Chapter 1

• Selina’s POV
• Maddox stood in the center of the banquet hall, accepting compliments from the crowd, holding a cigar, as noble and distant as ever.
• And in his arms, the popular model Clara was feeding him champagne.
• How ironic. I was his legal wife, yet I had to bow down to adjust the champagne tower at their feet.
• I had known Maddox since childhood. He was the first and only man I ever loved, the one who once lit up my youth.
• Sadly, Maddox never noticed. His eyes had never fallen on me.
• But fate forced us together.
• Two years ago, on the night my sister Luna eloped, my mother pushed me to the wedding hall. “You have to replace your sister, marry Maddox, or our family is finished!”
• I thought those love stories that begin with marriage could happen to me, but I was wrong.
• On our wedding night, I wore the lingerie my mother had given me, hoping to show Maddox all my love.
• But he didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he threw a contract on the bed. “Selina, all you need to do is be my invisible wife for three years.”
• I picked up the stack of papers, and the cold words made everything clear.
• The Torres family, Maddox’s family, was one of the most powerful in the country. My mother, Rose, ran the largest charity, the Mindwell Community Circle. This marriage alliance gave Maddox the perfect image to secure his family’s hold on the Eastern European energy market.
• To fully control that market, at least three years of stability were needed. So, the contract stated: the bride could not end the marriage within three years, or else pay a penalty of 100 million dollars.
• That impossible number cut off all my escape.
• I shook my head in disbelief, trying to sign to Maddox.
• But Maddox wasn't interested, he continued, “You can’t speak. Where could I take you? You’re only suited to stay home. Don’t worry, I won’t betray this marriage alliance. No one will take your position as Mrs. Torres.”
• His words hurt more than any stranger’s cruelty. I didn’t need anyone reminding me that I had lost my voice as a child. My heart felt like it had been torn to pieces.
• My love for him died on the first day of our marriage.
• The banquet continued. I looked through the champagne tower at Maddox again. Clara leaned close, whispering in his ear.
• A faint smile appeared on Maddox’s usually cold face.
• He had never smiled at me like that.
• I thought I had long lost all feeling, but my hands still trembled. I couldn’t stand seeing the man I loved since my youth smiling at another woman.
• Even the simplest loyalty seemed to be slipping away from Maddox.
• My hand shook as I steadied the tower, and the top glass tipped over.
• I quickly tried to fix it, not caring about the champagne staining my dress.
• Clara let out a sharp laugh. “Who let this fool into the party? Get her out of here.”
• I looked up into Maddox’s eyes. His brow furrowed, but his face was as cold and just like before, like I was just a servant who had ruined his evening.
• I took a deep breath, pretending nothing was wrong, and left for the restroom.
• I checked every corner, ensuring it was empty, and then locked the door.
• Taking out my phone, I scrolled through my call log and pressed the redial button. After three busy tones, the call connected.
• "Chairman Torres," I distorted my voice with a changer, making it sound mechanical. “Are you ready with the cash? Or are you ready for a divorce?”
• "You again? I don’t have time for your stupid games."
• He hung up.
• The busy tone pierced my ears, and my nails dug into my palm. I needed something more powerful. Threatening Maddox like this wasn’t enough.
• "Just a little leak to the media, and I can ruin your fake marriage with Selina in an instant, destroying your perfect image."
• I typed out a text message, then slowly unhooked the pearl straps of my black lace bra.
• This was a gift from my mother, Rose, given to me in front of Maddox. He would recognize it immediately.
• I aimed the phone camera at my chest and clicked.
• The angle wasn't quite right, so I raised the phone again. This time, the cleavage was clearly visible in the photo.
• I attached the photo to the message and hit send.
• As the confirmation of successful delivery popped up, my phone began vibrating wildly in my hand.
• My heart raced inexplicably at this moment, and as the vibration was about to end, I answered the phone.
• "Who are you?"
• Maddox's voice was no longer calm, and a smile began to creep onto my lips.
• "You don't need to know who I am. Either give me 100 million, or get a divorce. Choose one, or you'll know the consequences."
• "Do you think you can fool me with fake photos?" His tone was still disdainful, but the tension in his voice had already slipped through.
• I sneered, "Fake photos? Are you saying that after two years of marriage to Selina, you still don’t know her body? You’ve never touched her?"
• I could hear Maddox’s breathing quicken on the other end. I had successfully provoked him.
• "Listen," his voice dropped low and hoarse, scraping against my ears like sandpaper, "I don’t care who you are, but don’t you dare touch her..."
• He believed the photo. He recognized the lingerie. He was worried about the wife he used to secure his power.
• That had to be it.
• My blood rushed hot with excitement. It meant I was one step closer to forcing a divorce.
• I hadn't originally planned to divorce in such an extreme way.
• But just last week, after work, I was kidnapped, breaking all my principles and patience.