Broken Promises and Hidden Truths

Chapter 1

As Seraphina Marwood stepped into the foyer of her home, she was met with the sound of feminine laughter drifting down from the upper floor. She paused, recognizing the voice all too well—it belonged to Isolde Fairchild, her husband’s childhood friend and a recently divorced woman.
A chill ran through her. Crossing her arms defensively, she stood to the side and watched with quiet disdain.
Moments later, several servants hurried out of the room. The Scribe followed close behind, his smile fading as his gaze landed on her. “M-Miss Marwood…”
The awkwardness in his address didn't escape her. For three years, she had been 'wife' to her husband; now even that seemed to be changing, reflecting an inevitable shift.
“It's fine,” she replied with a brittle smile, waving him off. No need to make things harder for him.
Her expression steady, she announced, “I’m going to see what’s happening.”
The door to the room was ajar. As she approached, she caught sight of Isolde, lounging on the bed and fitting comfortably against William Ashford, her husband. The woman’s pale, slightly sickly face glowed with smiles as she playfully resisted the medication he tried to feed her.
Concerned, The Scribe followed her into the room. Seeing the scene unfold, he stiffly explained, “Miss Fairchild has been ill. Mr. Ashford found her and brought her home to care for her.”
Illness that required such intimate care—it sounded dubious if not absurd.
Seraphina couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. After years of marriage, she was just now realizing how tender William could be.
At that moment, Isolde spotted Seraphina standing at the door, her expression immediately shifting to panic. She tried to detach from William’s embrace but was interrupted by a violent coughing fit that seized her.
William tightened his hold around her, soothingly patting her back, but when his gaze fell upon Seraphina, anger flickered ominously in his eyes.
She met his gaze with a wry smile; yes, this was the William she recognized.
William gestured toward a stack of papers on the nightstand, his long fingers pushing them toward her. “You’re just in time—sign this.”
Seraphina’s indifferent stare fell on the pages. It took only an instant for the title to catch her eye: “Divorce Agreement.”
Three years was all their marriage managed to last.
It brought her back to that fateful day when William was rushed to the ER after a car accident. Because no one was there to sign consent forms, his surgery faced significant delays. As the Deputy Chief Surgeon, she took the risk of defying hospital protocols and singlehandedly ensured he received the care he needed, ultimately saving his life.
Yet, following his tragic accident, he became paralyzed from the waist down, forcibly separating him from Isolde while his family pressured him to marry again.
In everyone’s eyes, he appeared reluctant to marry her, an “insignificant woman” who juggled the roles of physician and wife.
The memories stung, and Seraphina couldn't help but smile sadly.
As she clenched her trembling hands, she looked at him with a rigid expression. “Can we talk about this?”
“I have nothing to discuss with you.” William's tone was flat, devoid of emotion.
“Just two minutes,” she pressed, her chest feeling constricted as the words spilled out. “Is three years of my life not worth just two minutes of your time?”
William frowned, his piercing gaze lingering on her visibly shaken face. He had never considered her this deeply before. She usually kept silent, resigned, but here she was—full of poignancy and unexpected determination.
His heart raced slightly at the sight of her unexpected resolve.
Just then, Isolde erupted into another bout of coughs, this time punctuated by bright red spots that stained the papers.
“Miss Fairchild is coughing up blood!” The Scribe exclaimed, alarmed.
William sprung to his feet, cradling Isolde in his arms as he rushed for the door, carelessly shoving Seraphina out of his way.
The impact knocked her against the furniture, scattering paper across the floor.
He barely shot her a glance, his eyes veiled with disgust and impatience, as if blaming her for obstructing his path.
Seraphina brushed off the pain in her ankle as she steadied herself against the doorframe, clutching the divorce papers tightly. She called after him, “William Ashford, does it really have to end like this?”

