Chapter 1

Zara Pov

The day I knew I didn't belong in Sylvester world wasn't on our wedding day, it wasn't on the day Aurora appeared, it was on this day when he announced her as his wife.

For three years, I lived as the secret wife of the most powerful billionaire in the world.

Until the day the news broke.

Sylvester King will be marrying his childhood sweetheart, Aurora Watson.

I clutched the phone tight in my hand as I read the trending news headline.

The news struck me like a slap across the face upon finding out my husband will be getting married soon.

The comments on the post show clearly that I never existed in his world. To the world, my husband is getting married for the first time while I've been his secret wife for three years.

*Finally the two lovers are together*

*I knew love will always win*

The comments kept coming, praising Aurora and Sylvester on their engagement.

I couldn't concentrate in class anymore, so I took an excuse from the lecturer and stormed out before the tears would spill.

I ran into the bathroom. I didn't hold my tears; I let them pour freely as I remembered all I've sacrificed for my husband.

For three years, I've been a devoted wife. His secret wife. And had sacrificed half of my life for him.

When the company was in danger, I stood by him.

When he was sick, and all his family abandoned him, I didn't leave him alone.

I drove to the court with my divorce papers clutched in my hands.

Three years. Three years as Zara King, wife to Sylvester King, the CEO of the most powerful company in the world.

It's like a void memory fading away.

My parents died when I was fifteen; my father was the friend of his father when he was the CEO. After the death of my family, his father took me in and treated me like his daughter.

Sylvester is everything dangerous I shouldn't crave. Ruthless. Distant and cold. He never looks in my direction. At a young age, he took over his father's position as the heir, and on my 18th birthday, we had our first kiss.

It was a one time mistake.

I thought Sylvester was going to hate me, so I kept my distance until one night when he came back home drunk and covered with blood.

I helped him treat his wound. I could still feel the touch of his finger brushed against my thighs that night.

I should have pushed him away, but I pulled him in.

The hormones were intense and the feelings were strong, so three weeks later, Sylvester and I got married after we discovered we couldn't take our hands off each other.

It was a contract marriage to protect his legacy, a certificate to protect me, so he said, and our marriage was kept private.

But we did everything couples do, including bed things. I thought Sylvester loved me until Aurora appeared. His late night doubled.

Aurora, the daughter of the CEO of Ironclad Global, one of the fastest growing companies now, a long-time business partner of the Kings Empire, showed up after her divorce with her husband. She has constantly been available in Sylvester's life, in his car, in his business, and in his space.

“I'm here to file for a divorce,” I told the lawyer who had his head buried in paperwork.

He checked the papers, and when his eyes settled on the name and age, he finally looked up at me.

“Young lady, divorce is not something you can easily just do. Where is your husband?”

I knew he must be surprised because a girl of my age shouldn't be married but going about planning her life and future.

Instead, I was planning the future with my husband.

“Just stamp it, I will get my husband to sign his signature.” My voice was calm, concealing all the anger inside of me.

*****

The mansion was quiet when I got back home. The guards didn't pay me any attention as I passed. Just another piece of furniture in Sylvester's collection.

The moment I stepped in, I walked straight to Sylvester's study. The door was slightly opened, and I heard laughter from inside.

The choking scent of perfume was the first thing that hit me, and I doubted whether my husband was in there.

Sylvester has always hated the smell of strong perfume, so I usually go for something subtle with a light, flowery scent or even days without it. But she must be someone special to have him settle for the smell.

I pushed the door open.

My husband, Sylvester King, was relaxing on his chair with a wide smile on his face, and beside him was Aurora Watson, his childhood sweetheart, who had come back to the city a year ago after her divorce.

She was helping him to fix his tie when I walked in. They had snacks and drinks before them.

They must be celebrating their wedding announcement.

The smile on Sylvester's face disappeared the moment he saw me.

“Oh, Zara, you're here,” Aurora said, her perfect red lips forming a smile. “You must have seen the wedding announcement.”

“Yes, I did.” I simply say, my face is void of any emotions.

“Zara..."

Sylvester tried to speak, but I cut him off.

“Please sign this document.”

I stepped forward, sliding the divorce papers across the polished Mahogany desk, the sound of the paper rustling unnaturally loud in the silent room.

“What is this?” Sylvester asked, wearing his glasses.

“The University needs your signature for my project approval.” I quickly flipped it to the last page of the signature.

“They needed your signature for insurance since you're the only family I have.”

Silence follows as the lies settle between us. I've been practicing this after I left the court, and I hope I sound convincing enough.

My parents had died years ago in a suspicious fire outbreak, so he knew I was alone. I've used his signature for most of my documents.

“Let me see what paper it is—”

My body froze, and it took everything in me to still have my knees holding me because I felt them go weak out of fear. Sylvester never asked questions with all the university documents I've brought to him. He'd just sign it with one glance.

So why now?

Why today?

“Oh, Sylvester, don't be so uptight. It's just a signature. Don't waste time on this; we still have many documents to review and sign at your office.”

Aurora rested her arms on his shoulder, smiling.

As the daughter of the Watson family, a family that's influential and shares a significant relationship with the Kings family, Aurora has always been close to Sylvester. Attending meetings with him, galas, and even business conferences. Anywhere Sylvester is, Aurora is always by his side. Her dress complemented his suits as if they were tailored made from heaven since her return to the city a year ago.

Sylvester hesitated for a while but signed the document like signing a business deal.

I quickly take the document away before he sees the petition for DIVORCE boldly written at the top.

“I don't think she'd ever grow up with the way you treat her like a child,” Aurora said, but Sylvester didn't reply.

Without saying anything else, I hurried out of the room before they noticed my shaking hands.

The door shut behind me.

Finally, it's over.

I'm free.

I took in a steady breath, clutching the paper over my chest as I walked through the King's mansion, heading to my room.

Every step I took, every hallway I turned, reminded me of Sylvester. The good old days with him.

I remembered how good Sylvester had been to me. How possessive he has been of me. Watching me while I sleep, cooking my favorite meals. How his touch feels against my skin, how he'd pull me to a corner in family gatherings, planting hot kisses on my lips.

“I can't wait until we get home, Zara.” He’d whisper in my ear before dragging me into the bathroom, his lips claiming mine against the wall

But all those sweet lovey moments were gone.

“Zara,” I heard Sylvester call my name from behind. I froze, the fear causing the papers to slip from my hands as they scattered on the floor.

The door jerked open, and Sylvester walked in.