DIVORCED BY THE BILLIONAIRE, CROWNED BY DESTINY

Rain pounded relentlessly against the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Kingsley Mansion. Aria Bennett sat alone at the ten-seat dining table, staring at the candlelight that had nearly burned out. The roasted lamb, creamy pasta, and Damien’s favorite red wine had long gone cold. Tonight marked their third wedding anniversary. She glanced at the antique grandfather clock. 10:48 p.m. He was late. Again. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. Perhaps she should stop pretending this marriage was real. Just as she reached for her phone, the front door swung open. Damien Kingsley strode inside in a perfectly tailored black suit, his expensive shoes clicking against the marble floor. Rainwater glistened on his broad shoulders, yet nothing about him appeared untidy. Even after a twelve-hour workday, he looked every inch the powerful CEO whose name dominated business headlines. His icy gray eyes met hers for barely a second. “You waited?” “I wanted us to celebrate,” Aria replied softly. “There was no need.” His cold tone extinguished the little hope she had been clinging to. Without another word, he loosened his tie and placed a brown envelope on the dining table. “What’s this?” she asked. “Open it.” Her hands trembled as she pulled out the papers. The bold title at the top froze her heart. DIVORCE AGREEMENT The room suddenly felt suffocating. “You… want a divorce?” Damien remained expressionless. “Our agreement ends today.” “Our agreement?” she whispered. Three years ago, she had saved Kingsley Group from a devastating scandal by agreeing to marry Damien in a private arrangement that would protect his family’s reputation. She had entered the marriage expecting nothing. But somewhere between lonely breakfasts and silent dinners… She had fallen in love with him. Real love. The kind that hurt. “I’ve fulfilled every responsibility,” she said quietly. “I never asked for your feelings.” Each word struck like a knife. Her fingers tightened around the papers. “So… that’s all I was?” “A contract.” Silence swallowed the room. Then Damien took out a black velvet box. Inside was a bank card. “There’s fifty million dollars in that account.” “I don’t want your money.” “You’ll take it.” “No.” He frowned for the first time. “You sacrificed three years of your life.” “I didn’t sacrifice it for money.” “For what, then?” She looked straight into his eyes. “For you.” Something flickered across Damien’s face before disappearing as quickly as it came. He turned away. “I don’t love you, Aria.” Those six words shattered everything. A tear slipped down her cheek. She picked up the pen. Without hesitation… She signed her name. Damien quietly folded the documents. “It’s done.” He started walking toward the staircase. Then Aria spoke. “Congratulations.” He stopped. “You’re finally free.” She forced a smile. “I just hope…” “…you never regret losing me.” He didn’t answer. The door to his study closed. Aria stood alone in the enormous mansion. Her hand instinctively rested on her stomach. Two pink lines. She had taken the pregnancy test that morning. She was carrying Damien Kingsley’s child. But he would never know. Not now. Not ever. She wiped away her tears, picked up her suitcase, and walked out into the storm. Behind her, the mansion lights slowly faded into the darkness. Ahead of her… A completely different destiny awaited. Cliffhanger: What Damien doesn’t know is that Aria is pregnant with his twins-and the truth won’t stay hidden forever.