Chapter 2

A chill wind whistled through the open window, causing the curtains to flutter ominously.
William Ashford glanced at Seraphina Marwood, his lips parting to unleash the most cutting words, “Isolde has suffered too much these past three years because of me. I owe it to her to make this right.”
A harsh laughter bubbled in Seraphina’s chest, almost bursting free. This was the man she had devoted herself to for three long years.
He had obligations to Isolde Fairchild; who then had obligations to her? To him, she was nothing more than a stand-in, a mere replacement for Isolde.
To him, it seemed that she had somehow come out ahead in the situation.
She felt like nothing more than a worthless consolation prize.
Downstairs, William strode away without looking back, unfeeling and resolute. What he didn’t know was that the woman he held so tightly just minutes ago, who had feigned weakness and coughed blood, was now slyly gazing up at the second floor, mischief alight in her eyes.
Their glances met, and her lips curled into a triumphant smile as if to say, “I won.”
Seraphina’s body trembled with a mix of disbelief and betrayal, her fingers digging painfully into her palm until she watched his form disappear from view. Only then did she recover enough strength to withdraw her gaze.
“Miss Shen, please sign this agreement at your earliest convenience.” The butler handed her the paper discarded on the floor, then retrieved a card from his pocket. “Here’s thirty million dollars. It’s a token of… well, your fair compensation.”
Thirty million. On the divorce paperwork, Seraphina's eyes landed on the signed name—William Ashford—written neatly and cleanly, much like the manner he had treated her.
Her fingertips trembled as they brushed over the signature, heat spreading through her like flames hungry for sustenance, igniting a painful ache deep within her heart.
So this was how it had to end? Today marked their third anniversary. She had planned to buy groceries, intent on preparing a celebratory meal, only to receive a chilling text from an unknown number.
"I'm back. William has always been mine. Leave while you still can. If you need proof of his love for me, I assure you, I can make it perfectly clear."
No name was attached, but Seraphina knew who it was. It was Isolde—the name that had haunted William's dreams through his darkest days, whispered by the butler in hushed tones.
Only when the knife is plunged deep does one truly understand the pain. Only when the end is laid bare does one gain clarity about the futility of the struggle.
“This was meant to be an anniversary gift, but now, consider it a parting gift.” She held out a simple, transparent box containing a diamond peacock brooch that shimmered brilliantly.
Once gifted to William by his grandmother on her deathbed, he had treasured it until it was damaged in the car accident. The finest artisans had deemed it beyond repair, leading him to place it in his study as a cherished remnant of the past.
Now, it was restored to pristine condition, the brooch more radiant than ever.
The butler, having served William for years, recognized the brooch instantly, shock written across his face. He finally looked up, only to find that Seraphina had already exited through the door.
“Miss Shen, your card!” The butler rushed after her.
But Seraphina was already in her car, a dark silhouette rapidly disappearing from view.
Returning inside, the butler glanced down at the divorce papers, noting that on the left side of the last page, Seraphina's signature was indelibly pressed into place.
At that very moment, having just settled into her car, Seraphina was met with the sight of a ring being offered before her.
The man’s eyes were bright and his voice clear as a mountain spring. After three long years, he looked just as he had before.
He smiled down at her warmly. “Congratulations on your rebirth, my Eldric.”

