"Let's get a divorce." Renna had said to her treacherous husband, Hayes Campbell, walking in on him with not one of his numerous mistresses that she knew of, but her sister, this time. Renna thought divorcing him would be the end of her misery but what about her father? The vicious man who she grew up to him finding fault in everything she did, she was his prodigal daughter while Nadia, her sister, was his favorite, despite how frequently she strayed. He disowned her right after the divorce and pushed her into the street. Divorced, disowned, and critically ill, Renna passed out on the street of New York. Renna thought she was dead until she opened her eyes in a hospital, and her ex-husband's uncle beside her. "Hey, kitten." He winked. "Don't call me that." Renna spat. "Fine, does Mrs Campbell sound better?" "Not that either," she mumbled. "Hayes and I are getting divorced." He was unusually quiet for a while, and when Renna looked up to his face, he had a smug smirk plastered all over. "Well, I guess that changes everything then." "What does that even..." "Marry me." "What?" "I will offer you a life every single lady on earth will be jealous of, kitten, the world will be at your feet, including your ex-husband, all you have to do is say yes." His name is Landon; Hayes's uncle and biggest threat. No one knew the mystery behind his hatred for Hayes. The business deals that Hayes wanted, he took them; Hayes popularity and influential spot in the country, he took that away, and now he has come for her. But not just as a game.
View MoreRenna's POV.
"I'm sorry, Mrs Campbell, but you haven't done anything to make your illness better." My stomach churned in despair as the doctors words resounded in my head. "I'm afraid the situation has gotten worse, putting you at a high risk of gastric tumor, it can get worse from that too." he finally let the most dreadful words out, sending stabs of pain through my already torn heart, slicing it into a million tiny pieces. “I’ve been trying, Doctor,” I mumbled, tears welling up in my eyes. “But there’s just... so much going on.” He drew out a deep sigh. "But you're clearly not doing enough, your body couldn't take it anymore and now we're dealing with complications that could've been easily avoided." I looked down at my hands, laced tightly in my lap. "We can prevent further complications if you'll agree to follow a strict bed rest for the next few days, while taking your medications right, we'll see what happens." I nodded frantically, a tiny glint of hope coursing through me. "Ofcourse." "Starting immediately." His next words hit me hard across the ear. "Wh.. what? No, I can't afford that today." His brow furrowed. “Mrs Campbell... “It’s my anniversary today,” I cut in sharply. "Our Third. I’ve been planning something for weeks. I just need a few hours, that’s all.” His eyes softened, but his stance never changed. "I know how important that is to you, but your health has to come first.” That's easy for him to say when he's not the one trying to keep a marriage from crumbling. "You have to listen to me Mrs Campbell, your body is telling us it can’t handle any more stress. You’re running a fever, your blood pressure is high, you've also developed a critical illness that isn’t even responding to medication the way we’d hoped. Please help me help you, Mrs Campbell." I stared at the floor, my heart pounding loud I could almost hear it. I thought of the gift I’d wrapped, and the cake too, both in the car, hoping to drive to his office from here for a warm surprise. A few hours with my husband won't escalate my illness, will it? “I won’t be long,” I whispered. “I just need tonight.” "C'mon, Mrs..." “No, Doctor. Please.” I stood to my feet, careful not to let the wave of dizziness overwhelm me. "You’re making a dangerous choice, Mrs Campbell.” “I promise I’ll come back tomorrow. I’ll do everything you say, bed rest and all. But not today. I can’t let this day pass like any other.” He opened his mouth, probably to argue again, but I was already turning toward the door. "Please promise me one thing..." His voice suddenly halted me on my track. I paused and turned toward him, my hand already on the doorknob. “What?” “If anything feels off, pain, dizziness, shortness of breath... you call me. Immediately. Don’t wait for tomorrow.” I nodded. "I will, thank you." I flashed him a grateful smile and walked out, hurrying down the hallway, a certain location ringing in my mind. Hayes's office. *** "Surprise!!" I squealed excitedly, pushing the office door open and rushed in. A beautifully decorated cake in one hand, and a gift box in the other. I halted on my track, frozen to the teeth, then it all came crashing on the floor the second my gaze landed on him; or them, rather. The man I had spent the last few weeks working on the best surprise for, on our third