Marrying the ruthless CEO to destroy my Ex-husband

The stage is covered with a backdrop of stories, faces, names, and hopes. Elegant tables linened with glamorous silk cotton. That's how I describe the whole place. Honestly, this is my first time going out together with Lucas. Ever since I left my home and chose this kind of life. This is my first time appearing to the public in the longest time, and yes, I feel nervous especially since there were different cameras around us. I’ve been with him for 5 years, and yeah! I met him in the lowest part of my life. I ran away from home because my parents wanted to marry me to their closest business partner, but as a woman who wants to explore, and feel the love that’s not forced. I escaped in my own reality and I ended up on his territory, where I found genuine love that I never expected.

Right now, It's the 25th foundation anniversary of his charity. The charity that once became his home when he had nothing and looking at him now, I am beyond proud of him for making everything impossible. I was smiling from ear to ear as I quietly cheered at him as he gave his speech on the stage. A lot of business men were also there to witness his success.

After he spoke, he went down to the stage. And I went to fetch him with a proud smile and As I leaned to kiss him, his eyes flickered, just for a second, toward the crowd behind me. I was shocked for the first time.

“Oh! That was new? Is it because it's our first time appearing in public together?” I just let it slip, and just grabbed a glass of juice near me. I sipped it gradually, as I thought about how Lucas treated me. It seems like he hid something from me. I just noticed his changes last week. He became cold and short tempered towards me. I know, he treated everyone that way, but not me, I am his exception.

Right now, something about the way he said it didn’t feel right. The way his hand trembled ever so slightly, the way he avoided eye contact. I turned to glance at the crowd behind us. Was he hiding something? Or... someone?

When Lucas left on the side and went to his friends, someone came near me and smiled at me.

“I’m glad that he is now married to a woman like you. I thought he would forever be insane because of that ambitious woman,” then a creepy smile plastered on his face. Before he could blow up another word, I saw Lucas coming near me and pulled me away from the old man.

He held my arms tightly, as he whispered to me. I just bit my lower lips and his fingers felt like they pierced through my skin. This is the first time he did this to me.

“Y-you’re hurting me,” I whispered, but he just stared at me with those cold, gray eyes, unfeeling, unreadable.

“Whatever you heard at this event,” he said, his voice low and sharp like a blade, “don’t absorb it. They’re just speculations meant to ruin me to ruin us.”

I gave a small nod, forcing myself to smile politely at his circle of high-profile friends. But they didn’t smile back. They just stared at me from head to toe. Judging, curious, entertained. And then, one of them spoke.

“Your wife... she looks reassembled, like a version of your ex,” one of them said, chuckling, as if I couldn’t hear. A tease of a smirk played on his lips, and he didn’t even deny it.

I felt my throat tighten, it felt like I was choked for a few seconds.

Reassembled? What does it mean?

The music swelled in the background as the event carried on, but my world stood still. My fingers trembled, but I kept them at my side. I couldn’t break here, not in front of them. For almost 5 years of our marriage this is the first time I heard this.

“You said I shouldn't believe in rumors, but why does it seem like you hide something from me?” I murmured to him, my voice barely a breath, “What if the rumors aren’t the problem? What if you’re protecting someone? What if the reason why we rarely go out all these years is because you're hiding me? What if I'm just another woman of yours?” His expression changed for a split second, just enough for me to see it. A mixture of guilt and regret, Or maybe... he is neither felt of those.

Before I could say another word, someone came in and walked in the center that drew everyone’s attention. A mysterious, beautiful woman who's wearing a red crimson gown. The way she walked gave me goosebumps. Every click of his heels demanded respect in a big way.

In my peripheral vision, I saw Lucas shocked. He froze for a moment, it seems like his breath stopped.

"Hello, Mrs. Devera, right? Nice meeting you! I’m Scarlet," A voice of a feminine and familiar voice. I turned around, my heart dropping.

I looked at her from head to toe, then fresh memories flashed back. This woman in front of me, was not just a barely woman. I saw her picture in Lucas' office, together with the ring.

Seeing her now in front of me, makes me terrified and question myself even more. Who is she in Lucas life?