Chapter 3

"What brings you here?" Seraphina Marwood arched an eyebrow as she looked at him.
He still wore that same old shirt and jeans, but her finely shaped brows lifted slightly, her eyes dancing with an array of thoughts, gazing softly yet chillingly at him, as if she were reborn.
Outside the window, leaves danced in the wind, carrying away the shadows of the past.
"You finally left that jerk. I should climb mountains if that's what it takes to welcome you, to pursue you, and to embrace you as we chart a new life together. Eldric, congratulations, you’re a free man now."
At the mention of her name, Eldric Marwood's gaze darkened.
She had anticipated this moment as soon as she saw Isolde Fairchild's text, which prompted her to reach out to Alaric Winterbourne.
She turned her eyes to the garden disappearing into the distance, a familiar landscape but now devoid of the warmth once felt.
She had envisioned countless scenarios of her divorce, but hearing it spoken out loud pierced her heart with an unbearable pain.
"Eldric, what are you thinking? How does it feel to be back? Ready to take over Marwood Holdings, the most prestigious firm in the Kingdom of M?" Alaric Winterbourne suddenly turned to her, his smile as carefree as a spring day.
Eldric pushed gently at his head, redirecting him, "Save your charm for the girls. Don’t try it on me."
Alaric's grin faltered, his brows drooping, "Come on, we’re practically betrothed. Now that your wish has finally been granted, you can't back out this time."
Eldric withdrew her hand, choosing silence.
"By the way, what will you do about your Seraphina identity?" Alaric asked, genuinely curious. "Get a certificate for overseas or just cancel it altogether?"
Eldric turned her head and replied softly, "Let it die with me."
From this moment on, she would be the heiress of Marwood, Eldric, no longer the wife of William Ashford known as Seraphina.
*
**At the Hospital**
William Ashford poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Isolde Fairchild, who lay in bed. “The doctor said to pay attention to your emotions; heart issues aren't to be taken lightly.”
“I'm aware, William. Thank you for doing so much for me,” Isolde said, her eyes swirling with intent as she gazed at him, appearing innocent. “When I was abroad those years, I thought of you every day, wondering if my leaving would help you. But he… he treated me badly, even struck me. And your wife—I think she’s misunderstood you. It’s my fault. I'll make sure to avoid her from now on."
“No need to do that," William replied, his tone cold and detached, as if he were discussing a stranger, “She won’t be around you anymore.”
Isolde had been waiting for those words. A smile crept onto her lips, although concern lingered on her face. “William, are you really going to divorce her for me?”
At her question, William’s hand trembled slightly, the cup almost slipping.
“It’s only a matter of time before the divorce happens,” he stated calmly.
As for the actual reasons, a fleeting blankness filled his mind. For a moment, he couldn’t remember why he was so determined to end his marriage.
He had told Seraphina it was because Isolde had returned. But somehow, he couldn’t bring himself to accept that truth when it echoed from others.
He felt a fleeting uncertainty.
Moments later, the butler approached from a distance.
Seeing the hesitation on the butler’s face, William stood and walked out.
The butler presented a transparent box.
Despite just a glance, William recognized it immediately; it was his grandmother's brooch.
He momentarily froze, “What’s this about?”
Staring at the exquisite brooch inside, the diamonds glimmering even brighter than before, he asked, “Who fixed it?”
This brooch was kept in the study, untouched by anyone but him, much less taken out for repairs.
As the words left his lips, a name began to surface in his consciousness.
Seraphina…
But he was reluctant to admit it.
“It was Miss Shen,” the butler dutifully replied, “She mentioned it was meant to be an anniversary gift, but now, consider it a wedding gift for your divorce.”
“Anniversary,” William murmured, lost in thought.

