I Married my Ex-husband's Rival

Erick Blake sat at the head of the table. A few buttons of his shirt were unfastened at the chest. A cigar rested between his fingers, while his other hand tapped the armrest with a steady rhythm.

"Kimberly, don't be stubborn," he gently reminded. "You have 30 seconds to tell me where you've sent Hannah."

Erick was using my parents' lives to control me.

"Enough." I couldn't stop my voice from trembling. "They're my parents. They are the most important family in my life..."

Erick's fingers paused.

My heart skipped a beat.

His deep, meaningful eyes fixed on me. "Really? So when you sent Hannah to Whyae, didn't you think she was important to me?"

Fear spread from my spine to my entire body. And my fingers clenched into fists.

Was she important to him?

Erick had told me that Hannah Harrison was an adopted daughter of his relatives, and I was his beloved wife.

Yet now, he was threatening to kill my parents for her sake.

"Erick," I choked out, "would you really shoot my parents if I don't tell you?"

He sneered, and his dark eyes reflected my pale face. "You can try."

Outside the window, the wind and rain lashed against the glass, mirroring the despair in my heart.

I couldn't comprehend why Erick had become so cruel. He had always indulged and cherished me before.

Memories came flooding back.

Years ago, I was just a young woman from an ordinary family, while Erick was the sole heir to the city's wealthiest family. He was born into a golden destiny, with an aloof grace and an overbearing presence.

Yet, Erick gave me a beginning that was far too dazzling.

He had driven four hours to a distant bakery just to buy my favorite bread.

He remembered my menstrual cycle. He prepared painkillers in advance and warmed my abdomen with his heated, dry hands.

He even had the sculpture garden he designed with his own hands cleared away and replaced it with a garden filled entirely with lilies of the valley planted for me by him personally.

He even bought an island because I loved diving. He carefully followed me underwater.

Those silent gestures of consideration had deeply moved me. I was captivated completely and had him fill every corner of my heart and mind.

I willingly fell for him, who was untouchable to others and who was tenderly devoted to me.

But things changed when... I first heard the name Hannah.

It was when I accidentally overheard two chefs gossiping in the kitchen. I dismissed it. I believed that Erick always had boundaries, especially since Hannah was a distant relative of his.

Yet the next time I heard that name was when Erick, lost in passion over me, let out a muffled cry of "Hannah."

At that moment, my mind went blank.

I questioned him, but he leaned down again to explain that Hannah was merely a distant relative who admired him. "Don't worry. The most important one in my heart is you, and only you."

But as time went on, Erick showed less and less restraint.

He left me behind on our wedding anniversary to spend the entire night in wild abandon with Hannah, even bringing her to my mother-in-law's birthday banquet, fueling endless rumors.

I cried and argued, but Erick no longer cared for my feelings as he once had. He just scolded me with clear annoyance. "Stop it. I don't have time to comfort you."

In the end, I couldn't tolerate it and had Hannah sent to Whyae.

But I never imagined Erick would kidnap my parents and suspend them from a plane mid-flight just to force me to reveal Hannah's whereabouts.

"She's in Whyae," I said to Erick. "Pattaya, Whyae."

A powerful hand, like a venomous serpent, clamped down on the back of my neck. It wrenched me aside and flung me away with force. Then he eagerly rose to pick Hannah up.

"Wait. What about my parents?" I screamed in desperation. "You know where Hannah is. Let my parents go."

Erick looked down at me coldly. "On the cliff edge on the mountain in the north outskirts. Your time is running out."

I rushed out and floored the gas pedal of the sports car, ignoring the police cars chasing me. I sped to the steepest cliff at the southern outskirts.

When I found my parents, they were bound at the cliff's edge. Their mouths were sealed. The ropes were on the verge of breaking.

At the sight of me, they shook their heads desperately.

I couldn't care anymore and rushed to the cliff. I tried to wrap the ropes binding my parents with my hands.

"Ugh!" Before I could touch the ropes, a massive force nearly pulled me off the cliff. Pain seared through my chest and arms. My skin was shredded by jagged rocks, and the air filled with the scent of blood.

"Ah!" I anchored my leg around a skeletal tree at the cliff's edge and battled through the agony. I roared and pulled my parents up with all my might.

...

When I woke up again, I was already in the hospital.

My parents were on the brink of death. But thankfully, they had been out of danger.

I got down on my knees in front of them and said, "I'm sorry... I married the wrong guy..."

Weakly, my father raised his hand and gently placed it on my head. "We're family, and we don't blame you. Just leave him."

Tears filled my eyes. "I can't escape."

I had handed divorce papers to Erick countless times, but he always tore them up.

He trapped me in his arms and forced me to face him. He coldly warned me that I could never escape his control.

Erick maintained that his attentiveness to Hannah was merely because she was his distant relative and that I was his true love.

So he wouldn't let me go and urged me to behave well.

I smiled faintly and didn't argue with him.

"Well, is she a distant relative of his? Do I look foolish?" I said to myself inwardly.

My father said weakly, "You can, Kimberly. There's something your mom and I haven't told you. Erick probably doesn't remember it either. Before you got married, we talked to him and made him sign the divorce papers."

