Chapter 1 Betrayal
“He’ll spend his birthday with me tonight.” On her husband Wayne Hamilton’s birthday, Danica Vance received a text from an unknown
woman.
It wasn’t the first time.
The woman attached a selfie.
The photo didn’t show her face.
Only her bare legs and a used condom could be seen.
Clutching her phone, Danica felt a wave of nausea.
Soon, the woman texted her again.
“You’re too old for him. Be sensible and get a divorce.”
Danica grabbed her bag and headed straight to the Nimbus Hotel.
She’d see for herself who that woman was.
Upon reaching the hotel entrance, she saw her mother, Liliana Watson, and her father, Rodney Vance. Stepping forward in surprise, she said, “Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?”
Liliana and Rodney were stunned. They immediately exchanged a glance and then looked away, not daring to meet Danica’s eyes. “Dani, Jenny’s back to the country. We’re here to drop her off.”
Jennifer?
Through the dustless floor–to–ceiling windows, Danica saw Jennifer
051103
Chapter 1 Betrayal
Vance and instantly froze.
The blue–and–white dress Jennifer was wearing was identical to the one in the photo.
So, the woman was her sister Jennifer.
Ever since high school, Jennifer’s biggest hobby had been stealing others‘ boyfriends.
And now, she set her eyes on her brother-in–law.
Danica couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically. She turned around to look at Liliana and Rodney and asked, “You both knew she was hitting on Wayne?”
Rodney pulled an awkward smile. “Dani, Wayne doesn’t love you at all.”
Liliana echoed, “He’s right, Dani. You know women in Marinburg are lining up to be with Wayne, right? Rather than let others take him, why not give Jenny a chance?”
Danica couldn’t help but clench her fists. “Dad, Mom, I’m your daughter, too!”
With that, she turned to leave without hesitation.
Suddenly, Liliana’s voice rang out behind her. “Danica, did Wayne touch you?”
Danica paused.
Rodney said, his words harsh, “Danica, stop acting like we owe you. Back then, everyone thought Jenny and Wayne were meant to be. We only agreed to let you marry him in Jenny’s place after his accident left him in a vegetative state.”
Chapter 1 Betrayal
Liliana sized her up with disdain. “Look at yourself, Danica. Over the past three years, you’ve been nothing but a housewife. What do you have left without Wayne? But Jenny? She’s the lead principal dancer. You’re nowhere near as good as her. She’s the swan, and you’re the ugly duckling. Just get a divorce so that they can finally be together- that’s what everyone wants to see.”
Her words were like a sharp knife, stabbing Danica’s heart ruthlessly. She silently left, her eyes brimming with tears.
***
It was already dark when Danica went back to the villa. She had given the maid Kelsey a day off and sat in the darkness alone, not bothering to turn the lights on.
She then sat by the dining table, surrounded by silence and darkness.
The table of dishes had gone cold, and the cake in the middle with the words “Happy birthday, Honey” stung her eyes.
The surprises she had prepared and she were nothing but a joke.
In everyone’s eyes, Jennifer and Wayne were a golden couple, and they all knew how much Wayne doted on her. Yet, a car accident three years ago left him in a vegetative state. And shortly after that, Jennifer vanished without a trace.
Then the Vance family brought Danica back from the countryside and forced her to marry Wayne in Jennifer’s place.
Danica agreed readily after learning her groom was Wayne, the man she had always loved deeply.
After getting married, she took care of him attentively, becoming a full- time housewife who seldom went out or socialized. Finally, he woke
05.11
Chapter 1 Betrayal
up after three years in a vegetative state.
She pulled out a lighter and lit up some candles.
Through the dim light, she saw her own reflection in the mirror–a housewife in a black–and–white dress forever, dull and rigid.
On the contrary, Jennifer was now the lead principal dancer, the living embodiment of youth, vitality, and beauty.
She was the ugly duckling.
Jennifer was the swan.
Jennifer was still Wayne’s choice now that he had awoken.
Only now did she realize the previous three years were nothing but a dream.
Wayne didn’t love her, but she loved him deeply.
They said whoever fell in love first was destined to lose. Thanks to Wayne, she lost completely.
She blew out the candles as tears welled up in her eyes.
The villa once again plunged into endless darkness.
Just then, two bright headlights shone into the living room–it was Wayne’s Rolls–Royce Phantom, which soon came to a steady stop next to the lawn.
Danica’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. He was back…
She had thought he wouldn’t come home tonight.
Soon, the door was opened. As she felt the slightly cool night breeze, a
Chapter 1 Betrayal
tall, slender figure came into her view. Wayne was home.
The Hamilton family had been top–tier in Marinburg for over a century. As the future heir of the family, Wayne had shown extraordinary business talent since childhood. At the age of sixteen, he obtained a double master’s degree from Brenton University. After graduation, he listed his first company in Wilsonville, which expanded rapidly. After he came back to the country, he officially took over the Hamilton Group and became the richest man in Marinburg.
Wayne walked into the dining room and his deep, magnetic voice carried a trace of detachment. “Why didn’t you turn on the lights?”
Then a soft click rang out.
He turned on the wall lamp.
Danica instinctively closed her eyes for a second upon feeling the sudden brightness. When she opened them again, she looked at Wayne.
The custom–tailored black suit he was wearing accentuated his handsome face. His perfect proportions, coupled with his innate icy, noble temperament, made him undoubtedly the Prince Charming of Marinburg’s socialites.
Danica looked at him. “Today’s your birthday.”
Still expressionless, Wayne lifted his gaze a bit and glanced at the table. “Don’t bother next time. I don’t do birthdays.”
Danica curved her lips. “You don’t do birthdays? Or you don’t wanna celebrate them with me?”
Hearing this, he glanced at her, but only for a second. Then he quickly averted his gaze, as if not wanting to waste another second on her.
05.11
Chapter 1 Betrayal
警察
“Whatever you think.”
Then he walked over to the stairs.
He had always been like this when facing her.
There was nothing she could do to win his favor.
She stood up and said while watching his cold retreating figure, “It’s your birthday, so I wanna give you a gift.”
Not stopping or looking back at all, he said, “That won’t be necessary.”
Smiling slowly, she said calmly, “Wayne, let’s get a divorce.”
He had already set one foot on the staircase. At her words, he paused abruptly and then turned around, his deep gaze locking onto her.
0511
