The Hidden Heiress Returns

Hailey's POV

My body ached as I stepped into the mansion, heaving with relief after a long stressful day at the groceries store.

I plunged myself into the couch, yawning out in exhaustion. Instinctively, I glanced at my wrist watch and sighed softly before closing my eyes to take a little nap.

It was just 5pm and I had a lot of time to rest for making dinner for Tyler and I. meanwhile, my mind raced with lots of thoughts as my face flickered with emotions at each thought. I stood up and strode to the kitchen with the groceries in my hands and started slicing the veggies and preparing the meals.

For years, I had hidden my true identity from the world and even my husband, - Tyler. I even went ahead to defy my grandfather's orders and marry Tyler. I chose him and stood by him all these years, supporting him from behind the scenes.

And finally, Tyler's company has been fully established and I planned this little celebratory dinner for us before the main event.

A smirk crept onto my face as I blushed when I revealed my true identity before the whole world; not as, the housewife but as Hailey Norway, the only daughter and heiress of the Norway's family.

I could now stand beside my husband as a worthy business partner without scrutiny nor façade.

"Grandpa, I proved you wrong this time" I murmured softly to myself, my face beaming brightly with a smile.

Just as I placed the last set of dishes on the dining table, the doorbell rang.

Eagerly, I took of the apron and went for the door.

"Take this to the kitchen" I said to the maid as walked past her briskly to the main entrance.

"Who are you?" I asked, my eyes scanning the young lady that brushed past me rudely into the living room without a word.

The woman swayed her hips as she walked to the dining table and poured a glass of wine for herself. Her short black dress with showed a good portion of her cleavage looked seductive especially with the way she gulped down the wine.

She brought out her phone sent a message to someone before walking up to me.

"This is really good Hailey" she said, brushing her hands on my face before shoving me aside and plunged herself into the couch in the living room.

I stood there staring into the space confused at the attitude of this stranger in my home.

Just before I could react, the doorbell rang and Tyler walked in. I brushed over the weird feelings that the stranger had given to me and went to welcome Tyler but he walked past me coldly and went straight to her.

I watched from the side how my husband wrapping his arms round her waist and giving her a passionate kiss in my presence.

My eyes got misty as I realized what was happening. Two years of marriage and I have always been wishing for such affection from Tyler but it never happened.

Before me, Tyler showed a side of him I have never seen- His eyes were soft, passionate, caring and even smiling effortlessly.

"Ty.... ler" my voice quivered as I called him.

"Sign the divorce Hailey" he caught me off abruptly as he tossed the documents to my face without glancing at me.

My chest tightened as I stared blankly at the divorce papers lying before me. I rushed over to Tyler, fell on my knees and begged him profusely but he shoved me away like some trash.

"My company is public now and you're not fit to be my wife" he said coldly as I flinched in fear.

"It couldn't be that my grandfather was right" I swallowed hard, refusing to believe it.

The words cut through my heart as I murmured, "what did you say?" stunned at his coldness.

Memories from our first meeting flashed through my head- him saving me from assassins, him not knowing my true identity. I had trusted him, loved him and supported him all the way and now, this betrayal...

A pang tucked at my heart as their cruel laughter pierced through my heart. My legs trembled as I stared at Tyler in regrets.

"You're really dumb!" Lillian's sharp voice echoed in the living room as she mocked.

"You're showcasing a fake ring in her fingers; probably around ten bucks, like you won a trophy". She jeered, sticking out her tongue beside Tyler.

I had suspected that the ring had probably not cost much. But, fake?

Tyler had convinced me that he used hid last savings to get me the ring before starting up the company and I was too blinded to see his façade.

My breath increases, my lips stiffened. All the late nights, the cold shoulders, the lies weren't mistakes-they were my reality.

"This is Lillian, my first love, my soon-to-be wife and the only woman worthy of bearing Mrs. Fernando and not an old hag like you juggling as a delivery girl while living in the fantasy world of her own pretending to be what you are not!" he spat out.

Those words struck me hard, my visions blurred with tears as it streamed down my cheeks while they had smug grins plastered on their faces.

The only regret I felt now was towards my family. I had lost connection with my family because of Tyler and I resented him for that. I had thought he was worth it but he wasn't, - he wasn't even worthy of knowing me.

My eyes caught the divorce papers lying scattered on the floor; it was a glimpse of hope for me.

