The Scapegoat Wife's Ultimate Comeback

I' d placed on his desk, as if they were a curious, albeit inconvenient, new species of bug. He

mbered every time I' d defended him against his grandfather' s criticisms, every late night I' d waited up for him, every small sacrifice I' d made to

meeting. We can discuss this... later." He stood, dismissing me and the papers with the same casual indifference he would a f

uly believed I was incapable of serious intent, that my ange

alked out of his office. The cold certainty that

reviated version of events, they surprisingly expressed more relief than disappointment. My mother, pragmatic as e

ce alone could wither lesser mortals, had summoned Hillery. The air crackled with his barely conta

boomed, his voice echoing through the opulent room. "Enoug

"I will not! I won't be paraded around like som

al and disgrace! You choose to embarrass this family!" He raised his hand, and I braced myself,

to her face, her eyes wide wit

n if you don't compl

between Hillery and his grandfather, his body a shield. "Grandfather, stop! You wi

she clung to his arm, burying her face against

randfather, pure defiance in his eyes. "You w

his is precisely why I sent her away! This unnatural devotion! This... obsession!" He gestured wil

his jaw. He closed his eyes for a brief

tator. "And you, Conor! You pretend to be a dutiful husband, yet you let this..

e, sharp and calculating. My breath caught. He saw me. And in

yes, confused. He walked towards me, his steps measured, del

He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling my body flush against his. His lips brush

anipulation. He was using me, again, as a prop, to salv

her. Jacey is my wife. My choice." He pressed a possessive kiss to my temple, a public display of affection designed

e? A sudden flicker of real affection? My heart, despite everything, g

s. "Jillery is happy. She has accepted my proposal for a quiet, private life. No more grand events for her. My wife chooses peace." The words we

, but without the public scrutiny. He was using my presence, our 'marriage', to make that possible.

ear. "One word, Jacey, and I'll make sure you reg

pulation, for his betrayal, for making me a pawn in his twisted game. And I hated myself even more for the fleeting moment of hope I had enterta

ed, but I didn't care. I wouldn't be his prop, not anymore. Not even for a momen