to my bones. I found my clothes and some stranger's clothes littered on the floor. The memories of my escapades the previous night came flooding in.

"No, no, no," I whispered sadly. I'm almost in shock that I did all that.

The shower stopped, and I knew whoever it was was done showering. I jumped into the bed pretending I was sleeping.

The door opened, and a hot, handsome guy with a muscled body stepped out bare-chested, tying a white towel on his waist. The early morning sun cast a faint golden hue on his profile, making his features sharper; I was hooked, almost drooling. I quickly shut my eyes to calm my nerves.

"You should keep it down if you are going to pretend you are still sleeping." I opened my eyes in surprise.

He turned around. His tall silhouette loomed in front of me, with clear features and a faint smile on his lips revealing an audacious charm. Embarrassed by his gaze, I turned away.

The awkwardness lingered on. Not knowing what to say to break the tension, I blurted out after a long silence:

"Thank you."

"Hmm?" I lowered my head, uncomfortably.

"Although it wasn’t my first, this was the first time I truly enjoyed being a woman."

I spoke sincerely, but he, quite unfairly, started to laugh. He ran his fingers through his hair.

He looked at me: "First time in my life, after I've enjoyed a woman, I've been thanked so profusely. Just so you know, I slept with you to fulfill a physical need, not to be your savior." His words left me blushing, but he didn’t seem to care.

He casually grabbed my phone and pressed a few buttons on it. When I seized it back impatiently, a new number was saved. "Kent...... Kent Miller."

"......Hmm?"

"My name. What's yours?"

"Uh, it's just a one-night stand; don't ask too much; I have things to do. I'm leaving now."

I feigned calmness and quickly dressed up as I slid past him in my slippers. After walking quite a distance, I could still feel a gaze so intense on my back as though it could pierce right through my heart.

It was especially heart-wrenching. I immediately stepped outside, took out my phone, and, without any hesitation, deleted him as if I was guilt-ridden. At the same time, I was afraid that he might suddenly pop up, so I also blacklisted his number.

Last night was just a spur of the moment; I wouldn't allow myself to do it again, especially with the kind of man who could easily make me fall.

I flagged down a taxi and hurried home with mixed feelings; it was the very first time I slept out. I got home and saw no trace of him downstairs.

I hurried upstairs to freshen up before he came back. I was relieved it was a Saturday, couldn't see myself hurrying off to work after that, but every feeling of relief I felt flew off the window, as I stood dumbstruck to see Jared in bed with Jade, both naked and sleeping in each other's arms. I let out a scream, waking them from sleep.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and he got up nonchalantly from the bed. While Jade sat on the bed, clutching the sheets.

He strolled towards me leisurely, looking so lethal and without a heart; I was scared for my life. Every waking moment with him has always been terrifying, but today I knew he was ready to do something dangerous.

"I told you never to step foot at the office," he barked, startling me.

"It's your birthday, and I... wanted to surprise you," I stuttered.

"How dare you disgrace me?" He barked yet again. Before I could say a word, he threw a brown envelope at me.

I quickly bent down and took the envelope. I opened it, and my mouth fell open.

"Four days, Samantha, sign it within four days; you don't want to piss me off," he barked at me, about to storm off. I was in a whirlwind the whole time, hoping it was only a dream and I would wake up very soon.

I fell on my knees, clutching his hands.

"Don't divorce me, Jared; I promise I won't ever set foot in the company ever again," I pleaded, tears running down my cheeks.

"Get away from me, you dirty whore!." He smirked wickedly, kicking my hands away. He made his way back to the bed, ignoring my crying.

"Jared, please," I yelled as he kissed Jade, who was laughing at me the whole time.

I sat on the floor crying while the events of the past two years played in my head. I lost it for a moment. And I got up from the floor, heading towards the door. I made my way out of Jared's mansion with nowhere in mind. Walking hopelessly.

I walked into the road without looking, like a zombie.

The blaring horn coming from my right side brought me back to reality.

I turned to see a truck heading towards me. I sighed, knowing the end was finally here.