The One Percent Wife

"Regan’s wife."

The words followed Livienne Cross through the ballroom like a stain that wouldn't wash away.

She did not stop. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as dozens of rich guests turned to look at her.

Some smiled, and some whispered. Some others didn't bother lowering their voices.

"That's Regan Cross's wife."

"Is it true that she got the fibroids?"

"Yeah. Apparently, the doctors told her pregnancy would be difficult."

"Then why hasn't he divorced her?"

“She’s pretty as a gazelle, though.”

“Pretty doesn’t make an heir. Even though she’s got the looks of a gazelle, who would want to catch STDs.”

“Eww. I would be really surprised if Regan doesn’t divorce her soon.”

A few people laughed.

Livienne’s fingers tightened around the stem of her champagne glass. “Did Regan’s parents spread the news about my condition?” She bit her lower lip. “How could they?”

As more laughter stung her soul, she kept walking, her eyes not stopping at anybody as there wasn’t a single ally around.

She simply pretended she couldn't hear.

One person from the crowd walked over to her. “You are… I think I have seen you before somewhere.”

Livienne looked at that young man. He was Harry Wellington, a slim guy with a pompadour hairstyle. “I’m Regan’s wife.”

She ignored him and reached the windows overlooking the city. Below, millions of lights glittered but none of that brightness touched her heart now.

Tonight was supposed to celebrate Regan Cross's thirty-first birthday. The guest list contained some of the most powerful families in the country. From big-time politicians to trending celebrities, all kinds of famous names were present in the hall.

Nobody came to greet her, but everyone called her Regan’s wife.

She looked down at her champagne.

The words her mother-in-law had told her just minutes ago flashed in her mind.

“You suffered a miscarriage once, and then you couldn’t get pregnant afterward. Now, you’ve got disgusting growths on your uterus wall. Even the surgeries did not work out. If you really love my son, then it’s time you let him go.” She put divorce papers in Livienne’s hand. “Then he’ll marry his childhood sweetheart.”

Back to the present, Livienne heard the chatter growing. She turned and looked across the ballroom.

Regan stood beneath the enormous crystal chandelier, surrounded by businessmen.

He was tall and immaculately dressed. With one hand in the pocket, and the other holding a glass of whiskey, he was conversing with eight people until a particular woman in a silver gown stepped beside him.

This was Selena Diore.

She spoke with the guests while standing next to Regan. The room seemed to lean toward them.

They were smiling and laughing together.

Livienne’s chest hurt.

It wasn’t because Selena was beautiful, or because she was Damian's childhood sweetheart.

It hurt because Livienne had fallen in love with a man who wouldn’t look at her the way he would look at Selena.

Regan’s mother, Evelyn, approached her with a smile.

Evelyn Cross was elegant at sixty, dressed in black diamonds and a gown that easily cost more than an average house.

Her eyes traveled all over Livienne who wasn’t wearing any shiny dress. Smiling, she leaned closer. "The Wellingtons are here."

"I know."

"The Harringtons too."

"I’ve seen ‘em."

"They all brought their children."

Livienne’s hand tightened around the champagne glass, and her gaze sharpened.

“This is the right time,” Evelyn said. “Go forth and hand over the divorce papers to my son.”

Livienne frowned.

"You should stop pretending love is enough," Evelyn said in a low voice while smiling at the crowd. “After divorce, you will be given an apartment and a million dollars in savings. You can find a new life with some other man of your stature. Don’t delay.” Saying that, she walked away and continued to chat with other guests.

It was both amazing and unnerving to see how easily she could put on a fake smile that did not seem fake at all.

Across the room, Regan turned to look in Livienne’s direction.

Their eyes finally met.

For one second, Livienne thought he might come over.

But he didn't.

Livienne felt something inside her cracking.

She put the champagne glass on the windowsill and walked away.

She had prepared a gift for Regan—something that would significantly change his life.

But now, she was in two minds.

“Should I give him the gift, or the divorce papers?”

As she went up the stairs, her phone vibrated. It was an unknown number calling.

She hesitantly answered.

“You still haven't told your husband who you really are, have you,  Young Lady?” a familiar but distant voice came from the other side. “You don’t have to be in a place where they don’t value you. Please come back home. Don’t you want to see Master Penn?”

She quickly ended the call.

Frowning, Livienne looked down toward Regan. He was laughing at something Selena had said, and his hand was on her shoulder. Selena’s hand was soon touching his bum.

Livienne watched them for several seconds.

The pain in her chest slowly disappeared, and something colder took its place.