3: Vivian Lincoln

Nearly three hours later, Eva was finally en route to the party. Her pulse was racing and she was trying her best to stay calm so she didn't leave sweat marks on her dress.

She'd tried calling Daniel again and again, but every call went unanswered. She knew he had gone to the house since his Ralph Lauren tuxedo was missing that she had brought back from the laundromat.

"Maybe he's busy," she told herself, trying to stay calm. "Wait until he sees me. He won't believe his eyes," she smiled to herself as she continued to steer her car down the open road.

Half an hour later and she was turning into the lot, her breath hitched. Luxury cars gleamed beneath the lights like sleeping beasts. The place was packed.

She stepped out of the vehicle, her heels clicking against the pavement as she made her way to the grand entrance. The security guard barely glanced at her before waving her in, recognizing her immediately. "It's lovely to see the beautiful Mrs. Daniel Thomas again. Enjoy your night madam," he bowed and Eva swallowed hard at that title. It still felt so sacred.

Inside the grand ballroom, everything looked elegant and expensive. Eva glanced around and walked toward table number two, the sound of her heels tapping softly as she moved.

"Mrs. Thomas, you're finally here," Mrs. Harper greeted with a polite smile.

"Sorry I'm late," Eva replied, embracing her lightly while her eyes roamed the room.

"Better late than absent," Mrs. Boone quipped, sipping something amber and expensive.

"Come sit," Mr. Harper offered, pulling out her chair.

Eva sat slowly, fidgeting with the strap of her dress. "Where's my husband?"

"I think he went to the bathroom," Mrs. Boone said, her tone indifferent.

Eva could tell something was wrong by the way Mr. Harper was wiping his face and avoiding her eye contact.

Eva nodded, trying to suppress the growing unease in her chest.

Just then, the microphone screeched slightly, commanding silence. Mr. Boone was on stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention," he announced with a booming voice. "Tonight, we not only celebrate our continued success at Rhodes Enterprises, but we also honour our new Vice President - Mr. Daniel Thomas!"

The crowd erupted with claps and cheers. Some ladies were laughing heartily while a few gentlemen whistled with excitement.

Eva's eyes shot to the stage and there he was. Daniel. Confident, proud. Dazzling in his tuxedo. He hadn't noticed her yet, but it didn't matter. She was here now. This was their moment.

"Thank you," Daniel began, his voice smooth, and somewhat charming. "It's a privilege to be recognized tonight. I couldn't have reached this far alone. Behind every great man is an even greater woman."

Eva's heart swelled. 'He sees me. He knows I'm here,' she smiled on the inside.

"There's someone who's been the reason behind my ambition, the fire behind everything I do. She stood by me, believed in me, and I wouldn't be the man I am without her. Please give a warm round of applause...for the beautiful Vivian Lincoln."

Silence.

Then, a ripple of gasps.

Eva blinked, confusion filling her every thought.

What did he just say?

Who was he talking about?

Daniel's hands were gestured towards the entrance of the ballroom and every head turned in that direction.

Vivian Lincoln was tall and radiant, with a smug attitude that showed as she strode confidently toward the stage.

Eva's breath caught in her throat.

Vivian threw her arms around Daniel, and then he kissed her.

On the lips.

Opened mouths and tongues and everything.

A ripple of whispers and stunned gasps trickled through the crowd. All of a sudden the room felt shaky and Eva's pulse thundered in her ears.

No. No, no, no.

She rose with her legs trembling beneath her, but she forced herself toward the stage like she was moving through a nightmare.

She reached them. Her voice was barely audible, "What the hell is this?" she asked, prying Vivian away from her husband.

Vivian turned to look at her with her eyes flashing with hatred. "Don't touch me, skank," she snapped loudly, her voice amplified through the microphone.

Gasps exploded across the room.

Eva stared at her husband. "Skank? Daniel, are you really going to stand there and let this woman talk to your wife like that?"

He looked at her with disgust.

"Yes," he said. "Because as of tonight, I don't consider you my wife anymore."

Eva stumbled back a step.

"What?" she whispered.

"I'm leaving you," Daniel said. "I want a divorce."

The crowd fell into a stunned silence.

"But why?" she choked out, tears brimming at her eyes.

"You think I would still want a woman who has been cheating on me throughout our entire marriage?" he raged out, and the crowd was now looking at Eva for answers.