My Husband Made Me A Criminal

I had imagined freedom differently, not like this.

Throughout the years I spent behind prison bars, I counted down to this day when I would come home and feel Derrick’s arms around me again.

But fate is wicked. Instead of joy, it gave me a television screen in a diner by the roadside, showing my husband promising forever to another woman.

I stood there frozen, my heart constricting in my throat as I heard:

“Live from the Grand Royale Hall, the union between business tycoon Derrick Williams and actress Florida Cole…”

I choked on air. My throat burned as I whispered his name. “Derrick…”

It couldn’t be real. I blinked and leaned forward. Maybe there was a mistake somewhere.

But no matter how many times I cleaned my eyes and squinted at the TV, I still saw my husband wearing a tuxedo that fit him like it was custom made for him as he slid a ring onto another woman’s finger.

The cameras zoomed in on his smile, the same smile that used to undo me now belonged to her.

I don’t remember leaving the diner. All I knew was that I was running, dragging the hem of my faded gown through dirt as my lungs burned.

When I was exhausted, I yanked open a cab that was in the middle of traffic. The driver cursed at me but I just shouted at him to drive.

By the time I arrived at the hall, my body was trembling with anger at this kind of betrayal.

The Grand Royale Hall’s doors were wide open, as laughter and music filled the air. But the moment I stepped in, everything seemed to stop.

Heads turned, and people started gasping and giggling as they took in the sight of me. Here I was, the woman who should have still been rotting in prison, the wife who wasn’t supposed to exist anymore.

“Derrick!” My voice was loud and emotional as I stormed into the open part of the hall. “What the hell is this?”

The music died, and the murmurs swelled. Florida turned first, and I noticed her diamond-studded veil catching the light. She blinked in confusion for a while, and then she recognized me and smiled cruelly.

But she didn't say anything, neither did I. She wasn't the one I came to confront.

Finally, Derrick turned. His eyes widened in shock and for one split second, I saw the man I used to love in those eyes. But it was gone in a blink, replaced with an indifferent look.

“Natasha,” he said, his voice low and firm. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” I laughed bitterly. “What are you doing here, Derrick? Standing before God and man to marry another woman while I’m still alive? While I’m still your wife?”

Gasps shot across the room as cameras clicked. People were gossiping but I didn’t care.

Seeing as the situation was escalating, Derrick stepped forward, raising his palms in an attempt to calm me. “Natasha, please. Don’t do this here. We can talk—”

“Don’t even finish that sentence!” I cut him off. “How dare you? You promised you would wait for me, and now I come out to find you parading yourself with her?” I jabbed a finger toward Florida. “In front of the whole country?”

Florida’s lips curled into a smirk as she tilted her head, studying me like I was a stray dog.

“How pitiful,” she drawled, “You actually thought a man like Derrick would wait for you? After you stole from his father’s company? After you dragged his family’s name through the mud?”

“Shut your filthy mouth!” I snapped, stepping closer.

Her smirk widened. “No wonder they locked you up. You don’t even know how to act civilized. What makes you think any man would stay with a criminal like you?”

The word criminal was the spark that lit the fire in my chest. Before anyone could blink, my palm connected with her cheek. The sound of the slap cracked across the hall as everyone went silent immediately.

Florida stumbled back, clutching her face. The crowd gasped in horror and started murmuring again.

And then, I heard the voice I dreaded most. “Enough!”

Derrick’s father rose from his front-row seat, his cane striking the marble floor as his face twisted with rage.

He had always hated me. From the very first day Derrick brought me home, he looked at me like I was the dirt under his shiny black shoes.

“Natasha, you shameless woman!” he thundered. “You dare come here, to my son’s wedding, and cause this disgrace? You should have died in that prison!”

I turned to him, tears burning my eyes, but my voice was steady. “I am his wife, legally. In every way that matters, Derrick is mine.”

“Shut up!” His face turned red with fury as he jabbed his cane toward me. “Guards! Seize her! Beat her until she learns her place!”

Soldiers in black uniforms moved instantly, their faces indifferent as they reached for me. But then Derrick’s voice cut through the chaos.

“Stop!”

The soldiers froze as all eyes turned to him. Derrick’s face was hard now, with his jaw clenched.

“Don’t touch her,” he commanded. His tone left no room for argument.

My heart stuttered. For one foolish second, hope came alive in my chest. Maybe he still cared. Maybe the man I loved was still inside him somewhere.

But then his next words shattered me.

“Drag her out,” he ordered coldly. “Do not lay a hand on her. Just… drag her out.”

The soldiers obeyed. Rough hands gripped my arms as they dragged me out. I turned to look at my husband, the man who once swore he would protect me against the world.

“Derrick!” I screamed, thrashing in their grip. “Look at me! I am your wife! You cannot do this! You hear me? You cannot—”

But he didn’t flinch. He simply turned his face away as they dragged me through the hall. And I realized I was nothing to him anymore.

And as the cathedral doors slammed shut behind me, I swore one thing to myself: They would regret it.

Every single one of them.