Chapter 3 - Soraya- " Hi ? What's your name ? " the fourteen - year - old Soraya greeted with a smile . She was attending Cedric Montclair's birthday party . Upon seeing Calum , she immediately approached . Of course , Soraya already knew who he was . The Montclair and Azar families had lived across from each other for years . " Calum , " the young Montclair heir said . He shook his head like he already knew there was no need for introductions . -Can we be friends , Calum ? " she asked . He just shrugged , and Soraya took it as an approval . There was a time when Soraya and Calum got along just fine . Their families were close , and being neighbors , Soraya saw his achievements and grew to admire Calum Yes , Calum was a handsome man . He was tall and athletic , with brown hair and sharp blue eyes . But Soraya didn't fall for just his looks . She loved the quiet strength he carried . He didn't talk much , but when he did , people listened . He took over the family business at a young age , and even then , he acted with the seriousness of someone much older . Yet life had a way of turning everything upside down . One crucial night changed everything , forcing them into marriage . That was when Calum started hating Soraya . He firmly believed she had orchestrated the events leading up to her pregnancy . Soraya had hoped she could win Calum's heart . After all , she was young , bright , and attractive . She had an angelic beauty , with long . sleek caramel hair that cascaded down her back and skin as fair as ivory . She did not have to wear heavy makeup or provocative clothes to stand out . Aside from her natural qualities , Calum's parents adored her . However , throughout their marriage , Calum treated her with disdain . He ignored her , and the worst part was how he allowed his friends . to look down on her . And now , he flaunted a mistress without even batting an eye . There was no other way to go around it . Soraya needed to choose herself , or else she would be that useless person Calum's friends had labeled her to be . Soraya had stayed with her uncle for the past few days . One would think that , despite her absence , her husband would call or be concerned - but no. He never called or texted . Calum didn't care . In fact , since their marriage , Calum had sent her no more than fifty messages . They were either purely business or matters related to Sage . They did not celebrate their anniversary Calum never came to her birthday celebration , and unless the party was held at the Montclair mamion , Soraya was never invited to his birthday party . Sage , however , had sent Soraya two messages on the chat app , but she chose not to read them . Soraya was afraid of giving in , afraid of being rejected once again , and afraid of falling into the trap she had been under for the past seven years . On a Thunday , Soraya sat at her desk her laptop open , screens glowing with charts , notes , and color - coded plans . She had made a schedule and was sticking to it . Everything had its place the market data on the left , a checklist of tasks in the center , and a list of safe . quiet apartments onthe riga . After the divorce , she needed a new home and a new routine . On her priority list s a visit to Argis Core Systems and to meet an old friend . just as she was planning her life , she received a text from her college best friend . Lyra Hayes hat the fu Tyra Suraya ! What the fuck is going on Then , Lyra sent a picture of Caluim . He was impeccably dressed , with Rose clinging to his arm . Rose was smiling at Calum , her gaze flirtatious Lyre ( I'm attending the mayor's birthday party , and I overheard some people say P P. Chapter 3 For a moment , Soraya struggled to breathe . Her hands shook as she looked at the image . She wanted to cry , but instead , she returned to her computer and stared at her outlined plans . " Breathe , she told herself . You have already made your decision Soraya closed her eyes and counted numbers , regaining control of her emotions once more . ..Four , three , two , one ." She took deep breaths and reset the logic . When she opened her eyes , she returned to her phone . Lyra : [ Talk to me right now! Or I'm storming in and slapping that woman's face ! ] Soraya quickly called her friend . " Don't do that . You know Calum has a lot of power in the city . He could cause problems for your family's business . It's not worth it , Lyra " But " I'm divorcing him . Lyra . I can't take it anymore , Soraya revealed . She could hear her friend's struggle to accept things . Lyra was on the verge of tears. " But you love him so much ." " I have reached my limit . I want to work on myself ," Soraya said softly . " Okay . Okay . You know what ? You are right . You should have left that asshole a long time ago ! " Lyra went on but then paused. " But what about Sage ? " Her friend finally remembered why Soraya held on so long -Sage ? She needs a mother that she can be proud of , " Soraya said . " I need time to be that person for her . " Lyra had been away , working in another city . Soraya did not even know when she came back to Cedar Heights . Thus , it did not come as a surprise that Lyra was unaware of Rose , the new woman in Calum's life . She told her friend everything , including Sage's newfound affection for Rose . At the end of her narrative , Lyra said while weeping , " 1 wish I were there for you . I will hug you forever ! " " Me too ." This time , Soraya allowed herself to shed a tear . " But we can catch up next week . I will collect that hug . Let's see how forever Lasts for you ? When Lyra laughed . Soraya found herself smiling for the first time in months . should have a reunion - you , me , and I Silas . " Lyra proposed , mentioning a common friend . That's on my priority list . I'll give you a call when I'm back at Cedar Heights ," Soraya said before finally ending their conversation Soraya returned to reviewing her solid plan . According to her timeline , her goals would unfold over the next two to three years . Little did she know that the moment she set her plans in motion , opportunities would come knocking faster and louder than she ever anticipated .