Olivia’s POV

For a moment, I found myself crumpled on the floor of my husband’s office, heavy tears blurring my vision as I sobbed, unable to comprehend how I’d gone from a devoted wife lovingly preparing dinner for her husband to one rejected by him, all in such a short time.

I pulled myself up when I heard movement downstairs. Peering over the office balcony, I saw the staff loading his suitcases into the car. There he was, talking on his phone, about to get in and drive out of my life forever.

No. I couldn’t let that happen.

“Alexander!” I cried out, tears streaming as I ran downstairs to reach him. “Please don’t leave me, please reconsider…!”

I didn’t care if the mansion’s staff saw me making a fool of myself. All I wanted was to reach my husband and convince him to take back his decision.

“For God’s sake, Olivia, stop making a scene,” Alexander said, looking at me with disdain.

But I ran to him, throwing myself at his feet, begging. “Please, you can’t do this to me… What will I be without you? I love you so much, please…”

He pushed me away. “Let go of me, damn it! I’m tired of you—can’t you get that through your head? Now pull yourself together and get ready to sign the divorce papers,” he said coldly, his jaw clenched, before getting into his car and driving off.

“No…” I stood there, sobbing, feeling the physical ache of my broken heart.

---

“Alexander did what? No way!” My friend’s voice exploded through the phone, her shock unmistakable. “Please, Olivia, tell me this isn’t happening.”

“I wish it was a lie, Grace, but Alexander just left the house with his bags…” I said, my voice breaking, tears still choking me. “I begged him to stay, but it was pointless—he grabbed his things and left without any explanation.”

“Oh, Olivia, you must be devastated,” Grace said, her tone soft with concern. “I’m coming over right now. I’ve got you.” She hung up and headed to my place, as she always did when I was in trouble. She was my rock, my closest friend, and I adored her.

I cried, unable to shake Alexander’s cold stare and harsh words from my mind. What had I done to push him to this? I’d been a devoted wife—patient, attentive. We’d never fought, and we’d even started talking about having a baby. But now, everything was spiraling into a nightmare, and he hadn’t even told me why.

Grace arrived quickly. The moment she saw me, she pulled me into a tight hug. “Olivia, I’m so sorry… How did this happen?”

“I don’t know. He came home with divorce papers and told me to sign them,” I said, tears streaming as I tried to explain, sobbing in her arms.

“That’s insane. You two seemed so solid. There’s no reason for Alexander to demand a divorce out of nowhere,” Grace said, her brow furrowing with suspicion. “Olivia, I don’t know if this means anything, but you know Alexander and Nathan are close.”

I nodded. Our husbands were friends and colleagues, and the four of us spent a lot of time together.

“A few days ago, after their Paris trip, I overheard Nathan talking to Alexander on the phone,” she continued. “It sounded like Nathan was telling him to stay away from someone named Vanessa. But when he saw me coming, he hung up quickly.”

I blinked, confused. “Who’s Vanessa?” I asked.

“I’m not sure, but the only Vanessa we know is that insufferable woman from college—Alexander’s ex,” Grace said, shrugging slightly.

“Are you suggesting Alexander might’ve met his ex in Paris? That that’s why he wants a divorce?” I asked, stunned. Grace shrugged again.

“It’s just a guess, but maybe he ran into Vanessa in Paris, and that’s why he’s acting so strange,” she said. I let out a dry laugh, the idea sounding absurd.

I’d been married to Alexander for three years. He wasn’t the most affectionate husband, but he’d never given me reason to think he’d be unfaithful.

“Grace, I don’t think Alexander would cheat. He respects me—that’s what I’ve always admired about him,” I said honestly. She sighed, hugging me again, seeming to drop the theory.

“I’ve asked Nathan to talk to Alexander, to try and get him to abandon this divorce nonsense so things can go back to normal. Don’t worry, Olivia, we’ll figure this out,” she said, her voice soothing.

Grace stayed with me all night, offering the comfort I desperately needed. She even offered to stay over to keep an eye on me, and I managed to get some sleep. But when I woke up in the early hours, the weight of the divorce hit me like a tidal wave. Feeling fragile, I grabbed my phone and called Alexander, dialing twice when he didn’t answer.

Finally, he picked up, his voice icy. “Why are you calling? I told you to go through my lawyers.”

“Alexander, please,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m begging you to rethink this divorce.”

He let out a sharp sigh. “You’re relentless, aren’t you, Olivia?”

“I can’t give up on us…”

“There’s no ‘us’ anymore. Get that through your head!” he snapped.

“No, Alexander, please…”

“I’m coming over today because Nathan asked me to talk. Be ready to sign those papers. Stop calling.” He hung up.

I stared at my shaking phone, tears streaming down my cheeks. I didn’t want to lose him or our marriage. I was ready to fight for it. But I wasn’t prepared for what came next.

That afternoon, Nathan and Grace were at the mansion with me, waiting for Alexander so we could all discuss the divorce. We sat in the garden lounge, where I’d asked the staff to set out some snacks for my guests. We sipped wine, the air thick with tension as we waited.

“Think he’ll show, Nathan?” I asked Grace’s husband, my nerves on edge. He gave a reassuring nod.

“Don’t worry, Olivia. I made it clear our friendship’s at stake. He’ll be here,” Nathan said confidently.

I exhaled, fidgeting with my hands. Grace squeezed my shoulder, her kind smile a small comfort.

Then Alexander appeared in the lounge, dressed casually in jeans and sunglasses, looking almost too relaxed—nothing like the heartbroken husband I’d expected. He seemed carefree, unburdened.

And he wasn’t alone. Holding his hand was a striking brunette with a bold smile. They walked toward us, and the three of us froze, stunned by her presence.

Alexander spoke, his voice calm and deliberate. “Everyone, this is Vanessa Reed, my fiancée.”