Betrayed By Husband And Son: Rise Of A Billionaire Wife novel Chapter 3

“Care to tell me how the design I sketched from start to finish ended up in the hands of a model, Ryan?” I spat, eyes blazing with suppressed fury as I waited impatiently for his excuse.

All eyes had turned to us. Some even lifted up their phones, cameras flashing.

I knew this was a bad idea. Kids were present, and this drama would make it to the media, considering my husband and Julia's profiles, but I didn't care. Those words got to me. The betrayal got to me.

“What are you talking about now, Adele? This is a child's birthday. Can you not cause a scene?”

“I don't care!” I yelled. This man was making me frustrated. “I just want the truth. Where did she get this dress? I made it. I designed it!”

“How would I know? I'm not a fashion designer, nor am I into the fashion industry.” He sighed, “Adele, I know you're stressed from being a housewife, you've holed up in the house for years and clearly don't know how the world works. You aren't the only smart one. You're not the only one who can think up this ideas, get over it.”

Stab!

It hit me right where it hurt. My heart ached. And I stood there, eyes wide, staring at him. All the words I wanted to say dissolved into a full blown devastation.

The garden around me melted away, leaving only Ryan's devastating words hanging in the air like poison: ‘You've holed up in the house for years... You aren't the only smart one…’

My mind reeled as I stared at my husband – the father of my child, the man I loved – now a stranger ripping my soul apart, in public.

Julia's smug expression, the party guests' murmurs and laughter, Sophia's wide eyes and Ethan’s disgusted look– everything faded into background noise as I focused solely on Ryan's face.

My heartbreak turned into a hysterical laugh-cry, tears streaming down my face as I choked out words, "How dare you... After everything I've given up for you, for Ethan, for our family... My career, my dreams, my identity – all sacrificed for you to throw in my face like trash!"

Ryan blinked, confusion on his face, as if I was going crazy. “What's all this about?”

"The truth!” I yelled. “Tell them,” I pointed at the crowd, “Fucking tell them who designed and owned this dress!”

I almost didn't notice I just used the 'F' word in front of kids.

“Why is that necessary?” His frown deepened.

“Because they mocked me, insulted me, claimed I stole Julia's dress. They called me names and shamed me. Clear my name, Ryan. Defend me. I'm your wife!”

He glanced around, then stopped to face the crowd, a soft, apologetic smile on his face. And then, he bowed!

My husband bowed!

“I'm sorry, my wife has been stressed lately. Please don't hold her accountable for this.” He turned to Julia, “Can you forgive her for crashing your daughter's birthday party? I'm sure she didn't mean to.”

“I think you need to see a therapist for her before she gets worse. You have a child, and it's detrimental to have him be raised by a mad woman.”

“I understand,” Ryan said.

I stood there, frozen in agony, as my husband publicly humiliated me, dismissed my pain, and validated Julia's cruel words.

My mind shattered into a million pieces as I watched Ryan side with Julia against me – his wife, his partner, the mother of his child.

Ethan's face contorted in distress, tears welling up in his eyes as he whispered "Mommy...why are you embarrassing me? I'm ashamed to be your son. I wish you were never my mother!"

Then, he bolted, running away from the party. From me.

“Ethan!” Sophia shouted and ran after him.

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