Chapter 2
I woke up the next morning to a cold, empty bed.[]
Opening the door, I heard laughter echoing through the house–something this usually quiet mansion had never known.
I stood at the upstairs railing, looking down at the scene below.
The man who hadn’t set foot in the kitchen once during our five years of marriage was flipping eggs.]
A pretty woman and an adorable child were playing on the couch.[]
I felt both mocking and oddly hollow inside.[]
For a moment, I actually felt like I was the outsider.[]
When I came downstairs, the cozy atmosphere shattered instantly.[]
“Madeline,” Victor said, carrying a plate, his expression completely neutral.[]
“When are you sending them away?” For the first time, I used that tone with him.[]
Victor didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted Tilly into her high chair, got her settled, then looked up at me with that controlled irritation I’d grown to hate.[]
“I told you, she needs to attend school here.“[]
I was getting frustrated.]]
“Don’t tell me the great Victor Hollingsworth can’t handle a simple school enrollment!” I was losing control. “What do you really want here–the kid or the woman?“]
“Madeline!” His voice cut through my words like ice. “Watch your tone. Nina is Tilly’s mother. She’s just a child–how can she be separated from her mom?”
The little girl immediately knocked over her bowl of hot porridge, spilling it all over me, her voice breaking into sobs.[]
“I hate you! You’re the mean lady trying to break up Mommy and Daddy!“]
The scalding liquid burned my legs, making me wince in pain.]
My sharp gaze shot toward her instantly.
“I’m sorry, Tilly didn’t mean it. She just misses her daddy so much,” Nina quickly stepped between us, blocking my view.
I swallowed the tight feeling in my chest.
That’s when it hit me–the three of them really did look like a perfect family.
And there I was, standing pathetically on the opposite side.
A surge of rage made me lose my composure as I stared coldly at Nina.[]
“You think the Hollingsworth family would want a five–year–old brat who doesn’t know basic manners–“[]
“Madeline Shaw!” Victor’s voice was glacial, instantly dousing my anger.
He faced me with a coldness I’d never seen before, completely emotionless.[]
“Tilly is my daughter. As my wife, you will accept her presence. And today, you’ve embarrassed yourself.“[]
He scooped up the tearful little girl and walked away.[]
Wife in Name to You–Queen in Heart to Your Rival
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Nina naturally took his briefcase from behind.[]
She turned back with a triumphant smile.
The noisy house fell silent in an instant.[]
A bitter taste filled my mouth.[]
In Victor’s mind, I was the perfect Shaw heir and the dignified wife.
So I wasn’t allowed to have emotions.
I certainly wasn’t allowed to lose control…]
Listening to the car engine fade into the distance, my rigid posture finally crumbled.[]
Victor Hollingsworth–you’ve disappointed me after all.]
Five years ago, during the financial crisis, the Hollingsworth and Shaw families–Manhattan’s powerhouses–proposed a merger marriage to fight off foreign capital.[]
As the Shaw family’s only daughter, I chose Victor, who had just gotten divorced.]
I knew he had an ex–wife and daughter.]]
But back then I thought, who doesn’t have a past? Who doesn’t have someone they remember?]
After our marriage, Victor was a nearly perfect husband.[]
But when someone truly became his exception, I realized I couldn’t stay as composed as I thought I could.]
The next day was Mr. Hollingsworth Sr.’s birthday celebration.[]
As Victor’s wife, I had to attend.[]
That evening, Victor appeared at the mansion right on time.[]
In the car,
it felt like there was an invisible wall between us.
After a long silence, perhaps as a peace offering, Victor sighed and moved to sit beside me after raising the partition.[]
“Madeline,” he broke the silence, “you’re the only Mrs. Hollingsworth.“[]
Feeling the warmth of his hand, I felt momentarily dazed.[]
I knew this was his way of making peace.
The city lights played across his sharp features through the window.[]
In that moment, his deep eyes reflected only me.
After we got out, Victor held my hand the entire way.[]
It made me feel almost hopeful.[]
But that hope was quickly shattered.
“Victor,” Nina appeared in a crimson silk gown, greeting guests like she owned the place.
She naturally took the birthday gift from his hands before feigning surprise. “Mrs… Mrs. Hollingsworth.“[]
I frowned but didn’t make a scene with all these people around.[]
Wife in Name to You–Oucen t Heart to Your Rival
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Chapter 2
I just looked at Victor calmly, my eyes demanding an explanation.[]
“She’s Tilly’s mother. Grandfather wanted to meet his great–granddaughter on his birthday.” Victor’s tone was completely matter–of–fact.
The fragile hope that had just bloomed in my heart began to wither again.[]
“She’s brazenly parading around at a Hollingsworth event. Where does that leave me?”
Victor seemed genuinely surprised by my question.[]
I let go of his hand, the warmth quickly replaced by cold.[]
Victor–a perfect heir who’d survived countless family power struggles–couldn’t possibly not understand Nina’s intentions.]
He just chose not to intervene.[]
He was enabling her.[]
Seeing the curious stares from surrounding guests, I buried my bitterness and became the perfect alliance partner once again.
Under the swirling lights, my thoughts felt muddled and chaotic.[]
I found myself on the back garden terrace, trying to clear my head.
This was also where Victor and I first met.]]
Our romance began in autumn, we married in summer, and now in the depths of winter, we were drifting apart.]
“The Shaw heiress is just going to take that kind of provocation?” came a voice too smooth for how dangerous it was. I turned–and met the gaze of Cassian Drake, the man Victor hated most. The rival he’d failed to crush.
I turned to see Cassian Drake, the current head of Drake Holdings.
“That’s not like you.” He draped his pine–scented jacket over my shoulders, chasing away the chill. “Just say the word, and I’ll make her disappear.“[
`I didn’t find anything wrong with his offer–after all, those who can’t be ruthless become sacrificial pawns in family wars.
“No need. She can’t cause any real damage.”
Cassian suddenly moved closer, his cool presence enveloping me.[]
“Then why are you out here drowning your sorrows?” His hands settled on my shoulders. “I couldn’t resolve the obstacles at Drake Holdings when you got married, but now… would you consider me?“[]
Cassian had always been a smooth talker around me.]]
Seeing him this serious, I suddenly realized the man in front of me had long outgrown his boyish awkwardness.[]
“I’m still married to Victor, you
know.”
Cassian shrugged. “I’d happily be your side piece. I’d be honored.“]
I laughed and playfully hit his arm, about to respond when strong arms pulled me away.
Victor appeared with a dark expression, staring down Cassian with obvious hostility.
The two dominant men faced off, the temperature around us dropping noticeably.[]
“We’re going home.” Victor spoke first.]
In the car, he raised the partition.
Before I could react, he leaned down and kissed me.
Wife m Name to You
Capter
Unlike his usual gentle kisses, this one was fierce enough to make me frown.]]
When he finally pulled away, breathing heavily, his dark eyes
held an emotion I’d never seen
before.
“Madeline, stay away from him.“[]
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