Chapter 3: Chloe’s Truth Comes Out
For days, Richard tried to control the story.
He told everyone I was unstable.
He told his friends I was overreacting.
He even convinced Vivian that I was trying to take Chloe away.
But then something unexpected happened.
Chloe spoke.
She was only a baby, but the truth came from someone else.
Brooke.
She came to my house late one evening.
Without Richard.
Without Vivian.
She looked exhausted.
“I need to tell you something.”
I didn’t invite her inside.
“What?”
She looked down.
“Chloe isn’t the reason this happened.”
I stayed silent.
Brooke swallowed.
“Richard knew about Chloe before he married you.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“He planned everything.”
She continued.
“He wanted your company. Your family name. Your connections.”
I felt cold.
“He used me too.”
Brooke’s eyes filled with tears.
“He told me once you were temporary.”
Temporary.
That word hurt more than I expected.
Because I realized Richard never saw me as his wife.
He saw me as an opportunity.
Brooke handed me a folder.
Inside were messages.
Emails.
Financial records.
Proof.
Richard hadn’t accidentally betrayed me.
May you like
He had built the betrayal.
Piece by piece.
