All Chapters of I Smelled His Betrayal: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

"I've regretted it for three years."He said it calmly in front of the entire arrivals hall.I stepped back, unable to believe this was the man who had confronted my unfaithful father for me three years ago.On our wedding night, he had handed me access to his bank account and sworn before my mother's memorial photograph.He had promised to love and protect me for the rest of his life.Celeste looped her arm through Damien's and lowered her lashes, the faintest smile touching her lips.I had seen that smile countless times in the old photographs of her that Damien still kept."Sir?"An airport security officer jogged over, slightly out of breath."A traveler reported that someone was causing a disturbance and blocking luggage. What's happening here?"Damien immediately pointed at me."My wife. She's emotionally unstable. She saw me speaking to a friend at the airport and lost control.""Ma'am, you cannot interfere with other travelers."I forced down the pain in my chest,

Celeste's suitcase lay fully open on the polished tile floor.Inside were only a few ordinary changes of clothes.Several boxes of luxury cosmetics and a thick stack of handwritten notes were scattered in one corner.The surrounding crowd burst into laughter."That's it? So much for a biosecurity emergency. She really is sick in the head.""What a performance. It's obviously normal luggage, but she had to frame someone.""She's vicious. A jealous woman like that belongs in custody."Desperate to end the scene and leave with Celeste, Damien turned and shouted at airport security."Ignore her. Just arrest her."My wife has something wrong with her mind. Mental illness runs in her family."He pointed at his temple, disgust written across his face.The words drove into my heart like a rusted, blunt knife.When my father betrayed my mother years ago, he had also publicly claimed she was mentally ill.He pushed her so deep into despair that she jumped from an eighteenth-floor ba

"I want the divorce completed as soon as possible. I don't want one more day of connection to him."Owen nodded and called an attorney at a firm that worked with his agency. He didn't ask a single unnecessary question and gave me exactly the space I needed.Not long afterward, someone tapped lightly on the hospital-room door. A nurse rolled in a meal tray with warm oatmeal and applesauce."The doctor says you should have only soft food for now. The kitchen made this especially for you, so please eat while it's warm."A few minutes after the nurse left, Damien knocked frantically. Without waiting for an answer, he pushed open the door and rushed in, exhaustion and regret plain on his face.He hurried to the bed and reached for my hand."Nora, I was wrong. I lost my head that day. Please forgive me."I instinctively shifted away from him."Damien, I want a divorce. My attorney is preparing the papers. I don't want anything from the house. I only need your signature."Damien star

He stopped, looked back, and smiled, faint dimples appearing at the corners of his mouth."You're a specially appointed consultant to our agency. Without you, the consequences would have been unthinkable. We're the ones who owe you thanks."He paused and added:"Don't be formal with me. Treat this place as your own home."I watched his tall figure move away. A thousand words caught in my throat and became only a quiet, "All right."The days that followed were unusually peaceful. The housekeeper arrived on time every day, cooking, cleaning, and finding new ways to prepare nourishing meals.I walked the garden path, sat in the sun, and read. The injuries on my body slowly healed, and the wounds inside me began to scar over.Every few days, Owen brought groceries and asked how I was feeling. He never stayed longer than half an hour or crossed a boundary, yet he always appeared when I truly needed him.I once mentioned that the porch swing was broken. The next day, he arrived with