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!