My best friend and I got married at the same time, both joining the same powerful family. She married the rising media mogul, Noah Hayes. I married the hotshot CEO, Liam Hayes. But as sisters-in-law, our married lives were anything but happy. Her husband, who she’d once saved, was constantly rumored to be secretly bankrolling models and influencers. And my husband? He was a notorious playboy, always surrounded by women. So, Chloe and I just looked at each other. “Divorce!” “Done! Let’s do it together!” Tossing our divorce papers aside, Chloe and I felt utterly liberated. We grabbed a crew of handsome bodyguards and headed out to paint the town red. So they like playing with a constant parade of women? Well, I can play too! Everyone said the two Hayes brothers were seasoned players, keeping up appearances at home while juggling countless affairs on the side. And they were right. For instance, one day I went to see Liam, only to be stopped and humiliated by his assistant, Scarlett. She claimed I was constantly spoiled and arrogant, and that the CEO had long since forbidden me from entering the company. Right after that, Chloe went to see Noah and was blocked at the door by one of his junior models, Mia. Mia went on and on about how Chloe and Noah were totally mismatched, gloating that we should watch how Noah was going to turn her into a top star. I immediately tried to call Liam, again and again, but he never picked up. It was the same for Chloe. Those two really were brothers; they ignored our calls and read our messages without replying. I remembered all the rumors from our circle over the years. People whispered that both brothers already had someone special in their hearts, but because those women weren’t as prominent as Chloe and me, they couldn’t marry into the family. So they married us to fill the void, which was why they’d been so cold to us after the weddings. What’s worse, these rumors were often used by other women to humiliate us, and Liam and Noah knew about it. But they never denied it; instead, they tacitly allowed those women to get away with it. After being humiliated by Mia, Chloe and I coincidentally ran into each other back at the Hayes mansion. We exchanged a look, and the same thought clicked in both our minds. I stated firmly, “I want a divorce!” “Do it! If you’re divorcing, I’m divorcing too!” As a pampered princess who’d been showered with love and attention since childhood, the biggest slights I’d ever endured were after getting married. The attitudes of the people around our husbands reflected exactly how those men truly felt about us. Because they didn’t value us, the people around them felt free to be disrespectful. “There are plenty of fish in the sea, you know. It’s not like we can’t survive without them.” We were fuming, but we hadn’t completely lost our minds. I quietly contacted a lawyer, while Chloe researched travel destinations. For the rest of the time, we laid low, waiting for the perfect moment. That evening, Liam finally came home, carrying a bottle of my favorite perfume. He acted as if nothing was wrong, sticking to me like glue. Every now and then, he’d complain about how exhausting his day at the office had been, how difficult the new hires were… Then his hands moved to my head, gently massaging it. His voice and expression showed no sign of anything amiss. But what he didn’t know was that I knew him too well; whenever he felt guilty, his ears would turn an extra shade of red. He was testing the waters, trying to see if I was angry. If he’d just been direct and explained himself, maybe I wouldn’t have been so mad. But he had to try and cover his tracks, only making it more glaringly obvious. People really do change. Even if we truly loved each other, it changes. No exceptions. That night, listening to his breathing beside me, I couldn’t sleep a wink. In the pitch black, I stared at the silhouette of the chandelier on the ceiling, a bitter ache throbbing in my heart.
