Public Announcement

Chapter Three

I sat at the kitchen table, gripping the edge as I watched Adrian get ready for work. He moved quickly, as if nothing was wrong, as if last night’s conversation never happened.

After our talk, I had called his sister, hoping she would remind him of the family we once dreamed of.

I could barely look at him, but I had to try. “Adrian,” I said, my voice unsteady. “Your sister called yesterday. She wants to see us. She said it’s been too long since we visited.”

Adrian paused, his hand stopping mid-air as he adjusted his tie. His face darkened, and he narrowed his eyes at me. “What did you tell her?”

His cold tone felt like a slap. I swallowed the hurt. “Nothing, Adrian. I didn’t say anything about… us. She just wants to see you. Is that so wrong?”

He turned to me fully, his jaw tight. “Don’t involve my family in this, Lily. Whatever is happening between us stays between us. The last thing I need is you running to them with your emotions.”

His words cut deep. I tried to explain, but he interrupted.

“Enough,” he snapped, then sighed. “Fine. We’ll stop by later. But I don’t have time for family drama. If you’re coming, be ready when I leave.”

I nodded, holding back tears. Was this really the man I married? The man who used to hold me when I cried? Now, he couldn’t even be kind to me.

***

Adrian barely spoke during the drive. The silence was heavy. I stared out the window, trying not to let my thoughts spiral.

When we finally arrived, I frowned. It wasn’t his sister’s house.

“Adrian… this isn’t where your sister lives,” I said, confused.

“We’ll go later,” he said, stepping out of the car without another word.

I hurried after him, my heels clicking against the pavement. The building was full of well-dressed people. It looked like a gala. But why hadn’t he told me?

Inside, Adrian ignored me. He greeted people, charming and confident, but never once looked at me. I felt invisible.

Then, I saw her.

Sophia.

She stood in the center of the room, looking elegant and radiant. My stomach twisted.

Adrian’s face lit up the moment he saw her. Without hesitation, he walked straight to her.

I froze, my heart pounding as I watched him smile at her—a smile I hadn’t seen in months. They spoke easily, like they belonged together.

I sat at a nearby table, gripping the chair as whispers filled the air. What was she doing here? And why was Adrian acting this way?

Then, Adrian stepped onto a small stage, holding a glass of champagne. Sophia stood beside him, glowing.

“Thank you all for coming,” Adrian said. “Tonight is about celebrating the future—a future that means everything to me.”

My stomach dropped.

He turned to Sophia, smiling warmly. “Many of you know Sophia. She has been my partner in every way—supporting me, challenging me, standing by me. Tonight, I am honored to make our partnership official.”

No.

“I’m thrilled to announce that Sophia has agreed to be my fiancée.”

The room erupted in applause. Cheers echoed around me like cruel laughter. Adrian took Sophia’s hand and kissed it.

I couldn’t breathe.

Tears blurred my vision. This wasn’t real. My husband—the man I had sacrificed everything for—was standing there, declaring his love for someone else.

Whispers filled the air.

“She’s stunning. What a perfect match.”

“They’ve been together for years. It’s about time.”

“He’s so lucky to have her.”

Lucky.

The word rang in my ears, cutting deep. I pushed back my chair, the screech loud in the quiet room. Heads turned, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t stay.

Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled outside, the cold air hitting me like a slap. I leaned against a wall, gasping for breath.

How could he do this? How could he humiliate me like this?

Memories flashed through my mind—the sacrifices, the late nights, the love I gave him. It had all been for nothing.

Adrian had chosen her. Publicly.

A sob broke free from my chest. I slid to the ground, shattered. The man I loved had destroyed me.