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"If it isn't the gorgeous Miss Ashcroft. You look ravishing"

"I clean up well. Don't I?"

"Is your husband not giving you enough compliments? Is that why you're fishing for them from me, of all people?"

"Asshole" Gideon muttered under his breath.

"Cut it out" Thalia chastised at the same time but she was smiling. And because of her smile, fucking Tanner Hale thought he'd won that round. "I thought you said it was a small gathering"

"Give me a break, Tee. It's my birthday. I can do whatever I want. You're free to make it a small gathering when it's your turn, Miss Ashcroft"

Gideon refrained from rolling his eyes. She'd been Mrs Thane for more than fifteen years but some people refused to accept defeat. What a loser. Was it a wonder no woman wanted to tie themselves to him?

"Thank you but we can't stay long. I have an early morning tomorrow"

"Still on the Winslow case? How is it coming along?"

"It's a headache but I have it covered"

"I've never doubted your abilities to kick ass in court. Which reminds me, I wanted to ask your opinion about another angle we could approach regarding the Parisi case" While Hale was speaking, he expertly maneuvered Thalia so that her back was to Gideon. Cutting him out of the conversation.

Just like that, she forgot about his presence and was immersed in another case. Never mind that Hale hadn't bothered to acknowledge him. Every chance the bastard got, he made it a point to show Gideon why he and Thalia didn't deserve to be together. And why he, Tanner Hale, millionaire, lawyer, and childhood best friend was the man who should have married the great Thalia Ashcroft. By referring to her as Miss Ashcroft, he was in no subtle way telling him that he'd never accept their marriage.

Five years of dating and eighteen years of being married and the fucker couldn't accept he'd lost. Scoffing, Gideon grabbed a glass from a passing waiter, took a small sip, and almost spit it out. He hated that shit. Only rich snobs like Hale could stand drinking champagne and sparkling water. If they weren't surrounded by potential clients, Gideon would have spat the drink at the back of the asshole's head.

He looked around and when he caught the eye of another waiter, called him over. Discreetly asking for a scotch. He'd bet his fortune that Hale had ordered them to only serve champagne and wine because the asshole knew how much he detested them. There was a reason he didn't like attending such events with Thalia.

Thanks to his wife, he'd mingled with the elite society for years but no matter how hard he tried, he never quite belonged. It was as if they automatically knew he wasn't one of them and proceeded to snob him. That and Hale's smug face were enough for him to sit out similar events. But he'd been free and Thalia had begged him to go with her. He couldn't refuse her.

Gideon raked his gaze over his wife's body. Even at forty-two, she was still stunning. The emerald green dress she wore was form-fitting with glittering embellishments. It hugged her body, down to the knees before flaring out gracefully. The best part was that it matched her eyes. With smooth creamy skin and black voluminous hair, she looked like a goddess. Then again, she could wear a sack and make it look like couture. He knew how many men envied him and wanted to be in his position.

Thalia came from a rich family. Her father had owned one of the biggest law firms in the country which she had inherited. Her grandfather had been the vice president and even though he passed away when she was young, the name Ashcroft still held some power in that country.

Over the years, he'd made some achievements. He was a well-known plastic surgeon in and outside the country. He was the go-to doctor for the rich and famous. But no matter how hard he worked, his wife would always overshadow him.

People approached him mainly because he was married to an Ashcroft. Hell, without her he would probably be struggling to get clients. He was a damn good doctor but he knew he owed his success to her. And a small part of him hated that. Another small part hated her relationship with Tanner Hale. Everyone agreed they were perfect together yet she'd chosen to marry him, a nobody. Subjecting him to gossip among their little circle.

More than once he'd heard people ask why she hadn't married Hale and what she saw in him. At first, he didn't care but over the years, enough people had asked the same question that even he himself started wondering the same thing. Had she married him so she could humiliate him? Another small part hated that everyone knew she was the reason behind his success.

Every time he introduced himself, people would ask which family he was from. "Thane? I don't think I know of any Thanes" and he'd be forced to say "My wife is Thalia Ashcroft" because without her name backing him, he was a no one. And that was how the small parts had slowly merged into a big part.

Some days, Gideon struggled to remember if he'd ever loved her. Had he married her out of love or gratitude? She'd paid for his mother's hospital bills and put him through med school. Of course, he made sure to pay her back every penny. Even the capital she'd lent him so he could start his practice. He had worked hard and paid her back everything together with the interest.

