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"Sign the papers, Bianca." Five years ago, Bianca Reed gave up her name, her identity, and her heart to marry Johnny Ryder-the ruthless billionaire who never loved her. Their marriage was built on duty, not love. But when Johnny hands her divorce papers, expecting her to break, Bianca does the one thing he never saw coming-she walks away without a fight. Now, she's back. Not as the desperate wife he discarded, but as the heiress to the Reed empire, a woman untouchable and out of his reach. "You think this is over?" Johnny growls, stepping closer. Bianca lifts her chin. "I already left you once. Don't make me do it again." But Johnny isn't done with her. Not when another man-**Jasper Sinclair-**stands at her side. Not when the fire between them refuses to die. And certainly not when he finds out the biggest secret of all... His ex-wife never truly left him.
Chapter one
At the gala night
Bianca's POV
"Tracy," Johnny breathed, his voice filled with something I hadn't heard in a long time-genuine happiness. His arms opened wide, and before I could even blink, she was in them.
I stood there, frozen, as he hugged her tight, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world. Like she belonged to him. Like I didn't exist.
"It's been five years," he murmured, his hand sliding down her back.
Tracy laughed, a soft, sweet sound that made my stomach churn. "Too long, Johnny. I missed you."
I clenched my fists. I shouldn't react. I shouldn't feel this way. But how could I not?
I was his wife.
I was the one standing beside him tonight, wearing the dress he picked for me. I was the one who bore his son. The one who cooked his meals, waited for him to come home, and suffered through his coldness every single day. And yet, right now, I was nothing.
Johnny pulled back slightly, just enough to look at her. His hands stayed on her waist. His eyes drank her in.
"You look... amazing," he whispered.
I felt invisible.
I swallowed my pain and forced my lips to curve. "Johnny, aren't you going to introduce me?"
His body stiffened for a second before he turned, pretending like he wasn't causing a scene. "Oh... yeah. Bianca, meet Tracy."
I smiled and held out my hand, even though I knew she wouldn't take it. "Nice to meet you, Tracy."
She barely spared me a glance before looking back at Johnny. "Johnny, can we dance?"
My stomach dropped. My heart clenched. I already knew his answer.
"Of course," Johnny said without hesitation.
Not once did he look at me. Not once did he remember I was here.
I stood still, watching as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
I could barely breathe.
He had never danced with me. Not even once.
Even on our wedding night, when couples filled the dance floor, he didn't take my hand. He said he didn't like dancing. Said it wasn't his thing.
But now? He was holding her close, moving with her as if they were the only ones in the room.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. My hands trembled at my sides.
He never fails to remind me how evil I am.
I stole his chance with Tracy.
I married a man who never wanted me.
I was nothing more than a mistake he was forced to live with.
I closed my eyes, but it didn't help. Because even in the darkness, I could still see them.
I could still hear Johnny moaning Tracy's name in his sleep.
"Tracy... baby..."
I could still hear him whisper it when we were in bed together, when his hands were on my skin, when his breath was hot against my neck.
"Tracy... God, Tracy..."
I had learned to bite my tongue, to swallow the pain, to pretend it didn't hurt. Because every time I brought it up, every time I asked why, he would just scowl at me.
"If it weren't for you, I would be with her."
Every single night, I slept beside a man who wanted another woman.
Every single night, I prayed that maybe, just maybe, he would love me one day.
But deep down, I knew the truth.
Johnny and I? We weren't a love story.
We were a tragedy.
I blinked back my tears and focused on the scene in front of me.
Johnny was smiling. Actually smiling. His fingers traced small circles on Tracy's back as they swayed.
He was lost in her.
And I was lost in the pain.
Minutes passed. Maybe hours. I didn't know anymore.
Then, suddenly-
Tracy leaned in.
I saw it happening before Johnny did.
Her lips pressed against his.
Right there.In front of me,In front of everyone Johnny didn't pull away.He didn't stop her.And I...I gasped, my voice shaky, my heart breaking into a million pieces.
"What the hell?" I whispered.
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
But no one heard me.No one cared.Not even my husband Not even Johnny.
She was a diamond covered by ashes.... King Dakota was known as the most Powerful Alpha King of all times - more powerful than any other King that had ruled from his lineage. He was cold hearted, introverted and dangerous in anger. Cursed by the Moon goddess, King Dakota had to get married to three wives all in search of a male child that would become his heir, but it was impossible as the curse would only let his wives bear she -wolves. But on a different day, the King meets a lady who offends him and as a punishment, he took her home as his fourth wife. Her name was Shilah. Shilah was a powerless wolf and as a result, was disregarded and intimidated by all. But, when she begins to do things that the King had never felt for years, he began to wonder who she really was. Slowly, she crawled her way into his icy heart and turned out to be something nobody ever expected - a storm.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Joelle thought she could change Adrian's heart after three years of marriage, but she realized too late that it already belonged to another woman. "Give me a baby, and I'll set you free." The day Joelle went into labor, Adrian was traveling with his mistress on his private jet. "I don't care whom you love. My debt is paid. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other." Not long after Joelle left, Adrian found himself begging on his knees. "Please come back to me."
When they were kids, Derek saved Norah's life. Years later, after Derek ended up in a vegetative state from a car crash, Norah married him without a second thought and even used her medical knowledge to heal him. For two years, Norah was devoted, seeking his affection and looking to settle her life-saving debt. But when Derek's first love returned, Norah, faced with divorce, didn't hesitate to sign. Despite being labeled as forsaken, few knew of her true talents. She was a race car driver, a famed designer, a genius hacker, and a renowned doctor. Regretting his decision, Derek begged for her forgiveness. Just then, a charming CEO intervened, embracing Norah and declaring, "Back off! She's my wife!" Taken aback, Norah blurted out, "What did you say?"
Desperate to handle her grandmother's towering medical bills, Gianna agreed to a contract marriage with Tristan, the enigmatic man she'd once shared a one-night stand with. She assumed they'd fulfill each other's needs and dissolve the arrangement once the terms expired. Unbeknownst to Gianna, this marriage was a dream Tristan had clung to for ten relentless years. Certain she was just filling someone else's role, Gianna prepared to leave when that other woman returned. But Tristan, his eyes burning with unspoken emotion, seized her trembling hand and declared, "You’re mine. Now and always."