Chapter 5

Ryan's POV "How dare she!" I growled, staring at the divorce papers on my desk, my anger simmering like molten lava beneath the surface. I'd built the Blackwood empire from a strong regional power into the dominant force in North America. As CEO, I'd doubled our company's reach, expanded our business empire into new markets, and established our family's supremacy through both strength and strategy. No one challenged my authority—no one. Except, apparently, my wife. "Your morning coffee, sir," Simon, my assistant, announced as he entered. One look at my thunderous expression made him hesitate. "Bad time?" The last time I'd been this angry, I'd crushed three competing CEOs who'd attempted to form a coalition against us. "She wants a divorce," I said, each word clipped with barely contained rage. Simon's eyes widened slightly. "Mrs. Blackwood? But you're—" "Apparently something she's willing to walk away from," I growled, taking the coffee and downing it in one scorching gulp. The divorce papers had arrived this morning, perfectly drafted, requiring only my signature to end our three-year union. Three years of her being at my beck and call, three years of her desperate attempts to please me, three years of her being a placeholder for the woman I truly wanted. Sophie. Even thinking her name still brought that familiar pain. Sophie Hart had been my first love, my college sweetheart and almost-fiancée before that tragic accident took her away five years ago. We were supposed to merge our families' companies through marriage - a perfect blend of love and business, until that fatal car crash on a rainy night changed everything. The day I lost her, I swore I'd never let anyone into my heart again. Instead, I channeled all my energy into building the Blackwood empire. Sixty-hour workweeks, aggressive acquisitions, and ruthless business strategies became my only companions. The boardroom became my sanctuary, and profit margins my sole purpose. The business world soon learned to fear my name - I became known as the 'Ice King' of Wall Street, the CEO who never smiled, the man who could destroy companies with a single signature. Then Serena came into my life—a mysterious woman I met by chance, with no recollection of her past. The resemblance to Sophie was striking, and coincidentally, she turned out to be a perfect match according to my family's standards. My grandmother, ever the traditionalist and always concerned about our family's reputation in business circles, had practically orchestrated the whole thing. She insisted that as the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, I needed a suitable wife to maintain our social status and carry on the family legacy. 'A man in your position needs a proper wife,' she'd said. 'The merger with the Hart Group fell through after Sophie's accident. We can't afford any more setbacks.' I'd married her, but I'd never truly accepted her. Sophie's ghost lingered between us, and I'd made sure Serena knew it. "Sir," Simon ventured carefully, "perhaps this is just a negotiation tactic? Mrs. Blackwood has always been... devoted to you." I scoffed. "Exactly. This is just another one of her little games. She thinks by threatening to leave, I'll suddenly start paying attention to her." "And will you?" Simon asked, his tone carefully neutral. I shot him a cold look. "She needs to understand her place. As my wife, her role is to support me, not challenge me." Walking back to my desk, I picked up the divorce papers. She wanted nothing from me—no alimony, no property, nothing. It was almost insulting. As if she could simply walk away from everything I'd built, everything I represented. "Freeze all her accounts," I ordered abruptly. "Cancel her credit cards, restrict her access to any Blackwood assets. Let's see how serious she is about independence when she can't pay for a cup of coffee." "She just survived a kidnapping—" I clenched my jaw at the reminder. The guilt was still raw, though I refused to acknowledge it. "She needs to learn that defying me has consequences," I stated firmly. As Simon left to carry out my orders, my phone vibrated with a text from Ivy Hart. She was asking about our meeting later that day, suggesting we have dinner afterward. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Ivy Hart. Sophie's younger sister, with her golden waves and amber eyes that reminded me so much of her sister. After my family rescued her from a business dispute three years ago, she'd attached herself to me like a barnacle, constantly seeking my attention and support. She wasn't Sophie—she could never be Sophie—but she was a connection to the past I couldn't let go of. I never understood why Serena seemed so threatened by Ivy. There was nothing romantic between Ivy and me, never had been. I tolerated her, supported her design career, met with her regularly... all because she was Sophie's sister. It was my way of honoring Sophie's memory, of keeping that connection alive. I texted Ivy back with a quick no. I wasn't in the mood for her, or anyone, really. Then my desk phone rang—it was my grandmother. "Ryan," her voice was sharp with disapproval. "I just heard from my sources that Serena has filed for divorce. Tell me this isn't true." I sighed. "It's just a tantrum, Grandmother. She'll come around." "A tantrum?" she repeated, her tone dangerous. "The girl was kidnapped, beaten, and when she woke up, you weren't by her side. And your response is to call her legitimate grievances a tantrum?" I bristled. "I don't need relationship advice—" "Clearly you do!" she cut in. "Do you have any idea what you're risking? The marriage contract is binding, Ryan. It's not something to be trifled with. And Serena is not just any woman—she's extraordinary. I knew it the moment I met her. And a husband ought to recognize and return his wife's love and trust, not leave it unanswered." The accusation stung more than I wanted to admit. My grandmother had been the matriarch of our family business for forty years before my father took over. When both my parents died in a car accident, she had stepped in to guide me, teaching me everything about business politics and corporate responsibilities. I jaw tightening as I struggled to keep my voice steady."But I didn't ask for this contract. It was shoved down my throat like everything else in this damn family. You all expect me to play the part of the perfect husband without asking whether I was ever ready to be one." I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "What do you want me to do? Beg her to stay? Grovel?" "I want you to grow up," she replied coldly. "Sophie is gone, Ryan. She's been gone for five years. And while you've been clinging to a ghost, you've had a living, breathing wife who's been desperately trying to love you." Before I could respond, she hung up. I stood there, staring at the phone, feeling a smug satisfaction beginning to replace my anger. Obviously, Serena had put Grandmother up to this call. It was just another manipulation tactic, proof that she wasn't serious about leaving me at all. Of course she wasn't. How could she be? She was desperately in love with me—had been since the day we met. This divorce nonsense was just her way of getting my attention, forcing me to chase after her. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction. When she came crawling back, acknowledging her mistake and begging for forgiveness, perhaps I'd consider taking her back. My cell phone rang again. Ivy. "Ryan?" Her voice was shaking, tearful. "Something terrible has happened. I'm being attacked online—someone's accusing me of stealing designs, and—" She sobbed dramatically "—they're saying I used your influence to blacklist other designers! You have to help me!" I frowned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Slow down, Ivy. What exactly is happening?"