Love In Pursuit: The Heiress's Second Chance

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Tricia let out a deep sigh that echoed through the room. Lost in her thoughts, she remembered the day she married Ethan, it was like a dream come through. During college, she crushed on Ethan and hoped that someday he would notice her. Tricia had been married to Ethan for three years in place of her sister, Grace. The Woods family and Smith family created an alliance leading to an arranged marriage between the two families and, luckily for Tricia, Grace fled the country the day before her marriage with Ethan, and Tricia had to take her place. Ethan graciously made his way to the bedroom looking tall and elegant, his blonde curly hair was neatly arranged, and his sexy blue eyes glittered in the dimly lit room. “Tricia, don't tell me you're not ready for the party.” His cold voice rang through the room, making her flinch. “Oh! I didn't see you there" Tricia grasps for breath. By the way, what is this party about? And why do I have to be there? It's not like you ever showed me to the world. She rolled her eyes. Ethan slightly furrowed his brows at the woman he called his wife. “Don't think about it too much. Besides, you should be grateful I chose to take you with me instead. Now, hurry up, we are running late, and make sure you look elegant. I don't want you tarnishing my image out there,” he hissed, sidestepping her. Tricia let out a deep sigh, patting her forehead, How did I get here? She wondered. Ethan has been nothing but mean since we got married. I shouldn't have believed that he would ever come to love me. Fifteen minutes passed and Tricia descended the stairs looking gorgeous as always, her red gown designed with diamonds, glittered, showing off her curvy body. Tricia was the epitome of beauty with light makeup on and red lipstick. The young lady screamed beauty and allure, enough to get any man to burn for her. Ethan stood on the stairs, looking indifferent to the rest of the housekeepers. He stole glances at his wristwatch and signaled the butler's attention. “Get the car ready, Raymond. We need to get to the venue tonight and don't forget the special package I requested. Inform the driver of our every move tonight.” “Yes, sir,” Raymond bowed slightly, pacing outside the mansion. When Ethan raised his gaze, he locked eyes with the beautiful goddess but immediately averted his gaze. The sight of Tricia made his anger boil. “How do I look?” Tricia asked, gulping down her saliva nervously. She knew he never loved her but still agreed to marry him, hoping he would change and come to love her. It had been three years of a cold marriage and all Tricia did was obey his every command. Elizabeth, Ethan's mother, walked in looking gracious. When she saw Tricia, she rolled her eyes in disgust, clinging to her son. “Why the hell do you have to bring her to the party, Ethan? She's such an eyesore.” Ethan shot daggers at Tricia, making her look away. “I have no choice, mother. Besides, she means nothing to me.” “You hear that? You are nothing to this family,” Elizabeth spat out in disgust. “And what were you doing again?” She burst into a cold laugh, “You wanted to know how you look?” Tricia lowered her gaze, clutching her gown. Her heart shattered into a thousand pieces hearing Elizabeth say those words. For the last three years, all she ever did was make her life miserable. Elizabeth never liked Tricia for her son. The day Mr. Woods announced Ethan's marriage to Tricia. She vowed to always be a thorn in her flesh. Elizabeth traced her fingers around the poor girl, making her shiver slightly. “Look at you, all tucked up ready to see the world, but guess what, tonight is going to be spectacular, and you won't see it coming, Tricia. You are going to miss out on the fun, trust me on that.” “I don't understand,” Tricia’s voice shook. “I won't go if you don't want me to, ma'am Elizabeth.” “No! No! No! My little bird, you have to be there,” Elizabeth whispered in her ear. “That's enough,” Ethan ordered, “We have to leave now. I'm sure the ride is ready. Let's go now, mother.” “Alright, son,” Elizabeth interlocked her fingers with her son’s. “You look good, by the way.” Ethan chuckled, making his way out without sparing Tricia a glance. “What the hell?” Chloe snapped from behind. “Were you guys going to leave without me?” Everyone turned to find Chloe standing behind, grasping for breath. “You are never on time, sister,” Ethan