Liam and I were college classmates. We were both studying in the business school. Not only were our families equally powerful, but we’d also fallen for each other over time, always competing for the top spot in school. In the end, our relationship blossomed into marriage, forming a true power couple. Even after we graduated, our story became a legend on campus. Everyone said Liam and I were the perfect match. I used to believe that too. But after we got married, I realized I was wrong. He was always surrounded by a constant parade of women: today it was a business partner, yesterday it was his assistant, and the day before that, countless others… Though there was never any “substantive” relationship, he treated them like “confidantes,” and that was enough to make me sick. It wasn’t that I hadn’t confronted him, but every time, he’d address my concerns with a lot of talk, but never actually resolve anything. “They’re just work contacts.” “Don’t overthink it…” “You know, Riley, you’re the only one for me…” “I’m exhausted, let’s not talk about this anymore.” He always had a lot to say, but he never once truly solved the problem. If I wasn’t his only one, then I refused to be just one of many. So, the next morning, Chloe and I started preparing for our planned trip. While we were out shopping for essentials, we ran right into Mia, Noah’s junior model. She was picking out jewelry, and when she saw Chloe and me, her smile was laced with challenge. “Chloe, did you two fight after you went home last time?” “I might have been a bit aggressive with my words last time. Please don’t be angry, big sis. Men are busy building their careers out there, so we women should be more sensible. Otherwise, when we get older and our looks fade, we might just get replaced by someone younger and prettier.” “Especially since Mr. Hayes has so many young models and influencers under his wing.” Her implication was clear: Chloe was old. And there was an even deeper meaning: that “we women” part sounded like she was hinting at some “other” relationship with Noah. That was the last straw! Chloe, with her fiery temper, was ready to jump in and physically confront her the moment Mia finished speaking. But I couldn’t let her do something that would leave a paper trail. I stepped in first, giving Mia a resounding slap across the face. “What? You think being a mistress gives you a superiority complex?” “Daring to provoke the actual wife right to her face – which sugar daddy gave you that much audacity?” I watched her eyes flutter back for a split second, and the tears welling up, and I knew she was hiding something. Sure enough, right after I slapped her, I heard footsteps behind us. Chloe and I turned to see Noah. He didn’t even glance at Chloe. He walked straight to Mia’s side, saw her swollen red cheek, and then turned to look at me, his face filled with anger. “My brother must have spoiled you rotten, making you so lawless.” Chloe, worried I’d clash with him head-on, quickly stepped in front of me. “This isn’t Riley’s fault, she started it, you—” Her words were cut off mid-sentence. “You’re still defending her? Can’t I tell right from wrong myself?” “What’s gotten into both of you? No wonder my brother’s so disappointed.” What’s gotten into us? Hearing his accusing tone, even speaking for Liam’s “disappointment,” my anger flared even more. If I wasn’t so outnumbered, I would’ve gladly slapped him too. Chloe was even angrier than me, and her grip on my hand tightened. “Noah Hayes, if you have eyes and aren’t using them, why don’t you donate them?” “Before we got married, you could tell when I was upset just by looking at me. Now that you’ve got people under your wing, you see me being bullied and just dismiss it as me ‘playing around’!” Noah paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly. “Talk to me properly.” Chloe took a deep breath. She pointed at Mia’s nose. “Fine. Fire her, and I’ll talk to you properly.” “After all, it’d be more convenient for you. You can keep her at home after you fire her, stashing her away like a secret mistress, right—” The next second, a loud smack echoed, stinging my ears. Noah had heavily slapped Chloe’s hand away. “Shut up! Don’t project your filthy thoughts onto others!” Noah hadn’t held back at all, and Chloe’s hand instantly turned red and swollen. He looked at it, his eyes momentarily wide with shock. He started to open his mouth to explain, but then he seemed to think of something and swallowed his words. “If you keep acting this childish, we’ll get a divorce.” “And you, Riley, you’d better listen to my brother.” With that, he left with Mia. Chloe watched their retreating backs, and tears streamed down her face. She buried her face in my shoulder, sobbing, her tears quickly soaking my top. She choked out, “But he wasn’t like this before, was he?” “How could he change so suddenly?” Chloe and Noah had known each other even longer. They were childhood sweethearts. Chloe had even taken a knife for him once. Back in high school, the Hayes family was targeted for revenge, and the attackers went straight for Noah, who was still a student. Chloe felt something was off and insisted on walking with him. Later, on the way, she realized the danger, and quietly called the police. When the police arrived and busted the kidnappers, one of them, unnoticed for a moment, lunged at Noah with a knife. Chloe blocked it, and because of that, her hand could never hold a paintbrush steady again. From then on, Noah became extra clingy with Chloe. He got a little better as they grew up, not openly clinging, but subtly pursuing her. He’d quietly close in. He even secretly stopped boys from confessing their feelings to Chloe. Liam told me all this later. I used to think their relationship would be even more solid than Liam’s and mine. After all, they had a “beauty saves the hero” story with life-or-death stakes. But her love story, just like mine, had rotted away.