But he still couldn't erase the fact that he wouldn't be where he was without her.

Even their kids knew that. And he hated how she made him feel like a nobody. Gideon looked at his watch, noting that they'd been there for less than thirty minutes and he already felt suffocated. People walked by him as if he was invincible. They spoke to Thalia and Hale but ignored him. Because he wasn't important. His phone pinged with a message.

Patient Lia: How is it? Are you having any fun?

Gideon: I fucking hate it. Send me a picture of what you're wearing.

Patient Lia: What is she wearing?

Gideon: Some expensive gown that costs more than your car. I'll buy you a similar one if you want.

Patient Lia: Sent an attachment.

Gideon opened the message and hid a smile behind his glass. She was in the lingerie he'd bought for her. A black set of crotchless panties and a bra. Her body was a work of art. And he loved that it was untouched. She hadn't gotten any work done. Her full breasts and curvy hips were enough to drive any man crazy.

Compared to his wife who was on the lean side, he much preferred his lover. It didn't help that Thalia had lost a lot of weight because she was busy with a high-profile case. She barely ate and as a result, she was starting to look sickly. One would think that their family would be doomed if she left the law firm. When the truth was he could easily support their lifestyle with his income. He wasn't the same poor boy who had relied on her to get through school. But she'd never give him the chance to show her or anyone that.

From his peripheral vision, he spotted Thalia walking toward him.

Luckily, Hale had put some distance between them so he had enough time to close the message and open his emails before she got to where he was.

"Are you bored?" She asked pulling his wrist closer so she could take a sip of his drink. "I'm sorry. I got caught up in work again"

"Are you guys done? Can we leave?"

"Come on, we just got here"

Did she think she was the only one who had an early morning?

"I deserve praise for lasting an hour without complaining" She smiled and kissed him on the lips.

"Ha ha. It hasn't been that long. Besides, we can't go back so soon. Give your kids time to sneak out and be normal teenagers"

"If Cam brings home a kid you're raising it on your own"

She gasped "What do you mean? I thought you already had the talk with him?"

"When has he ever listened to me?"

"That's it. I'm buying him a pack of condoms first thing tomorrow morning"

"I would like to be there when you have that conversation with him" Cameron was seventeen and undoubtedly his son but Gideon couldn't even get him to be in his presence for more than a minute. Why the kid despised him was beyond him.

"Oh, you're definitely going to be there. Can you imagine how embarrassed he'll be?" As Thalia spoke, she wrapped an arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder. In that position, he could tell how frail she'd gotten and for a few minutes, he wanted to protect her. To make her happy. When they were like that, it felt as if it was just them against the world. Like maybe their marriage wasn't as bad as he thought. They could fix it. But all too soon the bubble was broken by one of the guests.

"Thane, apologies for cutting in but I need to borrow your wife for a few minutes" The man turned to Thalia smiling, and held out a dollar "Hale says you might have a solution for my predicament"

"For a dollar? This better be about the neighbor's cat getting yours pregnant or something along those lines"

"You're free to add the number of zeros in front of it"

"Now we're talking" Thalia took the money, asked him to excuse them, and pulled the man to a corner for privacy.

Annoyed, Gideon scanned the ballroom until his gaze landed on Hale. They glared at each other, the evil smirk on Hale's lips confirming that he'd sent the man to Thalia to ruin their moment. Because he couldn't stand seeing them happy.

He placed the empty glass on the table and went to the restroom. Where he washed his hands and took a moment to calm down. He'd learned from experience that falling into Hale's traps would do him no good. In the end, he came off as an uneducated brute while the bastard got off scot-free. Once his emotions were under control, he left the bathroom only to bump into someone.

"I'm sorr- Natalia?"

"Hey sexy" she purred taking a step toward him. He moved back to avoid her.

"Have you lost your mind? Why are you here?"

"You haven't told me how beautiful I look"

His eyes dropped down her body. Her dress was red and clung to her curves sinfully. It was also the same exact dress Thalia was wearing. The one he said he'd buy for her a few minutes ago. Because he thought she was at home. Not at the same party he'd attended with his wife. How had she gotten there?

Gideon froze. Had Hale found out he was having an affair with Natalia and invited her so he could out them in front of everyone?

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