Wanted After Divorce Novel – Liam Westmore, Emerald’s husband of two years, had forgotten their second wedding anniversary. She had dropped subtle hints to remind him of the special occasion, but her efforts were wasted in vain. She had meticulously fitted her slim figure in a velvet gown and styled her long blonde hair into an intricate chignon at the bottom of her nape, all in an effort to present herself at her absolute best. Yet, the man she had exerted so much effort to impress barely glanced at her. The expansive glass window loomed before her like a colossal painting, showcasing the vibrant nightlife of Ashtone City.
Yet, despite the romantic ambiance and the mesmerizing backdrop of a sky adorned with shimmering stars, it failed to salvage her desolate mood. Emerald took a deep breath to calm her nerves. She had suffered in silence, enduring countless torments without a word of complaint. But tonight, she had reached her breaking point, and her patience had run out. “Liam, do you remember what today is?” He glanced up from his phone. His striking blue eyes locked with hers briefly before they flitted away to something else as though unable to stand the sight of her. “Uh, Sunday?” He replied with tangible indifference.
Emerald’s heart sank like the Titanic plummeting into the dark, unforgiving ocean depths. She had hoped for a moment he would remember but the occasion had completely slipped his mind. This wasn’t the first time he had forgotten something important, but on their anniversary, it stung even more. “It’s…. It’s our second wedding anniversary.” A flicker of realization crossed Liam’s countenance before it faded, replaced by a vacant expression. At that particular moment, Emerald saw not a man worthy of admiration, but a man with a stone-cold heart. “I’m sorry. I’ve been so busy with work and stuff, it slipped my mind.” Emerald had anticipated the apology for she heard those words too many times before, and each excuse had chipped away at her fragile hopes for him to change. She had always been the one to forgive, to mend the broken pieces in their relationship, but tonight something had shifted within her. In the past, she had been content as long as he apologized, but she was no longer the same Emerald she once was. The years of neglect and emotional distance had finally taken their toll.
She bawled her fists tightly and prepared herself for the upcoming storm. “I have given you numerous chances, Liam. I have remained loyal to you, stood by your side, and made efforts to be a devoted wife. But – but why! Why have you persistently treated me like an outsider?” Her voice cracked, and tears welled up in her eyes. She was determined not to let her husband take pleasure in witnessing her vulnerability. However, beneath the surface, she secretly longed for him to recognize the immense pain he had caused, hoping that it might soften his heart a bit. “Please stop acting like an emotionally battered wife. You’re well aware that I had no love for you before we tied the knot. Mother’s illness is what compelled me to marry you.” “Do you think I wanted this either?” Emerald snapped at him. “I am trapped in a family marriage tradition, and marrying you was the only way to prevent my adoptive father from disowning me! All I’m asking for is to be treated as your wife, to be shown respect, and for you to remember our anniversary. Is that too much to ask?” Liam’s sharp gaze pierced through her.
“I refuse to pretend that everything is fine when it’s clearly not. If you’re willing to pretend that our marriage is happy, that’s your choice, but I will not partake in that charade.” Emerald fought back his gaze with equal ferocity. “So, that’s why you’re seeing someone else behind my back?” The words slipped out of her mouth before she could even register them. She could no longer ignore the evidence that had been piling up – the lipstick stains on his shirt collar and the lingering scent of a woman’s perfume on his skin each time he went home. All signs pointed towards him having a mistress, and it was tearing her apart inside. Liam didn’t even flinch nor did he make an effort to deny it. His expression remained impassive, as if her words were of no consequence to him. “So what?” He sneered, lips curled in disdain. The words felt like a sharp blow jolting her awake.
