The Divorce He Refused

The CEO of the company was my husband. Garrett Rhys.
But he had never publicly acknowledged me.
Its a strategic alliance, a dynastic merger, hed always say. We need to maintain the Golden Bachelor image for the sake of the stock and the brand.
It wasnt until his college sweetheart, Sierra Thorne, returned from abroad, and he abandoned me, burning up with a fever, to personally host her welcome-home dinner, that the blinding truth finally hit me.
I was nothing more than a shadowa stand-in for the idealized ghost of his first love.
With my heart finally broken beyond repair, I drafted a divorce agreement. I was ready to step aside.
But on the day I presented the papers, Garrett gripped the agreement with a death-lock, refusing to let go.
Harper, what was the last five years, then? What did it all mean?
I met his gaze, my own eyes utterly vacant. Im calling it a massive loss. A failed investment.
1
My marriage to Garrett Rhys had lasted exactly five years.
It was a cold, calculated transactiona strategic alliance between two powerful families, each of us gaining what we needed. He was my older brothers closest friend, and I had harbored a silent crush on him for years.
So when my family proposed the alliance, and he was the intended groom, I said yes without a second thought.
I learned later that he had agreed because his first love, Sierra, had just married someone else and moved overseas. Heartbroken and indifferent, he felt it no longer mattered whom he married.
I was simply a suitable, well-connected Sterlingperfectly matched in family background and resources.
In those first months of marriage, I held onto a naive, foolish fantasy: that companionship would bloom into love, and that I could melt even the coldest stone.
Five years later, the truth was undeniable.
Some peoples hearts are the Arctic permafrostno amount of lifelong devotion can warm them.
Over those years, we drifted from polite strangers to co-habitating ghosts.
He still kept Sierra's photograph hidden in his private study.
We were husband and wife, yet we were less intimate than neighbors. Aside from the mandatory appearances at family and corporate functions, we slept in separate wings of the penthouse. Our lives were parallel lines that never touched.
Five years. No shared vacations, no anniversary celebrations, not even a casual weekend trip to the grocery store together.
But I remained the dutiful wife, the perfect Mrs. Rhys.
He managed the massive corporation; I ran the familys charitable foundation, ensuring his domestic life was flawlessly handled.
Sometimes, I would wonder if he would spare me even a glance if I didnt have the Sterling name and the successful foundation work to back me up.
Even our rare moments of physical intimacy felt like a chore for himsilent and deeply detached.
The real devastation came when I stumbled upon an old box of his college keepsakes and found Sierras high school picture.
Her eyes, her expression, her overall lookthere was an undeniable, six-out-of-ten resemblance to me.
In that single, agonizing moment, a cold terror washed over me.
I was not his wife. I was merely a placeholder.
The irony grew even sharper when I discovered he and Sierra had been discreetly back in contact for several months.
I took the evidence to him. Garrett, Sierras back in The City. Youve been meeting her in private. What exactly is going on?
A flash of panic crossed his face, instantly replaced by a sudden, imperious anger. Harper, are you seriously spying on me? Sierra is a critical contact for a major partnership. Were talking business.
I laughed, a sharp, bitter sound.
Business? Did "talking business" require meeting her in a private, high-end club until past midnight, avoiding all of his usual security protocols?
No wonder hed been coming home later and later over the last six months, and had practically stopped all physical contact with me.
He was keeping himself pure for his rediscovered first love.
I had foolishly blamed myself, believing I wasn't beautiful enough, gentle enough, or attentive enough.
Now I understood. He hadn't been looking at Harper Sterling at all. He was looking at the woman he wished I was.
The long-term stress and constant emotional repression took their toll. My body began to break down. My doctor insisted I check into the hospital for a comprehensive, stress-related procedure.
When Garrett heard, he only offered a cool, clipped directive: Tell Finance what you need. Theyll handle the expenses.
No inquiry about my health. No comfort.
The only thing he did was instruct his executive assistant to book the best surgeon and private suite.
I went to the hospital alone.
After the procedure, as the anesthesia wore off, the pain and the weakness made me crave human comfort more than anything.
The nurse asked me to call a family member.
In this beautiful but emotionally sterile city, my own family was states away. Id established my life here for him.
I dialed his number.
Garrett, my surgery is done. Im at Saint Judes
Before I could finish, he cut me off.
Im stuck in an incredibly important international call right now, I cant break away
Through the phone, I could faintly hear the strains of a sweet violin, followed by a womans light, recognizable laughter. The line went dead quickly.
I stared at the call recordless than ten seconds. I tried to stretch my lips into a smile, tasting only the salt of a single, stray tear.
