I Announced Our Divorce To Airport Reporters

Xavier Parker's gaze landed on the red, swollen mark on Annika James' face. His brows pulled together instantly. "Who did this to you?" he demanded, his voice sharp.

Annika had been facing him with her right side, so the ugly bruise on her left cheek had been hidden until now. Tilting her head back, she replied flatly, "Take a wild guess."

In all of Seattle, who else but Molly Watkins would dare lay a hand on Xavier Parker's wife?

Understanding hit Xavier like a freight train. His expression darkened, and he drew Annika closer. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you," he murmured against her hair. "You should've told me sooner."

Annika fought back the tears that had been building for what felt like forever. Molly Watkins slapping her hadn't made her cry. Lina Turner pretending to console her while actually stirring the pot hadn't made her cry. Walking home from the estate alone on an empty stomach, she'd held it together. But Xavier's simple apology nearly shattered her.

She felt so pathetic, so damn weak. For years, Xavier had played the game of slap her one moment and treat her sweet the next, and every single time, she caved.

What was she supposed to do? All she wanted right now was to just break down and bawl. Was that not allowed either? Her entire life felt like one giant mistake after another—was crying just another one to add to the list?

Turning her face away, she hastily wiped at her eyes.

Xavier retrieved the first aid kit and gently started tending to her cheek. When he saw her tears streaming down like a faucet, something tightened painfully in his chest. He leaned in and kissed them away. Annika tried to pull back, but he cupped her chin, holding her still. He kissed away every tear until her breathing hitched and turned ragged.

"I'm sorry," Xavier repeated softly. "The mine in South Africa had zero signal. I had to hike out forever just to make a damn phone call. I figured I'd wrap things up fast and get back to you. After Nash and Lina called, I only went to the hospital with her, and I was planning to come straight home right after."

He hadn't expected to be hit with such devastating news, which forced him to rush back and handle the crisis all night.

Annika just sat on the couch, utterly lost for words. Her anger wasn't because Xavier had work to do, or even because he'd gone with Lina. Hell, truth be told, she didn't even know what she was truly angry about anymore. In their three years of marriage, she'd often felt wronged, often felt furious, but whenever she dug deeper, there was never a solid, valid reason. It was just that Xavier's parents couldn't stand her, and the Turner family always treated her like dirt. But who was she to be angry? She was just the daughter of the Parkers' housekeeper. Of course his family was pissed when he picked her over all those wealthy heiresses. Bowen Flores, the Turners' eldest son, had died because of her—so naturally, they despised her guts.

Everyone said she was lucky. They accused her of being ungrateful for the cushy life she'd landed, telling her she should be thanking her stars. But Annika couldn't muster up a single ounce of gratitude. Everyone stared at her like she was some kind of object. As Xavier's wife, aside from Molly, nobody dared openly sneer at her, but nobody genuinely cared about her either. Whenever someone mentioned her name, the conversation would stall, followed by those loaded, knowing glances.

Over time, Annika grew to hate those so-called parties, galas, and holiday shindigs. She fit into no social circle. More often than not, she was home alone. With Xavier consumed by work, she'd become addicted to reality TV. At least there, with all the noise and chatter, she felt human—not just some possession.

"Still hurt?" Xavier's warm palm grazed her cheek. The ointment made her skin flush with heat.

Annika shook her head. "It stopped hurting a while ago."

Xavier looked down at her, then produced a small jewelry box from his briefcase. Inside was an exquisitely crafted pink diamond ring. Pink diamonds are rare and insanely expensive—even a quick glance screamed how valuable this stunner was. Last month, after a huge fight, Annika had hurled her wedding ring away. This was the replacement.

"You like it?" A smirk played on Xavier's lips. "How's it feel having a million bucks on your finger? Next time, don't toss it. That's a million-dollar ring." He knew her taste for the finer things.

Annika stared down at the breathtaking stone. Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Does Lina have one too?"

Xavier was thrown. "What?"

Annika lifted her head, her eyes glistening like stars as she met his gaze. "This ring—does Lina have one?"

Ever since Bowen passed, anything gifted to Annika was also given to Lina. Molly had said it was because the Parkers and Annika owed Lina. Bowen had adored his baby sister. If he were still alive, he would've given her everything Annika received. So after his death, every single gift Annika got was duplicated for Lina. Handbags, jewelry, houses, cars—you name it. Hell, two years ago, for their wedding anniversary, Xavier had even gifted Annika a tiny private island. A few days later, Lina called to invite Annika to another island to celebrate her and Nash's anniversary. That's when Annika realized Xavier had given Lina and Nash an island too, as a commemorative gift.

After a beat, Xavier flicked her forehead, jolting her out of her spiral. "Annika," he chided, "have those reality shows fried your brain? This is your wedding ring. Why the hell would I give her one? I'm not her husband."

Annika dropped her gaze, but for the first time that day, a genuine smile touched her lips. She slipped the ring onto her finger and admired it. Her slender, pale fingers were perfect against the pink shimmer—elegant and dreamy, like a fairytale princess. Overjoyed, she snapped a picture and posted it on Instagram.

Within five minutes, it racked up likes and comments. Her friend Emma Sanchez joked, "Girl, you better sleep with one eye open from now on, or I might just sneak in and snatch that diamond!" Annika replied with a string of laughing emojis. Then, after posting her reply, she refreshed her feed and noticed Lina had just posted an update one minute ago.

It was a photo of a massive pink diamond necklace—so huge it was impossible to miss, even without enlarging the image.

Annika's happy grin instantly died.

She tapped on Lina's photo. The exquisite necklace matched her ring perfectly in color and craftsmanship. It was clearly part of a set.

Lina's caption read: "Between a ring and a necklace, I went with the necklace. More elegant, and of course, way pricier. Thanks, babe. You always think of everything. I'm so damn lucky."

Annika's mind began to buzz, the sickening realization crashing down on her like a tidal wave.