Divorced, Blackmailed, and Married to a Billionaire Heir

Kevin Henson saved my life three times, so I gave him three chances to fail me.

On our wedding day, he showed up at the altar with lipstick stains barely hidden beneath his collar and a neck mottled with hickeys. I pretended not to see.

The second time, paparazzi caught him leaving a hotel with some lounge singer.

I smashed his car. I slapped him so hard his lip split and bled. I filed for divorcethen spent the night dancing at a club until my feet went numb.

Kevin got word of it. He bought out the entire venue just to trash it, then went live across every platform to beg my forgiveness. He swore he'd changed. Swore he'd be the husband I deserved.

My family pressured me. I caved.

But the day my mother was driven to jump off our rooftop by my father's mistress and her daughter? Kevin vanished.

When I finally tracked him down, he had his arm around my father's illegitimate child, clinking glasses with friends like it was just another Friday night.

"Kev, didn't you swear you were done messing around?" one of his buddies laughed. "Aren't you afraid Fern Sullivan's gonna lose it on you?"

Kevin snorted, utterly unbothered.

"Christina's practically family. She got a scare todaywhat's wrong with comforting her a little?"

He swirled his drink. "Besides, you know how Fern is. She always makes a big scene, then lets it go. Even if she finds out, she'll forgive me. She always does."

But Kevinyou just used your last chance.

1.

I drew a slow breath and pushed open the door.

The noise in the private room died instantly. Someone scrambled to kill the music.

The moment Kevin saw me, he shot to his feet. A flicker of panic crossed his face before he smoothed it over.

"Babewhat are you doing here? Is the funeral all taken care of?"

He gestured vaguely toward Christina. "She was really shaken up. I figured she's your sister, and you were so busy, so I brought her out to get her mind off things"

Sister.

The word curdled in my stomach.

"Kevin." My voice came out flat. Dead. "Did you drink yourself stupid, or did you just forget why my mother is dead?"

Today was supposed to be my parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

Instead, my father's mistress and her daughter showed up at our door. They called it a "congratulations visit." It was a declaration of war.

And my father? He didn't apologize. He told my mother to be more understanding.

Christina Sullivan is only two years younger than me.

My mother spent twenty-five years building that man's home, raising his family, standing by his sideonly to discover he'd been betraying her the entire time.

Our housekeeper, Hilary Lambert, got worried and called me while I was picking up the anniversary cake.

I broke every speed limit getting back.

I was still pulling into the driveway when my mother stepped off the roof.

Her body landed on my car. Blood sprayed across the windshield in a pattern I will never unsee.

While I was drowning in grief, barely holding myself together to arrange her funeralmy father was busy consoling his mistress.

And my husband? My husband decided to take my enemy's daughter out for a good time?

A thought sliced through the fog in my mind. Impossible. And yet

"Kevin." I stared at him. "You already knew Christina. You knew exactly who she was. Didn't you?"

"I..." He opened his mouth. Closed it. His eyes darted sidewaysguilty.

That was all the confirmation I needed.

Christina jumped in, her voice pitched high and sweet. "Please don't blame Kevin, Fern. Dad and I begged him not to say anything. We were afraid you'd be upset. We wanted to find the right time"

She twisted her fingers together, the picture of innocence.

"Kevin and I met in college. I was his junior. We... we dated for a while. But then his family called him back for the arranged marriage, and we had to break up."

Her eyes went wide and wet. "I swear I'm not trying to steal him from you. I justtoday was so awful. I never imagined your mother would... that she'd go that far..."

Kevin said nothing.

His silence was its own confession.

The absurdity of it crashed over me like ice water.

He'd known all along. He'd known my father had a secret daughter, and he'd kept me blind.

If I'd found out soonerif I'd had any warningmaybe I could have protected her.

Maybe my mother would still be alive.

The silence stretched. Christina rushed to fill it.

"Fern, Mom and I genuinely wanted to pay our respects. No matter what anyone says, your mother did die because of us. I feel terrible about it."

Christina's voice dripped with rehearsed sincerity.

"But I just graduatedI can't afford anything valuable. So let me sing you a song instead. As an apology. Would that be alright?"

Before I could respond, she darted to the karaoke machine.

The opening notes filled the room.

Upbeat. Celebratory.

I went rigid.

On the anniversary of my mother's deathshe was going to sing me a party song?

Christina caught my eye and winked.

Winked.

The rage I'd been choking down erupted.

I grabbed the wine bottle from the coffee table and hurled it at her head.

Crash

Glass shattered.

Christina shrieked and threw herself at Kevin.

"Kevin! Are you okay?!"

"I didn't mean to! I swear I didn't pick that songI must have been so nervous seeing Fern that I hit the wrong button..."

