She held it up, inspecting it with disgust. "This pathetic thing?" she mocked before throwing it to the floor. The tiny diamond hit the marble with a soft clink. Then—she stomped on it.
The metal bent. The gemstone cracked.
A sob tore from my throat.
"Oops," she said with a smirk.
Before I could move, she kicked me in the stomach. Pain exploded through me as I collapsed fully onto the floor. The guests laughed, some whispering, others pulling out their phones.
"Film her," someone chuckled. "This is priceless."
My breath came in ragged gasps as Victoria loomed over me. "Get up, you filthy rat."
When I didn’t move fast enough, she grabbed my hair again and yanked me up. I whimpered, my scalp burning.
Trisha raised her hand again— I flinched, expecting another slap— Instead, she punched me. Pain exploded through my jaw. My knees buckled. Tears streamed down my face.
"Throw her out," Greory ordered.
Strong arms grabbed me. Security.
The grand doors swing open. A hush falls over the crowd. My breath catches as I turn, heart pounding.
Ethan. Tall, powerful—the man I once loved. Relief washes over me. He’s here. He’ll clear this up. He’ll tell them the truth. Then I see her. Olivia.
"Babe, some lunatic woman’s here claiming she’s your wife," Olivia says, amusement lacing her voice. "Security was about to throw her out, but she’s putting up a fight."
Laughter ripples through the guests. My vision blurs. This can’t be real.
Ethan’s gaze finally locks onto mine. I brace myself for recognition, for relief. But there’s nothing. Just cold, unfeeling indifference.
I force my voice to work. "Ethan… tell them. Tell them I’m your wife."
A muscle ticks in his jaw. His expression remains unreadable. Then, in a voice devoid of emotion, he says the words that shatter my world.
"I don’t know her."
The room stills. Air rushes from my lungs. No. He’s lying.
A sharp gasp escapes Olivia. "Oh my God, is she your ex? Or some stalker?"
Chuckles spread. My humiliation deepens.
I shake my head, hands trembling. "Ethan, stop this. We have a son!"
Gasps erupt. Someone murmurs, "A child?"
Ethan doesn’t flinch. His voice rings out, final and unforgiving.
"Security. Get rid of this obsessed freak."
Strong hands clamp onto me. I thrash, panic clawing at my throat. "No! Ethan, please!"