marriage anniversary. My husband, Hayes Campbell. There he sat on his office seat, Nadia, my elder sister; sitting right on his crotch, grinding effortlessly, their lips locked. Soon as the cake splattered on the floor, the noise seemed to break through their moment as they quickly pulled away from each other. Hayes turned to spare me a glance and a deep sigh escaped his lips, the tiniest glint of remorse distant from his eyes. "What are you doing here, Renna?" His voice was as rigid towards me as always. Did I have so much to say to him? Yes. But could I mutter a single word at this moment? No. Slowly, I turned towards the door, dragging my heavy legs out. "She wants you to run after her." I heard Nadia chuckle mockingly. "She's a dreamer." He spat. Their laughter echoed through my ears as I made my way out of the office, trying so hard to stop tears from clouding my eyes. Hayes was my husband, but undoubtedly my worst nightmare. The sound of his car driving into the mansion or the sound of his footsteps walking into the house always had my heart beating drastically in terror. And when he stared at me, the fury in his eyes was evident. His gaze on me always held nothing but disgust and scorn. It has been the duress that came with the marriage that stirred up my stress induced illness, but I didn't mind at all, all I wanted was to please him. I knew getting married to me was a plot to get what he wanted, but I had held onto the tiniest gleam of hope that he would adjust to it and learn to love me as his lawful wife. But those were mere wishes that never came true. Hayes and his brother were at constant loggerheads over the heir of the family's multi-million company, Hayes wanted to own it by every means possible, and being the eldest son, he had the upper hand, but his father, Mr Campbell had only one request. He wanted Hayes to get married and have a family. And then came the marriage arrangement between my father and Hayes. They were business partners, making it easier to come to an agreement, and me, as the leverage, despite how hard I begged. If he was going to get entangled with Nadia, why then was the marriage not arranged between them, instead of me? Ofcourse, father would jump on any opportunity to rub me off happiness. I grew up to him finding fault in everything I did, it felt like he was always lurking at the corner waiting for me to make the wrong move. And worse, I didn't have a mother to cry to just like every other child would, she died while giving birth to me. Most times, I wondered if that could be the reason why he hated me so much, or could there be more to his hatred towards me? I was the prodigal daughter, while Nadia remained his favorite, despite how frequently she strayed. As I walked dejectedly out of the company building, a strong wave of memories from Hayes ill treatments and hatred towards me over the years flashed through my head, realizing how much I have really endured and kept up with his excesses hoping for a miraculous change. I literally put my life on the line today to pull a surprise for him. Suddenly, I felt my legs stop moving and in a swift move, spun me around and began moving me towards Hayes office. It was as though my entire body was working on it's own accord, I couldn't stop myself from moving, neither could I turn back around now. But one thing was sure, there was something brewing in my chest that I needed to say to Hayes. Stopping at the door, I pushed it open and walked in. It wasn't a surprise to see them still lost in each other's arms. "What do you want for fuck sake, Renna?" Hayes snapped, rolling his eyes as he turned to face me. "I think we should get a divorce." The words left my mouth uncensored.Renna's POV.The car slowed to a stop, and I was still not over the fact that Landon actually picked me up to take me out; I have never experienced that before in my life.When I looked out the window, my heart did a tiny, traitorous flip.The restaurant was extraordinarily fancy, the entire building was almost made of glass that radiated so elegantly, there was a valet waiting by the curb. I blinked a few times, wondering if we were lost.“This is the place?” I asked, raising a brow.He didn’t even glance at me. Just smirked as he parked and unbuckled his seat belt. “I told you I have taste, sweetheart.”“Sweetheart,” I muttered under my breath, rolling my eyes. “That word should be illegal coming from your mouth.”He chuckled lowly, flashing me that knowing smirk that always came with him knowing exactly how much he was getting on my nerves. “Careful, Renna. You’ll make people think you secretly like when I call you that.”“Please,” I scoffed, “I’ve heard better sweet talk from sale
