All Chapters of Divorced, Desired, Dangerous : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

25 Chapters

Chapter 1: The Night My Marriage Died

Nilah’s povThe penthouse was quiet, I stood in the kitchen with my hands gripping the sink as I stared at the divorce papers, I tried remembering how to breathe.In… out…The same way my therapist had taught me before I had stopped going because Marcus said I didn’t need one."You're being dramatic Nilah, everyone has bad days.” He said.But this wasn’t a bad day… This was three years of bad days compressed into a single moment of realization so it hurts.The front door clicked open, I didn't turn around, I didn’t need to, I knew the sound of his footsteps, it was quick… already mentally a few steps ahead into whatever deals he was closing. The faint scent of jasmine perfume followed him inside.It wasn’t mine, I wore a chocolate body spray from the drugstore because expensive perfume made my skin sore.Jasmine… Vanessa’s signature perfume.“You’re home early.” My voice sounded inaudible even to my ears.Marcus dropped his suitcase by the door with a heavy thud. “The board meeting we

Chapter 2: The Billionaire I Crashed Into

Darien’s povThe Bentley’s engine purred as I drove through the rain-slicked street, and my phone buzzed for the umpteenth time in less than five minutes. I knew it was my mother no doubt, definitely calling to remind me about her ‘wonderful opportunity’ dinner she had arranged next week.“Don’t think of bailing out on this Darien, you aren’t getting any younger.” Her text appeared on my screen.I declined her call yet again, I was tired of the constant reminder to get married, I’m just twenty-eight, I still have lots of time to relax and toy with women as much as I wanted, why settle now? Besides, the main reason she wanted me married was to give her grandkids… kids? Those things are evil!“I hope when you meet her you won’t scare her away like you did the others.” My phone lit up again with my mother’s text.She had stopped sending me photos or even info of the women she wanted to meet because I always make sure to threaten them to stay away. Rolling my eyes I stared at the light tu

Chapter 3: Returning as an Heiress

Nilah’s povWhat the hell had I done?I sat in my car, staring at the mansion I had once called home, the perfectly trimmed garden stretched towards a fountain. Everything was just as I had remembered.Beautiful, warm, and inviting.My phone buzzed with a text from a number I didn't recognize. “The car will pick you up at 6;30pm. Dress arrives at 5, don't overthink.”I could immediately tell it was from that man, the stranger I had hit, and unfortunately wrecked my car. Apparently, I had foolishly accepted his offer without thinking much.I should cancel. Tell him I made a mistake and somehow find a way to pay him for the damages.“Nilah! Oh, my dear baby!”My mother burst through the front door like some storm, her blonde hair perfectly styled in a bob, she was down the steps and coming towards me. “Victor! Our Nilah is here, Victor." She cried for my dad.Stepping out of the car I let my soaked body be held in her arms, trying to pretend I was the same girl that had left this same p

Chapter 4: The Gala Where Everything Changed

Nilah povAt exactly five the dress arrived.I stood in my childhood bedroom staring at it for a full minute before I even dared to touch it.Midnight blue, floor length with a neckline that dipped just low enough to say ‘I know exactly what I’m doing’ and a slit that climbed too high up on one thigh, it was the kind of dress that didn’t just fit the body but made a statement about the person wearing it.A small note slipped from the envelope when I lifted it.“You’ll look perfect in it, see you tonight”No signature, but I could tell it was him.I should have canceled, that was the sensible thing to do, I had woken up this morning telling myself just that. The agreement last night had been a decision of a woman in shock, soaking wet at the roadside, watching her already ruined day collapse completely and this morning I had to undo everything.But still I put on the dress.I stood in front of the mirror, the same mirror I had twirled in front of as a teenager dreaming about the life I

Chapter 5— Impending chaos

NILAHThe silence in the grand ballroom was loud, it felt heavier than the rain that had ruined my car hours ago, making my head spin as I tried to process what my father had just blurted out from the podium.Hundreds of eyes shifted from my father, following his proud gaze, until they locked directly onto Darien and me.Beside me, Darien’s arm grew Stiff beneath my fingers. His mother, Elena, looked as though her composure had practically cracked in disbelief, her eyes darting between the two of us like she was trying to calculate how a bookstore owner could possibly be the missing piece of her grand business puzzle.“Nilah…. It’s not possible right?” Darien’s voice was quiet, dropping into a low whisper that sent a chill straight down my spine. He didn't look at me, keeping his face turned toward the podium, but his jaw was clenched so tightly that a small muscle strode beneath his sharp jawline. “What exactly is your last name?”I swallowed hard, my knuckles turning white where I

