Chapter 3
I looked at Casey, suited up and sitting in the car, and said weakly, “I’m not interested in attending the celebration. I’m sick. I need to go to the hospital now.”
As I told him this, I began to walk away, circling the car.
Casey unbuckled his seatbelt, got out, grabbed my wrist, and shoved me into the backseat.
“What do you want from me, Kelly? You used to make a fuss when I didn’t take you to company events, and now that I am, you’re pretending to be sick!”
As I struggled, I raised my hand and slapped him. “Have you forgotten what you did last night?”
Guilt flashed in Casey’s eyes, and his tone softened for once. “I was wrong to leave you behind, but it was an emergency. Saving a life comes first.”
I looked at him, a sarcastic smile forming on my pale face. “I had no idea you were working part-time as a firefighter.”
He looked flustered and stammered, “Helena is a single woman without friends or family nearby. I was just showing her some concern. Stop making baseless accusations.”
Then he added, “I’m taking you to the anniversary celebration to make it up to you. Haven’t you always wanted to show off as the boss’s wife?”
Show off?
At that moment, I realized Casey had never truly understood me.
“I don’t want to show off anymore. Not now, not ever,” I replied calmly.
Casey’s face showed a flicker of panic, but he shoved me into the car. “Enough. I don’t care if you embarrass me with how you’re dressed; just stop being difficult.”
In the end, I was dragged along to the celebration.
In the luxurious private room, everyone was dressed to perfection. I was the only one in casual clothes, looking pale and out of place. I barely recognized anyone; all the partners Casey started the company with were gone.
He’d once told me who had sold their shares and left, and I’d comforted him, saying he might work with them again someday. Looking back, I realized they must have seen Casey’s selfish, heartless nature before I did—and cut their losses early.
Helena, in a sleek black dress, approached me with a dainty smile, looking me up and down.
“You’re really thrifty, Mrs. Lewis,” she cooed. “No wonder Mr. Lewis always keeps you hidden. It must be nice having such a practical wife, someone who knows how to save and take care of the family,” she added, toying with the necklace around her neck—a designer piece worth nearly $300,000, something she couldn’t afford on her salary alone.
Her words dripped with malice, and everyone around us watched eagerly, hoping for drama between the wife and the mistress.
I smiled coolly. “Enjoy the position while it lasts.
“A man with a wandering heart belongs in the trash.”
Casey’s expression soured. “What nonsense are you spouting, Kelly?”
“Consider it nonsense if you like. I’m exhausted. I don’t have the energy to keep playing along. I’ll have the lawyer send over the divorce papers later.”
A sharp pain twisted in my abdomen, and all I wanted was to leave and get to a hospital.
Helena blocked my path, feigning concern. “Mrs. Lewis, did you misunderstand my relationship with Mr. Lewis after last night?”
She continued, “Today is the company’s anniversary celebration. If you leave now, it’ll embarrass Mr. Lewis. I’ll drink three glasses to apologize.”
She tossed back three glasses of red wine and then handed one to me.
“Please accept this, Mrs. Lewis. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
I glanced at her. “I don’t feel like drinking.”
Helena turned to Casey, looking delicate and vulnerable, her cheeks flushed and eyes teary.
Casey took the glass from her and shoved it at me. “You can handle a drink. Helena has already apologized with three glasses. Don’t make a scene.”
I stared at him coldly. “Is that what you call an apology? She’s taken my husband, and I’m supposed to accept a toast from his mistress?”
Casey’s face darkened. “I’ve told you, we’re just colleagues. Stop being paranoid and accusing people of things.
“You should accept an apology when it’s given to you!”
Suddenly, he grabbed my chin and forced the wine down my throat.
I choked as the wine spilled into my mouth, some of it dribbling down my chin, leaving me looking utterly disheveled.
Dizziness swept over me, and a sharp pain shot through my abdomen as I staggered and collapsed to the floor.
Everyone gasped.
Helena smirked. “Looks like Mr. Lewis was right—you do enjoy a bit of drama, Mrs. Lewis. Just one glass, and here you are, acting drunk!”
Casey had initially reached out to steady me but froze when he heard Helena’s remark. “She’s right! No one gets drunk off one glass. Are you pulling another stunt, Kelly?!”
Then someone suddenly cried out, “There’s blood… She’s bleeding…!”
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