Library
Search
Home / Romance / The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife / Chapter Thirty-Four: Confrontation

Share

Chapter Thirty-Four: Confrontation

Author: JohnK
last update publish date: 2026-02-21 19:47:28

Callum's POV:

I recognized Declan Hartley immediately from the photos I'd seen in business journals over the years.

He was exactly what I'd expected. He was tall, well-dressed, carrying himself with the kind of practiced confidence that came from growing up wealthy and never being told no.

But underneath that polished exterior I could see tension in his jaw, a slight flush to his face that suggested either anger or alcohol or both.

This was the man Isla had been engaged to. The man she'd refuse
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Previous Chapter Next Chapter
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and ten: Wedding Night

    Callum's POV:We returned to a private suite at Eleanor's estate rather than going back to the penthouse for our first night as a married couple. The space offered privacy and distance from potential intrusions while security maintained a perimeter outside giving us genuine solitude.I helped Isla out of the wedding dress carefully and we were both quiet and reflective. The day had been an emotional whirlwind of vows and tears and celebration and now reality was settling in around us. genuinely committed to each other forever.My hands were steady as I worked the delicate buttons and zipper but my mind was racing with thoughts and memories of what we'd just done.I thought about my wedding night with Sarah years ago, how it had been awkward and sweet with youthful inexperience and nervousness. We'd been so young and uncertain and fumbling our way through intimacy.This was different in every way, both Isla and I were older now and carrying complicated histories and scars that had

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and Nine: Married

    Isla's POV:The reception was set up in another part of Eleanor's garden with long tables arranged in a U shape so everyone could see each other and talk easily.Thirty guests wasn't many but it filled the space perfectly. We took our seats at the head table with Rosie between us and Eleanor beside her. The little girl was practically vibrating with excitement."Can I give my toast first?" she asked. "Please?""Let's let the adults go first," Callum said gently. "Then you can go."Dinner was served while soft music played. The food was excellent but I barely tasted it because I was too busy watching Callum and Rosie and our guests and feeling overwhelmed by how perfect everything was.After the main course, Richard Hayes stood up with his glass."I've known Callum for five years now and watched him build Thorne Industries into something remarkable. But more impressive than his business success is his integrity and dedication to the people he loves."He looked at me and smiled."Isla

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and Eight: The Vows

    Callum's POV:The officiant smiled at us and spoke to the gathered guests."Callum and Isla have chosen to share their own vows. Callum, please begin."I took a breath and looked at Isla's face. Tears already gathering in her eyes and she had a small smile on her lips. My voice came out steady despite the emotion threatening to overwhelm me."When we met, I was facing one of the darkest professional moments of my life. I thought I might lose everything I'd built. Everything I'd worked for since my father died and left us with nothing. I was desperate and scared and running out of options."I squeezed her hands gently."Then you appeared with information that saved my company and a proposal that seemed too convenient to be real. You were an answer to a prayer I didn't know how to voice. A solution to problems I couldn't solve alone."Some guests smiled knowingly since they understood we'd started with a contract."You saved Thorne Industries with your impossible knowledge about corpor

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and Seven: Walking Down the Aisle

    Isla's POV:I stood in the guest room at Eleanor's estate while Patricia helped me into the wedding dress.My hands shook slightly as she worked with the zipper. "You're trembling," Patricia said gently."I know. I can't help it.""That's normal. I was the same at my wedding."The dress slid into place perfectly. The alterations had been done well. It fit like it was made specifically for me.Eleanor entered with the veil. It was a simple elegant piece that completed the look without overwhelming it.She adjusted it carefully on my head, stepping back to look at me with tears in her eyes."You look beautiful," she said. "Absolutely radiant. Callum is incredibly fortunate.""Thank you for everything," I said. "For accepting me, for helping plan all of this, for –""For welcoming you into our family," Eleanor finished. "Which is exactly what you are now. My daughter in every way that matters."Patricia added my mother's bracelet to my wrist.Looking at the bracelet made me think about

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and Six: Eve of Wedding

    Isla's POV:Wednesday evening I stayed at Eleanor's estate while Callum remained at the penthouse with Rosie.Traditional separation before the ceremony felt right despite everything unconventional about our relationship.We had one last night as single people before committing forever.Eleanor made tea and we sat in the garden as evening light faded. The air was cool and peaceful, which was a stark contrast to the chaos of the past weeks."How are you feeling?" Eleanor asked."Nervous and excited. A little overwhelmed.""That's normal. I felt the same before marrying Callum's father."She was quiet for a moment, sipping her tea."Marriage is choosing each other repeatedly," she said. "The wedding is beautiful but the real commitment happens in a thousand small decisions. Choosing to stay during difficult conversations, choosing patience when you're frustrated and choosing love even during mundane moments."I listened, grateful for wisdom from someone who'd lived it."You've survived

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter One Hundred and Five: The Dress

    Isla's POV:Eleanor took me dress shopping Monday morning."Three days until the wedding," she said. "Time to find the perfect dress."Normally this would take months, try dozens of dresses, order one, wait for alterations but circumstances demanded speed.The boutique owner was a friend of Eleanor's. She'd opened early just for us, providing private appointment away from other customers and potential media.I walked into the shop feeling surreal about the whole experience.In my previous timeline, Margot had chosen my wedding dress. White, elaborate, princess-style gown that made me look like a doll being displayed. I'd hated it but had no say.This time I got to choose.The owner, Catherine, had pulled several options based on what Eleanor had described about my style.I tried on the first dress. There was too much lace and I personally thought it was too fussy.The second was better but still not right. It was too formal and too stiff.The third dress made me stop and stare at my

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter Eight: Gathering Evidence

    Isla's POV:I woke up before the sun.My eyes opened in the dark and for a moment I just lay there, staring at the ceiling and listening to the house settle around me.I heard no voices through the wall this time,just heavy silence, thick and heavy, the kind that presses down on you until you have

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-17

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter Forty-Seven: The Revelation

    Isla's POV:I arrived at the coffee shop twenty minutes early because I couldn't sit still at home any longer.The place was quiet on Saturday morning, just a few people scattered at tables with their laptops and coffee.I chose a table in the back corner where I could see the entrance and waited,

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-31

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter Forty four:The Night Before

    Callum's POV:Tomorrow was the board meeting.Tomorrow I'd either save my company or watch everything I'd built over the past decade crumble.The presentation sat on my laptop, ready to go. Every piece of evidence organized and documented.My legal team had prepared for every possible angle Gerald

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-29

  • The Rise Of The Betrayed Wife   Chapter Forty: The Competency Hearing

    Isla's POV:The courtroom was smaller than I'd expected and colder somehow, all wood paneling and fluorescent lights that made everything look harsh.I sat between Callum and Margaret at a table facing the judge's bench, my hands folded on the smooth surface in front of me.They were steady even t

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-27
More Chapters

You may also like

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status