Betrayed by the One I Loved

My husband, Damien, loved me deeply—so deeply it felt like I was his whole world. Everyone said he was the perfect husband. Yet, he betrayed me. Not once, not twice, but three times. The first time was three years ago. His closest friend, Aaron, died saving him. Damien kept it from me and secretly married Aaron’s girlfriend, Vivian—on paper. I was heartbroken and ready to leave him. That night, he sent her abroad and fell to his knees, begging me. “Estelle, Aaron gave his life for me. I must take care of his widow. That marriage certificate is just a promise of security for Vivian. Once I’ve avenged Aaron, I’ll divorce her. The only woman I love is you.” I forgave him. The second time came the following year. At a press conference, Damien publicly introduced Vivian as the Mafia leader’s wife. He pulled me aside to explain. “Vivian is the only daughter of the Young family—the Mafia. Our two families joined forces for one reason only: to get revenge for Aaron. I’ve already made arrangements with her. Once we’ve dealt with our enemies, I’ll divorce her and marry you right away.” Once again, I believed him. Then came the third time. Someone drugged Damien at a banquet, and he spent the night with Vivian. He hid it from me until just two weeks ago, when I caught him at the hospital, sitting beside her during a prenatal checkup. That was when I finally learned the truth. He lowered his head, unable to meet my eyes, and spoke in a low voice. “Estelle, it was an accident. Once she gives birth, I’ll send her away. My parents will raise the child, and I swear—neither of them will ever appear in your life again.” In the name of love, Damien pushed me to compromise again and again. Yet now I know. There’s no future left for us. It’s time for me to walk away. Chapter 1 “Damien…” A startled cry rang out behind me. Vivian clutched her belly, her face contorted in pain. Damien froze. Then, without hesitation, he pushed me aside and rushed to scoop her into his arms. Caught off guard, I stumbled, slamming my shoulder into the wall. The jolt of pain brought tears to my eyes. As he gently soothed Vivian, Damien glanced back at me, his expression tense. “Estelle, Vivian’s condition is serious. I need to get her to the doctor. Please head home first. I’ll explain everything later!” Without another word, he carried her into the infirmary, shouting for a doctor as he ran. I leaned against the wall, tears spilling down my cheeks. A life-saving debt. Her status as his publicly acknowledged wife. And now, the child growing inside her. Damien, you were never going to let Vivian go. How could there possibly be a future for us? I dragged myself out of the hospital, got into the car, and slumped weakly into the seat. The driver asked cautiously, “Madam, should I take you back to the villa?” I leaned back, completely drained. “No. Take me to the immigration office first.” Two hours later, I had my passport and submitted a visa application for Aquinox. “The visa will take seven days to process. You can collect it in a week,” the clerk said. “Seven days…” I murmured. “I’ll cut all ties with Damien in seven days.” When I returned to the villa, I began packing. There were so many things. Too many. Damien traveled often for work, and wherever he went, he brought back gifts—handbags, jewelry, luxury items. Three entire rooms were filled with the things he’d given me. Every corner of this house held memories of us. An entire wall was covered with photo booth pictures we took each month. On every anniversary, he gave me a diamond ring. Now, three drawers overflowed with jewelry boxes. Limited-edition dolls. Rare collectibles. Every item a testament to his love. Before Vivian came along, I truly believed we would grow old together. I wiped my tears, then started tearing down the photos one by one, throwing them into the trash. I boxed up all his gifts and set them aside. I would return everything to him before I left. Just as I was sorting my things, I heard a commotion downstairs. I stepped out into the hallway and looked down over the railing. The servants were carrying in large boxes of jewelry and luxury goods. Vivian stood in the living room, gently shaking her head. “This is too much. I only mentioned I liked them, and you nearly bought out the entire auction house.” Damien looked down at her, smiling tenderly. “If it makes you happy, that’s all that matters. A good mood will make your delivery easier.” Then he looked up and spotted me. His expression froze. “Estelle, I’m sorry. Vivian was upset after her appointment, so I took her to the auction to lift her spirits. If there’s anything you want, I’ll take you shopping next time.” I was quiet for a moment before answering softly. “You’ve already given me more than enough. Just focus on buying things for Vivian.” He