Renna's POV.The very first thing I did immediately I opened my eyes... before yawning, before stretching, before even thinking of stepping out of bed was to dart my eyes around the entire room like a paranoid cat, making sure there was no trace of Landon lounging anywhere he had no business being.“Good,” I muttered to myself, sinking back against the pillows with relief.Because I’m not giving him another free show today in my rightful sense.Yesterday’s incident was still fresh in my head, the way his eyes had shamelessly traveled all around me, the smirk tugging at his lips when he knew I’d realized he was standing there. It had been embarrassing, mortifying even, but the worst part? He’d enjoyed it way too much. And judging from how he had teased me at dinner, he wasn’t planning to let me live it down any time soon.So this morning? I was on high alert.I wrapped myself up in my robe, double checked the lock before heading to shower, and even at that , I was still very much on th
Renna's POV.I sat at the dining table, quietly spooning food into my mouth, determined not to think about the humiliation from earlier. My cheeks still burned every time my mind replayed the way Landon had been sitting there, watching me as if I were some kind of entertainment show.I was determined to eat quickly, quietly, and then vanish upstairs before I had to face him againThe maids moving around served as a good distraction from the haunting flashes of memories running through my head.I kept hoping that the creepy husband of mine doesn't come down for dinner tonight, or even if he does, I should be done with my meal before then, so I don't have to endure an annoying tormenting dinner, when I could have a quiet one. Thankfully, minutes passed and there was no sign of him.I had almost convinced myself that dinner would pass peacefully when I heard his footsteps, echoing faintly from the stairs.I froze, my spoon halfway to my mouth.Of course.Landon strolled in like he owned
Renna's POV.I woke up starving. Not the “I could nibble on something” kind of hungry, no, this was the deep, stomach-growling, “feed me or I’ll die” kind of hungry. I didn’t know why, but I felt like I could eat a whole buffet. Still, there was no way I was going downstairs for breakfast without at least brushing my teeth and showering.With the speed I was trying to move, I started undressing right there as I climbed off the bed. Off came my nightshirt, then my shorts, leaving me in just my bra and panties. My brain was only on one mission... finish fast, eat faster. I unhooked my bra and tossed it aside, already reaching for my panties... and then my skin prickled, a creepy, gut-deep awareness that someone was watching.I froze mid-motion.Impossible. Landon should be at work by now. Or anywhere but here. It wasn’t even a question... I haven't woken up to him still in the room except it was the weekend, and it isn'tSlowly, I turned, ready to glare at whatever weird painting or wi
Renna's POV.The tables were set in a circle around the center of the hall, soft music played in the background, and everyone chatted easily like they’d all known each other for years.Everyone except me.I sat to Landon’s right, my hands folded on my lap, nodding whenever someone said something vaguely directed at me but otherwise staying quiet. This was their circle, their inside jokes and shared memories. I was just the awkward new wife trying to smile at the right moments.Carissa, of course, made sure to take the seat on Landon’s left.And once she sat down, she didn’t stop talking.“Oh, remember that business trip in Paris?” she said, leaning slightly toward Landon. “When we all missed the last train and had to walk all the way back to the hotel? That was insane.”Landon gave a polite nod. “Yeah. I remember.”Carissa laughed, a little too provocatively. “You were so protective that night. Wouldn’t even let me carry my own bag.” She gave a soft sigh. “You’ve always been like that
Renna's POV.I stood in front of the mirror, tugging at the hem of the emerald bodycon dress I’d just pulled out of the wardrobe.The wardrobe Landon had stuffed full of expensive clothes for me the moment I moved in. I hadn’t bought a single thing in there, and tonight, I was grateful for it.The dress hugged my body like a second skin. Too tightly. I wasn’t used to this.I turned sideways, surprised by the hourglass figure I was seeing in the mirror, I wasn't used to wearing tight clothes back when I was married to Hayes because I was a married woman and wanted to act as such, I've hidden myself under those baggy hideous gowns that I actually forgot how my body was shaped like. I exhaled deeply and lowered myself on the dressing chair, facing the mirror close-up as I reached for the little tube of mascara I kept in my drawer. I wasn’t a makeup person, never had been. But I figured a little something might make me look more put together. A light sweep on my lashes, a dab of gloss, a
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