The Jilted Wife's Spectacular Billionaire Comeback

"Thank you very much for your patronage. Please have a safe journey."

Estella laughed until her cheek muscles ached.

The heavy oak door on the top floor of the apartment slammed shut, finally shutting out the deafening jazz music and the suffocating smell of expensive cigars. She let out a long sigh, her shoulders relaxing completely. Ten years.

At every anniversary party, she was so busy that she was constantly on the go, yet no one helped her.

She turned around, her high heels clicking on the marble floor. Conrad stood with his back to her at the bar. He began to loosen his tie, his movements stiff and impatient. There was no relaxation in his posture, no warmth from the evening's success. Only a cold impatience clung to him like a second skin.

Jana gracefully walked out of the restaurant, carrying two half-empty champagne glasses.

Her sister smiled, revealing a bright white tooth. "Another perfect party, sister. Conrad is so lucky to have a wife like you."

Estella nodded, a bitter feeling welling up inside her. She didn't think this was a good thing; her husband didn't care how much she had sacrificed. Yana's gaze wasn't on her, but lingered on Conrad's back, her eyes drifting to the outline of his shirt clinging to his shoulders. It was a possessive gaze tinged with desire.

"I'm exhausted," Conrad said without turning around. He poured himself a glass of Scotch whisky, the ice clinking against the glass. "I'm going to take a shower."

"I can help you tidy up," Yana said, moving closer to Estella. A strong scent of perfume filled the air between them-Estella's signature fragrance, the one Conrad had given her for Christmas last year.

"No, let's go home," Estella said, her voice much calmer than she felt. "You've done enough."

Jana grinned. Her lips twitched slightly, but she did smile. "Since you insist. Goodnight, Conrad."

Conrad waved lazily, without turning his head. Yana grabbed her coat, leaving Estella alone in the empty, silent living room. The silence was suffocating. She stared at the overflowing ashtray and the steam rising from the antique mahogany table. She had given this man ten years of her life, and he hadn't even said a simple "Happy Anniversary."

She needs to solve this problem. She has been working on it.

Estella went into the kitchen, her sanctuary. She opened the freezer and took out ginger and organic bone broth. Conrad always got drunk at times like this, and if she didn't make him this special soup, he would wake up with a splitting headache. It had become a habit. Her fingers moved mechanically, peeling, slicing, and simmering. The aroma of ginger filled the air, bringing a comforting warmth that always made her feel useful.

She poured the clear, golden liquid into a porcelain bowl and carefully placed it on a silver plate. She climbed the steps, her heart pounding slightly. Perhaps tonight, after they finished their soup, they could have a proper talk. Perhaps he would understand how much she cared for him.

The master bedroom door was slightly ajar. A ray of warm sunlight streamed into the hallway. Estella, carrying a tray in one hand, opened the door with a smile.

Conrad, I made your favorite-

Her throat tightened, and she couldn't speak.

The tray tilted, the bowl slipped, and scalding soup spilled over the rim, burning her wrist, but she felt nothing. Below her neck, everything was blank.

Conrad was not alone. He hadn't gone to take a shower. He stood by the dressing table, a white towel casually wrapped around his waist. Next to him was Yana, her back hunched against his chest.

She didn't leave; instead, she secretly slipped back when no one could see her!

Jana's skirt was unzipped, the hem draped over her shoulders. Conrad's lips pressed against Jana's neck, his arms tightly around her waist, a possessiveness he had never shown to Estella.

"When are you going to tell her?" Yana groaned, leaning her head back on his shoulder. Her eyes were open, staring at the doorway, at Estella. There was no fear in her eyes, only the joy of victory.

Conrad jerked his head up. The sound of the tray hitting the floor rang out like a gunshot. Porcelain shattered, and scalding soup and shards splashed onto the hardwood floor.

The noise shattered the tranquility. Conrad took a step back, away from Yana, but he made no attempt to hide himself. He offered no apology. He simply stared at Estella, his eyes empty and blank, as if she were a stranger who had wandered into the room.

"What are you doing?" Estella's voice was hoarse and shrill, sounding more like a dying animal than her own.

"I think you know exactly what I'm doing," Conrad said. His voice was calm, almost too calm. He reached for a bathrobe, casually draped it over himself, and said indifferently, "That saves me the trouble of explaining."

Jana straightened her skirt and slowly, steadily zipped up the zipper. She didn't hide. She walked to the edge of the bed and sat down, looking at her defiantly. "Don't be so surprised, Estella. You knew this day would come."

Estella's hands trembled. "Today is our wedding anniversary." She stared at Conrad, waiting for his answer, waiting for him to say it was just a joke.

"Yes," Conrad said, walking toward her. He stopped a few inches away, looking down at her with a disgust that made her feel nauseous. "Ten years, Estella. A full ten years of endurance, deceiving myself."

These words struck her like a heavy blow, leaving her breathless. "What do you mean?"

"I married you only because Jana is going to Oxford," Conrad said, his tone detached and professional, as if discussing a business merger. "The Lothar family needs to forge a strong alliance with the Neves family. You are just a substitute. I have always loved her. As her older sister, you should take over Jana's position until she is ready."

Estella's knees buckled, and she quickly grabbed the doorframe to avoid falling. She looked at Yana, who was casually fiddling with her nails. "You two... have you always been like this?"

"Every single second," Yana said, her smile widening. "Honestly, sister, you should be ashamed. Do you really think your amateur cooking and party planning skills can keep a man like him? You're so boring, Estella. You're nothing more than a high-class maid."

Conrad reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He tapped a few times on the screen, then turned it towards her. It was a document. A legal document. "I don't want to continue this boring life. The divorce papers will be filed tomorrow. My lawyer will contact you tomorrow morning."

Estella stared at the screen. The words on the screen were blurry, then gradually became clear. The marriage was over. It was all over. Her whole life, her entire identity, had been erased with a single touch on the screen.

"Get out of my room," Conrad said coldly. "You can sleep in the guest room tonight. I expect you to leave before the weekend."

He turned away, walked to the bedside, and sat down beside Yana. Yana leaned against him, placing her hands on his thighs. They looked at Estella as if she were a stain they couldn't wait to wipe away.

Estella turned and walked out. She didn't remember how she got upstairs to the guest room, or how she closed the door. She just stood in the dark, empty room, staring at the walls, the images of her husband and sister deeply imprinted in her mind.