The Price of a New Beginning

After ten years of a child-free marriage, my husband's mistress got pregnant.

He didn't ask her to get rid of it.

Instead, he told me he wanted to be a father.

He gave me two choices: One, take $450 million and divorce him.

Two, stay as Mrs. Sterling, and this kid would be

mine

too.

The Sterlings all assumed I'd pick option two.

They knew how much I'd loved Alexander.

But I chose option one without hesitation.

I'd lived this life before. Last time, I spent decades fighting his mistress, built a business empire, only to watch it land in her son's lap.

This time, I'd take the money, live the rich life, maybe follow Alexander's lead and keep a few boy toys around for fun.

Last time, I literally worked myself to death.

Finding out about Alexander's affair, I was furious.

I didn't sleep for two days, plotting revenge.

First, I sidelined Alexander, snatched control of Sterling Enterprises.

Then, I restructured boldly, quintupling my shares.

His mistress, Lily Taylor, and their son Ethan, hid overseas, too scared to contact Alexander.

No one in the Sterling family dared oppose me, not even Alexander himself.

I thought I'd won.

Until I hit forty-five. Health issues meant I couldn't get pregnant again.

Desperate, I tried IVF.

Endless shots, until my body gave out.

I died suddenly on a business trip.

Before my ashes were cold, Lily and Ethan were back.

My ashes and portrait were thrown in the trash..

Watching Lily move into my house and Ethan take over my company, I knew my whole life was just building a legacy for someone else.

Later, I heard Lily whispering to Alexander in bed,

"Honey, these twenty years you suffered so much for me. I can't believe you got a vasectomy in secret and set Selene up to slave away for our son? Thank you, baby. I love you so much."

Alexander kissed her forehead.

"Lily, my love. You gave me everything at twenty. I'd do anything for you."

That's why I couldn't get pregnant again.

Alexander had gotten snipped.

Regret?

Fury?

Hard to say.

Mostly, I felt like the world's biggest joke.

Then I opened my eyes again, back to the moment Alexander laid it all out for me.

He'd just gotten home from a trip, still wearing the custom suit I'd bought him.

Alexander sighed.

"Selene, let's end this cleanly. Lily's pregnant. It was an accident, but she gave me everything. I can't abandon her."

"I need to marry her. I want this child. I'm sorry it has to hurt you."

"For the divorce, besides the $450 million compensation, I'll buy back your shares at market price. You keep this house, the cars. I know I failed you."

Honestly, the offer was generous.

If you didn't love the man, it was a jackpot.

But I'd known him since I was eighteen, married him at twenty.

I helped him build his company, then slowly stepped back to focus on home.

I never expected Alexander to stab me in the back.

So last time, I hated him so deeply, so I spent a lifetime trying to make him pay..

Now, looking at my reflection, a face barely thirty, tired eyes from years of chores, clothes worn and outdated from trying to save him money.

I ached for myself.

How did I let my life become this?

Why didn't I ever just enjoy it?

I zoned out.

Alexander repeated the divorce thing.

Impatient.

Just as he started to warn me, I heard a cool,

"Okay."

Alexander blinked.

"What?"

"I said okay. I agree to the divorce. Agree to the share buyback. Alexander, let's end this cleanly."

Stunned by my decisiveness, he stared at me for a long moment.

Finally, he muttered,

"Good. My lawyer will contact you tomorrow,"

and bolted.

I took a deep breath and turned around.

His parents were on the landing.

They knew about Lily's pregnancy.

Came to see if I'd make a scene.

My calmness threw them.

They looked awkward.

Alexander's secretary worked fast.

Within a week, Lily Taylor felt bold enough to waltz into my house.

Last time, Alexander shielded her, so I barely dealt with her.

Now, facing twenty-year-old Lily, that old hatred flared.

But I kept it buried.

The fault was Alexander's.

Lily was just the opportunistic fly.

The Sterlings fawned over her like she was a treasure.

His mother fed Lily fruit, patted her belly, radiating grandmotherly bliss.

I didn't need the drama.

I walked back to my car and called Alexander.

"Send your secretary out. I'll sign in the car."

"Since you gave me the house, have your parents out by tomorrow. I don't like strangers in my home."

"Wire the money first. We'll handle the stock transfer ASAP. Then the divorce papers."

Silence on his end.

Then a scoff.

"You're certainly efficient."

Like I was the gold digger.

Maybe my attitude pissed him off, or maybe he couldn't bear Lily waiting.

