Betrayal's Echo: A Husband's Resolve

a tonight. I picked out a new suit, a small one for my da

d, her eyes wide with hope. She was clutchi

d Scarlett' s numb

me before she picked up. Her

at is it?

you about the Gala tonight. Lily

. "I can't. I have a last-minute shoot for the

he disappointment out of my voic

he line," she said coldly. "You wouldn't unde

fore I could s

bright excitement in her eyes had dimmed, replaced

oming, is she?

lett, a famous actress, always prioritized her public image and career ove

he has to work. But that's okay. It just means I get

ily managed a small, weak smile

ce ruin another night for our daughter. We would go, we would have fun, and I wo

nd. "Let's go show everyone how

luential people in the city. Cameras flashed everywhere. We walked in, and I held Lily'

le, things were fine. We watched the presentations, and I poi

ng began. The host walked on sta

success, and pure talent! The star of the upcoming reality series, '

I froze, my eyes

, beaming under the spotlights. She was wea

wasn't

yfriend. And holding Jake's hand was a young boy about Lily's age. The three of them st

tion! And your son is just adorable. Tell us, how do you balance suc

It's all about priorities," she said, looking lovingly at Jake. "When you have a supportive pa

ked down at Lily. Her small face was pale, her eyes wide with confusion and hurt. She was looking at th

ce trembling. "Why is Mommy wit

ng, crawling over my skin in front of hundreds of people, in front of our daug

s, the crowd, or the consequences. I had t

rowd parted, some people looking at me with curiosity, others with annoyanc

arl

he heard me. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a se

stion that was

people, Scarlet