CHAPTER 6: The Confrontation
Victoria’s POV
I couldn’t breathe.
The words on the contract blurred before my eyes, but I had read enough. My entire inheritance–the property, the funds, everything my parents had left me–was now in Ethan’s name. I clutched the document, my hands trembling, as memories came rushing back, each one more painful than the last.
It had been a year ago. Ethan had sat across from me, he had spoken to me in a reassuring tone and a coaxing smile. “It’s just a formality,” he had said. “You’re investing in our future. This will make everything smoother for the business.”
I hadn’t hesitated. I had trusted him. Completely. How could I not? I was willing to spend the rest of my life with him.
Now, that trust felt like a cruel joke. He had used my love–my blind faith–to steal everything from me.
“You-” My voice cracked, and I swallowed the lump in my throat before trying again. “You planned this. From the very beginning.”
He had never loved me, he had never cared about me, it had all been a charade and I had played his fool.
Ethan smirked, crossing his arms. There wasn’t even a hint of remorse in his eyes. Instead, there was amusement, as if my anger was nothing more than a childish tantrum.
“You’re overreacting,” he said smoothly, his voice laced with condescension. “I didn’t plan anything, Victoria. This was a business decision. You just don’t understand how these things work.”
“Don’t patronize me!” I shouted, slamming the papers onto the table. My voice echoed through the room, and I didn’t care. “You lied to me! You said you loved me, that you wanted to build a life with me. Was that a lie too?”
Ethan sighed, as though my anger was an inconvenience. “I do love you,” he said, but the words felt hollow. He was looking into my eyes and lying to my face like I was a fool. “But love doesn’t pay the bills, Victoria. You weren’t using your inheritance, and I needed it to build something real. Look around you.” He gestured to the luxurious house, the expensive furnishings. “This is what I’ve done for us.”
“For us?” I choked out, my voice trembling. “This isn’t for us, Ethan. This is for you. For your ego. For your affair!”
His eyes darkened, but he didn’t deny it. Instead, he straightened, his tone hardening. “You don’t understand the sacrifices I’ve made to get here. I’ve built an empire, Victoria. I’ve made something of myself–of us. And now you want to throw it all away over one mistake?”
Clearly, having sex with Lilly hadn’t been a one time thing. It has been apparent from their interactions. I wouldn’t be fooled.
“One mistake?” I repeated, my voice rising again. “You’ve been sleeping with Lily for months! You’ve lied to me, stolen from me, and now you expect me to stay?”
“Yes,” he replied simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Because if you leave, you’ll have nothing.”
The weight of his words crushed me. Tears blurred my vision, but I refused to let them fall. I refused to let him see how much he had broken me.
“I want a divorce,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I might as well end it all, and he might as well take a knife and plunge it into my heart because I felt dead anyway.
Ethan’s expression didn’t change. “You’re not going anywhere,” he said calmly.
‘I can’t stay here, I snapped, my voice cracking. “Not with you. Not after this.”
So he wanted me to stay here while he continued to fuck my best friend, he wanted me to stay while knowing he’d tricked me and stolen everything I had. He truly was cruel.
I turned and ran before he could say another word. My heart pounded in my chest as I fled the house, my tears finally spilling over.
The cool morning air hit me as I stumbled onto the driveway, gasping for breath. My vision was blurry, my thoughts a jumbled mess of anger, betrayal, and despair.
‘Victoria?”
The voice was soft, almost concerned, and I turned towards it. Lily stood there, dressed impeccably as always, her hair perfectly styled, a faint smile on
1/3
CHAPTER 6 The Confrontation
her lips. She held a church in one hand, her expression one of feigned innocence.
But I saw right through the facade she put on, I saw right through the innocence in her eyes, the feigned concern, I saw right through them all.
What’s wrong?” she asked, stepping classer.
I stared at her, my rage boiling over You I spurt. You have the audacity to ask me what’s wrong?”
Her brow furrowed, and she tilted her head as rugh confused. I don’t understand. Did something happen?”
Stop pretending, Lily! I screamed, my voice tremilling. I know about you and Ethan. I know everything!”
Her expression didn’t falter. If anything, a smirk curved her lips. Wittoria,” she said gently, her tone patronizing. “I think you’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting?” I repeated, my voice rising.. You’ve been sleeping with my husband! You’ve ruined my marriage!”
Lily shrugged, unfazed by my outburst. “If your marriage was strang,, I couldn’t have ruined it.”
I stared at her, stunned by her audacity. You’re disgusting,” I hit out, my vanite low and filled with venom. “You’re nothing but a selfish, manipulative—*
“Careful, Victoria, Lily interrupted, her tone turning icy. You don’t wanna say something you’ll regret.
She was threatening me now?
“Regret?” 1 laughed bitterly. “The only thing I regret is trusting you. You were supposed to be my friend!”
“Friend?” Lily repeated, raising an eyebrow. “Let’s not rewrite history. We were never fitients. You were always the spoiled little princess who inherited everything without lifting a finger, while I worked for everything I have.”
So it all boiled down to jealousy…..
Her words stung, but I refused to back down. “You’re just jealous,” I shot back.. Tendous because you’ll never have what I do.”
Lily laughed, a cold, hollow sound. “What you do? Victoria, what do you have? A husband who doesn’t love you? A life you didn’t earn? Face it–you’re nothing without Ethan.”
Her words were a slap to the face, and I staggered back, my breath hitching..
Do you even know why he loves me?” Lily continued, her voice dripping with malice. “Because I’m everything you’re not. I’m smart, driven, independent I built my jewelry brand from nothing while you’ve been playing assistant in his office, living off your parents money.
“What’s not true,” I whispered, but my voice wavered.
Oh, but it is,” Lily said, stepping closer. “Ethan doesn’t need a child who relies on others. He needs a partner. Someone who can match his ambition. Thun’s why he’ll never leave me, Victoria. Because I’m better than you in every way.”
Team streamed down my face, but I refused to let her see me break. I clenched my fists, summoning every ounce of strength I had left. You can have fm.” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “You deserve each other.”
Lily smirked, clearly unbothered by my words. “Oh, I will,” she said, her tone smug. “But you’ll regret this.. Without Etiam, will be muthing.”
I turned away, unable to bear the sight of her any longer. And even as the tears fell, I knew one thing for certain–I confiliitt stay. Nat with Rehan. Nut
with Lilly.
But where would I go?
Mi and tregimi anniset my phone and began tapping on it, I needed to call my parents‘ lawyer, I needed the divorce to start being prozessed immediate
