Chapter 8%
“What nonsense are you spewing in front of Chairwoman Hathaway?*%
President Dalton’s voice rang out sharp and commanding. He turned coldly toward Paul. “Paul, you’ve really got guts. You don’t even recognize your own wife?“&
Paul’s face turned deathly pale, his legs giving way beneath him.&
Gasps rippled through the crowd.§
I didn’t reach for the folder.
Instead, I slowly took off my sunglasses and peeled away the mask, followed by my sun–protection jacket.
The rash still stained my skin, but my face was more than enough for everyone to see the truth.
“Brie… Brie Hathaway!”
Paul stumbled back two full steps, nearly knocking the stunned twins off their feet.
Dakota stood frozen, her eyes wide with disbelief.}
“Who is she?! Who the hell is she?!“}
“Dakota, you’re a mistress. And you’re asking the wife who she is? Do you even hear yourself?“}
Paul instinctively tried to deny it.”
“No, honey, it’s not what it looks like! I was just… invited to act as backup. There’s nothing between me and Dakota!“}]
“Oh really? Still lying, Paul? Even with your back against the wall?”
I calmly took the document folder, pulled out a stack of glossy photos, and tossed them onto the ground.
Each one captured Paul and Dakota smiling, vacationing, and playing house with the twins.
The earliest photo? Three years ago, when I was bedridden, fighting for our daughter’s life.§
“Explain this.”
A pointed at the photo of their so–called “happy family of four.”
“While I was stuck on bed rest for our daughter, you certainly kept yourself busy.“}
Paul’s lips trembled, but no words came out.
“No rush. Everyone in Jacksonville will know exactly what you’ve done, very soon.”
Just then, a teacher nearby raised her voice. “Margot’s mom, we recorded the whole thing!”
Realizing things had spiraled beyond control, Dakota lunged at me, her nails outstretched.}
“You bitch! You set us up!“}
President Dalton stepped between us, blocking her effortlessly with one arm. His voice was low and commanding.
“Ms. Stewart, I advise you to watch your language. The woman before you is Chairwoman Brie of the Hathaway Group, the very person you so proudly claimed your husband to be wealthier than.“}
“That’s impossible!“}
Dakota shrieked hysterically. “The richest one in Jacksonville is obviously my Paul!”
I let out a cold laugh.}
“Every company under Paul’s name? I’m the majority shareholder.”
“Every designer item he ever bought for you? Paid with my secondary card.”
“So yes, I have the right to take back every last one of them, and if I wish, I can send you straight to prison.”
With a heavy thud, Paul dropped to his knees.}
“Honey, no, Chairwoman Hathaway!“}
He scrambled over, clutching at my leg in desperation. “I was forced! She seduced me!”
Dakota snapped. She swung at him wildly, her voice screeching with fury.
“Paul, you said you’d marry me!“>
“You lied to me all this time!“!
I stepped back, letting their chaos play out without another glance. It was already over; I had no reason to stay.
Bending down, I gently scooped my daughter into my arms. “Sweetie, let’s go home.”
“Mama…” My daughter wrapped her arms tightly around my neck, her voice soft and trembling. “Does Daddy not want us anymore?“}
I pressed a kiss to the swollen bump on her forehead.}
“Sweetheart, some people aren’t worthy of being called Daddy.”
Behind us, Paul’s cries echoed, broken and desperate.
“Honey, I was wrong! Please, just for Margot’s sake, give me a chance to explain!“}
“The divorce papers will be on your desk tomorrow.”
I didn’t even bother turning around. “And let me remind you, according to the prenuptial agreement, the one who cheats walks away with nothing.”
As we stepped out of the kindergarten gates, a light drizzle began to fall.”
ter 8
2/2 800%
8:40 PM
As we stepped out of the kindergarten gates, a light drizzle began to fall.
President Dalton appeared beside me, holding out an umbrella with quiet respect.
“Chairwoman, shall I proceed with expelling the twins?”
I looked down at my daughter, now gently dozing off in my arms, and whispered, “From this day on, that entire family is forever banned from Jacksonville.”
“Mama, can I still have the chestnut cake Daddy used to buy?”