The corner of her mouth twitched as she struggled to maintain her composure. “So what… is that all you have to say?” The numbness that had settled in her chest suddenly shattered, replaced by a fiery rage. “Are you seriously asking me that? You’ve been cheating on me, and you have the audacity to act like it’s no big deal?” He shrugged nonchalantly, as if her words were mere background noise. “You’re overreacting, Emerald. It’s not a big deal. You’re blowing this out of proportion.” Her hand clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms. “Not a big deal? Not a big deal that you’re betraying me, lying to me, sneaking around behind my back?” she practically shouted, cheeks turning beet red. Liam’s gaze hardened, his indifference melting away to reveal a flash of irritation. “I had made it clear to you before we got married that I will marry you but I will never be faithful.
I thought you understood and accepted that.” “I can’t believe you,” she spat, her eyes blazed with fury. “I gave you everything, and yet I’m still nothing for you?” “You were never enough for me, and you never will be, Emerald,” he said so casually, completely disregarding all that she had done for him. “Why? Is it because of Victoria?” Liam’s jaw clenched and his eyes blazed with fury at the mere mention of Victoria’s name. He stood up abruptly from his seat. “Don’t you dare bring her into this.” Emerald shot up from her seat, her defiance palpable as she jutted her chin forward. “Is it because of her?” Her voice trembled pitifully. “Is she the reason behind all this pain you keep putting me through? I…. I thought we had something going on, something worth battling for, at the very least but I was so wrong….” He let out a cold laugh, “You were nothing but a distraction. A temporary amusement that I grew tired of. You were never meant to be anything more.”
Breath hitched in her throat, the pain of his words piercing through her like a blade. She had given her heart and soul to this man, believing one day he’ll learn to love her a little. But now, his cruel words shattered any trace of hope she had left. “How could you be so heartless? I deserved to be treated better than this.” “You think you deserve anything?” he sneered, his words dripping with contempt. “Let me make this crystal clear, Emerald. You were foolish to even think that I could love someone as insignificant as you. You’re the reason why Victorious ended up with my best friend! If you had a shred of decency, you would have called off our marriage, allowing me the chance to be with her — not you!” Slap! The resounding crack reverberated through the air. Emerald’s palms throbbed, yet the pain paled in comparison to the agony that ripped through her heart.
She had endured a loveless marriage for two years, and despite how unhappy it made her, she held no animosity towards her husband, recognizing that they were both trapped in their circumstances. However, shifting all the blame onto her, made her reach a breaking point and felt compelled to retaliate. “If only I could turn back time, I would never have married you! Before my parents forced me to tie the knot with you, there was a man I love. We shared three precious years together, but because of the arranged marriage we broke up!” She had never once been blunt with her feelings towards him, and maybe that’s why her outburst left him speechless for a moment. After collecting himself, he tried to reach out to her, but she flinched and pulled away, avoiding his touch. “I don’t want to be touched by the likes of you! I was so foolish and blind to trade a wonderful man like him for a spineless jerk like you!” “Calm down, Emerald. You’re making a scene!” She let out a bitter laugh.
“You have no right to stop me. You never heard a thing from me about how you humiliated me by flaunting your mistress in public. So, don’t expect me to stay silent now or obey your wishes.” Recognizing the futility of debating with him, as he would not take her feelings into consideration, she wisely chose to end the argument before it spiraled out of control. Lifting her chin defiantly, she turned away after picking her handbag and announced, “I’ve lost my appetite. I am going home.” “I’ll settle the bill first.” Emerald ignored him, not even giving him a glance, and quietly made her way to the door. She slipped into the sleek Phoenix, the car that Liam’s mother had presented to them on their wedding day. Shortly after, her husband silently joined her in the car and took the driver’s seat, then they set off. The journey back to the Estate was cloaked in an unsettling silence, but she found solace in their mutual decision to ignore each other rather than engage in another heated argument.
