THE WIFE HE NEVER HAD, NOW HE REGRETS IT의 모든 챕터: 챕터 51 - 챕터 60

ScarlettThis couldn't even be called cheating on Marianne's part because she was just a mistress. But still, it was disgusting how she was locking lips with her dead husband's brother, who had attended this family dinner with his wife.This secret instantly became the highlight of this painfully boring family dinner. They had yet to notice me, so I hid in a corner, watching them shamelessly devour each other without a care.At times like this, I wished I had bought a new phone before attending this dinner. Note to self, Scarlett, for next time.Marianne pulled away, cheeks flushed. “I've missed you, George. We don't get to see each other as often as we used to."Those words signaled to me that this wasn't a new affair. It had history and lasted long enough to avoid getting caught.George leaned in, placing small kisses along her jaw and neck, making a soft, irritating giggle escape from Marianne's lips.“I know, and I’m sorry,” he apologized, brushing a strand of her hair behind her

Scarlett I was ninety-eight percent certain—if not a full hundred—that Adrian wouldn't bend to his grandfather's outrageous condition. We had a deal. A mutually beneficial contract that served both of us. It would be stupid to put our marriage on the line and risk both of us achieving our purpose, so I wasn't expecting Adrian's response to completely catch me off guard.“You have a deal,” he said. I tried not to look surprised as Adrian's grandfather resumed eating as though he hadn't just gambled on my future because he believed I wasn't worth being in their family. The rest of the family followed suit, but I couldn't, as I had lost my appetite.“By the way, Scarlett. What was the name of the doctor you wanted to introduce me to?” Halsey asked, once again reminding me of my plan. Proceeding along with it was much better than watching this dysfunctional family tear themselves to pieces.I smiled. “Her name is Aurelia Storm.” George's face hardened as though I was trying to sneak

AdrianI sat alone in the private lounge of Pearl's Crown, the club I built from scratch with my own money while slow jazz drifted through the speakers in every corner.Taking another sip of whiskey, I rolled my head back. This was exactly how I liked my Saturday mornings until three soft knocks interrupted the silence.Grabbing the remote, I hit pause as the music instantly stopped.“Come in.”Daniel strolled in, carrying his usual tablet, and halted two steps away from me. He knew better than to waste my time, so he delivered his report immediately.“Your suspicions were correct, sir. The new drug failed its clinical trial this morning. A researcher involved in the project attempted to sabotage the trial,” Daniel said.I drummed my fingers against the couch's armrest. “I'm guessing that the researcher was Aurelia Storm?”He nodded. “Yes, sir.”The corners of my mouth lifted faintly. I knew the old man wouldn't be able to resist manipulating an easy researcher from inside the company

Scarlett I stood, frozen at Adrian's words. Such simple words yet they sounded heavy. For the first time since I met him, Adrian didn't look like an untouchable man. Rather, he looked worn out, like a person who had been carrying heavy burdens for so long that they forgot how it felt to put them down.My fingers hesitated in the air before settling against his back.“Everything is going to be okay. Do you want to go inside and talk about it?” I asked.Those words left a bitter taste in my mouth, like expired medicine dissolving on my tongue. The old Scarlett would have spoken them without hesitation, wrapped her arms around him, and offered pieces of herself that had been poisoned and killed by the man she loved.Ethan made sure of that. Compassion was nothing other than a weakness I couldn't afford, yet somehow, my hands remained on Adrian's back.He exhaled. “In a minute.”Without another word, Adrian stepped back, turned, and headed toward the private lounge at the back of Pearl's

Scarlett “Y-You look—“Adrian's phone rang, cutting him off. His jaw tightened as he glanced at the screen. “I have to take this.““Sure. No problem.“I watched him retreat down the hallway before turning back to the fitting room mirror and admiring my reflection. The woman staring back at me looked nothing like the old Scarlett from my previous life.In this lifetime, I never imagined I would be wearing a wedding gown. Ethan and I were never truly married, so we had skipped all procedures that could tie us together because, at that time, he had convinced me it was unnecessary.Now, I knew better: a man planning to discard you doesn't bother chaining you down with vows.“Do you like it?“ Nancy asked, her voice interrupting my thoughts.I met her gaze through the mirror. “I love it.“She let out a huge sigh of relief. “I'm glad to hear that. Should I help you unzip the dress?“I nodded. “Please.“A few minutes later, I stepped out of the fitting room in my original outfit and nearly b