Todos os capítulos de THE BILLIONAIRE'S FORGOTTEN WIFE: My Husband's Redemption: Capítulo 81 - Capítulo 90

BETTYI am sitting curled up on the patio attached to the guest house, my legs tucked beneath me and wrapped in a soft blanket that barely keeps the evening chill at bay.A mug that was supposed to have hot chocolate is resting between my hands as I stare toward the main house, glowing in the distance.I had walked into the kitchen fully intending to make it, craving something warm and harmless that would give my mouth something to do while the night unfolded without me, but somewhere between reaching for the kettle and opening the cabinet, my attention drifted toward the small bar tucked beside the dining table.The wine bottle felt easier. Safer.I don’t say it out loud, but I know why I chose it. Getting through tonight requires a little courage.Soft yellow fairy lights line the edge of the patio railing, their glow gentle enough to feel comforting rather than festive, and beyond them, the lawn stretches into darkness before opening toward the estate where headlights sweep across

NATHANIELI am halfway through a conversation with my two university friends, whom I haven’t seen in years, when the sound of glass tapping sharply against glass cuts through the room, and every conversation dies at once.I turn, irritated, wondering what the hell is happening now, only to find Amanda standing on a small podium I somehow failed to notice all evening, her posture perfectly composed as her gaze sweeps across the room with unmistakable satisfaction.“Hello, everyone,” she begins brightly. “Nathaniel and I want to thank you all for coming today.”Her hand gestures toward me, and dozens of glasses lift in my direction, making eye contact.Fuck. I hate being the center of attention, and she knows that better than anyone.“As you all know,” she continues smoothly, “we have an announcement, and we won’t beat around the bush.”I swallow hard before taking another sip of what must be my eighth glass of champagne tonight, the cold liquid doing very little to dull the unease sett

NATHANIELChris chuckles beside me. “Don’t mind him. He’s had a few too many.”Daphne nods in agreement.I take the second shot, and this time I fail entirely at hiding the burn, which earns laughter from all of them. I should have probably just stayed home.“Anyway,” Chris says, settling back, “it’s been way too long. How have you been?”I lean back in my seat, letting my arm fall lazily over the armrest. How have I been? Where do I even begin?“I’ve been great,” I answer instead. “You? I heard you took over your father’s mines.”He hesitates briefly before a proud smirk spreads across his face.“Yeah,” he pauses. “Expanded operations into lithium extraction last year. Transitioned half the workforce toward rare-earth processing contracts. Electric vehicle demand is ridiculous right now — investors practically lined up at my door.”“That’s impressive,” I admit, nodding.“And the family?” I ask next, because that’s what you ask when you haven’t seen your married friends in years. “Your

NATHANIELI came straight into the office because I cannot bring myself to return to the estate. The thought of walking through those gates and seeing the remnants of last night made something inside my chest tighten unpleasantly.I would rather suffocate myself in paperwork.I am still wearing yesterday’s clothes, the same wrinkled shirt and suit trousers that smell faintly of whiskey and rain. My breath reeks of alcohol that refuses to leave, no matter how many cups of stale office coffee I have already forced down my throat.I sink into the leather chair behind my desk and cup my face with both hands before leaning forward until my forehead presses against the cool wood surface.Silence fills the room before the voices return. Chris’s and Archie’s. Their words replaying in my head like a broken record.“You were already gone for her. You barely paid attention to anyone else at the bachelor party. I wasn’t even surprised when you didn’t marry Amanda.”I shake my head hard enough tha

NATHANIELFrom my conversation with Betty, it was painfully clear that she had no idea what I was talking about.She tried to mask it, of course, because lately she tends to cover confusion with irritation or sarcasm, but the uncertainty in her eyes always betrays her.I saw her search her memory when I asked the question, and her quick response made it clear. She doesn’t remember either. Which means the truth still sits somewhere between what happened at that club and the moment we woke up in that hotel room.I am about to step inside the house when the image returns uninvited and far too vividly.The black dress clinging to her body like it had been made specifically for her. The way the fabric dipped just enough to reveal the curve of her chest without actually exposing anything inappropriate.And that lipstick. I let out a slow breath through my nose because I do not even have the words to describe the way she looked standing there.Beautiful feels like an insultingly inadequate