Chapter 1
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Aria Saxon stood in the doorway of their swanky penthouse , her baggy pajamas practically drowning her slim frame , as Liam Cole , her husband of two years , dropped a bomb that hit like a freight train .
He stood there in a slick black trench coat , his chiseled face cool and unreadable , save for a faint flicker of guilt in his hazel eyes .
“ Aria , I’m done . I want a divorce , ” he said , voice flat . “ I’m with Hannah now . ”
She froze , her brain scrambling to catch up . “ Wait – she doesn’t know you’re married ? ” Her words came out sharp , edged with disbelief .
Two years ago , a deadly epidemic had torn through Erenoland , spreading like wildfire and leaving chaos in its wake .
Liam , fresh out of grad school and working at a top hospital , had volunteered to head overseas .
They’d just picked up their marriage license , ink barely dry , when he hopped on a plane .
Now , after all that time , he waltzed back just to end it . And the woman he’d fallen for ? Hannah Gibson , the golden girl of the Gibson family .
“ We got hitched in a rush , ” Liam said , like that explained it all . “ Hannah was one of the first volunteers . She had no clue I was taken . ”
Aria’s lips twisted into a bitter smirk . “ So , what ? You just forgot to mention your wife while you were making moves on her ? ”
“ No way ! ” Liam fired back , his face flushing . “ It wasn’t like that , Aria . That epidemic was a nightmare . Hannah saved my ass – more than once – putting her life on the line . We fought that virus together , day after day , and … feelings just happened .”
He softened , eyes begging her to understand . “ Look , we both know this marriage was a quick fix . There’s no spark here . If your dad hadn’t bailed out my grandpa , we wouldn’t be in this mess . Hannah and me ? It’s the real deal . We’re head over heels . ”
Aria let out a sharp laugh , sarcasm dripping . “ Oh , please , Liam . You’re the one who got down on one knee and sold me on forever . Don’t act like I held a gun to your head . ”
She’d spent her life feeling like an outsider in the Saxon family , always chasing a sense of belonging . Liam’s proposal had been a lifeline , a shot at a real
home .
Out of gratitude , she’d thrown herself into saving his family’s sinking ship , the Cole Group . She’d sunk her own cash into it , taught herself business and economics from scratch , and worked herself ragged to keep the company afloat .
When Liam’s grandfather got sick , she’d juggled hospital runs and tracked down top doctors .
His mom and sister wanted designer bags , jewels , and fancy dresses ? She’d footed the bill without blinking . She’d run the company and the household , covering every cent the Coles burned through .
And now he had the nerve to say there was “ no spark ” between them .
Liam’s face reddened , but he pushed on . “ I’m sorry , okay ? Grandpa thinks you’re amazing , and back then , I figured you’d be the perfect Mrs. Cole . I went with it , made those promises , told you I’d come back . If I hadn’t met Hannah , I’d have stuck it out , played the part . We could’ve been one of those polite , no – fuss couples . ”
Aria was done . No sense dragging this out . “ Fine , ” she said , voice like ice . “ I’ll sign the papers . We’re through . ”
Liam blinked , clearly thrown by how fast she agreed , but relief flooded his face . After a beat , he rubbed his neck and muttered , “ So , uh … you staying on at Cole Group ? ”
She shot him a look , incredulous . “ Are you for real ? Why would I stick around after this ? ”
He shifted , uneasy . “ Hannah helped develop the protease inhibitor for the virus . She’s already scored a big gig with Kerano Global Health . I’m still on probation , so I’m heading back to Erengland ”
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15.00 IVIO11 , 20 May
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Aria’s jaw dropped , shock lacing her voice . “ Hold up – Hannah worked on the inhibitor ? How am I just hearing this ? ”
‘ Why the hell didn’t the company suits looped me in ? ‘ she fumed silently , her thoughts spinning .
Liam’s face lit up as he bragged about Hannah’s new gig at Kerano Global Health . “ She’s a freaking superstar in medicine , a total whiz at drug research . But she’s too nice for the corporate shark tank – all that backstabbing and scheming . Cole Group would eat her for lunch .
“ You , though ? You’re in your element , swimming with the big fish . That’s why Grandpa’s got such a soft spot for you . He might not even sign off on our
divorce . ”
His words carried a sour edge , like he despised the dog – eat – dog world that bankrolled his cushy life .
Sitting pretty at the top , he looked down his nose at the people who kept his family’s empire humming .
Aria’s lips curled into a mocking smirk . ‘ How did I ever think this guy was my rock ? ‘
Completely missing her shift in mood , Liam plowed ahead . “ Here’s the deal : if you stay at Cole Group , Grandpa won’t make a fuss . Stick it out , and I’ll throw in 1 % of the shares . That’s millions in dividends every month , no sweat . ”
Aria let out a sharp , incredulous laugh . “ One percent ? You think I’m that desperate ? You want me to sign the divorce papers , step aside for you and Hannah , and then stay to clean up Cole Group’s messes while you two cash out ? Yeah , right . ”
Liam’s jaw tightened , a flash of irritation in his eyes . He thought he’d tossed her a golden ticket , and here she was , trashing his family’s company . “ Messes ? Cole Group’s a damn money machine , with or without you . ”
He leaned forward , his voice edged with heat . “ Kerano Global Health’s the real deal , Aria . Hannah and I are out here doing work that matters – helping the country . You’re living the high life , so what’s your problem ? ”
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