Imagine waking up one day and realizing the life you’ve been living isn’t yours anymore. That’s exactly what happened to Belinda Wright. After years of feeling invisible in her own marriage, she walked away from everything she knew—her husband, her home, and the life that had left her feeling empty. With nothing but a suitcase and a broken heart, she fled to a quiet coastal town, hoping to find a fresh start.
But starting over isn’t easy. Belinda had to rebuild herself from the ground up, facing her fears, rediscovering her passions, and learning to trust herself again. Along the way, she found unexpected friendships, a thriving career as a photographer, and a sense of purpose she never knew she was missing. Just when she thought she had finally found peace, her past came knocking, forcing her to confront old wounds and make choices that would change her life forever.
This is a story about resilience, second chances, and the power of starting over. It’s about finding yourself when you feel lost, building a life you love, and realizing that sometimes, the hardest journeys lead to the most beautiful destinations. So, come along as we follow Belinda’s inspiring journey—one step, one photograph, and one brave decision at a time. You might just find a little piece of yourself in her story.
Chapter 1: She’s Back
It was a rainy evening in Owathe, and the downpour was relentless. Belinda Wright was drenched from head to toe as she hurried toward the Dream Club. Despite the heavy rain, she somehow managed to keep the cake she was carrying perfectly dry.
When she reached the door of a private room inside the club, she gently pushed it open. But before she could step inside, she overheard a conversation that stopped her in her tracks.
“Verena, Lucas never stopped looking for you during the three years you were gone. And now, you’re finally back!” someone inside the room exclaimed.
Belinda froze. Verena? Was this the same Verena Reed who used to be Lucas Clark’s girlfriend?
“But hasn’t Lucas already gotten married?” a soft, feminine voice asked. It had to be Verena.
The other person chuckled. “Oh, don’t worry about that woman Lucas married. His father forced him into it. Lucas only agreed to marry her because his father threatened to kill you if he didn’t. He married her to protect you.”
“Really?” Verena sounded unsure.
“Of course! Why else would Lucas marry someone like Belinda? She’s unattractive, overweight, and an illegitimate child. Lucas only married her to spite his father. It was all a revenge plot!”
Standing outside the door, Belinda felt like the world had stopped. Her face turned pale, and a cold shiver ran through her body. She remembered the night Lucas had proposed to her. She had been over the moon, thinking she was the luckiest woman alive. But now, she realized the truth. Lucas hadn’t married her because he loved her. He had married her because she was ugly, fat, and the perfect tool to get back at his father.
Belinda let out a bitter laugh, her body trembling. She gripped the door handle to steady herself.
Inside the room, the conversation continued. “Speaking of Belinda, it’s been five hours since she left. Do you think she’ll actually show up? Delight Desserts is all the way in the eastern suburbs. Just getting there and back takes over three hours, and the place is always packed. She’d have to be crazy to go there.”
“If Lucas asked her to, she’d go even if it were in another city. Everyone knows how much she loves him. It’s pathetic.”
Belinda took a deep breath, trying to push down the hurt and anger. She straightened her shoulders, put on a calm face, and pushed the door open, stepping inside.
The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at her. Her clothes were soaked, clinging to her body and making her look even larger than she was. Her hair was a mess, stuck to her face, which had a noticeable dark mark on one cheek. She ignored the stares and walked straight to Lucas, who was sitting on a sofa in the center of the room.
Lucas was the picture of elegance, his legs crossed casually, his handsome face as striking as ever. He was the CEO of the Triumph Consortium, a man who exuded power and charm. And he was Belinda’s husband.
Belinda placed the cake on the coffee table in front of him, forcing a smile. “Lucas, I brought the mousse cake you asked for.”
Without even looking at her, Lucas slid the cake toward Verena, who was sitting nearby. “Here, you can have it now,” he said in a smooth, charming voice.
Verena smiled shyly. “I only mentioned it in passing. I didn’t think you’d actually have someone get it for me.”
Belinda’s heart sank. The cake she had spent nearly five hours getting—braving the rain, the long drive, and the endless line—wasn’t for Lucas at all. It was for Verena.
“See how much Lucas cares about you, Verena? He’d do anything for you,” someone in the room said.
“That’s right! Go ahead and eat the cake. Belinda went through so much trouble to get it. Don’t let her effort go to waste.”
Belinda clenched her fists, feeling like the biggest fool in the world. She had been used, and now she was being humiliated in front of everyone.
Just then, Lucas stood up and walked over to her. He looked her straight in the eye, his face cold and emotionless. “The divorce papers are on the coffee table at home,” he said in a flat tone. “Sign them when you get back.”
Belinda’s heart shattered. She had given everything to this man, only to realize she had never meant anything to him at all.