5

“Sweetheart?” I deliberately raise my voice so the people around us begin turning their heads.

I walk over to Paul and Monica, whose faces look tense. I flash them a wide smile.

“Didn't you say you were supposed to be out of town for a meeting today?” I ask.

Paul’s face instantly turns bright red. “The meeting got moved because the client is attending this gala.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Then what are you doing here? You said you were swamped with work, and look at you... wandering around at a party. You're acting really strange, Kate.” Paul’s voice begins to sound unpleasant.

Suddenly, he steps forward. The panic on his face gives way to forced authority. He grabs my arm roughly until his nails dig into my skin.

“Do you even know whose party this is?” Paul hisses.

I look at Paul coldly. “Benedict Ashworth. I got an invitation, Paul.”

“And you actually showed up without even telling me?”

Suddenly, Monica tries to intervene, sporting a fake saintly expression. She grabs Paul’s arm, which is holding me.

“Oh my God, Paul. Let her go. What is wrong with you?” Monica hisses.

Paul looks at Monica with a blazing glare. “My wife even knows whose party this is!”

“Don’t make a scene. You’re embarrassing all of us.”

Monica lets out a soft sigh. This time, Monica looks at me with disappointment.

“Kate, what’s gotten into you? It’s your anniversary. You and Paul shouldn’t be fighting like this.”

Without warning, Paul pulls my arm even harder, ignoring Monica’s words. Paul tries to drag me away, pulling me toward the exit.

“You’re making a fool out of me! Go home. Right now!” Paul says into my ear, his voice full of threats.

“Let go of me! You’re hurting me!”

I try to pull myself free from my husband’s grip, which keeps getting more painful. Behind us, I can hear the clicking of Monica’s heels as she follows us. When I turn my head, Monica is wearing a look of concern and panic.

“Are you trying to embarrass me, Kate?” Paul asks.

I shake my head quickly. “What are you talking about? I was invited. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with coming.”

“You should’ve asked me first! You’re my wife, and you should listen to me!”

“Don’t treat me like this! Let go!”

I almost fall because Paul pulls me even harder, when suddenly someone catches me from behind. Paul releases his grip and looks alarmed.

“Didn't you hear her? She told you to let her go.”

That low, calm voice carries an authority that makes Paul stop immediately. When I turn my head, I see Benedict holding my waist.

Paul turns toward him. “Stay out of this, Ashworth! And take your hands off her!”

Once again, Paul immediately grabs my arm, causing Benedict to release his hold.

Benedict’s eyes turn sharp and cold. “Here, no man is allowed to treat a woman roughly. Especially since Kaitlyn is my honored guest.”

Benedict’s gaze looks openly dismissive this time.

“Oh, my God! So you two are close now?” Paul looks back and forth between Benedict and me. “Since when?”

“I just saw your wife again today after years.” Benedict glances at me briefly. “I sent that invitation last week. Aren’t we from the same alma mater, Mr. Goldman?”

“Do you even realize who you invited? That’s my wife!” Paul snaps.

Benedict gives a faint smile. That calm attitude of his actually gives me chills. Then Benedict steps closer to Paul until they are standing face-to-face.

“If Kate is your wife, then why did you show up here with another woman?” Benedict lowers his voice, but it is still clear enough for me to hear. “While your own wife didn’t even know you were here.”

“Don’t try to provoke me, alright? Stay out of business that isn’t yours!”

“This is my event, Mr. Goldman. You’re the one causing a scene here.”

Then Benedict’s security guards begin surrounding the area.

At that moment, Paul looks furious, and his jaw tightens. Because in front of all the socialites and reporters, my husband is the one making a scene and embarrassing himself.

“We’re going home right now, Kate! Now!” Paul snaps at me.

I give Benedict a polite nod. “I’d better go. Thank you for the invitation.”

Immediately, I follow Paul, while Monica walks beside me with a panicked and frightened expression. None of us says anything until we are outside the building.

“Just take a taxi home, Monica. I’ll call you later!” Paul says impatiently.

For a brief moment, I see anger flash across Monica’s face before she quickly returns to pretending she cares. Monica looks at me anxiously.

“Call me later, okay?” Monica whispers. “Be nice to Paul.”

I nod. “Thanks, Monica.”

After Monica leaves to find a taxi, I follow Paul to the car.

The moment I get inside, I can smell Monica’s perfume filling the space. I don’t even want to imagine what Paul and Monica have been doing behind my back all this time.

Now I know they have been having an affair since before I married Paul. Monica willingly lets me marry Paul because my brain is an asset.

Paul drives like a madman, cursing and swearing the entire way. I remain silent, shutting my ears to it all. Even though my heart is beating faster, anxiety is slowly creeping in.

The moment we step into the house, I hurry to the bedroom ahead of Paul. I place my phone on the vanity table and lean it against a perfume bottle. And quickly turn on the camera.

Bang!

Paul follows me into the bedroom, his eyes glaring at me. He walks toward me as if he is ready to hunt me down.

“Did you do this on purpose? Just to embarrass me in front of everyone?” Paul snaps.

“For God’s sake, I was invited. I didn’t even know you were going to be there!”

“So if I hadn’t been there, were you planning to sleep with Benedict?”

I frown. “What? I was just accepting his invitation. I don’t even know him!”

“Then why did you show up looking like that? Were you trying to seduce Benedict Ashworth?”

“Paul, Monica was wearing a pretty revealing dress, too. What’s the problem with that?” I look straight at him. “Was Monica trying to seduce you, too?”

“Monica is my assistant, and she’s your best friend! Have you lost your mind? Are you really trying to blame Monica for this?”

“I’m just saying my being there was completely professional! Just like your relationship with Monica, right?”

Images of Paul and Monica being intimate at different times flash through my memory. I can’t hold back that pain.

“Or maybe there’s nothing professional about the two of you at all?” I hiss.

Paul’s eyes widen. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Admit it! You two have an affair behind my back!"

Slap!

The slap lands with full force on my left cheek. My head jerks sharply to the side until strands of hair fall across my face.

A burning heat spreads instantly. Followed by a painful throbbing that beats in rhythm with my racing heart.

“You fucking bitch, Kate!”