Chapter 1: The Miserable Hidden Wife

Livia’s Point of View 

Agitated and thrilled. That is how I discern. I hoisted my porcelain hand and knocked on the door three times. My heart was pounding hard and my fingers were shaking. Regardless, the door creaked, and a dazzling man showed up wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist as drops of water fell on his hair down to his mesomorphic shoulders and went to his hard stomach. 

I bit my lip seeing Archer standing in front. His stern eyes and stoic face greeted me whilst holding the box of the necklace he asked me to drop by. 

“Babe-“ I was trailed off when I heard a soft voice that obviously came from a girl inside. 

“Hon, is the food we ordered already arrived?” she asked. 

I twitched in shock. A woman came out of nowhere, wearing only a bathrobe, then seductively hugged my husband from behind. My eyes drifted to Archer’s hand, it crept on the woman’s waist and then glanced at me. 

I know her. She’s the new rising star in the film industry. I saw one of her interviews and the reporter asked her if she already had a boyfriend or a crush in showbiz yet she said she have none. But then, when my husband’s name was spoken out by the reporter, she was thrilled. 

I could even remember how Emily Brooke told everyone that she didn’t mind having a one-night-stand with Archer Washington– a CEO, more likely a billionaire; so as my husband. 

Emily Brooke. That was her name. Many people admired and wanted her. She’s pretty and curvy. She has Archer's wants in a girl. No wonder they are both together, fulfilling Emily’s wants behind my back. 

My head went down, bit my lower lip as the excitement and agitation I had disappeared. Hence, Archer sneered. 

“I didn’t know you invited someone, hon. I thought we’ll enjoy the night together?” Emily whispered in his ears. 

Archer only gave me a disgusting look; like I was trash he would never look at. 

“She’s my assistant. Forget about her existence. I asked her to drop by my gift for you. Remember the necklace you wanted?” Now, his voice becomes sweet when he’s talking to her. 

Archer seized the box of the necklace in my hand. Watching how he put the diamond necklace on Emily’s neck mortified me. After receiving the message he sent, I instantly ran to the address of a five-star hotel he said. Thinking the necklace should be given to me gave me hope, yet the scene right now took the illusion I’m yearning for. 

“It’s magnificent!” Emily Brooke giggled. Sparkles were seen in her eyes. 

On the other hand, my husband wrapped her hands around the rising actress’ waist and then kissed her cheeks. “It’s a gift. I hope you liked it.” 

“What? Of course! I’ve been dreaming of buying this but it's always out of stock. I wonder how you made a reservation for this limited-stock jewelry?” 

He smirked. “I paid triple.” 

Just a few minutes ago, I received a message from Archer to see him. I thought he had already changed his mind. I thought he remembered today is our wedding anniversary and assumed he'd give me a gift turns out the necklace he asked me to get was for his other girl and not for me.

A stab mutilates my heart. It’s painful and heartbreaking. I veered around and let the two enjoy the night even if my heart was crying due to heartbreak. 

Supposedly, today is our wedding anniversary. Thinking he’d ask me out, I settled myself ready supposing he’d accompany me to dinner. Flowers, gifts, surprises… How many years since the last time I received those from him? 

I thought after what happened to us back then he would now consider our marriage. He would now look at me the same way before; like I was a flower he’d see amid cactuses around me like I was sunshine in his dark and cold surroundings. Yet, turns out I was only assuming because of his mixed signals. 

Tears started to roll down my eyes. I dressed myself, put make-up on my face, and made sure to look attractive in his eyes. But all of it was ruined when I got my hopes high. 

“Damn… I knew it.” I whispered silently whilst sitting down on the bench outside the hotel. 

I looked up at the sky as the tears trickled down my face. My makeup was now ruined, and I bet, I became ugly because of it. 

Whilst scanning the five-star hotel they went to, I could pipe dream of myself being happy with my husband again; celebrating my birthday, our anniversary, and delicate dates with him. However, I knew to myself that won’t happen. He would never look at me with those genuine smiles and charming stares he once did. 

My love for Archer was beyond the pale. I knew it. I lived five years as his hidden miserable wife. I love him, yes. Even if I do, a person would still give up everything so she could be freed from his tight grip. 

I could remember vividly how I asked Archer for a divorce, turns out, we only had gotten into a heated argument and I ended up crying all night.  

“You came out with a woman again?” I busted out in anger after waiting for Archer to come home. 

He only scoffed, he was supposed to come upstairs yet I held his hand. “Just to remind you, Archer, you still have a wife waiting for you!” 

His jaw clenched then took his arms roughly. “Then you should have thought of your husband before cheating on me, then, Livia!” he backfired, critically narrowing his eyes on mine. 

Tears wanted to roll down my face. He’s drunk and has multiple kiss marks on his neck. I knew it. She had girls in the club again, making out with them while here I am, waiting for his call or heads up all night, yet nothing came. 

“You know what… I’m tired! You should’ve just agreed on divorcing me if you do not want someone to wait for you all night and ask where you go!” I shouted out of my lungs. 

Archer’s face remained stoic. He clicked his tongue before his ruthless stern glares narrowed me. “A divorce won’t happen, Livia. I won’t give you the freedom you want. This is your punishment for cheating on me and bearing someone’s child!”