The Ex-Wife He Betrayed Was a Hidden Heiress

The class reunion had just ended.

Nicholas turned to me out of nowhereMia, let's get a divorce.

I wasn't surprisedEven if she's completely rotten, you still love her?

He bit down on his cigarette and let out a low laughYou forget, I'm rotten too.

Two rotten people. A perfect match.

I laughed, surprising even myselfFine.

A divorce suited me just fine. Someone was already waiting to fill that spot.

Nicholas didn't seem to expect me to agree so easily.

But it lasted only a second before he pressed whatever flicker of feeling that was back down, and looked at me calmly

I'll have the papers sent over tomorrow. Everything that's yours, down to the last cent.

I nodded. Okay.

Nicholas!

A voice came from behind us.

Georgia Simmons stumbled over, reeking of alcohol, and threw her arms around him. It's been so long! All these years, did you ever miss me?

He didn't push her away. He even slid a hand around her waist, and the look on his face was a tenderness I had never once seen in three years of marriage.

Nicholas, you bastard, why won't you answer me?

Georgia turned her hazy eyes on me, jabbing a finger in my direction.

Nicholas, you actually like this goody-two-shoes? A woman like her is definitely a dead fish in bed. You and me, we used to do everything together. You're telling me you can really stand a dead fish now?

Her voice climbed louder with each word, and then she lunged at me.

Nicholas caught her wrist, pulled her into his arms, and turned to meSorry, she's drunk.

I was still his wife at that moment. And his first instinct was to apologize to me on behalf of another woman.

I let out a small, self-mocking laughIt's fine. I don't mind. If there's nothing else, I'll head back.

Nicholas gave a short mmI won't be coming home tonight. I'll come find you tomorrow.

My feet stopped for half a step. I said nothing.

Back at the apartment, I stood looking at this place we'd shared for three years.

From the day we got our marriage certificate, when I was full of hope. To the first time we slept together, when he blurted out Georgia's name and all I felt was humiliation. To the night he was burning with fever and mistook me for her, and the hurt gave way to disappointment. And now, standing here, there was nothing left but numbness.

Ten years. Whatever Nicholas and I had been was finally over.

I let out a quiet laugh and walked into the bedroom to pack.

I didn't own much. One suitcase and it all fit.

After packing I lay down, expecting insomnia, but the moment I closed my eyes I was out.

I even dreamed, for the first time in ages, about the day I first saw Nicholas.

Every school has its celebrities. Nicholas James was the most famous one at Northbank High School.

Popular, top grades, and only one real flaw: he changed girlfriends constantly.

I hated guys like that back then. I even thought there was something wrong with every girl who liked him.

Until the day a friend dragged me to watch him compete in the long jump.

The crowd was packed, and I got shoved all the way to the front.

I was uncomfortable. I was about to leave.

Then, the next second, a jacket smelling of cologne landed right over my head.

I yanked it off in a panic and looked up into a cocky, roguish faceHey, hold my jacket for me?

In that one moment, my heart nearly broke through my ribs.

From that day on, I had someone to secretly love.

When we chose our tracks in second year, I picked science, which I had zero interest in, just to be in his class.

I watched him cycle through one girlfriend after another. It hurt, but I had no right to say a word.

So I just did what every other girl did and kept writing anonymous love letters, one after another.

Then came the eve of the college entrance exams. I didn't want to leave with regrets, so I wrote one last letter, this time with my name on it, and went to find him to confess in person.

But the moment I walked into the classroom, I caught him kissing his new girlfriend.

The girl buried her face shyly in his chest. He leaned back against the desk, one brow raised, smiling at meHey, which class are you in? My girlfriend's shy. Close the door on your way out, would you?

That was when I understood. We were about to graduate, and he didn't even know we were in the same class, let alone my name.

The next morning, I waited for Nicholas all day. He never showed.

I called him dozens of times. Not once did he pick up.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and went to his company.

Only to be told Nicholas hadn't come in to work.

Rare, that.

A workaholic who didn't show up to the office.

It wasn't hard to guess who he'd skipped it for.

Then my phone rang.

It was Bianca Harding.