I was stunned.

"If Erick cheats," my father held my hand, "the divorce agreement becomes binding. You don't need his consent and can divorce him directly. Then you can never see him again."

My parents had actually planned ahead to protect me like that.

...

The next day, I did two things.

First, I took the signed divorce papers to the city hall.

The staff checked and filed them. "The agreement is valid, and the divorce is immediate."

Second, I sent a message to a phone number. "The flight is in five days, on the anniversary. He will receive the death notification."

The reply came instantly. "Can I pick you up myself five days later?"

"You can, as long as you don't mind the trouble."

I deleted the messages and stepped into the snow.

I successfully cancelled my identity, and there would be no Kimberly Hayes in the world.

And Erick would never find me again.

After discussing with my parents, we decided to act as usual and go home. For the next few days, we couldn't let others notice anything amiss with us.

Otherwise, none of us would be able to leave with Erick's methods.

I returned home drenched to the bone and began packing my belongings.

The memorabilia, gifts, and videos-once treasured by me-were all thrown into the shredder.

The crunching sound of the gears felt like it was tearing apart and grinding down those deceitful feelings.

Just after dinner, my phone rang. Recognizing the number, I stepped out into the garden to answer it.

When I returned to the living room, Erick was sitting on the sofa, with Hannah perched on his lap. She snuggled up to him and looked fragile.

I walked past them flatly and went upstairs.

Erick's voice was icy. "Stop."

I halted but didn't look at him.

"Do you know why I brought her home?" he asked.

My voice was emotionless. "I'm not interested."

"Hannah was sent to that dangerous place by you. She was on edge every day and was almost ruined." Erick's voice was filled with anger. "You, get down on your knees and apologize to her."

I finally turned to face them.

Hannah burrowed further into his arms, but when he wasn't looking at her, a fleeting look of provocation crossed her eyes.

I said with a frosty tone, "What if I refuse to kneel and apologize?"

Hannah put on a frightened act. "Erick, it's okay. I can endure the grievance. After all, Kimberly is your wife."

Erick's arm around Hannah's waist tightened instantly. "I've told you countless times. Why are you still so humble?"

He gently kissed her eyelids and said, "I dote on you. Who dares to say something else?"

I couldn't help but scoff silently. It was disgusting.

The butler came over with some soup and said that it was specially cooked for Hannah.

Just then, the company's finance manager rushed in with an urgent document.

Erick glanced at the manager and said gently to Hannah, "You always get impatient when I work. I'll step out for a bit. Have the soup."

With that, Erick stood up and left.

I froze in place, and my heart twisted in a sudden pang of pain.

Erick had never discussed business outside to ensure confidentiality. But he was now willing to take risks for Hannah.

There were only Hannah and I left in the living room.

Her timid demeanor vanished, replaced by an even more blatant provocation.

"Do you get it now?" Hannah stepped forward and gripped my hand. Her voice was sharp. "Even though you're Mrs. Blake and used your position to send me away, Erick's heart and soul are entirely mine."

I broke free from him and said coldly, "Do you want him? I give him to you."

Hannah was furious. She grabbed my hand again, and her sharp nails nearly pierced my skin. "I don't need you to give him to me. He's my man, and this house's mistress can only be me."

At that moment, Erick's footsteps were heard outside.

A glint of malice flashed in Hannah's eyes as she pushed me away and threw herself to the floor.

"Ah!" Hannah screamed, her eyes brimming with tears.

Erick rushed in to see Hannah sprawled on the floor.

Her skin immediately started bleeding.

"Kimberly!" Erick's gaze was terrifyingly cold. "You refused to apologize and even dared to hurt her?"

"I didn't." I looked at Erick calmly. "Check the surveillance, and you'll know the truth."

Erick snorted, "Check it now."

Hannah immediately grabbed his arm and shook her head desperately. "Erick, it's not Kimberly's fault. I shouldn't have hoped to stay with you forever. If only I left..."

Just as Hannah was about to leave, Erick pulled her into his arms. "I went through so much to get you back. You want to leave me again? Are you trying to take my life?"

Erick held Hannah tightly and seemed to be afraid that she'd vanish into thin air.

He suddenly turned to me, and his anger was fully unleashed. "Kimberly, have you forgotten everything I've said? Why are you still standing there? Go and get the first aid kit."

Erick was blind to my hand pierced by Hannah's sharp nails.

Without arguing, I left to fetch the first aid kit. Then I placed it beside Erick and left the living room.

Back in my room, I applied antiseptic to the wound. The pain made me break out in a cold sweat. Yet it didn't compare to the ache in my heart.

Erick knew how important my hands were to me.

I had been an outstanding surgeon, and he had witnessed my skills.

When I was in the living room, he would have known Hannah was putting on an act as long as he had looked a little bit carefully.

Hannah knew I was Erick's wife, but she dared to act so ruthlessly because she had Erick backing her.

My hands...

I hoped to leave him and continue to be a surgeon with my hands and to realize the value of my life.

