His Brother's Wife, My Parents' Grave

With the annual charity gala approaching, Caleb was in charge of all the preparations for the Blackwood Group.

I followed him through the city streets, the words I'd overheard replaying endlessly in my mind.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice he'd stopped and walked right into him.

I rubbed my aching forehead and looked up to see a woman in a glamorous gown stepping out of a boutique just ahead.

"Good morning, Caleb!" Sienna called out cheerfully, then her eyes shifted to me. "Oh, it's the strangest thing," she began, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. "I was just driving by, and I could have sworn I saw Aria with her bodyguard. They seemed... awfully familiar. Then again, my eyes must have been playing tricks on me."

I used to ignore Sienna's provocations, but today, I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh at the sheer absurdity of it all.

Her attempts to stir up trouble were so clumsy, yet they worked every time because Caleb always took the bait.

The slightest interaction with another man was enough for Caleb to tighten his leash, confining me to the house like a possession.

Sure enough, as soon as we got home, Caleb issued an order—I was forbidden from leaving the house alone until the gala.

Finally, the day of the annual charity gala arrived.

Blackwood tradition required both heir-apparent couples to be present, so Caleb had no choice but to have me dressed to the nines and bring me along.

At the edge of the venue, I saw the former employees of my father's company, their faces beaming as they shot me looks of blessing and envy.

Before I could exchange more than a nod with them, Eleanor cornered me, hissing a warning in my ear.

"Aria, this gala is important. It concerns the future reputation of our family. If you mess this up, you'll live to regret it."

Seeing my lack of response, she lost her patience. Her hand shot out, tangling in my hair. She yanked my head forward and barked, "Get over here."

This little drama did not escape the notice of my father's former employees. Some looked away, feigning ignorance, while others couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Honestly, with that attitude, she's lucky she married into the Blackwoods at all. Why does she have to be so difficult?"

"Honestly, she's just asking for it..."

Listening to their every word, my gaze drifted numbly toward the ornate stage and toward Caleb, who was walking in my direction.

I just stood there, letting Eleanor grab my arm and drag me to my seat. After another stern warning, she finally backed off.

As Caleb approached, a sliver of hope ignited in my heart against my will.

Maybe, just maybe, my husband would comfort me when I needed it, just like he used to.

However, as Sienna took the stage, she caught my hopeful gaze and offered a cryptic smile. Then, without warning, her high heel seemed to slip on the polished floor.

In a flash, Caleb was there, catching Sienna and pulling her into a compromising embrace just as she was about to hit the floor.

From where I stood, they looked like a couple caught in a clandestine affair.

Sienna's cheek rested on Caleb's solid shoulder, her expression one of a damsel in distress.

Out of sight of the crowd, she shot me a triumphant smirk, a clear declaration of victory.

In that instant, the psychological defenses I had built for seven long years collapsed like a house of cards.

The clutch that had once been a symbol of my status fell from my numb fingers.

I looked at them, a bitter laugh escaping my lips, as Caleb knelt and picked up my scattered lipstick.

As I took the ruined lipstick from his hand, a thought twisted in my mind. What a joke. Still playing the part of the caring husband.