From Mob Princess to Mugshot Photographer novel Chapter 98

**Chapter 2**

Suddenly, tears streamed down my cheeks, hot and unbidden.

In a frantic rush, I bolted from the bar, driven by a desperate need to escape the suffocating atmosphere inside.

Once outside, I inhaled sharply, seeking the solace of fresh air, but it felt as if my lungs were being crushed, refusing to accept even a single breath.

Before arriving at this wretched place, I had concocted a myriad of justifications for Aiden’s actions.

Perhaps Raven had been coerced into marriage, and Aiden had heroically come to her rescue.

Maybe her reputation had been tarnished, and he was merely helping to restore her dignity.

In my heart, I clung to these fantasies, unwilling to accept the bitter sting of betrayal.

But faced with the harsh reality, all those flimsy excuses crumbled into dust.

There was no justification. The painful truth was that he simply no longer loved me.

It was as straightforward as that.

As I stood at the curb, waiting for a taxi, the rain mingled with my tears, creating a blend of sorrow that cascaded down my face.

Behind me, the employees of the bar were buzzing with excitement, their voices laced with gossip.

“So, that’s the secret wife Sinclair’s been hiding? They say they’ve been married for five years. She’s stunning—could easily be a star! No wonder he keeps her under wraps; he must be terrified someone will sweep her away!” one of them exclaimed, a hint of envy in his tone.

“You should have seen the VIP room setup today. Can you guess the cost?” another chimed in, holding up five fingers.

“Five thousand? Are you kidding? That’s my entire salary for a year!” he replied incredulously.

“Five hundred thousand, you fool! The ultra-rich live in a world completely separate from us mere mortals. Those diamonds adorning the room? They were air-freighted from South Africa! In my decade here, I’ve never seen a room shimmer like that! And that’s just a fraction of what he’s done for his wife!” the first one shot back, his voice thick with awe.

Just as I felt myself on the brink of collapse, a taxi pulled up, its headlights cutting through the rain.

I scrambled inside, my heart pounding with the fear that one more moment spent in that place would send me spiraling back into the chaos.

A tempest of emotions swirled within me, sharp and piercing like needles.

It felt as if a piece of my heart had been brutally carved out, leaving a gaping void.

Even the act of breathing became a torturous endeavor.

As the car neared the university gates, I blurted out, “I’ll get out here.”

I stepped into the rain, crossing the campus field, determined to ignore the curious stares of passersby.

Suddenly, a voice pierced through my fog of despair.

“Isn’t that Miss Parker?” someone exclaimed, their tone filled with recognition.

“Who?” another replied, confusion evident in their voice.

“You don’t know her? Haven’t you ever been on the campus forums? Her love story with Aiden is legendary around here. They were childhood sweethearts who both got into this university.”

“On their very first day, he confessed his love in front of the entire school. Their romance was epic—no soap opera could ever compare!” the first voice continued, excitement bubbling over.

“It’s strange that he’s not with her now. Should we go ask her? I heard they secretly got married. Maybe we could snag some wedding treats,” one suggested, a hint of mischief in their tone.

“Back off! Can’t you see something’s off? Let’s go before we ruin her day,” another interjected, their voice laced with concern.

As their chatter faded into the distance, a wave of bitterness surged through my chest.

Aiden was not just a boy from my past; he was my neighbor’s older brother, my first love. We were true childhood sweethearts.

From my earliest memories, he had been chasing after me, his laughter echoing in my ears.

During our childhood games of house, he would fend off other kids, declaring me his bride with a fierce determination.

To make me smile, he once swiped his mother’s family heirloom ring, presenting it to me as a token of his affection.

He promised that one day, he would use that very ring to propose to me.

Even the freedom I once cherished became a luxury beyond my reach.

For three long years, I endured the torment of a marriage I had never wanted.

I often contemplated escape, even the unthinkable.

Just when I was on the brink of giving up, Aiden resurfaced.

With a billion-dollar contract in hand, my “husband” quickly agreed to my release.

The divorce papers were signed in record time, a swift end to my suffering.

On the flight back home, I traced Aiden’s familiar features with my fingertips, hoping to find comfort in the memories.

He hadn’t changed; he was still as strikingly handsome as I remembered.

I believed that joy awaited me, that my suffering was finally over.

But the moment I stepped into his mansion, a wave of shock washed over me as I was greeted by a sea of doll-like girls.

And then I saw her—Raven, standing before me in a revealing nightgown.

Aiden’s face turned pale with panic.

“She’s my sister, adopted from an orphanage. I felt sorry for her and took care of her for two years,” he stammered, desperation lacing his words.

I couldn’t ignore the hurt reflected in Raven’s eyes.

As a woman, I recognized the unspoken feelings she harbored for Aiden.

After my return, Raven was hastily moved out of the Sinclair household.

I had thought her feelings were merely a crush, unrequited and innocent.

But now, the reality hit me hard—I was the unwelcome third party in this tangled web of relationships.