2

Betty's POV

My gaze landed on the pink bracelet wrapped around her wrist.

The same bracelet I'd seen in the picture on Jayson's phone.

I watched as she spoke to the receptionist, her lips curving into a smile. A moment later, she turned and walked toward the elevators.

She passed right by me without sparing me a glance.

Perhaps she didn't know who I was.

Or perhaps she knew exactly who I was and simply didn't care.

Either way, I stood there, watching until the elevator doors closed behind her.

"Betty? You're here?" Someone said from behind, and the familiar voice made me turn to see.

Franklin Blackwood stood beside Thalia Williams, Jayson's parent, his father's expression shifting from surprise to concern when he noticed me.

I glanced between them, confused.

Thalia owned the Morris Hotel, so her presence wasn't unusual. Franklin, however, had no business being here with her. They were divorced and had long since moved on with their respective partners.

Seeing them together was rare.

"What are you both doing here?" I asked.

Thalia glanced toward the elevators Jewel had just entered.

"We're here to celebrate Jay's birthday with his one true love," she replied.

Her words were delivered so casually that, for a moment, I wondered whether she had forgotten I was standing right in front of her.

Then I understood.

They knew Jewel was back.

They knew about the plans with Jayson.

I forced a smile, although my lips felt stiff.

"I see. I guess I'm the last person to find out."

"Don't act surprised, Betty." Thalia stepped closer. "I've told you countless times to leave my son. You chose to stay, and honestly, that arrangement has been good for our business."

I stared at her.

Even now, she couldn't resist reminding me that my marriage had been nothing more than a convenient agreement between our families.

"Because I stayed, you think I don't deserve respect?"

Thalia tilted her head. "I respected you enough to tell you the truth."

I let out a quiet breath. "Then why did you accept my father's offer in the first place? You knew Jayson didn't love me. You knew he was still in love with Jewel. Why agree to this marriage if you were going to treat me like I had no right to be his wife?"

"Betty," Franklin began.

Thalia shot him a warning look. "Franklin, please. Don't tell me you're feeling sorry for her."

He was silent.

I turned back to Thalia.

"Do you think your son's affair is acceptable just because he never wanted this marriage?"

"Affair?" She scoffed. "Don't make it sound worse than it is. You knew what you were getting into when you married him."

"I knew it was a contract marriage. I didn't agree to be humiliated."

Her smile disappeared and she folded her arms.

"You're a grown woman, Betty. You should have known better than to fall in love with a man who doesn't love you."

The words stung, but I refused to lower my eyes. "Perhaps I should have."

"Then stop making this difficult. Tell your father you no longer want the marriage. The contract can end, and you can find someone better suited to you."

I stared at her. "Would you have accepted this if you were in my position? If you were married to a man who treated you like you didn't exist, would you simply walk away without expecting him to show you some respect?"

Thalia's expression hardened. "Don't compare yourself to me."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "Of course."

"Have you ever looked at yourself in the mirror, Betty?" she continued. "Jewel is one of the top five models in Paris. She's beautiful, successful, and has a future of her own. And you? You've spent the past year playing house with a man who doesn't even want you."

I felt the insult settle heavily in my chest and I became angry because Thalia spoke as though my worth depended entirely on whether her son wanted me. As though I had nothing to offer the world beyond being Jayson's wife.

"You're right about one thing," I said quietly.

Thalia raised an eyebrow.

"I shouldn't have stayed in a marriage where I'm the only one trying to make it work."

Her expression shifted, but I continued before she could interrupt.

"But don't mistake my decision to leave for an admission that I'm not good enough for your son. I'm leaving because I deserve to be treated with respect."

Franklin looked at me, his expression filled with guilt.

"Betty, I'm sorry."

I turned toward him.

He seemed genuinely troubled, but his apology couldn't undo what had happened.

"Thank you, Franklin." I adjusted the strap of my handbag. "But I don't need anyone to feel sorry for me. I need people to stop treating my marriage like a business arrangement that gives them the right to decide what I deserve."

His lips parted, but no words came.

Thalia rolled her eyes. "Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don't come crying to us when things become difficult."

I held her gaze.

"I won't.” Then I turned and walked outside.

Outside, I stopped beside the hotel entrance and took a deep breath. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall.

I came here hoping to understand what made Jewel so special to Jayson.

I pulled out my phone and called my father.

He answered after the second ring.

“Dad…” I called with a shaky voice.

"Betty? Is everything all right?" He asked.

"No, Dad. But it will be fine."

There was a brief silence between us.

"What's happened?"

"Dad, it's about my marriage,” I said.

“Sweetheart, do you really…

“Yes father, I'm coming home tomorrow, and I want us to discuss ending the contract."