12
D
I didn’t say a word. I just sat there, quietly listening as Frederick continued speaking.
“Lately, the company’s board has been questioning my decisions. To ensure the company’s IPO proceeds smoothly and to stop the speculation about our marriage, I had to-“}
“So,” I cut in, my voice trembling with suppressed anger, “after learning what Giselle did, you decided to go along with it? Frederick, you’re the one who cheated, and now you’re letting Giselle twist the truth and smear my name? You got the outcome you wanted, but did you even stop to think about what I’m facing? What I would have to endure?“}
He fell silent. After a long pause, I heard the strain in his voice, like he was on the verge of tears.
“I’m sorry, Gracie. Please… forgive me just this once. I promise I’ll make it up to you.”}
“There’s no need,” I replied coldly. “If you truly want to make things right, sign the divorce papers. I just want to be far away from you.”
Frederick didn’t respond. I could hear his heavy breathing through the phone before he hung up abruptly.§
I hadn’t expected the internet fallout to spiral so wildly. Some users even dug up the fact that I was an orphan.
The entire trip was ruined. The joy of traveling had vanished, replaced by anxiety and public scrutiny.
I tried to explain myself, posting a statement online in an attempt to clear my name–but no one believed me. The backlash was even worse, and the cyberbullying intensified.
Even when I was out in public, I felt eyes on me, people whispering, pointing. To avoid recognition, I had no choice but to wear a hat and mask.
-8
Back on Frederick’s side, after ending their call, he locked himself in his room.
A week later, despite the scandal, the company went public successfully. Frederick achieved his long–awaited goal–he became the CEO with the most authority.
Giselle was smug, convinced that his success was all due to her scheming. Now that the IPO had succeeded, all that was left was for Frederick to divorce Gracie–so she could finally take her place.
After the celebration banquet, Giselle, dressed in an evening gown, helped a tipsy Frederick back to the villa.”
But the moment he hit the bed, his head started pounding like it was about to split open. He groaned and rolled off the bed in pain.} The sight shocked Giselle. In a panic, she called the family doctor to come immediately.}
Not long after, the doctor arrived, performed a quick examination, and rushed Frederick to the hospital. What no one expected was that on the day of the IPO celebration, Frederick would regain his memory.
A flood of memories–his life with Gracie, the love they once shared–rushed back into his mind.”
The collision of past and present left him completely disoriented.}]
He didn’t speak a word. He just sat in the hospital room in a daze, for a full day and night.
When he finally seemed a little better, Giselle brought in a lunchbox and some fruit, trying to play the doting partner.
Her tone was coy, and her delicate hand trailed along the collar of his shirt.
“Freddy, how are you feeling? You still haven’t told me what’s wrong. Are you even hiding things from me now?” Frederick stared at her, a trace of confusion in his eyes. How had he ever fallen for someone like this?
The overwhelming love he once had for Gracie now only filled him with regret and sorrow.
He had destroyed everything–their love, their future–with his own hands.)
His eyes reddened. Then, without a word, he shoved Giselle away from him.
“I’m not hungry. Leave. And don’t come back to the hospital. I don’t want Gracie to be hurt any more because of you.”
Giselle was stunned by his sudden change in attitude. Her body trembled with anger.
“Frederick! What do you mean by this? Now that you’re wealthy and the CEO of a listed company, you think you can just toss me aside? Don’t forget, you owe all of this to me!“}
Her voice grew shrill with desperation as she clung tightly to his arm, her eyes filled with reluctant hope.
“Giselle,” he rasped, holding back his emotions, “you talk about karma so easily. But everything I’ve accomplished… it’s all because of Gracie. Don’t forget, it was your lies online–smearing her name–that made it easier to end my marriage.“”
He stared at her, his voice hoarse. “So yes, I’m no better than you. I climbed my way up by trampling over Gracie too.“}
Giselle’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was as if the man before her had been possessed.”
Before she could say another word, Frederick called in the nurse and had her thrown out of the room.
Meanwhile, I sat on a flight back to Canada, preparing myself for the worst.
If Frederick refused to clear the air online, then I would have to gather evidence and defend myself. And then–take him to court for divorce.
9:11 AM