My wiped off the tears off my face as I stood before the couples glaring at them fixedly.

"I agree, I am not worthy of being your wife" I spat out with a smug as I walked swiftly and picked the papers up.

My eyes scanned though the papers reading the terms swiftly......And then...

My chest kept thumping against its ribcage, my body stiffened and my eyes were popping out of its sockets.

"One million....to substitute as a scapegoat...and be sent to prison" I exclaimed, my voice quivering as I stammered.

I blinked, staring at the clauses, my hands trembling as I kept staring blankly at the papers.

"This wasn't a divorce!"

"It was a trap!"

"And I had walked right into it!

Hailey's POV

I raised my gaze and straightened up to look at Tyler boldly with dark squinted eyes.

"What do you mean by this? "I asked, pointing the papers in his face with clenched fists and jaws as I tried to suppress the anger bubbling within me.

"Even if he wanted to leave me so badly did, he has to be so cruel." The thoughts echoed in my head as I waited for Tyler's explanation about the clauses in the divorce papers.

"Hailey, what do you mean by you don't understand what's written in there?" Lillian stepped forward, circling me as she spoke, mockery draping in her voice.

"I thought you were smarter than this", she said, her eyes glaring into mine. I couldn't predict her next move.

I felt my hair being pulled and my scalp was standing. I yelled my lungs out and Tyler stood there watching me yelp in pain without any art of sympathy nor move to stop Lillian from grabbing my hair but he kept staring with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

"Fuck!" I groaned as I tried to pull my hair away from Lillian.

"Hailey, you are going to be my substitute once you sign those divorce papers. You'll have to take my place in the prison for embezzling company funds for your beloved husband." She spoke. I scoffed silently seeing how Lillian has been deceiving Tyler.

"Why would you do this to me?" I mumbled as I stared at him but he roared in laughter instead.

"Lillian sacrificed for me to get here, something you could only dream of. She was accused of embezzling the company's funds, so you'll take her place and luckily for you, you may be granted a bail" he replied coldly.

"Why?" I repeated.

"Because I hate you Lillian helped me concentrate on the company more." he responded. The words kept echoing in my head. It seemed like I was the only one being delusional about our love.

Lillian's sharp and piercing laughter filled the living room.

"Now, you know the truth, can you please sign the divorce papers?" Tyler urged me.

"You were just a pupper who was good at house chores and useful to my family. While you were slaving yourself, I had lots of time and fun with my first love," Tyler smirked proudly as the words left his mouth.

"So, fuck off from my mansion and go away with your stench!" He snapped.

Lillian giggled at his words, but I was rather heartbroken.

"How could I throw away my marriage of two years?" I shook my head in pity.

Just then the door creaked open and my mother-in-law and sister-in-law walked in. My eyes twitched as I thought I had finally found hope.

They wouldn't agree to the divorce me no matter what after I had been a diligent daughter-in-law of the family.

I had help my sister-in-law, Benita get into the most prestigious university and even placed her on a monthly allowance without missing even though she spends it and comes back for more.

"You don't have the right to do that. Will mom agree to it?" I spoke out as mom came over, she smiled and I thought she was coming for me until she went over to Lillian hugging her.

Benita did the same squealing all over her. "Oh my God, sister Lillian had to be the beauty goddess of our family. I'm so happy having her as my sister-in-law." My jaw dropped in shock with the flatter and the sweet interactions between all of them.

I felt like the outsider of the family or maybe I had been one but didn't want to believe it. I shook my head, my eyes teary as I cried silently.

"What the fuck do you all think you are doing." I screamed holding my head high, everyone stopped dead in tracks and gazed intently at me.

"What's she doing here brother?" Benita's voice echoed in the room. Her voice laced with disdain and irritation, staring at her, I couldn't believe this was the same lady I had sponsored through and she'll be in her final year soon.

I stared at each of them in disbelief. I wouldn't have imagined such a day will come.

"Doing what was right!"

"Who'll want their son to stay with an empty useless barren and a filthy delicer woman." My mother-in-law scoffed out in disdain. I stared at her in disbelief. This was the same woman who always worshipped me.

"If this is a joke, then you all better stop it right now before I lose it." I snapped.

"You are the one being delusional here ok. My brother only loves Lillian and will never love someone as low as you."

"Brother, do you know she was actually sleeping with older men just to get the top university and even all the money she was giving me. Gross!"

