Chapter 2: The Banquet

Julia’s POV

          

I froze, stunned and in disbelief.

          

“Divorce?” I asked, aghast. “How can you say that word so casually? Do you have any idea how difficult a divorce is? We have a son. Do you really want Oliver to grow up in a single-parent household? Think of the effects it would have on him.”

          

Andrew shook his head and raked his hand through his hair.

          

“Alright, forget it." He said. Then he waved his hand dismissively and told me to go and get ready.

          

I walked up to our bedroom to change my clothes. I felt an emptiness inside of me.

          

Andrew was indifferent to my love. He always had been. He’d just dropped the word divorce like it was nothing.

          

But it wasn’t nothing. It was the opposite. It was SOMETHING. A very big something.

          

A thought hit me then.

If he could talk about divorce so easily…

          

Did that mean…had he already thought about it?

          

I took my evening dress out of the closet and stared at it. It was black and plain, just an ordinary cocktail dress without any real flair or personalization.

          

I thought about how I’d always played the role of an obedient wife and mother. I lived a very disciplined life, with each day just sort of melting into the next.

          

I’d given up so much to make Andrew happy. But yet, I received so little love in return. I slumped down onto my bed and sighed, the plain black dress slung across my lap.

          

I didn’t want to go on like this anymore.

          

It was something I’d been afraid to admit to myself, but I was so incredibly unhappy. So I tossed the black dress to the floor and went back to my closet. I reached far into the back, where I’d hidden a dress years ago.

          

I’d bought it on a whim, thinking at the time that I’d wear it. But when I got home, I shoved it into the back of my closet instead.

I was afraid to wear something so vibrant.

          

I was afraid to be seen.

          

Well, not anymore.

          

I put on the red dress. It cut low in the front and hugged my curves in all the right ways. I felt wonderful in it, powerful, seductive. I slapped on some bright red lipstick and admired myself one last time before I walked downstairs.

          

At the bottom of the stairs, our maid told us that Andrew had already left for the banquet. Apparently he couldn’t wait any longer, and he’d told the maid to tell me to just meet him there.

          

My heart sank. He’d left without me?

          

And on my birthday, too.

          

I had no choice but to drive myself.

          

I walked into the venue, eager to see Andrew’s reaction to my ‘red dress’ make-over. But as soon as I stepped inside, I saw him, with Charlotte at his side.

          

She was leaning in close, whispering something in his ear. Whatever she said must have been funny, because Andrew threw his head back and laughed.

          

I’d never seen him laugh like that. Hell, I’d never even seen him smile like that.

          

My heart twisted bitterly.

          

I started walking over, with the intention of pulling Charlotte away from my husband, but before I could, the host suddenly spoke up.

          

“Honored guests,” he said, smiling. “The banquet is about to begin, so everyone could please take their seats.”

          

The lights dimmed, and I had no choice but to find a random seat in the audience.

          

The host called Andrew up to the front. He flashed a charming smile at the crowd, then he invited Charlotte up onto the stage with him.

          

I sat, stunned, as he introduced Charlotte’s company as his company’s new partner.

          

What?!

          

Andrew hadn’t told me about that. I had no idea his company and Charlotte’s were entering a business partnership.

          

My eyes grew wide as Andrew sang Charlotte’s praises. And then, to make matters even worse, the host mistook Charlotte for his wife.

          

“What a wonderful pair you two make,” the host beamed. “Partners in life and partners in business. You look perfect together. Your wife is quite the catch.”

          

Charlotte smiled, without correcting the host.

          

This was too much. I couldn’t take it anymore. If no one was going to correct the host, then I would. Just as I was about to stand up though, Andrew spoke.

          

“Charlotte is not my wife,” he said sternly to the host.

          

Andrew’s eyes scanned the room, and landed on me.

          

My heart flooded with hope. Would he invite me up on stage, too?

         

But Andrew only locked eyes with me, frowned, and then looked away.

          

I didn’t understand. Did Andrew think I wasn’t good enough to be by his side? My heart ached with sorrow and frustration.

          

I was his wife. I deserved to be standing beside him.

          

So, in a moment of bravery, that’s exactly what I did.

          

I strode onto the stage and linked my arm in Andrew’s. I grabbed the microphone and addressed the audience.

          

“I’m so sorry I was late,” I said, flashing a smile. “I’m Julia, Andrew’s wife.”

          

The audience clapped, and I heard a couple of people compliment my dress and appearance. I glanced at Andrew, looking for admiration.         

          

But his face was expressionless and cold.

          

Ten minutes later, the guests were mingling over drinks. I stood proudly beside Andrew, until he excused us and pulled me aside.

          

“Why are you dressed like that?” he asked. “Who are you trying to seduce?”

          

“Seduce?” I whispered. “Why would you say such a thing? It’s just a dress. I wanted to look nice for you.”

          

Just then, Charlotte waltzed over. She linked her arm in mine, acting like we were close.

          

“If you don’t mind, Andrew,” she said. “I’m going to steal Julia away for a bit. I’d like to catch up with my dear sister.”

          

Andrew nodded and then walked away, leaving Charlotte and I alone in the corner of the room.

          

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Charlotte hissed at me the moment Andrew was out of ear shot. She withdrew her arm from mine in disgust. “He doesn’t love you. You can dress yourself up all you want, but it doesn’t change anything. You’re pathetic and he knows it,” she mocked.

          

Charlotte’s words cut deep, but I didn’t want her to see that. So I snapped back at her.

          

“You can think whatever you want, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what you think. Because I’M his WIFE.”

          

“Not for long,” Charlotte scoffed.

          

“Stay away from me and my family,” I warned her.

          

“You’re underestimating me,” Charlotte laughed coldly.

          

I was about to respond, when suddenly, I heard the chandelier above us shake. The next moment, it came loose from the ceiling.

          

Instinctively, I pushed Charlotte out of the way to protect her. The chandelier fell to the ground with a loud crashing sound. Charlotte also fell to the ground, shards of the chandelier cutting her arm and the back of her foot.

          

The loud crash drew a crowd. Andrew rushed over. He saw me standing, and Charlotte on the ground, bleeding.

          

Charlotte didn’t miss a beat.

          

“I’m hurt,” she said, playing the victim.

          

To my horror, Andrew knelt down and scooped Charlotte up in his arms.

          

“It’s okay,” he said. “I’ll take you to the bathroom to get you cleaned up.”

          

He shot me a cold look as he walked away, Charlotte in his arms.

          

He didn’t even notice that I was also hurt. A shard of glass had landed right in my leg.

          

I was bleeding too.