Chapter 1 1

~ Chloe ~

My husband didn't love me. He didn't hate me either.

What he felt for me was worse... nothing.

A nothingness I'd gotten used to. One I'd decided to adapt with.

Until the night that changed it all.

And it started when the car came to a halt.

A guard moved to open my husband, Dale Beldson's side of the car, and I watched him emerge, revealing that full six foot four figure I'd fallen for.

What everyone had fallen for.

It was kind of hard to not drool over such a well built man.

He was the nation's most handsome man after all, physically built to perfection.

Shoulders and chest carved like crystals. Blue eyes that shone brighter than ever, then with his dark blonde hair combed and sleeked marvelously, he defined hot.

'Hot' that I fell in love with.

Love that began the moment I got to high school at fifteen, him being a senior in his final year.

Five years passed, and I couldn't stop gawking every time I got to see him.

So you must imagine how blissed out I'd have been when he approached me on my twentieth birthday, asking to marry him because he needed a wife to secure his CEO position.

Then, it had seemed perfect, but now... after two years in, with us barely speaking to each other and sex that felt like an emotionless ritual, I could say my fantasy was dying.

Still, I held onto the hope that if out of all the females that had a crush on him, he chose me, then there would still be something in there.

Some feelings he had for me, hidden somewhere, deep down.

And every day, he hadn't proven me right nor wrong.

He barely spoke to me on a daily basis.

But today, something felt off.

I got out of the car, trying to study him.

His jaw was too tight, shoulders squared more than it normally would, eyes cold and distant.

He even had a frown on.

Normally, I was used to him being cold (because, what billionaire isn't), but that afternoon, it was different.

"Is everything alright?" I had to ask once I was beside him.

Only to be greeted with a deeper frown, before he started towards the mansion.

What was wrong with him?

Still, I didn't bother re-asking.

Instead, just rushed to catch up with him for the family dinner.

His family I hated totally.

They were like thorns in my paths.

Most of them disliked me, and they were sure to not hide it.

All because of one person. One annoying person.

"Dale!" That annoyingly sweet voice greeted the second we were in, her five foot six figure rushing to throw her arms around his neck.

And Dale, even more annoyingly, allowed her, returning the supposed hug.

His shoulders even as much as relaxed a little.

Seriously?

"You're here early." He said in that deep tone of his that I still loved.

Even when he was here, lovingly hugging someone who was meant to be 'just friend'.

"Hmm. I wanted to see Amber." She pulled away, then turned to me, her smile growing. "Chloe, you look nice."

I had to draw in a breath of patience. "Thanks Nora."

Nora Clint was probably the synonym of a nightmare.

If frustrating was a person, then it'd be her.

She was very great at masking her love for Dale in front of him, but when it came to me, she was very blunt with her insults.

But I could barely do anything, because apart from being a millionaire's daughter and the sister to my elder sister's boyfriend, she was also Dale's childhood friend and his family's perfect choice for him.

All in all, she was favored every time.

My name on her mouth brought Dale's frown once again.

"Come on, let's get going." Without glancing at me, he just began strutting off.

"Dal-" I was going to once again try to catch up, when Nora snatched my hand, halting me, the smile and pretend-friend phase dropping faster than ever.

"I don't see why you still attend these dinners when it's obvious you're not invited." She sneered. "Even Dale doesn't want you here."

"That's not true." I yanked my hand free, glaring at her. "He's just in a bad mood. Probably because of work," it didn't have to be because of me, right?

She burst out laughing like that was the most ridiculous thing ever.

"Whatever you want to think," then she stepped forward, "but you should know also that today will mark your last day in this house."

Her smile was back, while I stood confused.

"Alright then Chloe, see you later." She then walked away.

As I moved to the dining hall, I found myself fidgeting with my dress.

What had she meant by today was my last day?

What was she planning?

It probably shouldn't have bothered me knowing how Nora was, but it did, because I had a feeling, she just might be right.

Especially as I entered the hall to find Dale whispering to his father, but the moment I stepped in, they paused and Dale's cold stare landed on me.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that his bad mood wasn't about work... but about me.