Betrayed By Billions

The champagne glass trembled in my hand as I watched my husband laugh with her. That woman. The one he said was just his business partner.

My name is Kelsey Morgan, and tonight I learned that my fairy tale was a lie.

The grand ballroom sparkled with a thousand lights. Rich people in expensive clothes danced and talked. Everyone smiled. Everyone pretended. Just like I had been pretending for three years.

Three years of marriage to Flinn Morgan, the billionaire everyone wanted to know. The man every woman wished was theirs. The man I thought loved me.

I was wrong.

"Mrs. Morgan, would you like more champagne?" A waiter appeared beside me.

"No, thank you." My voice sounded far away, like it belonged to someone else.

I couldn't look away from them. Flinn's hand rested on her lower back. Too comfortable. Too familiar. She leaned close to whisper something in his ear, and he smiled. That smile. The one I thought was only mine.

My heart cracked a little more.

"Kelsey!" My best friend Miranda grabbed my arm. "Come with me. Now."

She pulled me toward the bathroom before I could argue. The moment the door closed, my legs gave out. I sank onto the velvet bench, and the tears I'd been holding back finally fell.

"I saw them too," Miranda said softly. She knelt in front of me, holding my hands. "I'm so sorry."

"Her name is Victoria Chen," I whispered. "She's his new partner for the hotel project in Singapore. That's what he told me. Just business."

"That didn't look like just business."

I knew she was right. My gut had been screaming at me for months. All those late nights at the office. All those business trips. All those times he came home smelling like perfume that wasn't mine.

"I need to leave," I said, standing up. My legs shook, but I forced them to hold me.

"I'll drive you home."

"No. I can't go home. That's his house. His money. His everything." The words tasted bitter. "I have nothing that's really mine."

Miranda's eyes flashed with anger. "That's not true. You're smart and strong. You gave up your job, your dreams, everything for him. Don't let him make you feel small."

But I did feel small. Three years ago, I was studying architecture. I had dreams of building beautiful things. Then I met Flinn at a coffee shop, and my world turned upside down.

He was handsome and rich and interested in me. Plain Kelsey from a small town. He swept me off my feet with private jets and fancy dinners. He made me feel special.

Six months later, we got married. He asked me to quit school. "Let me take care of you," he said. "You don't need to work."

I thought it was romantic. I thought he loved me so much he wanted me all to himself.

Now I understand. He wanted me to be dependent. He wanted me trapped.

"I need to think," I told Miranda. "I need to figure out what to do."

She hugged me tight. "Whatever you decide, I'm here for you."

I fixed my makeup and walked back into the ballroom. My husband stood near the bar, alone now. Our eyes met across the room.

For a second, something flickered in his expression. Guilt? Regret? Then it was gone, replaced by his usual cold business face.

I walked toward him, my head held high. If he wanted to play games, I could play too.

"Darling," I said sweetly. "We should go home soon. I'm tired."

Flinn's jaw tightened. "I have meetings in the morning. You can take the car. I'll stay at the office tonight."

"Of course." I smiled, even though each word felt like a knife. "You always have meetings."

I turned to leave, but his hand caught my wrist. His grip was firm, almost painful.

"Don't start, Kelsey," he said quietly. "Not here."

"Start what?" I pulled my arm free. "I'm just your loving wife, concerned about your health. You work too hard."

Something dangerous flashed in his blue eyes. "We'll talk at home. Tomorrow."

"Will we?" I tilted my head. "Or will you have another meeting?"

Before he could answer, Victoria appeared at his side. She was beautiful in a red dress that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. Her smile was pure poison.

"Flinn, they're waiting for us," she purred. Then she looked at me. "Oh, hello. You must be the wife."

The wife. Not Kelsey. Not Mrs. Morgan. Just the wife.

"And you must be the mistress," I said pleasantly.

Victoria's smile froze. Flinn's face turned to stone.

"Kelsey—" he started.

"Enjoy your meeting," I said. Then I walked away, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might burst.

I didn't stop until I reached the parking lot. The cool night air hit my face, and I gasped for breath. What had I just done?

My phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number.

"You deserved better than him. You always did. - S"

S? Who was S?

Before I could wonder more, another text came.

"I never stopped thinking about you, Kelsey. It's time to come home."

My blood turned to ice. There was only one person who called himself S. Only one person who would say those words.

Sebastian Hart. My first love. The boy I left behind seven years ago when I went to college. The boy whose heart I broke when I chose Flinn.

The boy who was now the second richest man in the city, right behind my husband.

How did he know what happened tonight? Why was he contacting me now?

My phone rang. Unknown number.

My hand shook as I answered. "Hello?"

"Hello, Kelsey." His voice was deeper now, but I would recognize it anywhere. "Did you miss me?”