LOGINMy father-in-law said he wanted to experience "how the young folks have fun these days," so I took him to my wife's newly opened upscale cocktail bar for a quiet drink. I’d just finished ordering him a custom cocktail when a man from a booth across the room swaggered over, glass in hand. His eyes scanned the drink menu on our table, and a condescending smirk twisted his lips. "Only ordering the cheapest well drinks?" he sneered. "Brought the old man here to enjoy the free air conditioning? Trash like you belongs in a dive bar. Who even let you in here?" Anger burned in my chest. I stood up, my jaw clenched. "We're paying customers. What's it to you?" But before I could say another word, his face darkened with pure rage. He snatched the half-finished beer bottle from our table and raised it high above my head. "My girl owns this place!" he snarled. "Even if I crack your skull open, I can afford the payout! You filthy pauper—either get on your knees and lick my shoes dry, or get the hell out of my sight. You're an eyesore." The beer dripped down my face. My hands trembled with fury as I wiped it away. Then, a cold calm settled over me. I opened my phone, switched to the camera, and went live. "Alright, everyone," I said into the screen. "You won't want to miss this. We're going live to catch my cheating wife and see the double life she's been leading."
View MoreThe day before my discharge from the hospital, an unexpected call came from Leo, my former father-in-law.He asked to meet at a quiet café near the hospital.In just one month, he seemed to have aged a decade. Silver streaked his temples, and the proud posture I remembered had given way to a weary slump. When his eyes met mine, I saw a complicated mix of guilt, sorrow, and a faint trace of relief."Nick…"He reached into his briefcase and carefully slid a document across the table.It was a share transfer agreement."These are the last of Ashley's unencumbered pre-marital assets," he said, his voice low and thick with emotion. "It's not much, but it's clean. Consider it… my humble attempt at amends."I didn't touch the papers."Dad," I said, my tone gentle but final. "This will be the last time I call you that."His shoulders stiffened; his eyes welled up instantly."I don't need her compensation."I took a measured breath."My health is restored. I'll be returning to work
Under the combined assault of the Keltner and Barnett families, Ashley's company collapsed in just three days. Bankruptcy was announced before the week was out.As for her, she now faced final sentencing for a string of economic crimes and for instigating violence.The day before the verdict, I received an unexpected call. It was from my father-in-law.His voice carried exhaustion and a rare trace of pleading."Nick… I'm begging you for one last favor. Ashley… she wants to see you before she's taken away. Just once. Please?"I was silent for a long time before I finally agreed. Not for her. But because after ten years of madness, it was time to draw a true ending.The meeting took place in the detention center's visitation room.Through the thick glass partition, I saw her.In barely half a month, she had aged twenty years. Her hair was streaked with gray, her eyes lifeless, her once vibrant spirit completely extinguished.The moment she saw me through the glass, a desperate s
After that night, I never saw Ashley again.Following the doctor's advice, I stayed in the hospital for rest and treatment. Fortunately, the cancer was caught early—conservative therapy was proving effective.Chelsey came almost every day. She always brought fresh fruit, carefully prepared meals, and the latest updates from the outside world.After Brian was detained, he refused to confess. He insisted I was the one who provoked him first.His legal team even counterattacked, claiming I had deliberately used a livestream to manipulate public opinion and stage a malicious commercial setup.Then, just before the trial began, a recording leaked online.It was of Ashley and me arguing at home."All you ever do is rely on your family! Nick, what are you good for besides being born lucky? You think I actually love you? What I love is your family name!"At the end of the clip came my silence.Within hours, the recording went viral.Hashtags like #NickEmotionallyAbusesWife, #TheTruthB
Ashley stumbled forward and fell to her knees with a heavy thud. She clutched at my pant leg, tears streaming down her face."Nick! I was wrong! I was so wrong! Please—please forgive me. For the sake of our ten years together, give me one more chance!"She wept like a child, trying to weaponize the weight of our shared past.But to me, it was nothing but bitter irony.Just then, a sharp pain stabbed through my abdomen. I let out a muffled groan, my face turning pale.Chelsey immediately caught me, her voice tight with concern. "What's wrong? Where does it hurt?"I looked down at Ashley—still kneeling, still begging—and a faint, hollow smile curved my lips. "Chelsey," I said, my voice unnervingly calm, "please have your lawyer draft the divorce papers."Ashley's head snapped up. Her eyes, wide with panic, searched mine. "Di... Divorce? No! Nick, we can't! We—""We what, Ashley?" I cut her off, my tone as cold as the marble beneath her knees. I held her desperate gaze and asked
[??? Am I blind? Ashley is defending the other guy???][Unbelievable! Her own father and husband just got assaulted… and her first instinct is to protect that guy?!][There goes my goddess worship! Bowden Group's PR team should start preparing for a field day!]When I saw her instinctively shield Brian, I staggered back as if struck, my legs giving way beneath me. Chelsey's firm grip kept me from collapsing.Ashley seemed to finally see me—truly see me—for the first time. She wrenched her arm from Brian's grasp and rushed over, her face a mask of shock and panic."Nick—I'm so sorry, I didn't mean—" Her voice broke as her eyes scanned my bruised face and disheveled state. "Please, you have to believe me. You're the only one I love; he means nothing to me—"Witnessing Ashley's concern for me, Brian completely snapped. Like a madman, he began spewing their secrets: "Nothing? Ashley, have you forgotten what you told me? You said Nick was a useless burden, that only with me could you
It was Chelsey Keltner.Her gaze hardened the moment she saw me pinned to the floor; a blade-sharp fury flashed across her face.Ashley's eyes swept the room and landed on the shattered watch. Her pupils contracted as if she'd been physically struck."What… what happened?!" Her voice trembled with disbelief.Brian spotted Ashley and clung to her like a drowning man. He wiped the venom from his expression, replacing it with a wounded, pitiful look. Staggering toward her, he pointed a trembling finger at me."Ashley, you're finally here! This man has lost his mind—he attacked me and smashed the watch! He's trying to frame me!"Ashley moved reflexively to shield him, but her eyes remained locked on the fragments. Grief and fury warred in her expression as she turned on me."Nick, have you lost your mind?! Do you have any idea what that watch cost me?"An invisible hand seemed to crush my chest, the pain giving way to a numb, hollow coldness.Chelsey shoved the security captain as






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