Since Hannah repeatedly challenged my limits, she shouldn't blame me for a counterattack.

I looked out of the window, and my reflection in the glass showed a sense of relief.

After treating my wound, I sent a message to that number. "I've submitted the divorce papers. Everything is going smoothly."

On the first morning, I packed my luggage and placed the death notification into a gift box and left it on the table.

Then I received a video from Hannah. I clicked on it, and it showed the master bedroom of our marital home.

Erick's bare back was turned to the camera. There were visible scratch marks. The bed shook violently, and the two figures having sex were reflected on the window glass.

The video was obviously shot secretly by Hannah. She must want to provoke me.

At dawn, Erick returned to the villa. As he entered the room, the lingering scent of sex hung in the air. He looked satisfied and tossed a gift box to me. "Wear this on our anniversary."

I opened the box to find a sapphire bracelet. "Got it."

Erick loosened his tie as he stepped closer. I picked up the box from the table. "A gift in return. This is for you."

He was about to open it when I stopped him. "Open it on our anniversary. It's a surprise for you."

With that, I put the box back on the table.

Erick's arm pulled me into his embrace. His fingers had just slipped into my nightgown when Hannah's call interrupted. After ending the call, he left the villa without looking back.

The next morning, I was awakened by the ringtone at dawn.

"Kimberly, did you watch the live broadcast?" As soon as I answered the phone, a hesitant voice came through.

I clicked the live broadcast interface and saw Erick standing on the podium at the Blake Group's press conference. He was wearing the suit I had recently ironed for him. He exuded poise and confidence.

On the live stream, the host looked at him with admiration. "Mr. Blake, during the earthquake at the inspection site, at that critical, life-threatening moment, why did you instinctively shield Hannah, the secretary, first?"

Erick replied with a smile, "Every employee of the Blake Group is like family to me. It is a responsibility I must uphold to protect my family."

Applause erupted from the audience.

I scoffed and closed the interface.

The voice on the other end of the line hesitated for a few seconds. "Are you alright?"

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

After ending the call, the villa fell into an unusual silence.

The family he felt obliged to protect didn't include me, his wife, but rather Hannah, who had "collapsed" into his arms during the earthquake.

I retrieved a mini voice recorder from the safe. It contained a complete recording of Hannah stealing the company's core secrets.

It even included Erick's attempts to cover up her crime once he learned the truth.

On the third day, I went to work at the Blake Group as usual.

To avoid arousing Erick's suspicion, I planned to continue performing my duties as his assistant in the last few days.

But as soon as I reached the CEO's office door with a folder, I froze.

Intimate sounds came through the door. Hannah's hand traced Erick's charming face. She was using her alluring figure to outline his body without any reservations.

Erick's tall frame stiffened, and his hand wrapped around her waist uncontrollably as he felt the soft part of hers beneath the dress. In the next moment, he pressed his lips against hers with increasing intensity.

I pushed open the door, and both of them focused their attention on me.

Hannah clung to him coquettishly. "Is this your assistant? I left my folder in the lounge. Could you get it for me?"

She issued the order to me as if she were Erick's wife, flaunting her position.

She was afraid that others couldn't see Erick's favoritism for her.

Erick paused and was about to speak, but I unexpectedly agreed first. "Sure. Just a moment."

The divorce agreement had already taken effect. I was merely Erick's assistant now.

I stepped into the lounge to find the folder. Then I noticed a tin of Whittard chocolate powder on the bar. Then I remembered the note in his drawer. "Hannah loves Whittard chocolate powder.

Then I understood why Erick's exclusive lounge always had Whittard chocolate powder in stock.

I never cared for chocolate, but to suit his tastes, I forced myself to get used to it.

My personal preferences, dislikes, and tastes had quietly been molded to match Hannah's.

As I found the folder, I noticed the rumpled bedsheets beside me. My eyes stung, but I didn't shed tears.

My heart was numb, and my tears had long since dried.

I walked into the office with the folder. Just as I was about to hand it to Hannah, she abruptly yanked it away while Erick wasn't looking.

"Ah!" With a startled cry, the sharp edge of the folder cut into my finger.

A sharp, burning pain shot through me.

I gasped in pain and stepped back instinctively as blood dripped to the floor.

Erick immediately pulled Hannah into his arms. His face was filled with concern. "Hannah, did you hurt your hand?" Hannah's eyes welled with tears.

"It's all my fault. Kimberly was in a hurry to give it to me, and the folder accidentally brushed against her hand."

Only then did he glance at my bleeding hand and me, who was trembling in pain. "What's wrong with you? You can't even handle this small task properly."

Erick's indifferent gaze swept over me. He seemed to be blind to the deep cut on my hand. "Why are you still standing here? Clean it up."

My heart felt as though it had been cut by that sharp folder and then immediately soaked in saltwater.

I silently turned away and headed to the infirmary.

As the disinfectant stung my wound, my heartbeat faltered. But it didn't hurt as much as my heart did.

Hannah had deliberately injured me twice.

I returned to my office, took a picture of the documents with my wounded hand, and sent a message to that number. "Two days left until he receives the death notification."