Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sure enough, an hour after I left the spa, Corbin's call blew up my phone.

He roared into the receiver the second I answered.

"Lauren! I had no idea you could be so vicious! What the hell did you say to Linnea? She's locked in her room crying her eyes out and refusing to speak to me!"

I softened my tone, putting on an innocent, confused act.

"I have no idea what you mean. We just bumped into each other and had a casual chat. Oh, but I did notice she's pregnant. Who could be so disgusting as to take advantage of a clinically depressed woman like that?"

I sighed heavily into the mic.

"No wonder her mental health is spiraling. She clearly picked the wrong man. I can't imagine what kind of life that poor baby is going to have."

He choked on his words, caught off guard. Then his tone turned icy.

"That's none of your business. But after today, I'm seriously reconsidering our future. Showing zero empathy toward a pregnant woman makes me sick. I need to rethink whether remarrying you is even on the table."

I wanted to laugh at his ridiculous gaslighting, but I forced my voice to tremble with panic.

"No, Corbin! Please! You know you're all I have in this city. You can't abandon me! It was my fault today. I'll apologize to Linnea. I'll do whatever you want!"

Corbin's arrogance instantly returned, his voice dripping with condescension.

"If you truly want to make amends, prove it. You know that vintage gold jewelry set your parents gave you for our wedding? Linnea has always admired it. Give it to her as a peace offering. I'll put in a good word for you, and we can put this behind us."

A cold shudder ran through me.

We had been married for six years, yet he was calculating enough to strip away my family heirlooms for his mistress.

In his warped mind, my unconditional devotion had become a weapon he could use to trample all over me.

Ever since I uncovered his hidden accounts and affairs, I kept wondering when he had turned into such a monster.

Now I understood.

He hadn't changed at all. He had always been rotten to the core; I was just too blinded by love to see it before.

I suppressed the rage burning in my chest and agreed softly.

After all, the curtain had just gone up on this show.