Chapter 1 Prologue

"You have to marry Mr. Lorcan Amadeus, Atasha."

That was my mom's sweetest welcome right after I came home from a high-end club which I can't remember the happenings last night anymore because I was too wasted. Blame it on the Bacardi that Sydney made me gulp for about twenty times, I think?

Ugh, nevermind the numbers! But seriously, I feel sore all over my body and one thing is I'm sure... I may have forgotten some details of events last night at the club but somehow, I can still remember that particular steamy moment I had with a stranger.

Oh shoot, right! I slept with a random man and worse, he got my first V-card! Damn it...

"Atasha, are you listening?" Mom snapped my senses back. She's arching her brow at me while holding her waist.

My forehead crinkled at her. "Come again, mom? Marry who?" I asked again, hoping I just misheard it.

"I said, you will marry Mr. Lorcan Amadeus for the betterment of all, for the sake of our growing business---" I gasped as I cut her off.

"No!"

Are they serious? No, no, no. This isn't happening!

"But yes, sweetie. You have no choice but to obey," she then, hovered around Dad who was sitting on his swivel chair, never throwing care at my disapproval. "The matrimony is set to happen the day after tomorrow so, be ready." Mom announced with finality.

Oh fvck this.

"B-but... how about my own freedom? How could you do this to me? I don't want to marry someone I do not love and I don't even know!" I shouted, driven by my emotions.

Because aside from their news shocked me to the core, it also tore me apart, like burned down all my better expectations from them.

"Goodness, Atasha! You're not getting any younger so whether you like it or not, you have to marry him. Don't worry, dear because we assure you, he's the most perfect husband for you. Trust us." Mom smirked wickedly as she sipped on her wine.

Meanwhile, Dad just gave me his nonchalant look as if all of mom's decisions had been approved by him.

I so hate this family...

And just like that, my precious freedom of being 22 was taken away from me and I found myself walking down not on the aisle but on the tiled floor of the courthouse where the wedding is being held.

"You may now kiss your bride." The judge announced.

Lorcan silently cupped my face as his soft lips brushed into mine.

It was the most bittersweet kiss I have ever experienced in my entire life as I realized how fate played a trick on me because my husband happens to be the stranger I slept with and ran away from.

My parents never told me the real deal about the person whom I married. He's not just a rich hottie bachelor no more but a freaking billionaire and a devil disguised in his expensive suit. Lorcan Amadeus, the man who is a nightmare for me but an ultimate dream for every woman out there.

But despite the culture shock upon witnessing his dominance, I can't deny the fact that it's ironically affecting every bit of my system, and my heart beats erratically for him, recognizing his touch, kisses and warmth against my body.

It was such an experience, for a short span of time being his wife, I learned to fulfill my duties and today, I'm holding a lunchbox wrapped in a foil while heading towards his office.

All smiles, I entered the elevator for me to reach the 20th floor. My fingers were fidgeting, maybe because of the excitement I was feeling, thrilled to see his reaction once I gave him the foods I had prepared.

I stepped out of the elevator and walked towards his office and without knocking, I opened the door and went inside.

Only for me to freeze for a moment, unable to mobilize as my eyes are being welcomed by an unfamiliar woman sitting comfortably on his table, wearing a very short pencil cut skirt and sleeveless top that should be covered by a coat!

My eyes found my husband who's sitting on his swivel chair, letting her play his necktie.

What crap is this...

But the true load of crap has slapped me hard the moment his cold dripping gaze bore into mine and he spat the words I never prepared myself for.

"Glad that you came. I don't have to ask my men to bring you here," he then handed me a piece of paper... that I never wanted to see nor read its content. "I want a divorce right fvcking now, Atasha Rae. Sign it." He muttered acidly.

I felt like a cold water had poured all throughout my body. I was too stunned to speak for a second but when I saw how his secretary for this month flirts with him, my blood boils automatically.

"But... why?! I did nothing but be a good wife to you, Lorcan! And why are you with her..." I trailed off while surveying his secretary dressed as a slut.

She's a snake!

"Oh cut the drama, woman. All I want is for you to sign this damned divorce paper. Sign it now! Leave and never come back again!" He stood up from his seat, eyes were darkly unreadable, piercing through my soul.

It was such a heavy pair to stare at. Slowly, I put the lunchbox on the spaced table, it should be his lunch for this afternoon but I think he doesn't need it anymore, and with my falling tears and trembling hands, I took the paper and stared at it for seconds.

God. Did he find me boring? Am I not enough to be his lover?

I guess, we can't really force the love that's not meant for us.

I looked at him for the last time, the perfectly sculpted face of a man who made me feel the sparks fly in a short span of time.

"As you wish, my beloved husband." Pride is the only thing left to me. Gulping all the pain leaping through my throat, I signed the paper and it fell on the floor.

... just like how he dropped my heart and broke it into tiny pieces.

As soon as I turned my back, I burst into tears. Never wanting to look back, I made a step forward to his office door to make my leave but deep inside my heart and despite the decisions of my rational mind, I'm still hoping for him to call me and apologize and say he never meant those words, like it was all just a misunderstanding.

But he didn't. It wasn't.

Leaving his life means burying a little secret that ought to grow in my womb.

Because little did he know, I'm carrying his heir... the billionaire's heir.