Chapter 4

William Ashford was oblivious to the significance of the day. After years of marriage, his wife had never once made a fuss about anniversaries—or even her own birthday.
The butler sighed as he pulled out the signed divorce agreement, recalling how Seraphina had insisted on personally shopping for groceries to prepare a special meal. “Sir, today is the third anniversary of your marriage to Miss Seraphina. It is also the day of your divorce.”
William felt a sudden weight in his chest. That woman… why was she acting like a fool?
He clenched the brooch in his hand. “Where did she find the money to get this fixed? The expense account I gave her had no usage record; it was just a part of the thirty million from the divorce.”
The butler remained silent for a moment before digging something else out of his pocket. “Sir, Miss Seraphina didn’t take the thirty million. She modified the divorce terms and chose to walk away with nothing, not even the villas.”
The butler had only discovered this after a careful review of the documents.
“No way,” William said incredulously, rifling through the divorce paperwork until his eyes landed on a stricken clause crossed out, replaced with four elegant characters.
“Walk away with nothing.”
His grip tightened so hard on the paper that it crumpled under the pressure. “Has she lost her mind? For three years, she refused to spend a cent of my money, and now, at the divorce, she’s tossing away her legal entitlements. What is she thinking?”
He desperately wanted to confront her, to demand why, if money meant nothing to her, she married him in the first place.
His expression darkened with suspicion.
“Sir,” the butler said cautiously, “Miss Seraphina left right after signing the agreement; she even sent someone to pack her belongings and throw them away.”
As Seraphina Marwood got into her car, three men arrived to pack her things, unceremoniously dumping them into a nearby dumpster while the butler watched in disbelief.
For a moment, he thought it was a robbery, but the intruders were all sharply dressed. Seraphina had even texted him, confirming that she arranged for the removal. Yet when he tried to call her back, the line was dead.
“Find her!” William shouted, crumpling the divorce agreement in his fist and hurling it against the wall. “Tell her these terms aren’t some doodle she can alter at will. Even if she refuses the divorce settlement, she is still entitled to it.”
In this life, he owed Isolde Fairchild one marriage. He refused to owe Seraphina Marwood a single concession.
*
Meanwhile, across the ocean, things were in disarray at Marwood Enterprises, a company that controlled a significant portion of the global economy.
“Who issued this order? Other than the late chairman, no one has that authority. There must be a system error. Why did I suddenly receive a notification about a shareholder meeting?”
“I thought I was losing my mind! For a moment, I thought the former chairman had come back from the dead and signed into the account to issue this order.”
“It’s obvious someone hacked the account.”
“Or maybe the chairman transferred power informally and didn’t inform us.”
“The meeting is about to start; let’s see which imposter is behind this.”
Inside the boardroom, senior executives buzzed with speculation, their frustration palpable.
At that moment, the glass doors opened slowly.
A pair of sleek black heels entered first, followed by tailored pants that accentuated her figure, and a fitted blazer framing her elegant silhouette. A gust of wind followed her in, causing her short hair to sway lightly.
“Hello, everyone! I am Eldric Marwood, the sole daughter of the late Reginald Marwood, and I will be assuming the role of the acting chairperson of Marwood Enterprises.”