Kevin had stepped between us. Blood traced a slow path down his forehead.

His eyes were ice. And they were fixed on me.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Fern? She's still your sisterhalf-sister or not. You could have killed her!"

"With that temper of yours, no wonder she's too terrified to think straight."

"I actually felt guilty about keeping things from you. Now I see I was right. God knows what you would've done to her if you'd known sooner."

Christina clung to his waist, gazing up at him with shimmering eyes.

"Kevin... you're always protecting me. I don't deserve you."

He softened instantly, reaching down to stroke her hair.

"What else am I supposed to do? You're soft as a little rabbit. If I don't protect you, the wolves will eat you alive."

The words hit me like a blade to the chest.

He'd said that exact thing to me once. Years ago, when we were young. When I still believed him.

He probably didn't even remember.

I drew a slow breath.

Reached into my bag.

Pulled out the divorce papersthe same ones I'd started once before but never finished signing.

"Kevin. Let's end this."

He laughed. A short, dismissive sound.

Without even glancing at the terms, he scrawled his signature across the page.

"Really, Fern? You're pulling this stunt again?"

"Fine. I'll play along. But I didn't cheat this time, so don't expect me to come crawling back with apologies."

"Thirty days from now. The county clerk's office. You'd better still have this much backbone thenbecause I won't be there to catch you when you come crying."

He was so certain.

All those times I'd forgiven him had made him certain.

He thought I'd never risk the family alliance. Never throw away everything our marriage represented.

He was wrong.

"Don't worry," I said quietly. "I won't change my mind."

I turned and walked out without looking back.

I didn't go home.

I booked a hotel room for the monthone month to wait out the mandatory cooling-off period.

One month until I was free.

In the days that followed, Kevin didn't text. Didn't call. Not once.

Word reached me through the grapevine: Christina had mentioned wanting to learn to ski in Switzerland.

And Kevinever the doting protectorhad whisked her away to his villa there.

My phone buzzed. Hailey Brooks's voice was sharp with outrage.

"Are you kidding me right now?!"

"Everyone knows about that villa, Fern. He built it for you. After he proposed, remember? He said it was to make up for the honeymoon you never got. He swore no one else would ever set foot there."

"And now he's taking his little side piece on vacation?! What is thisis he cheating again?!"

I sat by the hotel's floor-to-ceiling windows, the divorce papers spread on the table before me.

For a long moment, I couldn't speak.

These papers weren't new.

Kevin had drafted them himselfthe last time I'd caught him cheating.

Back then, the humiliation had been suffocating. So I'd called Hailey, dragged her to a club, and ordered a whole table of pretty boys to sing with us. Petty revenge. Meaningless comfort.

Kevin had found out within the hour.

He'd stormed in with a squad of men, trashed the place, and beat those boys bloody.

He seized my hand in a crushing grip.

"Fern, you're ruthless."

"Fine. I admit itI fell for you. I can't stand the thought of another man near you. Happy now?"

Then came that livestream confession that broke the internet.

Kevin Henson swore he'd changed. Swore he'd be a devoted husband from then on.

And for a while, we really did have something sweet.

Just like Hailey said, he went all inlearning my tastes, catering to my every whim.

When he found out I loved skiing, he built me a private estate in Switzerland. Even named it after usa blend of our names, a promise carved into stone.

But now.

I stared at Christina's latest social media post.

The estate's nameplate had been changed.

Those four characters that once symbolized us"Kevin and Fern Forever"had been replaced.

Now it read: Kevin Embraces Christina.

"Yes, he cheated again. So no, I don't want him anymore."

I set down my phone and signed my name on the divorce papers without a second thought.

On the seventh day after Mom's passingher first memorialDad called out of nowhere, asking me to come home for breakfast.

I thought maybe, just maybe, he still felt something for her.

That he'd want to burn paper offerings with me. Honor her together.

I was wrong.

When I walked through the door, Christina and her mother Glenda Fleming were already seated at the table.

My face went cold. I turned to leave.

"Stop right there!"

Dad's voice cracked like a whip. Before I could take another step, he launched into me.

"I heard you tried to hit Christina at the club the other day! What kind of sister does that?!"

"Thank God Kevin stepped in, or you'd have hurt her! And after all that, you want a divorce? You ran away from home?!"

"I don't know what your mother taught you, but she raised a shrew. Get on your knees and apologize before you destroy both families' partnership!"

I looked at this manthis man who only saw dollar signs where his heart should be.

A cold laugh escaped me.

"You knew I ran away. Did you once ask where I've been staying? Whether I was okay?"

"Oh waitI forgot. Your heart's too busy chasing after your mistress. You didn't even show up to your own wife's funeral. And you have the audacity to criticize how she raised me?"

Dad slammed his chopsticks down. His hand flew up to strike me.