Chapter 6: Impending chaos

NILAHThe cold air hit my face the second the glass doors shut behind us, cutting off the loud applause and the music from the ballroom. The warm chandelier light, less harsh to my vision now.Darien let go of my wrist like my skin had suddenly burned him, He walked straight to the stone railing, his hands gripping the wet ledge so hard his knuckles looked white. I stayed near the door, my heels digging into the damp stone floor. My dress felt too tight suddenly, making it hard to breathe as I watched him.“Darien…” I started, my voice shaking a little. “I didn't know. I swear to you, I didn't know he was going to do that.”“You expect me to believe that, Nilah?” His voice was completely flat, devoid of any of that teasing, casual tone he had used with me inside. “You expect me to believe you just happened to pick my car to stand under in the rain? That you just happened to need a fake date to the exact gala where your father was planning to hand over my company?”“It was an accide

Chapter 7: The beginning of our perfect act

NilahThe heat of the ballroom hit us the second Darien pushed the glass doors open, but the noise was what made my stomach turn.Before we could even take three steps into the room, my father stepped right into our path. He didn’t look like a dad who had just found his missing daughter… he looked like a CEO who had just successfully closed a hostile takeover. His eyes moved down to where my fingers were digging into Darien’s sleeve, and a look of complete, smug satisfaction crossed his face.“There you two are,” my father said, his voice booming loud enough for the nearby investors to turn their heads. “The media is waiting near the main banner. Elena is already over there setting up the press angles.”Darien didn’t smile. His voice went perfectly smooth… that fake, polite billionaire tone that I was starting to realize he used like armor.“Of course, Mr. Mariel. We wouldn't want to keep the cameras waiting on our account. After all, a public alliance requires the proper framing, doe

Chapter 8: He’s mine

NILAHThe heavy mahogany doors clicked shut, and the loud buzzing from the ballroom died instantly. But my lips were still burning. That kiss out there in front of the cameras… it didn't feel like a show. It felt like a claim. My heart was hammering so hard against my ribs I thought he could hear it in the quiet room.Darien didn't say anything for a long minute. He pulled off his tuxedo jacket and threw it onto a chair, looking completely exhausted. He walked over to the corner, his jaw tight, and pointed at a small leather sofa.“Sit down, Nilah,” he muttered.“Are we just going to hide in here?” I asked, crossing my arms. My feet were throbbing from those stupid high heels, but I didn't want to look weak in front of him. “My father is probably looking for us. Marcus too.”“Let them look,” Darien said, his voice flat. “Sit down before you fall over.”I didn't argue with him this time. I collapsed onto the leather and let out a shaky breath, rubbing my temples.Before I could even as

Chapter 9: His proposal

NILAHThe morning sun was too bright, cutting straight through the blinds of my tiny apartment and making my headache a hundred times worse.I didn't have time to process last night. By 7:15 AM, my phone buzzed with a text from Darien“Seven thirty. My driver is outside. Don't make me come up those stairs, Nilah we need to head somewhere together.” I threw on a pair of faded black jeans, a plain cream sweater, and my old boots. I didn't bother with makeup. I just tied my hair back and ran down the stairs. Standing at the curb was his massive, black sedan.The drive across town was a complete blur. Before I knew it, the car pulled up to the Mariel Group headquarters—a giant mountain of black glass and steel that I swore I would never step foot into again.The elevator shot me straight to the top floor. I pushed the heavy frosted glass doors open to the executive boardroom.My father, Victor Mariel, was sitting at the head of the table. He didn't stand up. He didn't smile.On the left

Chapter 9: INTO THE PENTHOUSE

NILAHThe heavy diamond sat on my finger, freezing cold. Darien didn't let go of my hand. He just stared right at my father, his face totally blank and lethal.My father couldn't even speak. He stared at the massive ring, his jaw tight, his face turning a dark, angry red.“We are done here, Victor,” Darien said. His voice cut through the room like ice.He stood up, pulling me up with him. His grip was like steel around my fingers. He gathered his papers with his free hand, turned his back on my father, and marched me straight out of the boardroom.“Darien! Nilah!” my father yelled behind us. “Get back here!”Darien didn't stop. Instead pushed the heavy glass doors open and hauled me down the wide gray hallway straight toward the private elevators. The doors slid open instantly, and he shoved me inside, hitting the button for the secure basement garage.The second the elevator doors shut, I yanked my hand away from him.“What the hell was that?” I demanded, my chest heaving as I backe

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