When the car pulled into a stop in the driveway of a magnificent two-story house, she hastily clambered out of the car, expecting Liam to follow suit. Instead she heard the rumble of the engine reviving to life. “Where are you headed?” She glanced over to the car, her temples furrowing in concern. Although she didn’t particularly care where he was off to, she couldn’t ignore the fact that he had been drinking and it was unsafe for him to drive in that condition. He replied coolly. “It’s none of your concern.” The car zoomed past the gates, before she could bite back a response, and vanished from her sight. She reminded herself that it was his life and he had the freedom to do as he pleased. With a determined attitude, she put her worries aside and headed towards the house, eager to finally relax her tired body. Emerald showered, dried her hair, and settled in the king-size bed. Exhaustion clawed at her, yet sleep remained elusive. Her concern for Liam, though undeserved, weighed heavily on her.
The following morning, she rose early to prepare breakfast for her husband, knowing he would expect it upon his return home. Despite the strain in their relationship, still felt obligated to take care of him and hoped to avoid any criticism for not fulfilling her responsibilities. After quickly preparing breakfast, she frantically tidy up and cleaned the house. Their usual house servant, who typically managed the housework on weekdays, had been on sick leave without a definite return date, leaving the household tasks on her shoulders. Cleaning up to finish the task took longer than anticipated, setting a new personal record for her. In a rush to get ready for work and avoid being late, she quickly showered and hastily got ready. Emerald stood before the tall mirror, examining her reflection and recognizing the weariness etched into her features. After a busy week juggling work and home responsibilities, the signs of exhaustion were unmistakable. She selected her uniform from the hanger, smoothly sliding into the elegant ocean blue top before slipping into the high-waisted charcoal pants.
As she delicately slid her feet into the flat sandals, the ominous creak of the bedroom door pierced the silence. In walked Liam, reeking the tang of alcohol and the scent of a woman’s perfume. “Where did you spend the night?” She asked in a surprisingly calm manner. “Hotel,” Liam replied, barely suppressing a smirk as if daring her to challenge him. Emerald wanted to ask if he had slept alone. She hesitated, struggling to find the courage to ask the burning question when she glared at the half-buttoned shirt he wore and found an unmistakable evidence—a vivid lipstick stain boldly marked on his chest, telling a story she didn’t want to hear. She fought to maintain control over her emotions. The man before her was intoxicated, and she had no desire to engage in a confrontation so early in the day. Instead, she pressed her lips firmly to stop herself from lashing out. “Have you eaten?” she asked, trying to change the subject. “No. But I’m not hungry,” he replied dismissively. “I cooked you some breakfast. It’s your favorite. You should eat at least a little.” “I said I’m not hungry,” he snapped irritably before flopping onto the bed, drifting off to sleep within moments. Emerald shook her head in resignation.
Approaching the bed, she sat down on the edge and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a trail of vivid buss marks painting a picture that pierced her heart, starting at the top of his chest, meandering down to his stomach, below his navel, and disappearing into his pants. Battling back tears, Emerald swallowed the lump in her throat and suppressed the ache in her heart as she swiftly finished unbuttoning his shirt. Her trembling hands then moved to his shoes, one after the other, carefully removing them before gently placing them on the shoe rack. Realizing he would likely wake up with a splitting headache from his hangover, she left a bottle of water and an aspirin on the night table. Alongside them, she left a note, reminding him to eat a light meal to alleviate his hangover. She had often questioned herself why she continued to be kind to him despite his mistreatment.
A part of her answered that she was staying true to herself. Even if her husband failed to acknowledge her kindness, she felt it was important to fulfill her duties as a wife. “Victoria…” His voice halted her in her tracks as she was leaving the room, sending a sharp stab of pain in her heart. The pain from her husband’s mistreatment was one thing, but the sound of him speaking the name of the woman he loved inflicted a whole new level of anguish. Tears threatened to spill over as she battled the flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. The betrayal was a bitter pill to swallow, but she couldn’t let it break her. Clinging to her dream like a lifeline, she repeated like a mantra, “Just endure a bit longer.” Soon enough, she would save enough money to pursue her dream jewelry boutique. At that point, she would have the independence to support herself, even if it meant leaving her husband and being disowned by her father.