Hearing that from Benita made me more heartbroken. Was this the family I broke ties with my own people for?

Was this the people I let go of my identity for? Was I blind in the first place or was it just being grateful?

I've had enough of their tantrums and now it was time for me to unleash the real devil in me. I crossed my arms, staring hard at Benita who was showing her arrogance was annoying me so much.

'THWACK.' The slap echoed in the room and everyone opened their mouth shaped, filled with shock.

I stared at my hand, confused at when I had lunged forward to slap Benita. But that serves her right!

"I'll give you my money just for you to have a great life in the university, I'll ask for my brother to give you a full time free admission to the top university without you worrying to pay any dime because I thought helping my family." She stepped back in fear as I walked towards her.

"But here you are, framing me? It is lame that you are mocking the very hands tgst fed you, all because of some fake heiress." I laughed sarcastically. My eyes turned red as my veins popped out on my face.

For you Mrs Fernando, "I really think you should have your son checked up, I'm not the one with the problem of not giving birth, you should as me if he has touches me all these years. I fear he shouldn't be impotent right?" I mocked, my tone laced with mockery had laughter.

I knew he wouldn't be impotent judging by how much intimacy was between Lillian and him but I was using that to intimidate his mom and I was really having fun.

"Now back to you, the one million you are offering me to be a stand-in for a fraud like her is really cheap. That 1million alone is just the money for the doormat of my house and you think you are worthy of me ?" I laughed out.

I picked up the divorce paper signing it frantically. "You should really watch out these days because that's the only way to avoid you getting imprisoned."

"From now, I cut ties with your family and I hope to see you in court tomorrow morning." I said as I walked out of the mansion without picking anything asides from my wallet.

Hailey's POV

«OUTSIDE THE FRENANDRO MANSION."

A sigh of relief escaped my lips as I stepped out of the mansion.

There was no tears sliding down my cheeks as I would've expected, all thanks to the Frenandro family's eye opener.

I was hurt and a pabg of regret hung on my chest.

I picked out my phone and dialled grandfather's number. It's been exactly two years since I cut all connections with my grandfather.

"Grandpa, can you send your driver to pick me up from the house?" I said in between sobs. I had missed the old man, hearing his voice triggered the softness in me.

"Alright" grandpa replied sharply before ending the call.

After I returned the phone into my wallet, I strolled over to the bench not far from me, my eyes misty with tears. A wave of realization hit me and I realized how stupid I had felt for so many years loving the wrong person.

Was there really something called true love? I had always expected to love a normal simple life and be with the man I love watching him cherish me and loving me back.

Turns out all this was just my dream, what a fool I was!

Just then a BWM car pulled up in front of me, distracting me from my thoughts.

The driver rushed out swiftly to open the back door, I rolled my eyes seeing my older brother, Brandon, step out of the car.

A surge of affection rushed through me as I hurried into his arms. Brandon enveloped me into a warm hug,caressing my back gently.

"What have they done to you?"he asked softly.

I sniffled, hot tears sliding down my cheeks. My lips seemed sealed as I could only cry.

"Let's take you home first" Brandon said, as he swept me off my feet, lifted me into his arms and took me into the car.

Just then, my eyes caught a glimpse of the family sulking at the door as the watched my figure disappear.

I sat up in the car and gulped down the bottle of water handed to me by my brother.

"I thought I knew him, and thought if I helped him become the best then he'll still stay even without knowing my identity, who could have thought he was just faking it." I murmured,taking a sip from the bottle water.

"Some guys are like that, you don't have to beat yourself too hard. I promise they'll pay for bullying you." He assured me which made me broke into a smile.

"Ohh right, brother, don't cancel the cooperation yet. I want to be the to do that myself. I gave it to him and I'll be tearing it apart in front of him." I said, my eyes shining with mischief beneath it.

"As you wish little sis." He poked my nose gently. The ride back to the mansion was silent and I had no idea when I slept off.

*****

"Princessa, Norway's hieress." I heard brother's voice praising me from afar, I yawned as I slowly stood up. I took a look around the familiar mansion and realized we were already at the mansion.

I stepped out of the car and stared for a while looking at the wealth, peace and love, I had abandoned three years ago, ohhh Hailey, how stupid are you.

"The ride took a while." I whispered to my brother. He laughed at me and we both walked into the mansion.

As I walked inside, I saw grandfather sitting on the couch while mother walked around the sitting room anxiously.

