Chapter 3 The Collapse of a Marriage
Leila's POV
A month after Theron left for Europe, I found myself in our dimly lit master bedroom. It was past midnight when he finally returned, his presence filling the room with familiar tension. His suit jacket was barely off his shoulders before he was on me, eager and demanding, the scent of his expensive cologne mingling with the crisp winter air still clinging to his clothes.
My fingers worked at his dress shirt buttons as I looked up at him. "Miss me?" I teased, enjoying the intensity in his blue-gray eyes.
"Shut up," he growled, capturing my lips in a hungry kiss. His hands slipped beneath the hem of my silk nightgown, sending shivers across my skin.
He tore away my delicate clothing, his voice husky with desire. "Don't test my self-control."
Our garments soon littered the floor around the bed. His kisses traveled downward, and I couldn't help the satisfied sigh that escaped me.
"Is that all?" I provoked, threading my fingers through his hair. "No women throwing themselves at you in Europe?"
Theron lifted his head, his eyes darkening dangerously. "Are you trying to provoke me?" Without waiting for an answer, he claimed my mouth more forcefully.
Our bodies moved together in perfect rhythm. I arched beneath him, moaning, "God... Theron..."
"Look at me," he commanded, his hand gripping my waist possessively. "Tell me who you belong to."
Breathless, I responded, "Yours... only yours..."
Our movements grew more urgent, the sheets tangling around us as our passion intensified.
"Don't stop..." My nails dug into his back, my voice pleading. "Just like that..."
"I make the rules," he asserted, adjusting his pace to drive me wild.
When the wave of pleasure finally crashed over me, I nearly screamed. Theron captured the sound with his lips, swallowing my cries as we reached the peak together.
Afterward, I lay boneless against the mattress, struggling to catch my breath. "Is this... your... welcome home gift?"
He turned to look at me, sweat glistening on his perfect features. "You think it's enough?"
"Once more," I challenged with a raised eyebrow, my hand already sliding down his abdomen.
Theron chuckled, covering my body with his again. "As you wish, Mrs. Sterling."
At four in the afternoon, sunlight streamed through our bedroom windows. Theron, having thoroughly proven his dominance, was now dressed in tailored pants and a freshly buttoned shirt, preparing to leave.
I watched him from the bed, admiring how he stood tall and imposing, adjusting his cufflinks with precise movements. His every gesture radiated the confidence of a man born to power and privilege.
Suddenly, his private phone rang. I observed the subtle change in his expression as he took the call—a slight tightening around his eyes, a hardening of his jaw. When he turned to look at me, his gaze had sharpened to something cold and analytical.
I sat up, pulling my silk robe tighter around me. "What's wrong?" I asked, already feeling a knot of dread form in my stomach.
Theron's voice remained controlled and cold. "That was my mother. She just shared an interesting piece of news—you are not the biological daughter of the Reed family, and they've found their real daughter."
My face drained of color. I had planned to explain everything upon his return, to tell him my side before the rumors reached him. But Victoria Brown had beaten me to it.
I carefully set down my teacup. "Indeed," I said, striving to keep my voice steady. "What else did Victoria say?"
I watched as Theron continued knotting his tie with elegant precision, his movements betraying no emotion. "She reminded me that the Sterling-Reed marriage is essentially a business alliance. Since the Reeds have found their true daughter, our marriage no longer serves its purpose."
My heart constricted, but I forced myself to ask directly: "What do you intend to do about our marriage?"
His response was coolly detached, slicing through whatever remaining illusions I had about our relationship. "I don't have any particular thoughts. Marriage for me is a procedure, regardless of who it's with. I'm leaving on another business trip tonight. We'll discuss this when I return."
With that, he picked up his briefcase and left, his footsteps steady and confident against our marble floor.
I stared at the closed door, whispering to myself, "Regardless of who it's with... is that what marriage means to you?" The passionate reunion just hours ago now seemed like a cruel joke, revealing that even in our most intimate moments, Theron viewed our relationship as merely another replaceable business contract.
Two hours after Theron's departure, Victoria arrived. She walked into the living room with the imperious confidence that had always intimidated me.
She imperiously placed a folder before me. "The divorce papers are ready," she announced coldly. "Fake Reed heiress, it's time for you to leave the Sterling family."
I maintained my composure, even as I felt my world crumbling. "You prepared legal documents so quickly? You must have been waiting for this day for a long time."
Victoria made no attempt to hide her disdain. "I never liked you. Now Chloe has returned—a true socialite, not some impostor of questionable origins!"
"Is this Theron's decision, or are you acting unilaterally?" I challenged directly, still clinging to a sliver of hope.
Victoria smiled thinly, her expression triumphant. "It makes no difference. My son needs a marriage that strengthens the Sterling family's position, not a madwoman who pushes people down staircases at social gatherings!"
I was stunned. "He didn't even give me a chance to explain."
"Don't be naive!" Victoria scoffed. "He doesn't care about your explanations. At next month's charity gala, Theron will attend with Chloe, officially announcing the end of your marriage."
I opened the agreement, scanning the harsh terms that left me with nothing. Three years of my life erased with a signature.
"Three years of marriage, and I don't even get a single share of stock?" I laughed bitterly, the unfairness of it all burning in my throat.
Victoria looked down at me with contempt. "Be grateful the Sterling family allowed you to live in high society for three years. Without the Reed background, you are nothing."
"Don't try any tricks," she threatened. "Sign and leave, or I'll make sure the media learns all the 'accidental' details of how you pushed Chloe down those stairs."
After a moment of silence, I signed my name. The pen felt heavy in my hand, each stroke marking the end of a chapter I had foolishly believed would last forever.
Victoria added cruelly, "Those jewelry pieces Theron gave you—don't think about taking them."
I had already risen from my seat and walked directly to the safe. "I never intended to take anything belonging to the Sterling family." I opened the safe, revealing an orderly collection of priceless jewelry I had once treasured. These never truly belonged to me. My dignity wouldn't allow me to take even a thread.
Victoria watched with surprise as I placed the safe key on the table.
I picked up only a small handbag containing my personal pre-marriage belongings. "Don't bother counting. I'm not taking a single item from the Sterling."