His Secret Divorce: A Cruel Deception

Juliana Salazar POV:

The doctor' s words, "terminal," echoed in the sterile room, but it was the image of Dalton' s hand slipping into Debbra' s outside the glass pane that truly sealed my fate-and theirs. If I was dying, I would make sure they inherited everything, including a legacy of eternal shame.

I watched them through the one-way glass in the doctor's office. Dalton, my fiancé. Debbra, my best friend. They stood too close, her head resting on his shoulder. He stroked her arm, a gesture meant for me. My stomach churned, not just from the disease chewing away at me, but from the raw, ugly truth unfolding before my eyes.

It hurt more than any tumor.

My brother, Elwin, was there too. He leaned against Debbra, his back to me. He didn' t even look in my direction. Debbra had her arm wrapped around him, a picture of maternal comfort I had worked my entire life to provide. He looked at her like she was the only one who cared.

He looked at her with the love he once reserved for me.

My heart, already weakened, felt like it was tearing apart. Every single person I had sacrificed for, loved unconditionally, and built an empire to protect, was outside that room, betraying me. In that moment, I knew what I had to do. I would give them everything they wanted. And then I would make them wish they never wanted it.

The doctor cleared his throat. I turned, a forced smile on my face. "So, weeks, you said?" My voice didn't waver. It was a practiced calm, a CEO's calm. But inside, a blizzard raged.

He nodded, his eyes full of pity. "Yes, Juliana. The progression is rapid. The experimental treatment offers a slim chance, but it's highly aggressive, and frankly, risky." He paused, looking at me with a concern I hadn't seen from my own family in years. "Are you sure you want to pursue it?"

I thought of Dalton, of Debbra, of Elwin. My company, InnovateNext, a billion-dollar empire I' d built from nothing after our parents died, just so Elwin would never want for anything. My youth, my dreams, all poured into that single goal. And for what? For them to stand outside, plotting my demise, or at least, eagerly anticipating it?

No, I said, the word a whisper, yet firm. "I'm not pursuing it."

The doctor looked shocked. "Juliana, this is your only option. Without it, you know..."

I know, I cut him off, my gaze distant. "My decision is made. I will dedicate this treatment to someone else." My voice was flat, devoid of emotion. I was already a ghost, planning my final act.

I had loved Dalton since college. We built InnovateNext together, or rather, I built it, and he rode my coattails, basking in my success. I believed he loved me. I believed he respected my drive, my vision. I believed he was my rock.

How naive I had been.

I remembered when Debbra came into my life. A scared, skinny girl from the wrong side of the tracks, my childhood best friend. I saw her potential, her spark. I pulled her out of poverty, gave her a home, an education, a key position in my company. She was like a sister to me, more than a sister, she was the family I chose when my parents were gone and Elwin was too young to understand. I had poured my heart into her, thinking she was loyal, thinking she was grateful.

I even had a strange premonition once, years ago, a fleeting thought that she hungered for more than I was giving, that she might one day take it all. I had dismissed it as exhaustion, as paranoia. Now, it was my stark reality.

A knock on the door. Dalton entered, forcing a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He smelled faintly of Debbra's perfume. He always did, lately.

Juliana, honey. How are you feeling? His voice was laced with a feigned concern that grated on my nerves. His eyes darted around the sterile room, avoiding mine.

I lay against the crisp white pillows, the hospital gown scratchy against my skin. "I'm fine, Dalton. As fine as one can be." My voice was steady. I watched him, every micro-expression. He shifted uncomfortably, his gaze landing on the doctor.

So, the doctor mentioned... the experimental treatment. He hesitated, clearing his throat. His handsome face, usually so confident, was clouded with a strange mix of apprehension and... hope?

I gave a bitter laugh, a hollow sound in my chest. "You mean the one Debbra needs more than I do?" My eyes narrowed, holding his gaze.

His eyes widened, then quickly narrowed in defense. "What? No, Juliana, of course not. What are you talking about?" He tried to sound indignant, but his voice cracked slightly.

Oh, come on, Dalton. My smile was purely sarcastic. "Don't pretend you haven't discussed it. Debbra's condition is so much worse, isn't it? She's weaker. She's suffering more." I watched him, savoring the flicker of guilt in his eyes.

He stammered, "Well, her type of neuropathy is... different. More debilitating, the doctors said. And you, Juliana, you always look so strong. So resilient. People just assume you can handle anything." He gestured vaguely, as if my appearance was a personal affront.

He had no idea. He saw the stoic CEO, the unyielding sister. He didn't see the silent agony, the relentless fire consuming me from within. He didn't see the handful of pills I swallowed every few hours, just to keep my face from contorting in pain. The powerful painkillers were a double-edged sword, numbing the cancer's relentless assault, but also accelerating the decline of my vital organs. They were killing me faster, but at least I could stand. At least I could think.

You're right, I said, cutting him off, my voice calm, almost serene. "She does need it more. I want her to have my spot."

Dalton stared at me, his jaw slack. The relief that washed over his face was immediate, overwhelming, and utterly disgusting. A wave of nausea hit me, but I swallowed it down.

Juliana... are you serious? He still sounded hesitant, as if waiting for the other shoe to drop, but his eyes shone with a sickening triumph. "You're not going to be stubborn about this?"

Stubborn. That was my label, wasn't it? The cold, career-obsessed woman who couldn't be loved. The truth was, it was the only way I knew how to survive, how to protect everyone I loved. And it had cost me everything.

My eyes drifted to the window where Debbra and Elwin were still huddled together, a perfect, stolen family. They looked so happy. And soon, they would have it all.

But not without a price.