A week had passed since Marizza returned, and to my relief, nothing had changed between Daven and me.
He was still the same attentive husband — wonderful, even. I almost believed that Marizza's return wouldn't affect our marriage. Almost.
Because she was calling him constantly, to the point where Daven had to turn off his phone.
Every time we went out to dinner, we "coincidentally" ran into her at the same places. She was still beautiful — I mean, she's an A-list actress worth millions of dollars. Everyone looks gorgeous with that kind of money.
Still, every time she drifted toward our table, my Daven focused only on me. And I could see the irritation behind Marizza's surgically-enhanced face, even as she pretended to be friendly.
Right now, I was driving to the Worwick estate. My husband had called to say there was a family dinner and we needed to attend. He had business to take care of first, so I arrived ahead of him.
As always, my in-laws welcomed me with open arms.
We chatted about the usual things, until I heard the door open and froze. There was Daven — and at his side stood Marizza. She wore a stunning red dress, her brown hair loose to her waist, and she was smiling victoriously, as if she knew something I didn't. Behind them stood Blake, watching the whole thing with amusement.
When my in-laws saw them, their warmth vanished and their expressions turned grim.
They had adored her once, of course — until she broke Daven's heart. They'd despised her ever since.
The unease inside me grew as I watched them.
"Daven?" I offered an uncomfortable smile, wanting an explanation. He just looked at me coldly "something he'd never done before. I watched as Marizza nestled against his chest, smiling, and Daven wrapped his arms around her in a protective embrace."
I thought I was going to be sick.
Daven's parents noticed my distress and stood up, positioning themselves in front of me like a shield.
"What are you doing, Daven? You can't hold another woman like that" not when your wife is standing right here. Especially not this one! "My father-in-law gestured dismissively toward Marizza, who pretended to be frightened, hiding in Daven's arms."
My husband bristled at his father's words about Marizza. He held her tighter and said:
"I'm holding my wife."
I felt like I was going to faint.
"W-What?" I managed.
He looked at me with hatred, his hands brazenly caressing every curve of Marizza's body while she watched me with a mocking smile.
"You heard me. Marizza should have been my wife from the very beginning, and you know it. She would have been my wife if you hadn't paid men to hold her captive on our wedding day!" He accused, and I staggered back.
How did he know about that? Yes, I'd considered doing it — but I never went through with it.
"That's not true!" I defended myself. "Why would I do something like that?"
A phony sob came from Marizza.
"She did it to take my place." She whimpered through crocodile tears. Daven softened and wiped them away. "No, baby. No one will ever take your place beside me. No one."
I could feel my heart shattering at that declaration of love for her. Tears flooded my face, and I could feel every eye in the room on me.
I frantically looked to Blake. I'd told him about my idea, but it was only a joke. I never went through with it.
"Blake! Please, tell him! Yes, I joked about it, but I never did it" you know that. You were with me the entire time! "I was literally begging. I needed my husband to believe me."
Blake looked at me in silence. His usual smirk was gone now that he saw me crying. He looked at his brother and nodded.
"Brother, it's true..." I felt a wave of relief, but it didn't last. "What Marizza said is true. Evangeline paid thugs to hold her on the day of the wedding. I saw it myself."
My mind was reeling. First my husband, and now my best friend — both of them were betraying me.
"N-No..." I moved toward my husband, tried to reach for him, but Marizza shoved me to the ground. From there, I could see how things truly stood. Daven held her close while she looked down at me with superiority. Blake wouldn't meet my eyes. And my in-laws... they were looking at me with disappointment, as if they believed every word they'd just heard.
"My love... Please..." My voice came out broken, strangled by the lump in my throat.
"Don't call me that, Evangeline. What you did was despicable, even for you. You knew I loved Marizza and you carried out a sick plan just to have me. You kept me from the love of my life!" With every word, I was shaking my head, but I knew nothing I did would make him listen. "I want a divorce." He threw the divorce papers at me. I looked down and saw his signature already there, as if he'd been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Even so, I didn't want to lose him. I loved him too much to let this plot tear him away from me.
"Daven... Please..." I begged, but when I looked up, I saw my husband "the love of my life" kissing Marizza as if there were no tomorrow. He was kissing her, touching her, moaning against her mouth.
My world had become a living hell.
When they pulled apart, both of them were panting with desire. Daven's eyes searched for mine, but I was no longer paying attention. I swear I felt a piece of my soul die.
I picked up a pen and signed. I slipped off my wedding ring and set it on the table.
I said nothing. I walked out of the mansion in silence, got in my car, and drove away.
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