opened his mouth as if to say something, but Vivian tugged his hand and rubbed her eyes. “I’m so sleepy. I think the baby wants to rest. Can you help me to the bedroom?” A flicker of concern crossed his face as he quickly supported her. “Walk slowly. Don’t trip. Why didn’t you tell me earlier you were tired? What if you fall asleep and hurt yourself?” He did not spare me another glance as he guided Vivian toward the master bedroom. A sharp pain pierced my chest. That bedroom had once been meant for me and Damien. He poured his heart into designing it and told me with solemn tenderness. “No one else can step foot in here. I want to keep it a secret until our wedding day, when I’ll personally take your hand and bring you into this room.” In the end, the room he created for me… already belonged to her. Chapter 2 I returned to my bedroom feeling hollow and defeated. It was nothing more than a cramped space at the end of the second floor—right next to Damien’s. I could still hear his voice in my head. “The size of the room doesn’t matter. What matters is that you’re close to me! This is just temporary. Once I finish renovating the wedding room, we’ll get married.” Eight years had passed, and now the wedding room he’d once prepared so carefully no longer belonged to me. I opened my suitcase, ready to pack my clothes, when the door suddenly burst open with a loud crash. Vivian strutted in, her belly prominent, chin lifted as she scanned the room with disdain. “So this is your bedroom? It’s even smaller than the bathroom in my suite. How pathetic. You’ve clung to my husband for eight years and still have no title. He even gave me the wedding room he promised you. What are you still hanging around for? Don’t you feel ashamed?” Her voice dripped with mockery and triumph. I shut the suitcase with a hard snap. My tone was ice-cold. “You’re not welcome here. Get out.” Vivian raised a brow, her voice laced with scorn. “Did you forget? I’m the mistress of this villa now. Who are you to tell me to leave? Soon, my child will be the heir to the Jones family. You’re nothing but a shameless mistress. You’ll end up with nothing!” My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms. Tears burned behind my eyes. Each word hit like a slap across the face, leaving my cheeks flaming with humiliation. I was about to reply when she suddenly staggered, letting out a sharp cry as she crumpled to the floor, clutching her belly. “Help! My baby…” Damien came rushing in, panic etched into every line of his face. He swept her into his arms. Vivian wrapped her arms around his neck, sobbing pitifully. “I just… I just wanted to talk to Estelle. I-I must’ve said something wrong and upset her. I’m sorry… It’s all my fault…” Damien’s eyes snapped to me, blazing with fury and bitter disappointment. “Estelle, no matter what she said, you shouldn’t have touched her. She’s pregnant! How could you do this? You used to be kind. What have you become?” His words froze my blood. “I didn’t! I didn’t push her!” Damien exploded. “Still denying it? “You and Vivian were the only ones here. If it wasn’t you, who was it? Do you think I’d believe she fell on her own? She treasures that baby more than her own life!” I collapsed onto the bed, trembling, lips quivering. “So… you don’t believe me…” “How am I supposed to believe you?” He yanked me off the bed and gently laid Vivian in my place, immediately pulling out his phone to call the family doctor. “You better pray she and the baby are okay!” The doctor arrived quickly and examined Vivian thoroughly. “The situation isn’t too serious. She just needs to stay in bed and rest for a few days.” Damien hung on to every word, bombarding the doctor with questions about her diet, recovery, and even light pregnancy exercises. He scribbled everything down in a notebook, desperate not to miss a single detail. When the doctor finally left, Damien personally walked him out of the house. As soon as he was gone, Vivian reclined on the bed, glancing at me where I stood frozen in the corner. With a satisfied smirk, she said, “Damien’s going to be such a good father, don’t you think?” Then, almost as if speaking to herself, she added. “It was worth drugging him to make him the father of my child.” I turned on her in a flash, pointing at her stomach, my voice shaking with rage. “What did you just say?! Are you telling me that baby isn’t even Damien’s? That you drugged him?! Y-You’re insane! How dare you?!” Vivian clapped a hand over her mouth, realizing she’d let the truth slip, but the smirk returned just as quickly. “What difference does it make that you know? Nothing’s going to change. Do yourself a favor… and walk away.” Chapter 3 My chest was heaving with rage, and even my finger trembled as I pointed at her. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Damien the truth?” Vivian showed no fear. She even smirked, deliberately provoking me. “Do you really think he’ll believe you? After what just happened, no matter what you say, he’ll only think you’re trying to frame me!” “I don’t believe that. We’ve been together eight years. How could that all be wiped out so easily by your schemes?” “Oh, really? Then go ahead. Try it. See for yourself whether he believes you… or me.” Then she suddenly burst into sobs. “Estelle, I didn’t even want this baby, but if I abort it, I’ll never be able to have children again. Can’t you just take pity on me?” She struggled as if trying to get out of bed—just as Damien appeared at the doorway. His expression darkened the moment he saw her crying. He rushed in and gathered her into his arms. “What are you doing? The doctor said you need bed rest. You can’t move around like this!” Vivian shook her head. Tears streamed down her face as she looked up at him, pitiful and fragile. “Damien, maybe I should just leave. Estelle doesn’t want this baby. She said so many cruel things. She even told me to get rid of it…” Damien lifted his head. His eyes were full of fury as he turned toward me. “Estelle, what are you doing now?” I shook my head in panic and pointed at Vivian. “Damien, don’t believe her. That baby’s not even yours...” Vivian wailed and lunged toward the wall as if to slam her head against it. “Damien, please! Just let me die! After being talked to like that, how can I go on? I’m your legal wife, and yet she says those things just to humiliate me…” Damien panicked and caught her, holding her tight in his arms. “Calm down. I believe you. Please don’t get worked up. It’s bad for the baby.” He comforted her softly, then turned to me with a cold, disappointed gaze. “That’s enough, Estelle. Stop targeting Vivian. Whatever happened to her, it was my fault. Whether it was the drugging or the pregnancy, it was an accident. After she gives birth, I’ll send her and the child away. Then I’ll marry you.” Vivian’s face faltered briefly but quickly recovered into a sorrowful expression. “Estelle, I’ll leave once I’ve delivered. I’ll never fight you for the title of Madam. Please, just show me some mercy. I could never threaten your place in his heart.” Damien frowned slightly. “Estelle, please try to be kinder to Vivian for now. She’s pregnant. She can’t handle stress. Stop saying things like that. It’s nonsense.” I stood there in a daze, feeling as though a blunt knife had been driven straight into my heart. The pain was sharp enough to take my breath away. He didn’t believe me. There was a time when he never doubted a word I said. My face must have looked terrible, because his voice softened slightly. “My promise to you still stands. I’m already planning the wedding. Let’s go to the bridal boutique tomorrow and pick out your dress, all right? I want you to be the most beautiful bride.” “…All right.” I lowered my head. My fingers trembled as I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. I’d be gone in a few days. I would never see the wedding Damien was preparing. Since he chose to believe a lie over the truth I told with my lips… Then let him stay lost in those beautiful lies. Chapter 4 The next day, right on time, I stood at the entrance of the villa as Damien stepped out, carefully supporting Vivian as though she were something fragile. A flicker of guilt flashed across his face when he saw me. “Estelle, Vivian has never worn a wedding dress in her life. She just wants to tag along and take a look. Don’t worry, she won’t get in the way.” I nodded without saying a word. Damien kept one hand protectively behind her back like she was made of glass. “Watch your step.” “The sun’s strong. Put your hat on.” “Walk slowly, don’t tire yourself out.” Each word of concern felt like a dull knife, slicing me over and over again. Even after we got in the car, Damien would not stop fussing over her the entire ride. “Don’t wander off. You need to do exactly as I say, even at the bridal boutique.” When we arrived at the store, he told the staff to bring out the wedding dresses for me to choose from. However, he hovered anxiously by Vivian’s side. “These dresses are heavy. Just look. Don’t actually try them on. It’ll exhaust you.” “No! I want to wear one. I didn’t even get to wear a wedding dress when we got our marriage license. Can’t I at least try one now?” She pointed to the gown I had just picked out and asked in a sweet tone, “That one in Estelle’s hand looks so pretty. Can I try it on?” Damien put on a helpless look and turned to me. “Estelle, let her try it on, okay? Just this once. Please, let her go first.” I handed the gown to Vivian without a word. There was no protest and no reaction. ‘Damien, I wanted to spend our final moments alone, to show you the wedding dress I had chosen. ‘Now, you even took that chance away from me. ‘Since you did not know how to treasure it, I could only hope that you would not regret the choice you made today when I was gone.’ He even asked me to go with Vivian to the fitting room and still was not done giving instructions. “Don’t let her bend over. Her body’s too heavy now. Be careful with the train of the dress. Don’t let her trip...” I listened in silence, swallowing the bitterness in my chest. Vivian was right. Damien would make a good father. I helped her into the wedding dress with great effort. She gave me a smug look. Suddenly, she grabbed the front row of mannequins, each over six feet tall, and yanked them down. She staggered back just enough to dodge the first falling mannequin, then screamed as they crashed down. “Help! My baby…” Damien flew across the boutique and swept her into his arms, diving to shield her. Nevertheless, I was hit squarely in the leg by the first mannequin and watched, wide-eyed, as the rest came toppling toward me. “Damien! Help me!” My voice was drowned out by the chaos of crashing figures. I saw him carrying Vivian, running for the door without even turning back. Half my body was pinned under the heavy mannequins. Pain throbbed through my ribs and arm. Still, it was nothing compared to the pain of my heart shattering into pieces. I curled up on the floor, slowly closed my eyes, and let the tears fall freely down my face. Chapter 5 When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a hospital room. The room was silent—not a single soul in sight. I could faintly hear Damien’s voice from the next room. Clutching my wound, I staggered to the doorway and stopped outside the slightly open door. On the bed inside, Vivian’s face was pale. Her wrist was thickly bandaged. The room was crowded with doctors Damien had called in. They circled around her, checking her vitals and murmuring instructions. Damien sat at her bedside, holding her hand tightly. His voice was gentle as he comforted her. “Don’t be afraid. It’s all over now. The baby is fine too.” Their hands were so intimately intertwined that it felt like there was no space for a third person. A sharp pain bloomed in my chest. I couldn’t bear to watch another second. So this is what it feels like when a heart shatters so completely—it actually hurts to breathe. I pushed through the pain, ignoring the nurses who tried to stop me, and went straight to the desk to sign my discharge papers. When I got home, I resumed packing. I tossed out everything I no longer needed, keeping only my passport, a few important documents, and a handful of clothes. I left everything else behind. The expensive gifts Damien had given me over the years—I didn’t touch a single one. On the nightstand, there was still a photo of us together. I stared at it for a long moment before removing it from the frame. I tore away my half of the picture carefully, crumpled what remained, and threw it into the trash. Once everything was done, I dragged my suitcase to the door and walked out of the villa without looking back. That day happened to be the day my visa was ready. Finally, I could take my passport and leave this place that had brought me nothing but heartbreak. The clerk handed me my documents with a warm smile. “Miss Davies, congratulations. Have a pleasant journey!” “Thank you.” As I looked down at the freshly issued visa, a strange calm settled over me. Before I left, I deleted every trace of myself. I canceled all my accounts and bought a one-way ticket. I remembered how Damien had held my hand so tightly eight years ago and said, “Estelle, you’re mine. You’ll be by my side for the rest of your life.” ‘Damien, you were wrong. ‘There would be no place for you in my world for the rest of my life.’ Back at the hospital, after coaxing Vivian into taking her medicine and falling asleep, Damien finally remembered me. He walked to the next room, only to find a nurse tidying up an empty bed. The bed where I had been lying was now stripped bare—cold and vacant. A flicker of unease swept through him. He stopped the nurse and asked sharply, “Where’s the patient who was in this room?” The nurse gave him a strange look. “Are you her family? She was discharged early this morning.” “What?” The unease in Damien’s chest flared into panic. He pulled out his phone and tried calling me, but the screen flashed that the user was busy. When he tried to send me a message, it became painfully clear that I had blocked his number. He shot to his feet, his expression dark and terrifying. It was only then that he thought to call the villa’s butler. “Where’s Madam? Is she at home? Get her on the line. Now!” There was a pause as the butler moved away. When he returned, his voice was frantic. “Mr. Jones, Madam is gone. The maids said they saw her leave with a suitcase. She took a cab and left the villa!”