The second I picked up, her voice tore through the lineMia! That piece of shit Nicholas is cheating on you! I'm at the OB-GYN right now and I just saw him walk in with some woman to get an abortion!

I'm going over there right now to destroy them both! How dare they do this to you!

That slut! That scumbag! I hope he rots!

Beep

I didn't get a single word in before the line went dead.

There was no time to think. I flagged down a cab and rushed to the hospital.

The moment I reached the OB-GYN wing, I could already hear Bianca's voice carrying down the hallway.

Nicholas James! You're a married man, and you have the nerve to cheat! You brought your mistress here to get an abortion in broad daylight!

And you, you shameless tramp! Do you have an ounce of self-respect? You're the other woman!

Neither of you is leaving here today! You can both go to hell!

You slut! You slut! Nicholas, how can you face Mia after she loved you for ten years? How can you face what she did for you

Bianca! I ran in and cut her off, pulling her back before she could finish.

Nicholas stood there with a dark expression, Georgia Simmons clinging weakly to him. I pressed my lips togetherSorry. My friend lost her temper.

His voice was iceControl her. If she runs her mouth like this again, I won't let it go.

He scooped Georgia into his arms and walked away.

Bianca's eyes went wideMia! Why are you apologizing to him? He's the one in the wrong!

I pressed my lips togetherBianca, that was Georgia Simmons.

Bianca froze.

I told her everything, from the reunion last night to the very end.

When I finished, Bianca drew a long breathSo because Georgia broke up with some guy overseas and came back, showed up at one reunion, Nicholas wants to divorce you? Just like that?

I nodded.

How is that fair? Bianca slammed her hand on the table and stood, her eyes burning redThat woman played Nicholas like a dog back then. She kicked him to the curb and drove a car right into him. He nearly died. You're the one who pulled him out and crushed your own hand so badly the flesh was mangled beyond saving. You can never hold a scalpel again because of him. You're the one who stayed by his side through every day of his recovery. And now he gets to say 'divorce' and that's it?

No. I'm going to tell him everything. Even if you do divorce, I want that man's conscience to eat him alive.

I grabbed her arm. Bianca, there's no point anymore. This time, I really want the divorce. I'm done loving him.

Bianca stared at me hard, like she didn't believe a word of it.

And why would she. Every time I'd said I was done, I'd gone crawling right back.

But this time, I was truly exhausted.

I even thought Nicholas James was nothing special at all.

After saying goodbye to Bianca, I asked a nurse for Georgia Simmons' room number.

The moment I reached the door, I heard laughter from inside.

Nicholas, I used you like a dog back then. My ex and I ran you over with a car. And you still love me! You're actually divorcing that good little wife of yours for me, and you even came with me to abort my ex's baby!

I froze mid-step, looked up, and saw what was happening inside the room.

Nicholas's expression was impossibly gentle as he spooned porridge to her lips, not saying a word.

Georgia seemed bored. She leaned in and kissed him.

He didn't pull away. If anything, he tried to deepen it.

Then, the next second, she dodged back, her mouth curling with open contemptNicholas James, you're pathetic.

He grabbed her chin and closed the distance himself, biting down on her lips.

The wet sounds from the hospital room carried through the door.

I don't know how long it lasted. When he finally let go, his voice was rough and unsteadyYeah, I'm pathetic. Pathetic enough to fall for you. Pathetic enough to love you year after year after year.

Year after year?

Could a man like him even love anyone?

I tugged at the corner of my mouth and turned to leave.

But Georgia spotted me.

She hooked her arm around Nicholas's neckWhat about your good little wife, then? Don't you love her? She did pine after you for ten whole years.

His voice came out low and hoarseA good girl like her is just the one who picks up the pieces for a scumbag like me. You're the one I was made for.

Georgia laughed out loud and tilted her chin toward the doorwayWell, your leftover-picker is standing right outside.

Nicholas stiffened and turned to look at me.

My nails dug into my palms as I forced a smile onto my faceI came to ask when you can sign the divorce papers.

Whatever terms you want, just name them.

Nicholas pushed the documents across to me.

I flipped to the last page, signed my name, and handed them back with a smileIt's fine. It's not like you could cheat me out of anything anyway.

Nicholas stared at the smile on the woman across from him and felt something grate behind his eyes, though he couldn't say why.