A month later, I had nearly $800 million total compensation and a divorce decree.

Then I listed the villa for sale.

Alexander followed me. When I stumbled, he grabbed my arm.

He actually looked guilty?

"Selene what will you do now?"

I was mentally pricing the house.

"Huh?"

"What are your plans?"

"Me?"

I gave him a weird look.

"Getting a haircut. Buying new clothes. Divorce is a rebirth, right? Time to celebrate."

He looked stung.

"Still so sharp-tongued."

"We might not be married, but after all this time I feel I should say something."

"When we were young and struggling, we chose to be child-free without really understanding what it meant.."

"But as my parents aged and my career succeeded, I realized how important having an heir is."

"I know you hate your dad for cheating, hate your stepmom for how she treated you, so you refused to have children out of stubbornness."

"But Selene, life is long. We all need a child eventually."

"That's why I'm taking responsibility with Lily. I hope you understand."

He rambled on.

My Uber arrived.

I calmly pulled my arm free and slid into the car.

"Alexander, cheating is cheating. Stop dressing it up."

"Spin it however you want, Lily's the mistress, that kid's illegitimate. Facts don't change."

"I'm thrilled to be rid of you and your mess. Hope you and your trash live happily ever after. Goodbye. Forever."

Cursing Alexander felt fantastic.

The divorce didn't affect me at all.

Maybe I'd used up all my love for him in my past life. Now, leaving him just felt like freedom.

Day after the divorce, I hit a high-end salon, got a perm, and added highlights I'd always wanted. Then I bought dozens of new outfits, refreshing my entire wardrobe.

Seeing the fresh, young woman in the mirror, I suddenly teared up.

"Selene Sterling. You're beautiful."

"All these years you worked so hard."

With a bank account now in the nine figures, I wasn't in a hurry to work.

The interest alone was enough.

I flopped on the sofa.

Deleted Alexander, his parents, his relatives.

Left all the family groups.

Purged most of his friends.

Scrolling, I found Mia Rossi, an old friend who owned a bar.

I'd been too busy playing housewife to keep up. Calling her out of the blue surprised her.

"Hey, Mrs. Sterling! To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I smiled.

"We're divorced. Don't call me that. It's Rich Bitch Selene now."

"Holy shit!"

Mia yelled.

"Seriously? Where are you? I'm coming to get you."

Thirty minutes later, Mia heard the whole story.

She looked at me, mouth opening and closing.

I cut her off.

"Babe, don't pity me. I'm loaded."

Mia blinked.

"...Point taken."

She rubbed her face.

"Alright, girl. What now?"

I tapped my chin.

"Well from the time Alexander started screwing Lily until now? Two years without sex."

"You know people. Got any clean, fit, gorgeous guys? Hook me up with a couple."

Mia loved the idea of finding me a boy toy.

By afternoon, she had profiles.

Adam Vance stood out.

Not just for his looks, but his background: a top student from Stanford.

A guy like that why take this path?

I told Mia to bring him to my hotel suite that night.

Later, at the Grand Imperial Penthouse, I met twenty-three-year-old Adam Vance.

He was tall, even more handsome than in his photo, with a healthy tan and eyes that held a faint, simmering defiance.

He wore a shirt and slacks, stiff as a board, radiating shame.

But I wasn't in a charitable mood.

I wanted what I'd come for..

I walked over, tipped his chin up.

"You. Adam Vance?"

He mumbled a yes.

His awkwardness amused me.

He was stunning.

Clear eyes, long lashes, full lips.

Like a damn siren.

I gripped his chin, forcing those deep eyes to meet mine.

"Your price is fifty grand. That's actually quite high."

"But I like you. I'll pay. Whether you earn it depends on tonight."

Adam took a shaky breath.

"Don't worry, Selene. I'll make sure you're satisfied tonight."

His hands trembled. His ears and neck flushed crimson.

His kiss was so clumsy, his teeth scraped my lip.

I couldn't help a low laugh.

So pure. So clean.

So adorable.

I pushed him down, unbuttoning his shirt slowly.

"Lucky you, baby. It's my first time doing this. I don't have any special preferences."

"Just been way too long. Need some comfort. Need to blow off steam."

"Get through tonight, you get your cash."

Adam groaned. His hands found my waist, pulling me down into the chaos.

Next morning, I woke refreshed. Adam was still asleep.

I left the card on the nightstand, kissed his cheek, and slipped out.

Being decisive, I missed the tear that slid down his face as the door closed.

Never imagined our paths would cross again.