chuckled. “Let's go now.” Chloe's face scrunched seeing Tricia looking beautiful, “And what is this thing doing here? Don't tell me she's coming with us, Ethan?” “I am not a thing, Chloe,” Tricia snapped, making Chloe sneer at her. “You dare talk back at me?” Chloe groaned, slapping Tricia across the face. “Ahh!!! That hurts,” Tricia yelled, clenching her fist. “If you had kept your mouth shut, you wouldn't have gotten slapped,” Ethan scoffed. “Don't waste any time on that woman, sister. Come, let's go now.” Tricia sniffled, looking at the man she called her husband. Her eyes turned red and her cheek swelled. Chloe had hit her hard. This is the same man I loved, she dropped her head, regret flushing through her. She watched them walk away without feeling remorseful. If only her father still had authority. The day she got married, Ethan made her family business go bankrupt as a punishment. He loathed Tricia so much and when his father died, she lost the one voice who always fought for her. Mr. Woods loved Tricia and always defended her. She slowly walked outside the mansion and watched the whole family slide into a limousine, leaving her with an old cranky car and a driver to accompany her. The ride was a quiet one and Tricia buried her head in misery. She couldn't help but regret ever loving Ethan. It wasn't her fault that Grace fled the country, leaving her to marry Ethan. The driver peered through the mirror, wondering why she was looking so miserable. This wasn't the first time he had seen her like that, but he couldn't hope but feel pity for her. “Are you okay ma'am?” He asked, hoping to get a reply, but Tricia lowered her gaze. They finally arrived at the event right in the heart of Chicago. It was a five-star hotel and the most luxurious hall in town. She looked around, covering herself in shame at the sight of the elites staring at her with such disdain. “Who the hell is she?” One of the guests asked. “Eww!! Such a disgusting entrance. How come she's here?” “I hope they toss her out?” another woman whispered. Tricia exhaled, making her way along the red carpet, not minding what they had to say about her. When she finally got to the grand hall, she looked around hoping to see Ethan somewhere, but unfortunately, Ethan was nowhere in sight. “Excuse me, have you seen Ethan Woods?” She asked one of the guests but was shunned like some sort of plague. “Get away from me,” the woman snapped. In the middle of the crowd, she felt lost and shivered slightly. Everyone glared at her in disdain and Tricia felt like the whole world was against her. “What the hell is going on?” She fluttered her eyes everywhere. “I think I need to leave.” “No you won't, the party just got started my darling,” Ethan held her hand, flashing a creepy smile. He dragged her to the podium and clicked his glass to signal their attention. “What are you doing, Ethan? Let me go,” she pleaded, her body trembling uncontrollably. “Hello everyone, I would like to introduce my ex-wife to the public,” Ethan announced. “What?!” Tricia snapped, her eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about? Ethan, please let me go…. I beg of you,” her eyes welled up with tears. She could see all eyes on her, people engaging in a core whisper. Ethan tossed her to the side, “This is how far it can go, Tricia. I'm getting a divorce.” “I don't understand, did you bring me here to humiliate me?” Tricia yelled, sniffling her nose. “You are so cruel, Ethan. I gave you everything but this is all I get in return,” she fell to the ground, bawling her eyes out. “You took everything from me,” Ethan yelled. “My freedom to love and be loved. You knew I never loved you but still went on with the marriage but guess what, in the end, you lost because my love is back,” he yelled in horror. “What are you talking about?” Tricia asked, her body trembling on the ground. “Sign the damn papers,” Ethan snapped, tossing the divorce paper in her face. “No! No! No! Ethan, please don't do this,” Tricia held onto the helm of his outfit, “I'll do anything. I promise I won't complain again.” “Sign the damn papers,” the audience yelled, “You are such a slut. You forced him to marry you. How cruel can you be?” “I'm begging you, Ethan,” Tricia cried out. “It doesn't have to be this way.” “Give it up, Tricia. He doesn't love you,” a woman's voice was heard among the crowd with the clicking of heels. Tricia turned around, and a surprised look appeared on her face, “What the heck?!” She snapped.