Just days earlier, his secretary had innocently mentioned that Garrett had reserved an entire rooftop restaurant to celebrate Sierra's birthday.
Ten seconds for his wifes medical emergency was an interruption; a whole evening for his ex was a given.
But I was his legal wife.
Did he truly hold me in such low regard? Less valuable than the person he had already abandoned once?
I thought I would weep, that I would break down completely.
But strangely, the barren land in my chest remained perfectly calm. There were no ripples left.
The deepest grief had passed; only the empty silence remained.
Against the doctors strict advice, I demanded to be discharged.
The doctor tried to stop me, warning that leaving so soon was dangerous.
Desperate to escape, I yanked my arm free. A searing pain shot through the fresh stitchesI felt sure they had torn.
I dont care if I collapse! It won't be your responsibility! I dont have a family left anyway.
I spoke of having no family because tonight, I was going to cut all ties with Garrett Rhys.
Seeing the blood starting to seep through my hospital gown, the doctor was horrified. He insisted on re-dressing the wound and then, resigned, personally drove me back to the penthouse.
I stopped at a 24-hour print shop downtown to print the final divorce agreement.
Back home, I sat in the vast, silent living room, waiting for Garrett's return.
2
He came back at 1:00 AM.
He carried the light scent of expensive scotch and the faintest trace of a delicate, feminine perfume. A soft, lingering smilea look of pure, easy pleasurestill played on his lips.
I realized I hadnt seen that kind of relaxed happiness on his face in the entire five years wed been married.
Reunions with old loves must be wonderful.
He looked surprised to see me sitting on the sofa, then, naturally, he gave an order. Youre still up? Perfect. Go make me some sobering-up tea, will you?
I didn't move.
He frowned slightly. Harper?
I finally raised my eyes and fixed my gaze on him. Garrett. I want a divorce.
I slid the printed agreement across the coffee table toward him.
He froze instantly, staring at me in disbelief, as if I had spoken an alien language.
What did you just say?
His voice dropped, laced with the accustomed tone of command and corporate intimidation.
But I was no longer afraid.
Sierra is back, isnt she? Im clearing the path for her.
Garretts face went white. The alcohol-induced warmth in his eyes vanished. You how do you know about that?
I curled my lips into a cold, mocking smile. If you wanted to keep it secret, you shouldnt have used your assistants phone to book her a restaurant reservation. And you definitely shouldnt have let her wear a diamond brooch identical to your custom cufflink set at an industry gala, allowing her picture to be posted all over social media.
Garrett was speechless. He clearly hadn't anticipated the extent of my knowledge.
Five years of marriage had completely depleted every last, small measure of hope Id held for him.
Since my reserves were exhausted, it was time to leave.
Sign it. Once you do, you can openly pursue your perfect ghost without having to pretend Im anything more than a copy. We both get to be free.
In five years, the times he had genuinely smiled at me were countlessly few, and mostly for show.
I had believed he was simply a cold man, born aloof.
Now I knew better. His warmth, his passion, his smilesthey were just things he refused to grant me.
If I could rewind time, I would never have agreed to that alliance.
You shouldn't meet someone too magnificent when you're young; otherwise, your entire life becomes a sustained regret.
I had already paid five years of my life for a youthful crush and a family obligation.
The dream was over.
Garrett snatched the divorce agreement, tearing it violently into small, jagged pieces.
Dont you dare, Harper! Your family pushed for this alliance! You said you wanted to marry me! Now you just decide to walk away? Five years as man and wife, and you can just drop it all like this?
I watched him, my heart a piece of still, cold glass.
Drop it? Then ask yourself this, Garrett: In the last five years, did you ever, even for a single moment, see me as your wife, and not just a shadow?
3
The air instantly thickened and froze.
My question silenced him completely.
Watching his struggle for an answer, I mocked myself internally.
How many five-year periods does one life hold? My youth, my devotion, my sincere hopesall wasted.
Garrett loosened his silk tie, visibly frustrated at his lack of an answer. He softened his tone. Dont say things you dont mean. Divorce isnt simple. It affects both corporations. Just calm down, well discuss this another day.
A flicker of genuine panic in his eyes sealed my total disappointment.
I knew his real concern. Divorce would shatter the cooperation between the Sterling and Rhys groups, and it would destroy the devoted husband image hed painstakingly cultivated, tanking the stock price.
My heart was dead, but I wasn't spiteful.
When we married, I brought the Sterling assets and resources. When I leave, I will take nothing. Ill walk away clean. You keep it all. Use it to marry the woman you actually want.
I was raised in a business family; I understood transactions. Though I married him with a secret, personal hope, I also brought my full power to assist his career.