Glenda's eyes darted. She caught his arm just in time, playing peacemaker.

"Honey, don't. The poor girl's grieving. We should be understanding." She patted his chest. "I'm fine, really."

Then she smiledthat sickly-sweet smile.

"Besides, if you bruise her face, how will she stand next to Christina as my bridesmaid?"

Everything stopped.

My voice came out raw, scraped hollow.

"What did you just call him? You're married?"

"Mom's been dead for seven days, and you couldn't wait to bring your mistress home as your wife?!"

Dad's expression hardened. Not a shred of shame.

"Your mother's gone. WhatI'm supposed to mourn her forever?"

"Christina's grown now. I can't let people keep calling her a bastard. This is my responsibility as her father!"

Responsibility.

I sank into the chair, laughter spilling out of mebitter, broken. Tears streamed down my face.

Christina sidled up beside me, grabbing my hand like we were the best of friends.

"This is wonderful, sister. Now we're officially family! I don't know all the rules of high society yet, so you'll have to teach me. I'd hate to embarrass myself."

"Sure." I smiled. "No problem at all."

Glenda and Dad exchanged satisfied looks.

I wiped my tears. Pulled out a cigarette. Lit it with one hand.

Then I leaned in close and blew the smoke right into Christina's face.

"Here's your first lesson. I'm the legitimate daughterborn to the actual wife. You? You're the bastard child of a home-wrecker."

I took another drag.

"Until I speak to you first, you don't get to open your mouth in my presence. Understood?"

I ground the cigarette into the back of her hand.

As her skin sizzled and Christina's scream tore through the air, I seized her chin.

"You think I don't know? You were alone with my mother before she died. I haven't even settled that score yetso don't push me!"

"Fern! Have you lost your mind?!" My father slammed his palm on the table. Glenda rushed to pull the sobbing Christina into her arms, shooting me a venomous glare.

I dusted off my hands, a hollow laugh escaping my lips.

"My mother only ever had one daughter. Where exactly did this bargain-bin sister come from?"

"Dad, you know my temper. You want to throw a wedding for these two? Legitimize them in front of everyone?" I tilted my head. "Go ahead. I'll have someone tear the whole thing apart. Try me."

Perhaps it was because I was still, technically, Mrs. Henson.

My father's face went rigid. Glenda's expression curdled.

But the moment shattered when a familiar voice cut in from behind me.

"With me here, I'd like to see anyone try."

Kevin strolled in, one hand tucked casually in his pocket.

The instant Christina saw him, her tears found new purpose. She threw herself into his arms, thrusting her burned hand toward him like a wounded dove.

Kevin's brow creased with concern. He stroked her hair, murmuring softly, "It's okay, sweetheart. I'll take you to the best dermatologist in the city. Not a single scar, I promise."

His voice turned lighter, almost playful. "Our Christina still has to be the prettiest bridesmaid at Mom's wedding, doesn't she?"

I stared at him, my voice cracking. "Kevin. Do you even hear yourself?"

He lifted his gaze to meet mine. His lips curved into something that wasn't quite a smile, but his eyeshis eyes were glacial.

"I heard everything. Men from wealthy familieswho doesn't have a woman or two on the side? Your mother died because she couldn't handle it. And somehow, that's Christina's fault?"

His tone sharpened. "You got to grow up with a father by your side. Why shouldn't Christina have the same?"

"No matter what it takes, I'm going to bring her back into the Sullivan family. Everyone will know she's a legitimate daughter of the Sullivansand no one will ever call her a bastard again."

"You want to wreck this wedding, Fern?" His jaw tightened. "Try it."

I knew he meant every word.

The last time he'd issued a threat like that, the man's company had been swallowed whole by the Hensons within a week. The owner himself had his legs shattered, his tongue cut out, and vanished from Seacrest City entirely.

And what had that man done? Made a crude joke about me.

I should have seen this coming.

Kevin had always been a playboy at heart. To him, my father's affair was trivialbarely worth a raised eyebrow. He couldn't begin to fathom the devastation my mother and I had endured.

But knowing that didn't make it hurt any lessthis betrayal, delivered point-blank by the man who had once slept beside me.

My palm connected with his face before I could stop myself.

"Get out!"

Kevin let out a low, humorless laugh, working his jaw.

Before he could respond, Christina lunged at me, shoving me with all her strength.

"I've had enough of you! Don't you dare bully Kevin anymore!"

Kevin watched her with an amused glint in his eye. "Well, well. The little bunny has teeth after all."

"You've always protected me, Kevin." Christina's voice trembled with righteous fury. "Now it's my turn to protect you!"

I crashed backward into two massive potted cacti.

Needles pierced my back, my palms, everywhere. Blood dripped onto the tile. The pain was so sharp I couldn't help the hiss that escaped through my teeth.