But this was exactly what he wanted, wasn't it?

Divorce. Then tie himself to Georgia, rotten as she was.

He shook his head, lowered the pen to the signature line, and his phone rang.

He murmured an apology and stood to take the call.

Whatever was said on the other end changed his face completely, and he started for the door.

I grabbed the papers and blocked his path. Just sign it. Won't take a second.

Nicholas's head snapped up, dark eyes locked on mine.

I kept smiling. Kept holding the papers out.

He took the pen and slashed his name across the page.

I've already spoken with the civil affairs office. It'll be at least seven days before the divorce certificate comes through.

Seven days.

I silently counted backward from the date of the wedding with the other man.

Enough.

Back home, I sent everything I owned ahead to Ashford.

By the time I finished, it was already dark.

I was about to sleep when the phone rang from the police station.

Hello, is this the wife of Mr. Nicholas James? Your husband has been reported for unlawful detention and assault. We need you to come to the station.

I didn't want to go. But the divorce wasn't final yet.

Fine. One last time.

When I arrived, Nicholas sat there stone-faced. Beside him, Georgia was smiling like a cat.

An officer approached the moment he saw meMa'am, do you know this woman? She claims Mr. James held her captive, that she tried to escape and was dragged back, and that he attempted to assault her in his car.

Before I could speak, Nicholas cut inShe's my fiance. There was no detention, no assault. We're together.

As he spoke, he pulled out a yellowed slip of paper, carefully preserved.

It was a promise letter, written by Georgia the year they got together, right after the college entrance exam.

He'd kept it pristine all this timecarried it against his chest, close to his heart.

You didn't need anyone to spell out how much he loved her.

The officer's eyes went wideBut isn't Mia Hartwell your wife?

I pulled at my lipWe're already divorced. The certificate just hasn't come through yet.

In the end, the whole thing was a false alarm.

By the time we left the police station, it was deep into the night.

Nicholas went to get the car.

That left just me and Georgia.

She looked at me and suddenly laughed out loudMia, all these years and you still haven't changed one bit. Still falling over yourself for Nicholas.

I didn't say a word.

But Georgia kept goingWant to know why Nicholas fell for me?

She leaned in closeBecause the person he was supposed to fall for was you.

I froze.

Georgia went onBack then he got so many love letters, but yours was the only one he kept. I didn't know you wrote it at first. Then one day I came back early from morning exercises and caught you slipping an envelope into his locker, the exact same purple as the one he'd saved.

You tossed that confession letter in the trash, and I fished it right out. The day exams ended, I scratched your name off, wrote mine over it, and went and confessed to him. He said yes. Told me those letters were fun, that he really liked them. Just like that, we were together. The playboy settled downfor me.

Every part of me went rigid.

Georgia's smile stretched wider

I went through all the letters you wrote him later on. They really were something. What he liked to eat, what he liked to drink, what he did every single day, all of it recorded like a diary. Oh, and one more thing

In college, when you heard we'd broken up, you finally worked up the nerve to go after him. Too bad. He turned right around and forwarded your messages to me. Asked me to reply for him. Those two years of flirty texts that kept you dangling? That was all me. Watching you chase your own tail because of words I typedyou have no idea how much fun that was.

Later on, he and I kept splitting up and getting back together. I even got caught checking into hotels with different men, and he didn't say a word.

Mia, when it comes down to it, I really should thank you. You're the one who made a playboy turn around and fall in love with me.

The cold went straight through me, head to toe, and I couldn't get a single word out.

Then Georgia's eyes went dark.

She grabbed my hand and slapped herself across the face with it.

Ah!

Before I could even react, a harder slap had already landed on my face.

Followed by Nicholas's ice-cold voiceMia, do you have a death wish?

He didn't ask a single question. Didn't hesitate for a second. Just took Georgia's side.

I looked at the satisfaction on Georgia's face, pressed my palm to my burning cheek, and gave Nicholas one long, final lookNicholas, you were right. You really are garbage.

I turned on my heel, threw my things together, and was on a train back to Ashford before the day was out.

Three days later, a wedding invitation appeared on my feed.

Nicholas and Georgia's.

My own wedding was on the same day.