Now, I saw it was only ever a dealand I was the fool who lost her heart in the process.
Harper, I forbid it! I am not signing these papers!
It was the first time Garrett had ever lost his composure in front of me. Was that a hint of... fear?
I looked at him one last time, my expression calm and empty.
Whether you agree or not, this marriage is over. Ive submitted my resignation to the Foundation board. After the three-month transition period, I will return to finalize the papers. In the meantime, you need to quickly adjust to life without a Mrs. Rhys.
Garrett panicked, perhaps afraid of losing control entirely. He rushed out the words: Youre the Foundation Director! Without my consent, your resignation is invalid!
I almost laughed. While the Foundation was tied to the corporation, my professional reputation and my familys backing gave me significant autonomy.
Thats not up to you. If you try to obstruct me, Ill call a press conference tomorrow and announce the complete breakdown of our marriage.
With that, I tried to stand up. But my body, weak from surgery and long hours of sitting, swayed. My vision swam. I nearly collapsed.
Garrett instinctively reached out and caught me.
What is wrong with you? Your face is pale.
I yanked my arm away with all my strength.
Dont trouble yourself, Mr. Rhys. Im not going to die.
Hearing the frigid formality of Mr. Rhys, his body went rigid.
For five years, I had always called him Garrett, even though he rarely responded in kind.
Mr. Rhys was the demarcation line. It meant he was a stranger.
Only then did he truly look at my ashen complexion, and the realization hit him. Today was the day of your surgery?
4
Without asking, he pulled up the hem of my thin house robe. He saw the tight bandages around my abdomen and the dark, wet spots of seeping blood.
Garretts brow furrowed. Why arent you still at the hospital? Why didnt you tell me? Im your husband!
I met his glare with a cold, simple question. Why arent I at the hospital? Have you forgotten, Mr. Rhys? I called you. You said you had a very important international meeting.
As for husband I paused, my voice flat, devoid of emotion.
Thats about to change.
Garrett urgently pleaded, Harper, let me explain
Stop!
I cut him off.
This surgeryits the price I paid for years of emotional repression and stress, all because of you and this marriage.
Now, Im only excising the disease for myself.
Garrett, I dont love you anymore. Im too exhausted to try. We are finished.
If I could rewrite history, I wish I had never met you.
As the words left my lips, I clearly saw a flicker of pure panic in Garretts eyes.
Ignoring him, I dragged my weak body toward the front door.
My hand touched the handle just as the doorbell rang, sharp and intrusive.
I opened it instinctively.
Standing there was a woman who did bear a noticeable resemblance to me, her smile bright and charming.
Upon closer inspection, her features were similar, but hers were softer, more deliberately alluring.
She paused when she saw me, then offered a practiced, flawless smile. You must be Harper. You really are like the rumors sayyou do look a little like me. Her tone was gentle, yet threaded with a tiny, undeniable note of triumph.
I offered no reply. I had been a stand-in for five years. Now, seeing the original, I couldn't even summon the energy to feel angry.
She held out a folder. I didnt take it.
Garrett forgot some important documents at my place earlier. I tried his phone, but he didnt answer, so I dropped it by on my way home.
She spoke, her eyes subtly glancing past me into the living room, where Garrett stood, his face a mask of discomfort.
I scoffed inwardly. No wonder Garrett hadnt stayed in his comfort zone all nighthe'd conveniently "forgotten" the "files."
I said nothing, merely stepping aside to let her enter.
My heart was ash; their drama was no longer my concern.
I walked straight toward the elevator.
Just as the doors were closing, I heard Garrett rush forward.
Harper!
The rest of his voice was cut off.
It didn't matter.
I called my assistant, Owen Vance, and asked him to arrange a place for me immediately.
Owen sounded surprised on the phone, but he asked no questions, simply giving a crisp, efficient Understood.
Soon after, he pulled up in a discreet SUV.
Seeing my extreme weakness, he immediately jumped out to help me.
Harper? You look terrible. What happened?
I shook my head. Just a small procedure. Im fine.
He pulled up the edge of my jacket without asking, saw the bandage, and the telltale bloodstains. His face darkened instantly.
This is a small procedure?! You shouldnt be traveling! Were going to my apartment first. Ill call my family doctor.
I wanted to refuse, but I truly had nowhere else to go, and my body was failing. I nodded weakly.
Without another word, Owen folded down the back seat, covered it with a soft blanket, and helped me lie down.
He drove smoothly, constantly checking on me in the rearview mirror.
When we stopped at a red light, he passed me a thermos of warm water. Harper, drink this.
It was the first time I had ever clearly felt genuine, unfiltered care from another person.
So this is what it feels like to be truly cherished.
It felt good.

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