Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Unwanted Wife: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

Sheila's POV Ava's voice came back in, bright and smooth — though I could hear the slight tremble she tried to hide. "And that," she said with a soft laugh, blinking back what had to be tears, "was just a little teaser prepared for tonight." Polite applause broke out again, though it was thinner now — like people didn’t quite know how to react. I barely had time to process the words when suddenly — The entire venue suddenly went dark. A few gasps rippled through the crowd, some laughter. The chandeliers dimmed to nothing, and the only light that remained was a single spotlight shining down on Regan. He looked up, startled, his body tensing under the sudden attention. And then — The grand double doors at the entrance swung open. A gasp — a real, collective one — swept through the room. A grand, towering cake was being wheeled in slowly, covered in golden designs and intricate sugar flowers, sparkling under the soft moving lights. It was breathtaking, regal — fit for royalty. But

The car ride was quiet.Phoenix sat beside me, legs crossed, boots tapping softly against the carpeted floor of the limousine. I, on the other hand, couldn’t stop fidgeting. My hands rested over the wrapped box on my lap — the final gift — the ribbon trembling slightly each time the car hit a bump. My heart was racing. My breathing shallow, every inhale heavy with dread I tried to swallow down.And then I saw it.The Valmont Pavilion rose ahead of us in the distance, glowing under the night sky like it belonged in another world. Golden light spilled through the grand arched windows, music thumping faintly through the thick stone walls. Laughter echoed somewhere beyond the gates. Expensive cars lined the driveway. The kind of scene meant for fairy tales.But I didn’t feel like a princess tonight. I felt like someone walking into the last battle — dressed in red, with everything left to lose. My palms started to sweat. I rubbed them discreetly against my gown, trying not to wrinkle the

Ava's voice rang out again, light and full of excitement. “And that’s not all, everyone — we still have one more surprise before we go into the real heart of tonight’s celebration.”The lights dimmed once more.Soft instrumental music began to play as the screen at the front flickered to life again. Another video greetings — this time, not a tribute from me, but from the people in Regan’s life.Clips began rolling across the screen. Familiar faces appeared one by one — friends, cousins, business associates, a few childhood friends. Some were awkward in front of the camera, others overly enthusiastic. They told stories. They wished him well. They laughed at inside jokes.The crowd giggled. Some chuckled, others leaned in curiously. But beside me, I felt the weight shift. I turned slightly — and I didn’t have to guess. Regan was not enjoying it. His jaw was tense, his eyes fixed on the screen, unmoving. There was no amusement in his expression. No warmth. Only discomfort.“You planned

I took a breath as I reached the foot of the stage, my heels clicking softly against the polished floor, echoing louder than I wanted them to. The moment I stepped up, Ava reached out and gently pressed her hand against mine.Her eyes met mine. A knowing look. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. She just gave me a small, sad smile — the kind you give someone who’s about to do something irreversible.I nodded, not trusting my voice just yet, and turned to face the crowd.From where I stood now, I could see everyone.And I felt everything.My gaze moved across the sea of faces — elegant gowns, suits, pearls, masks of polite joy — until I saw them.Caroline.Richard.Reila.Ella.Ryan.The others.They sat stiffly at their table, suddenly not as animated as before. Their expressions flickered with something else now — shame, maybe. Or discomfort. Or just the quiet realization that their roles in all this hadn’t gone unnoticed.I held their gaze just long enough for them to know

And then—Regan moved. Bloody lip. Jaw bruised. Eyes wide and glassy. He tried to break through the security wall that held him. His chest was heaving, one hand still on the folder I gave him — the divorce papers — his other hand reaching toward me.“Anastasia—!”His voice cracked. The first time all night it sounded real.“Anastasia—! Let me talk to you—Ana—!”He tried to get past the guards, but they held him back. But I didn’t look at him. I didn’t move toward him. Because there was nothing left to say.And then—he couldn’t move forward. Because someone else stood between us now.Gregory. My father.He stepped into Regan’s path.“Don’t,” he said, low and steady. “Not another step.”Regan blinked, stunned — as if only now realizing that this war was bigger than just the two of us. That what he destroyed had tearing through bloodlines and names he’d once been honored to be part of.“I just want to talk to her—” Regan gasped, stumbling forward.But my father didn’t flinch. It was my fi