My father's face twisted with irritation. "A perfectly good breakfast, ruined by your dramatics."

He turned to Kevin, his tone shifting to something warm and ingratiating. "Perfect timing, actually. Have you eaten? Let's go somewhere else."

Kevin didn't even glance my way. His attention remained fixed on Christina's injured hand as he murmured his assent, already guiding her toward the door.

At the threshold, Christina turned back.

Her lips moved silently, forming words meant only for me.

Loser.

I watched the four of them walk awaya perfect little family, their silhouettes warm against the fading light.

A bitter laugh escaped me. Tears slid down my cheeks anyway.

Mom... you see this? The moment you died, your daughter lost her home.

Does it hurt you to watch? Can you come back? Please? I miss you so much...

News of my father's remarriage spread through our social circle like wildfire.

In the weeks leading up to it, he paraded Christina around every public event imaginableeven the ones strictly for married couples.

Kevin issued a decree: no one was to call her "the illegitimate daughter" anymore. She was to be treated with the same respect as he was.

Christina made sure I knew.

Video calls. Photos. Messages at all hours.

Every single one designed to twist the knife.

"Sis, Kevin gave me another diamond ring yesterday. Our initials are engraved on it. They say the stone is even bigger than the one from your wedding."

"Oh, and he convinced his mother to give me the family's heirloom jade bracelet. You know, the one that's supposed to go to the daughter-in-law? I guess you won't be needing it anymore."

I remembered that bracelet.

The Henson family tradition was clear: it only passed to the son's wife after she gave birth.

Kevin had never once fought to get it for me. "We'll have children eventually," he'd said. "It'll come to you naturally."

Given his wandering eye back then, I'd never been eager to get pregnant anyway. We'd planned to start trying after the new year.

Well. That plan was certainly dead now.

I couldn't imagine what he'd said to make Miriam Hensontraditional, immovable Miriambreak her own rules.

The final message was a photo.

Kevin, asleep. His bare neck and chest were covered in lipstick marks.

"Sis, Kevin is incredible. I could barely keep up. He said he hasn't felt this alive in years. Apparently being with you was like facing down a tigresskilled his mood completely. He just went through the motions."

I didn't bother responding.

I blocked her.

The day of my father's wedding to Glenda, Kevin expected me to cause a scene.

He stationed bodyguards everywhereinside the venue, outside, at every exit.

He needn't have bothered.

Kevin had already made his position clear: anyone who helped me make trouble would answer to the Henson family.

No one dared stand with me.

I sat alone in my hotel room, tracing my mother's face in the photograph I'd brought. Tears fell onto the glass.

I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry.

That afternoon, Kevin kicked in my door anyway.

Behind him stood Christina, eyes swollen and red from crying.

He crossed the room in three strides and grabbed my collar, yanking me close.

"Fern." His voice shook with fury. "I didn't think even you could sink this low. Projecting Christina's nude photos at her own mother's wedding?"

"It's already trending online. How is she supposed to find a husband now? You're trying to destroy her!"

I shoved his hands away, bewildered.

"What are you"

Christina cut me off, her voice breaking into theatrical sobs.

"Sis, I know you didn't want to transfer the shares to me. But it was Dad's decision! What was I supposed to do, defy him?"

"If you're angry at me, fine. I'll accept that. But why did you have to do this on Mom's wedding day?" Her lip trembled. "She spent years being called the other woman. She's suffered enough."

And there it was.

The real play.

When my father had fallen for my motherdefying both families, ignoring the gap in their status to marry herhe'd given her half his shares. To make her feel secure.

She'd signed them over to me.

This whole thing is a setup. For those shares.

I laughedcold, hollow.

"Kevin." I met his eyes. "You really can't see it? This is all her. A performance she wrote, directed, and starred injust to steal what my mother left me."

"You say I did itwho saw me? Where's the proof?"

"I don't need proof. Christina isn't the scheming type. You're the only one with motive!"

Kevin's face was set with absolute certainty. He grabbed my arm.

"You're going to livestream an apology to Christina right now. You'll admit you did all of it."

"And you'll transfer every share under your name to her. You owe her that much."

"And if I refuse?"

At my words, Christina's face crumpled. She let out a shriek.

"Kevin, my reputation is ruined because of her! Everyone's calling me a shameless homewrecker who destroyed our parents' wedding!"

"She's had Dad by her side her whole life, shares in the company, and a husband as accomplished as you. I have nothing. If I'm going to be pointed at and whispered about for the rest of my life, I'd rather just die!"

Kevin lunged to grab her.

"Christina, don't be rash!"

His eyes blazed as they cut toward me. A cold smile curved his lips.

"Fern. Do you really think the body that was cremated that day... was your mother?"