Revenge Was Her Final Vow

Chapter One  Diana Point of view  Obsessed  My lovely husband came down the staircase to meet me in the kitchen and kissed me softly on my cheeks.  I smiled, a warm flutter settling in my chest, because I truly had been more than blessed to have him in my life. "Good morning, babe," he said, grinning from ear to ear, the kind of grin that made my heart skip a beat every time. "Good morning, honey," I replied, my focus glued to the pancakes I was flipping carefully, not wanting to burn them. "How was your night?" he asked, reaching into the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water. "I slept well," I answered, sitting down the last piece of pancake on the plate, trying to sound casual though a small smile tugged at my lips. He sat down across from me and started devouring the food I had prepared, my early morning efforts after staying up all night helping him draft and organize his business proposals finally coming to fruition. "Well done, honey. I see you've been working really hard on this project all week," he said, a note of genuine admiration in his voice. "I don't see it as anything much. Honestly, I love being by your side through it all," I replied, brushing off my contribution though pride stirred faintly in my chest. "Once I get this deal," he said, looking up from the documents with that twinkle in his eyes, "I promise, I will take you on a vacation-to any country of your choice." My heart melted. Was he serious this time? I smiled, thinking about all the late nights, the paperwork, the hours spent trying to make his projects perfect. That's what I loved about him. I didn't mind pouring every ounce of my energy, skill, and patience into making sure his business flourished. I had been married to him for five years, and though I had stopped my own career to focus entirely on his, he had never failed to show his appreciation with kind words and little gestures of affection. The promise of a trip made my excitement bubble up uncontrollably. "Oh...I can't wait to experience such a wonderful trip with you," I said, my voice laced with genuine delight. He kept flipping through the files, reviewing the proposals. A few minutes later, he paused and smiled, clearly impressed with my work. "I will be going now. We have a team meeting in a few minutes," he announced. I rushed forward and hugged him tightly. "Good luck, babe," I whispered. He hugged me back, lingering a moment longer before walking out the door and heading to his BMW. I returned to the kitchen, carefully packing the dishes and placing them in the dishwasher. After that, I swept the floors and started the laundry, keeping the mansion immaculate. Even though David's business had made him a multi-millionaire, he had chosen not to hire a maid. His reason? He didn't want me to grow lazy after leaving the fashion industry. I had agreed. I knew he meant well, and secretly, I didn't mind the tasks; they kept me busy, grounded, and gave me a sense of contribution. I had prayed for a man like David for so long. Five years ago, when he asked me to marry him, I had been ecstatic, and I couldn't imagine jeopardizing such a blessing. I had turned twenty-nine that year, and the thought of being a spinster at thirty had terrified me. When he asked me to quit my job, I hadn't hesitated. I resigned immediately, trusting his promise to employ me as a member of his board of directors. I had believed in him, in us, and in the life we were building together. After finishing the housework, I turned my attention to the remaining documents he had assigned me. My eyes widened in shock as I saw the name listed as the new C.E.O. of my former fashion company. How could he? My heart raced. I dropped the files onto the table with a loud thud. I needed answers, and the only person who could give them was in the office of his company. I showered quickly, dressed neatly, and traced his office location using Google Maps. I arrived and walked into the building, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. At the reception, a young woman smiled politely at me, gesturing for me to sit. She looked barely twenty-four, cheerful and unassuming. I sighed, frustrated. If only she knew who I was-she would have let me in without hesitation. But I had no proof of my identity. David had insisted I keep my father's surname, Rodriguez, instead of using his, Williams. A few minutes later, she nodded at me, signaling that I could go in.  I stepped inside, and there he was-David. The shock on his face mirrored the storm of questions swirling in my mind. "Diana...what...what are you doing here?" he stammered, clearly taken aback. "Well... I'm sorry to walk into your office unannounced," I said, placing the document firmly on the table between us, "but I need answers." His eyes widened further, searching mine as if trying to read my intentions. "Do you mind explaining why there is a woman's name on this document, and why she bears your surname as well?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly with a mixture of anger and disbelief. He ran a hand through his hair nervously. "I... I can explain," he said, though the hesitation in his voice told me this was going to be a long, complicated conversation. I took a deep breath, bracing myself for the answer, knowing deep down that whatever he said next could change everything I thought I knew about our marriage. "You better start!", I yelled at the top of my voice.  David didn't shout. That alone unsettled me. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled, eyes dark-not guilty, not nervous.  Calculating. "Diana," he said calmly, "that company was never meant to have your name on it." I stiffened. "Why?" "Because the moment I realized how valuable you were, I also realized how exposed you'd be." He stood up and walked toward the glass window, his back to me. "Your former fashion house is under a silent audit. Investors, shell accounts, unpaid royalties, things that haven't gone public yet. The moment your name appeared anywhere near ownership, you'd be dragged into it." He turned to me slowly. "I chose to remove you completely." I frowned. "So you put another woman there?" "Yes." His tone was firm. "A proxy. Someone expendable. Someone who wouldn't lose anything if things went wrong." My breath hitched. "You promised me a board seat," I whispered. "I promised to protect you," he corrected. "And this was the only way." He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You were emotional after leaving your career. If I told you the truth, you would've insisted on fighting your way back in-and I couldn't risk you being destroyed by a system that eats people alive." He reached for my hand. "I took the burden so you wouldn't have to." I rolled my eyes slowly, uncertainty tugging at my chest. I didn't know what to believe anymore.  Everything about our marriage had happened so fast-too fast. I barely had time to breathe before I found myself wearing a ring and answering to "wife." I never got the chance to meet his family properly.  No long introductions, no warm embraces, no awkward first impressions. We were wedded quietly in a local church, officiated by a lone clergyman who barely knew our names. At the time, I didn't question it. I thought love was enough. But now, confusion swirled inside me like a restless storm. "I'm sorry... I should have thought about that," I said softly, my voice almost drowned by guilt. "So stupid of me to think you would ever try to hurt me." He leaned closer, his presence calming, familiar. He kissed my cheek gently, his lips warm against my skin. "It's alright," he said in that soothing tone he used whenever I doubted myself. "You're human. And I know how much you love me, so it's normal to worry sometimes." My shoulders relaxed almost instantly. That was David-always knowing what to say, always making me feel silly for doubting him. "Have you made lunch already?" he asked casually. "I'm starving." Shame washed over me in waves. I lowered my head, embarrassed. I had been so consumed by my thoughts, so irritated and anxious, that I hadn't prepared anything fresh for him. "I'll hurry up and make something right away," I said quickly. "Good girl," he replied with a small smile. "Hurry up. Your precious husband is starving." My heart fluttered at the word husband. "Okay," I said eagerly. "I love you so much." "I love you too," he replied, planting a soft kiss on my lips. A shiver ran down my spine, the familiar warmth spreading through me. As I left the office, a wave of reassurance washed over me. Why was I even worried?  David was successful, wealthy, respected. There was no reason to be scared. He provided for me, cared for me-or at least, that was what I believed. He was a good husband. A loving one. My thoughts were so filled with David that I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. Suddenly, I collided with someone. "Oh-sorry," I whispered, startled, as I bent down to help pick up the items that had spilled from her hands. She was tall, fair, striking-someone who looked like she stepped straight out of a fashion magazine. She snatched the items from my hands forcefully, her eyes cold and sharp. "Perhaps next time you'd be careful enough not to bump into strangers," she said rudely. I paused, taken aback, but chose to ignore her. I straightened up and walked past her without another word. I refused to let anything ruin my mood. I was having a good day. I was going home to make a delicious dinner for the man I loved. And for that moment, nothing else mattered.