Chapter 5

"That’s impossible. The chairman's daughter died ten years ago. Who are you, really?"
At the mention of Seraphina Marwood, a wave of shock swept through the room. She had expected this moment, and brushed off the disbelief, stepping confidently toward the projector and tapping away at the computer.
On the large screen, their company's exclusive communication system displayed Seraphina Marwood logging into her account, her name glaring at the top of the hierarchy with the title "Chairwoman" beside it.
Silence fell like a heavy blanket over the room.
A decade ago, it had been widely reported that the chairman's daughter died in a horrific car accident, even the ghastly image of her body had been circulated, creating a global sensation.
Now, they were to believe that the dead had come back to life? They would sooner believe that the recently deceased chairman had returned from the dead.
"Impossible," a middle-aged man exclaimed while rising, pointing at Seraphina. "What proof do you have that you’re the chairman’s daughter? And holding this shareholders' meeting without inviting the vice-chairman? What audacity!”
“Proof will come later from the executive manager,” Seraphina waved a hand dismissively at the man who entered with her. "As for the vice-chairman..."
She let out a light laugh. “I’ll settle the vice-chairman’s accounts in due time. I'm here today to inform you all. Accept it as you will, and if anyone has objections, keep them to yourselves.”
“You— how dare you speak to us like that! Even if you are really Seraphina Marwood, the chairwoman position has been vacant for two years. The vice-chairman wouldn’t even consider stepping in. What makes you think you can take it?” the man pushed back, his voice laced with incredulity.
“The vice-chairman isn’t unable; he’s forbidden. Our tech firm operates on a system that prioritizes the rightful heirs. As long as the system recognizes living successors, he will never hold priority, understand?”
“What?” The middle-aged man stared, stunned. He knew their conglomerate relied heavily on the system for management, but he had no idea that even the chairwoman's role was subject to this process.
He could hardly believe it. “Such confidential information— how could you possibly know?”
“Because I created this system.”
With that, Seraphina gestured to the executive director and strode towards the exit.
The sharp click of her heels echoed against the tiled floor, and the tension in the air made it feel like the ground trembled beneath her.
In the twenty-first century, technology was advancing rapidly, and this system had been at the forefront since its inception, immediately adopted by the conglomerate. Although it had undergone many updates since then, the core principles remained unchanged.
Back then, the chairman's daughter had been just a child, only ten years old.
Behind her, the executive director began displaying various identification documents related to her on the big screen.
The middle-aged man shouted in outrage, “I won’t listen! Bring the vice-chairman here! You’re just the CEO. How can you side with a newcomer like her? Bring in the vice-chairman!”
Seraphina stood her ground, undaunted by his impotent fury, her voice calm and steady. “I’m sorry, but the vice-chairman is under investigation for misappropriation of company funds, and the police have already intervened. He won’t be attending our shareholders' meeting.”
With those claims, the dissenting voices faded into the background, and outside, Elias Winterbourne awaited her.
“How did it go? Smooth sailing?” Elias asked.
Seraphina replied casually, “Just as I planned. I left the back door open when I created this system, solely waiting for this day.”
The bickering of the shareholders became the least of her concerns because stock ownership was paramount, recorded entirely in the system. She had already passed the most troublesome verification process; everything else was simply a formality.
Once she returned, the shares of Marwood Holdings would automatically revert to her control.
“This system is as comprehensive as a central brain, so it’s no wonder the entire conglomerate relies on the system to maintain its operations,” Elias remarked thoughtfully.
Seraphina didn’t shy away from her own brilliance. “I guess you could say that.”
Elias smiled knowingly, “Now you resemble the Seraphina I know, confident and unrestrained. What have you endured over these three years?”
His voice was low, almost conspiratorial, his posture leaning close enough that she felt the warmth of his breath.
Seraphina quickly turned away, a fleeting moment of distraction sweeping over her. Perhaps recalling something painful, she maintained her composure and said, “Let’s not dwell on the past. We need to find the vice-chairman before the police do.”
She dodged the story of the last three years.
In her pursuit of the love and kindness she believed in, she had laid every bit of her humility on the altar for that man of yesteryears, but received nothing in return.
From many, she learned Isolde Fairchild was a gentle woman, and so she adapted, learning to be tender, to disguise her unhappiness.
But the outcome revealed that a "substitute" could never bring about favorable results; bending to others would never yield anything substantial.
*
Meanwhile, at home, Aldrich Marwood, Seraphina’s uncle and acting vice-chairman, reclined lazily in the sun on the patio of the sprawling estate.
Suddenly—
A deafening screech of tires pierced the air, followed by a gust of wind.
A car crashed through various gates, barreling towards the villa, causing the man on the lounger to leap up, startled, jumping several feet into the air.
The car came to a screeching halt just inches from him.
The door flung open, and as Seraphina leaned against the car door, she removed her sunglasses, letting them dangle from her collar.
With striking red lips, she flashed a smile, “Good afternoon, Uncle. I’ve come to see the whole family.”
She was met with Aldrich Marwood's pale face, as he murmured, “Are you... alive or dead?”
*
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room in the capital late at night.
William Ashford swept all the documents off his desk, sending them sprawling across the floor.
His face was dark, a thin piece of paper clutched tightly in his trembling hand.
It was a death certificate, heavy with meaning.
“She’s dead. How could this be? How could Seraphina be dead?” William’s voice rang out in disbelief, while the Scribe remained silent, frozen.
William’s gaze fell upon the relationship section—
[Divorced]
And in the cause of death—
[Suicide]
How perfect! He chose to end things through divorce, while Seraphina chose a decisive act to end it all.
That woman...
He closed his eyes, a memory flashing before him of the moment he’d awakened from his accident, seeing Seraphina’s gentle smile as she comforted him.
“It’ll hurt a bit; just hang in there,” she had said.
But in the end, she couldn’t hold out.
William dismissed the Scribe and extinguished the lights in his study.
He shrouded himself in darkness.

There are limited chapters to put here, click the button below to continue reading "Broken Promises and Hidden Truths"

(It will automatically jump to the book when you open the app).

❤️Click to read more exciting content❤️