Deception 1

~Next morning~

Imani slowly opened her eyes, grogginess clinging to her like a heavy blanket. The opulent bedroom, with its lavish furnishings and sparkling chandeliers, slowly came into focus. She stretched, her chubby arms extending above her head, and yawned.

"Xavier?" she called out, her voice husky from sleep.

Silence.

Imani sat up, rubbing her eyes. Where was he? They had parted ways abruptly last night, but she assumed he'd return to their mansion.

Her phone, forgotten on the nightstand, buzzed to life. Imani reached for it, and her heart sank.

On the screen, a notification from "CelebNews" flashed:

"Xavier Morneh Spotted with Damin's Film Beauty!"

Imani's curiosity turned to dread as she opened the article.

A photo of Xavier, beaming with a stunning woman, made her heart stutter. The woman's slender hand rested comfortably in Xavier's, their bodies angled toward each other.

"Who is she?" Imani whispered, her voice trembling.

The caption read: "Xavier Morneh, newlywed and already stealing hearts with Damin's newest starlet, Sophia Grant. Looks like someone's already moving on..."

Imani's vision blurred as tears welled up. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut.

How could he? They were married just yesterday!

She scrolled through the comments, each one piercing her heart like a dagger:

"Guess Xavier's still got game!"

"Newlywed and already cheating?"

"Sophia Grant is goddess-level beautiful!"

Imani's phone slipped from her fingers, landing with a soft thud on the bed.

She crumpled backward, tears streaming down her face, her world shattered into a million pieces.

Was their marriage a sham? Was Xavier using her for some ulterior motive?

Even though she knew their marriage was an arranged marriage, he should at least respect it a little.

Or is it because she's chubby and not good enough for him ?

With this her eyes filled with tear once more.

The questions swirled in her mind like a vortex, pulling her down into darkness.

Just then, Xavier strolled into the mansion, whistling a tune, oblivious to the storm brewing inside Imani.

"Hey, " he called out, dropping his keys on the counter.

Imani lay in bed, her back to him, silent.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Xavier asked, sitting beside her.

Imani remained still, her voice low and even. "Nothing."

Xavier's eyes narrowed. "Don't 'nothing' me. What's going on?"

Imani slowly turned to face him, her eyes red-rimmed.

"You know exactly what's going on," she spat, her voice laced with venom.

Xavier's expression faltered. "What are you talking about?"

Imani's gaze pierced him. "Sophia Grant. The 'Beauty of Damin's Company'."

Xavier's face turned into a smirk.

"Don't bother denying it," Imani continued. "I saw the pictures."

Xavier sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's not what it looks like..... "

"Save it," Imani snapped, turning away.

"It's that was you were expecting me to say or perhap....."

Xavier's eyes pleaded for understanding. "Imani, please—, this is what you expect me to do?"

"What!," she whispered, her voice cracking.

The silence between them grew thicker than the mansion's walls.

Xavier's shoulders slumped. He stood up, hesitated, and walked out of the room.

The door closed behind him with a soft click.

Imani's tears flowed anew.

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