“Attorney Bennett, I just sent you a copy of the divorce agreement. My husband and I signed it on our wedding day. Could you review it for any issues?”
Lorraine Castillo stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of her phone.
“Ms. Castillo, I’ve reviewed the agreement—everything looks solid,” came the lawyer’s professional voice through the speaker. “You’ve got one month left on that three-year clause. Once it hits, the agreement takes effect automatically. Just head down to the courthouse and file the paperwork.”
“Thank you.”
After ending the call, Lorraine’s eyes drifted to the wedding photo on the wall.
In the photograph, she wore a gorgeous white gown, smiling so sweetly her eyes curved into crescents. Beside her stood Kieran Harper in his perfect tailored suit, devastatingly handsome yet without even a hint of a smile.
Love or not—it’s plain to see.
“This day is finally coming. You must be thrilled,” she muttered, her fingertip gently tracing the cold, sharp lines of the man’s face in the photo.
The sound of keys turning in the front door made Lorraine quickly snap back to reality and turn toward the entrance.
“Hey, welcome home.” She took Kieran’s suit jacket as he shrugged it off, then knelt to help him into his slippers—the whole routine so automatic it was like muscle memory.
Kieran loosened his tie, his face as cold as ever. “Harper Industries’ anniversary gala is next month. I need you to attend.”
Lorraine’s hands paused as she adjusted his coat, then shook her head. “I can’t make it.”
“Why not?” Kieran’s brow furrowed.
Before Lorraine could respond, something clicked for him, and his expression turned ice-cold.
“Is this because I’ve been spending time with Aurora? Look, I told you on our wedding day that I’m in love with someone else. You said you wouldn’t interfere.”
Pain shot through Lorraine’s chest like a knife twisting in an open wound.
Yeah, right—what kind of husband tells his wife on their fucking wedding night that he’s in love with another woman and makes her sign divorce papers?
She was simply doing as he wished. Next month, she wouldn’t be his side anymore, so naturally she couldn’t attend his stupid gala.
…
Three years ago, the Castillo and Harper empires—two of New York’s most powerful families—announced they were joining forces through marriage.
Lorraine had been crazy about Kieran since they were kids. When she found out she’d actually get to marry him, she was over the moon.
But on their wedding night, Kieran slapped divorce papers down in front of her.
“I’m in love with someone else, but she’s not from money. The Harpers won’t accept her,” he said flatly, no sugar-coating. “Give me three years to take control of the Harper Group—no one will dare stand against me. So we’ll stay married in name only for three years, then get divorced.”
That night, Lorraine signed those damn papers like he wanted, then locked herself in the bathroom and cried until dawn.
But less than three months after the wedding, Aurora Jameson had some fight with Kieran and just… vanished.
Kieran went absolutely crazy looking for her. He pulled every string, called in every favor, but came up empty.
During that time, he’d disappear for days, and when he dragged himself home, he reeked of alcohol and looked like hell.
Until one night, he came home completely wasted and pinned her down on the bed.
His kiss was desperate, but the words that came out were—
“Aurora… why did you leave? Why are you with him? Don’t you believe in me?”
Lorraine went rigid, her chest crushing in on itself.
So… he’d found her.
But Aurora was already with some other guy.
Kieran took Lorraine’s V-card that night, yet held her and whispered Aurora’s name all night long.
The next morning, Kieran saw the blood on the sheets and looked stunned for a second, but said nothing.
Lorraine also acted like nothing had happened—laid out fresh clothes for him, even reminded him about his important meeting before he left.
She played it cool, but inside she was bleeding out.
After that, she tried even harder to be his perfect wife.
He had stomach issues, so she’d drag herself out of bed early every morning to make him healing bone broth.
Work was killing him, so she taught herself massage therapy to help him relax.
He liked quiet, so she never made a sound around him—even walked on tiptoes.
Slowly, Kieran started treating her like a real wife.
He’d bring her little gifts from his business trips. He’d make her hot water when she had a cold. He’d even pull her close at night, his hand burning against her hip.
Kieran never mentioned divorce again, like those papers had never existed.
Lorraine actually started believing that maybe, just maybe, he could fall for her.
Until three months ago, when Aurora dumped her boyfriend and moved back to New York.
Kieran practically sprinted back to her side.
Fancy dinners, go shopping with her, even ditching million-dollar deals because Aurora was “having a rough day.”
Standing by the window, watching Kieran’s Tesla speed off to Aurora’s penthouse for the millionth time, Lorraine finally faced the truth.
True love is true love. No matter how much she gave, she’d never be worth one tear from Aurora’s pretty eyes.
At least the three-year deal was almost up.
She kept telling herself it was all just a really long and painful dream.
Now it was time to wake up and walk away.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
Kieran’s voice snapped her back to reality. Lorraine stared at him, her throat tight.
He… seriously didn’t remember the divorce agreement?
For three years, she’d been counting down the days, terrified that when the deadline hit, he’d dump her without a second thought.
But now, he seemed to have completely forgotten about it.
She was about to open her mouth and remind him when Kieran’s phone started buzzing.
The second he picked up, Aurora’s voice came through—crying, panicked. Lorraine couldn’t make out the words, but she watched Kieran’s face go white.
“Aurora, don’t panic. I’m coming right now.”
He hung up, grabbed his keys and bolted for the door. In his rush, his shoulder slammed into her hard, sending her crashing into the doorframe. Pain shot through her back and she let out a pained grunt.
But Kieran was already gone, didn’t even look back.
Lorraine steadied herself against the wall and slowly dragged herself to the bedroom. She pulled off her shirt—her shoulder was already turning purple.
She dug out the first aid kit and quietly dabbed antiseptic on the bruise, feeling like something was slowly carving her heart out with a dull knife.
She slumped on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the darkening sky outside, until her phone rang.
Kieran.
“Get down to Manhattan General. Now.”
Lorraine’s stomach dropped. “What the hell happened?”
“Just get here.”
When she arrived, she spotted Kieran pacing outside the OR doors. Aurora was collapsed against his chest, crying her eyes out.
Lorraine stopped dead in her tracks, her chest tightening until she could barely breathe.
“What’s going on?” she asked quietly as she approached.
Kieran looked up at her. “Aurora’s mom just got diagnosed with leukemia. She needs a bone marrow transplant immediately.”
Lorraine blinked. “And?”
“We’ve searched every registry in the New York. No matches.” Kieran’s voice was flat. “I got tested. I’m a perfect match.”
Lorraine’s blood ran cold. “You’re seriously going to donate bone marrow?”
“The procedure has risks, you—”
“I didn’t call you here to ask for permission,” Kieran cut her off. “The surgery requires a spouse’s signature.”
Spouse…
The word felt like a slap across the face.
Right. Legally, she was still his wife.
But in his heart, she’d never been his family.
Lorraine’s nails dug into her palms until they nearly drew blood.
“Whatever,” she heard herself say. “I’ll sign it.”
The nurse handed over the consent forms. Lorraine wrote her name carefully, each letter feeling like she was carving it into her own heart.
Kieran let go of Aurora and headed toward the operating room.
Just as the doors were about to close, Lorraine couldn’t stop herself. “Kieran!”
He turned back, his expression completely blank.
Lorraine’s lips trembled, but all she managed was a whisper: “…be careful.”
Something flickered in Kieran’s eyes, but he said nothing. Then turned and disappeared behind the surgical doors.
The moment they shut, Lorraine’s tears finally spilled over.
She finally understood Kieran’s love for Aurora—deep enough that he’d die for Aurora without hesitation.