I could tell they were both waiting for me, after refusing to see them for three years because I don't want Tyler to suspect me or have any clue about my identity.

I smiled and walked towards them, "Mom." "Grandfather." I called out running to mom, she hugged me tight.

Sweet mother. How much I've longed for her love and warm hugs. I disengaged the hug and went to grandfather slowly bending down to his level.

"Grandfather, I'm sorry." I said softly, my eyes feeling teary, he slowly hugged me patting my back.

"You are still my sweet granddaughter, no one is above mistake." He said cleaning my tears with his thumb.

"A stupid mistake." I chuckled. Everyone else in the room laughed along at my little joke. My face brightened up seeing my family in smiles.

"Brother, what about father?" I asked him. Just then I heard his voice behind me.

"I heard a prodigal daughter returned back home after being dumped by a scumbag." He said. I turned back and saw him all smiles.

Everyone broke into laughter including me but I couldn't stop the tears that followed, "This wasn't time for jokes dad." I said playfully as I hugged him.

"Welcome home daughter."

I disengaged from the hug and he gently pecked my forehead alarming mom. "Tell her to look for her own husband and stop flirting with my hubby here." Mom rolled her eyes like a baby.

The both of them started flirting which made grandfather and I including brother to excuse them. That was how they do, flirts, go on vacation and shopping together.

That was why the company was handed over to brother and I at an early age because the both of them were not interested in the company.

"Ohh right, before I forget brother, Tyler wanted to frame me for a crime, I think it's something related to Lillian. Can you check it out for me please." I request.

"Of course, my little princess. I'll leave you and grandfather to talk, you have a lot to catch up on." He said, "Don't anger him, his heart isn't that strong anymore." He whispered into my ears.

I nodded my head slowly and watched him leave. There was silence between us at first and it was a little bit uncomfortable.

"Will you now take up the family business." He finally broke the silence. I had no intention of taking the business coming back home as brother is already doing a good job managing it.

"Grandfather, I have my own company now. Both abroad and home. It's the top one designer company producing the best products and you also know."

"Let brother just continue managing the family business, he's the best candidate for it." I gently said trying not to anger him.

"You are a lot more like your mother. And I'm always amazed at how you both picked your genes." He laughed softly, "Your brother is enthusiastic and kind, soft at the same time making him the best chairman and the best replica of your father." He completed.

"We could never be wrong." The communication was going smoothly and we both had an agreement after a long talk.

"There's one more thing you need to do." He finally said. I knew he'll bring it back up, the main reason I left home.

"The engagement you rejected 3 years ago is still available. Kingsley wouldn't reject it no matter how much I tried to make him understand. I guess he had foresee this." He said.

I breathed in thinking long. It wouldn't be bad having another strong alliance but judging by the fact that I had just left a not so lovable marriage, I don't think I'm ready to rush into another.

"Grandfather, I'll decide once I meet him." I said. If he's truly someone worthy of being my partner then so be it.

"A blind dinner date had already been set up for the both of you at the 5star restaurant, he'll be waiting for you at 6pm." I nodded and walked out.

I went upstairs into my room, it was still ever sparkly and neat. I went to shower inside the bathroom and went back out after finishing up.

I saw the black short dinner gown on my bed with black heels. I guessed mom could have delivered it for me to dress up for the date.

I changed into my clothes and wore the heels proceeding to go out after taking my purse. Grandfather was the only one in the living room when I got there.

"Grandfather." He looked back as I called him, staring at him and a smile appeared on his face.

"How do I look?" I asked him turning around, I faced him and sat beside him.

"You look beautiful always." I pecked him on his cheek after hearing his review and headed out.

"Thank grandpa." I waved goodbye walking towards the car, the driver helped me to open the door and I entered.

He entered the driver seat and started the car.

*****

The car stopped in front of the giant five star restaurant, I stepped down and adjust my gown, holding my purse on my right hand as I walked inside the restaurant elegantly.

A waiter came to meet me asking for my stay, "I'm here for Kingsley Geralt." I said politely. She bow guiding me to where he was.

He signaled to her to leave while it was just the two of us left, his back was facing me but I felt he was really familiar to me.

Just then he turned, smart, tall, confident, aura, and the way his face speaks even without talking. It gives out domineering.

"It's been a while Hailey Norway." Kingsley greeted, taking my hand and pecking it like a gentle man.