Semua Bab The Price of His Betrayal: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Clyde's arms encircled me as soon as the words left me. With a shaky voice, he pleaded, "You don't mean that, Anya. I promise there's an explanation. Let's go home, and I'll explain everything."Bystanders started to glance at us with interest. I gave in, not wanting to become the center of attention online.When we returned home, I sat stone-faced on the sofa and waited for his explanation.He hesitated momentarily before crouching at my feet and looking up at me.He had humbled himself.I felt a bitter taste in my mouth.He had always been a proud man and rarely showed me his vulnerable side.He only allowed himself to be vulnerable once after learning I sold the property I inherited from my parents to bridge his financing gap.Like he did today, he crouched at my feet, looking at me with guilt and helplessness in his eyes.At that time, his expression pained me at first glance. I didn't have the heart to watch him swallow his pride.But today, I just found him fake and p

I couldn't remember how I felt back then.I was disappointed, for sure. Still, I told myself it was pointless to dwell on it. After all, it was no big deal.His refusal to compromise on that matter didn't change anything between us, but the sight of the matching mugs on the dining table now pierced my heart like a knife.The truth was, he could compromise for the right person, and that person wasn't me.I staggered to the bedroom to find an elegant, ornate king bed.The woman drawled, "Clyde had the bed custom-designed, saying the color complemented my complexion. He would pounce on me after I bathed and waited for him on the bed, every time. Oh, by the way. That time, I was wearing my black lingerie when he got me pregnant. He loves it when I wear them. Can you even get him aroused?"Her words were a wrenching punch to my gut.I could almost imagine Clyde holding her and being intimate with her on the same king bed on many nights without my knowledge.I took a deep breath to n

"So what you're saying is… You really cheated on me for three years?"I zeroed in on the heart of it, sharp and fast like a blade.Clyde paused for a second, then gave a reluctant nod."But Anya, please, trust me. I've only ever loved you. From the start, it's always been you. I never meant to betray our marriage…"A wave of nausea slammed into my throat so hard it stole my breath. I tried to swallow it down, but in the end, I couldn't. I bolted for the bathroom and threw up until the world tilted sideways.Clyde came in after me. His face was clouded, unreadable, but he crouched down beside me anyway. Gently, he pulled my hair back and rubbed my back in slow, careful circles like he used to—like it still meant something.Clyde couldn't hold his liquor well. Back when he was clawing his way up, landing clients and deals, it was always me at the table, drinking with wolves in suits and snakes in ties.Every time I drank too much and ended up puking—hugging the toilet, half-consci

All the project managers in the room had once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Clyde and me. We had weathered late nights and high-stakes decisions together. So when I stepped into the conference room, their faces lit up with genuine surprise and warmth.They immediately gathered around, firing off questions, eager to know why I was back.I smiled and made the announcement with calm authority."Mr. Sherwood has some personal matters to deal with at the moment, so I'll be temporarily stepping in as acting chairwoman."The moment the words left my mouth, the room erupted into spontaneous applause.As I looked around at those familiar faces, memories came rushing back—nights spent huddled over drafts, rewriting proposals until dawn, chasing deadlines with nothing but caffeine and grit to keep us going. My eyes stung with the threat of tears.Yes, this was where I belonged.I was never meant to be a woman kept behind closed doors, tucked away as someone's doting housewife. I belonged

The scene devolved into utter chaos. Cameras flashed, voices clashed, and in the middle of it all, I stood quietly at the back, watching Clyde unravel.Under the relentless glare of the spotlight, no emotion could hide. The panic written across his face was laid bare for the world to see.The hashtag 'Clyde Sherwood Exposed: Cheating Scandal Shatters "Devoted Husband" Image' shot straight to the top of the list of trending topics.Since I hadn't said a word during the entire chaos, the internet filled in the blanks. To them, I became the picture of a devastated wife who was too heartbroken and shocked to speak.Meanwhile, the PR accounts I had paid off began digging up stories from the early days—how Clyde and I built Sherwood Holdings from the ground up, side by side.Public opinion flipped like a coin tossed in a storm, and it landed on my side.Clyde's affair sent the company's stock into a free fall. Sherwood Holdings was now teetering on the edge of collapse.Investors stor