Divorced And Penniless: The Billionaire's Secret Heir

Kiley adjusted the strap of her silk dress for the tenth time, the cool material a stark contrast to the sweat pooling at the base of her neck. The restaurant was dim, filled with the low hum of expensive conversations and the clinking of crystal. She checked her watch. Aden was twenty minutes late.

Her right thumb rubbed against the bare skin of her left ring finger, a nervous habit she had developed over the past year whenever things felt too quiet. She had picked this restaurant. It was where they had celebrated their anniversary for the last seven years. She had hoped the nostalgia would soften whatever wall he had built between them lately.

The maître d' led Aden to the table. He didn't look at her as he sat down. He didn't apologize for the delay. He simply unbuttoned his suit jacket, glanced at the wine list, and held up two fingers to the nearest waiter without saying a word.

"Aden," Kiley said, leaning forward, trying to catch his eye. "I was worried you weren't coming."

"I had a meeting," he said, his voice flat. He picked up the menu, using it as a shield between them. "Let's just order."

Kiley swallowed the lump in her throat. She reached across the white tablecloth, her fingers brushing his wrist. "Remember the first time we came here? You spilled the Bordeaux on your tie, and the waiter gave us a free dessert."

Aden lowered the menu, his eyes cold and empty. "Kiley. Stop. We're not college kids anymore."

She pulled her hand back, the rejection stinging like a slap. The waiter arrived with the expensive Bordeaux, pouring a small amount into Aden's glass. Aden swirled it, sniffed it, and nodded. He didn't offer Kiley a taste.

Instead, he reached down to the leather briefcase resting against his chair leg. He pulled out a thick stack of paper, held together with a black clip, and slid it across the table. It stopped right in the middle, next to the salt shaker.

“What is this?” Kelly asked, a bad feeling creeping into her mind that this document might completely change her life .

"Open it."

Her fingers trembled as she flipped back the cover. The bold font at the top screamed at her. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. The air vanished from her lungs. She couldn't breathe. She looked up at Aden, her vision blurring at the edges.

"Divorce?" she whispered. "Aden, it's our anniversary."

"I need my freedom, Kiley," he said, checking his watch. His index finger tapped the glass face. "I've outgrown this. Outgrown you."

"Outgrown me?" The words tasted like ash. "We have a son. We have seven years."

"Seven years of you spending my money and playing house," Aden said, his voice devoid of emotion. "I want a life. A real life."

He leaned back, crossing his arms. "Seraphina Vance is back in New York."

The name hit Kiley like a physical blow to the chest. Seraphina. The