1. Silent Betrayal

Samantha’s POV

I take a deep breath, forcing a smile as I step into the ballroom. No one must see how nervous I am. Tonight, Damian will be named CEO of Sterling Empire… a position long expected of him, though marrying me, a lowborn wife, nearly cost him everything.

I sip a glass of water to steady myself and search for him. We were supposed to enter together, but his assistant insisted otherwise. It’s not unusual to be pushed aside, but I endure it for his sake. And it’s fine. Because tonight… I also have something good to share with Damian.

Then I see him. Damian Sterling, radiant in a suit chosen by his mother, with a woman clinging to his arm. He smiles at her, laughs with her, and lets her touch him… things he never allows me in public.

I feel a pang in my chest as I watch them giggle.

“Keep it together, Samantha,” I whisper to myself. “Damian isn’t heartless,” I remind myself. “He’ll never betray you.”

I trust my husband, I always have. Behind closed doors, he shows me love. When we’re alone, he makes up for the coldness he shows in public. In those quiet, intimate moments, I feel it. And I know he cares. My husband loves me… he just doesn’t want the world to see.

But why must he hide it?

His family despises me, treating me as less than human. Still, I married Damian, not them. I can endure their hatred as long as he loves me.

Yet tonight, he holds another woman’s hand. Perhaps the one his mother always dreamed for him. I clutch my chest, closing my eyes briefly as I breathe. I should stop thinking nonsense or I’ll ruin today’s celebration.

“Just smile like you always do,” I mutter, curling a wide smile on my lips.

I set my glass down and move toward him, careful not to speak to strangers. One photo could ruin my marriage.

Georgia, my mother-in-law would seize any opportunity to drive me out of the Sterling family, even though she knows I would never do something like betraying my husband. I’ve said countless times that I care nothing for their wealth and only want to be with him, but my words carry no weight against their beliefs.

Perhaps, if I had been born into a wealthy clan, she might have believed my love for Damian is real. But that is a dream that can never be realized. I love my parents with all my heart, and I would never trade them…not in this life, nor the next. Our world is built on love and loyalty.

Damian is all I need… he’s the only reason why I stay even if it’s hard. As long as he loves me, comforts me at night after his mother’s harsh words, I can endure it. His embrace is my refuge, his sweet promises give me strength.

When the world around us doubts me, he reminds me that I am enough.

“Damian, honey…” My voice falters when he glances at me coldly, then he glares.

Is he mad? Should I not call out to him now that we’re in public? I only want him to notice me… Then maybe he won’t get too close to the woman clinging to him right now.

I always have endless questions to ask that only he could answer, but I’m also afraid to hear his response.

“W-Wait. Can we—” I lift my hand, reaching for him when someone grabs and yanks it down.

“Hey!” A familiar voice cuts in.

I freeze. It’s Georgia.

“Damian,” she says, raising her eyebrows.

Damian nods his head and sighs. He didn’t spare me another glance before ushering his company away from us.

I feel my world crumbling while staring at his back. He has the time to entertain someone else when his wife is going to be chewed out by his mother alive.

“Hah…” I bite my lower lip, holding back my tears.

I thought I’m used to this… Treated as a stranger by the man I fought for all these years. I thought it’s okay to endure as long as he’s on my side. But his indifference in times like this is the hardest part.

“What are you trying to do now, huh? Ruining my plans again?” Her words slice through me.

“Sit down or stand in the corner, Samantha. Don’t embarrass yourself. If you want to keep sleeping in that luxurious bed I’ve allowed you to borrow, then behave. Because soon…” Her smirk deepens. “…Damian will realize he deserves someone better. And when that day comes, you’ll be nothing but a memory.”

My breath falters as her words stab deeper in my chest. I clutch the fabric of my dress, forcing my trembling hands to stay still.

Desperately, my eyes search the room for him. Finally, I found him. And for a fleeing second, our eyes met. Hope surges through me… but then, he looks away.

“D-Damian…” I utter, my heart twisting in pain I could never name.