Her Marriage Was A Lie, Her Happy Ending Wasn't

"You were incredible tonight, sweetheart," the woman murmured with a lazy laugh. "Two whole years, and Rachael still has not shared a bed with you and got a taste of all this? I almost feel bad for her."

In the bedroom, the man lounged against the headboard, muscles catching the dim light. One arm circled the woman's waist while the other held a lit cigarette between his fingers.

"Forget about her," the man said softly, exhaling smoke as he pulled her closer. "Tonight is ours."

Rachael Brown stood frozen at the doorway, peering through the narrow gap at her husband of two years, Xander Spencer, tangled with Milly Clark, the woman he had always called his best friend.

Milly's shameless moans and the harsh rhythm of bodies colliding stabbed into Rachael's ears, tearing her heart open.

Keeping her expression steady, Rachael lifted her phone and began recording.

If this marriage had been built on deception, then she would make sure betrayal came at a price.

She slipped her phone away after saving the video, backed it up to the cloud, and then quietly turned to leave.

For two years, Xander had always found reasons to avoid sharing a bed with her.

Only now did Rachael realize every excuse had been a lie, just like the marriage itself.

The Spencer Group was drowning in debt, and she had planned to surprise him today with a bank transfer.

But when she learned the marriage certificate required for the transaction was fake, she finally understood that his real wife had always been his childhood companion, Milly.

Rachael clenched her fists, her hands shaking despite herself.

After a brief pause, she stepped into the backyard and dialed a number.

The call connected quickly, and a deep, steady male voice came through, making Rachael's eyes sting.

"Rae," the man said calmly. "The banquet is set for next week. Our parents have secured two major deals for the Spencer Group. Once they close, the company will dominate Mophia's business scene. Since you refuse to return to Oniolens with us, at least a thriving Spencer Group will make everything easier for you."

Rachael pressed her nails deep into her palm, forcing the tears back.

On the drive home from the bank, she had swallowed her anger again and again, planning to demand an explanation from Xander. Part of her still believed there had to be some unavoidable reason.

Now she understood how foolish that hope had been.

"Rhett, I no longer want those projects handed to the Spencer Group. The banquet will still go on, but instead of propping them up, I want them destroyed."

Rhett Shaw, her eldest brother, immediately caught the strain in her voice.

"Rae, did Xander hurt you? Tell me. I will deal with him."

He had never liked or even trusted Xander, and he had long heard rumors that their marriage was strained.

But because his sister cared for that man, Rhett had stayed silent.

Now, his anger could no longer be