I comforted Chloe, and we continued buying our supplies. When we returned to the Hayes mansion, laden with bags, Maria, the housekeeper, curiously asked what we were doing. I brushed her off, saying we were going on a trip. My legal team had already discreetly prepared our divorce agreements. Both Chloe and I wanted a clean break. As for half of the marital assets, we couldn’t care less; we just wanted it over with quickly. Married cleanly, leaving cleanly. Not taking a single thing that made me sick to my stomach. After exchanging a glance, we each called our families, simply explaining the state of our marriages. Chloe and I got along so well, partly because our family backgrounds were similar, and partly because we were both the youngest daughters in our families, showered with immense love. My family had an older brother in addition to me. My brother, Dylan, listened to my reasons for wanting out and exploded with anger. “Liam Hayes, that rotten bastard! Next time I see him, I’ll break his legs. Good for you for divorcing! I support you wholeheartedly.” After hanging up, I signed the divorce papers and left them on the bedroom table. Then, Chloe and I got busy. I packed up all my personal belongings that I could take. Anything I couldn’t pack, I arranged for my family’s driver to pick up. By the time the Hayes housekeeper realized something was amiss, Chloe and I were already walking out the door with our suitcases. Just before boarding our flight to France, my brother called again. “I’ve got a surprise for you, sis! I guarantee you’ll be thrilled!” Hearing his mysterious tone, I was incredibly curious. Later, I found out that Dylan had arranged a team of handsome bodyguards for Chloe and me, and they were all incredibly well-built. Hmm, I was indeed very satisfied! Men like to play with a constant parade of women, right? Well, I can have hot guys travel with me…
The moment Chloe and I landed and turned on our phones, we were bombarded with countless missed calls. Some from Liam, some from his brother. But I ignored them all. I blocked both their numbers, just like they had done to us. After a night’s rest at the hotel, the bodyguard team Dylan arranged arrived. They were indeed the type to make your heart pound! There were the “wolf-dog” types, the “puppy-dog” types, the “aloof and cool” types… Their looks were no worse than the Hayes brothers, and they had something more: They were obedient. Not only were they professional bodyguards, but they could also double as local tour guides. When we went shopping, they’d even carry our bags – a small gesture Liam hadn’t done for me in years. But what truly captivated me was how sweet-talking they were. “Miss Riley, you should try the local cuisine here. If you don’t like it, I can personally cook for you. I’d be happy to prepare your meals for the duration of your trip.” “Miss Chloe, you seem a bit tired recently. I know a little about traditional remedies. If you trust me, I can help you with a regimen.” “Or if you have anything bothering you, please don’t hesitate to tell me…” They were thoughtful and comprehensive in every aspect. So much better than those two useless brothers. While eating at a famous viral restaurant, we even stumbled upon Mia’s livestream. It infuriated Chloe so much she decided right then and there to start her own livestream, create an account, and see what she was missing. After deciding on a title, Chloe found the perfect lighting and, with me by her side, started broadcasting. I have to admit, with a media mogul for a husband, Chloe was quite professional in this area. She brought out a few of the high-value bodyguards, drawing in more and more viewers to the livestream. Since it was a platform popular in our home country, most of the audience were Chinese-speaking viewers. Chloe and I chatted with them, introducing the restaurant’s signature dishes. We were having a great time. Until a few unfriendly foreign users approached us during our meal. They saw Chloe and me, walked straight over, and started to flirt offensively. When we rejected them, they didn’t care what we were doing; they just got angry and rushed towards us. One of them actually reached out and touched my face. Another even tried to slip his hand under my clothes. Their greasy faces suddenly made Liam look handsome. My mood, which had been perfectly fine, was ruined by these jerks. I immediately had Chloe point the livestream camera at them. Then I smiled at them, and replied in English: “I will report this to the embassy. If I don’t receive a proper apology, I will pursue this matter to the fullest extent.” Their faces changed instantly. They tried to threaten us. But they hadn’t even finished the thought before our bodyguards stepped in. The men seemed flustered; they hadn’t expected us to have so many people. And that’s when they finally noticed we were livestreaming. They clearly didn’t want to get into trouble with our country’s embassy, knowing how fiercely protective they are of their citizens. So, they apologized to us. The one who had touched me was even punched by his friends as a lesson. Only then was the matter settled. Back in the livestream, the comments section was even more active. “OMG, these ladies are absolutely owning it abroad!” “Totally! They messed with the wrong women!”
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