She Never Touched Me, But Sold Me to the World

"I want unlimited bidding!" My voice trembled slightly.

The auction hall fell into sudden silence—then erupted into laughter.

“Hahaha!” Lori, Lana’s friend, nearly fell off her seat from laughing. “Byron, didn’t you just light a sky lantern last month? No matter how wealthy the Krause Family is, even a son-in-law can’t burn money like that forever!”

Contempt filled her eyes. “Come on, stop pretending. You’re a grown man—what’s the big deal about people seeing a little skin?”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Lana’s cold indifference had already set the tone—everyone could see I was insignificant.

The ridicule came in waves.

“Why act shy now? Weren’t you moaning with joy in the video?”

“Lana doesn’t care, so what are you so proud of?”

“Maybe humiliation turns him on…”

I bit down hard on my lower lip, tasting blood.

A staff member approached me, uncertain. “Sir… are you sure you want unlimited bidding?”

“I’m sure.” I signed without a second thought.

“Byron!” Lana snapped, clutching her the wooden meditation beads tight.

She stood and strode toward me, fury burning in her eyes. “Go back. Now.”

Wayne followed, lips twitching in a mock smile. “Byron, Lana is the most respected woman in our circle. Why make a scene?”

He gave a falsely gentle sigh. “Besides, aren’t you using the Krause Family’s money to light those lanterns? If someone else buys the video, it’s a win-win—it benefits the Group.”

I ignored him.

“Oh,” he suddenly raised his voice, eyes gleaming, “Byron, since when did a live-in son-in-law grow a backbone? Or are you using another woman’s money now? After all… Lana has never touched you, right?”

He put on an earnest face. “If you’re really struggling, I’ll pay for it.”

Lana’s face turned icy. “You’re not allowed to waste Krause Family money like this.”

I looked at the face I’d loved for eight years—now twisted in disgust.

“Swipe the card,” I said flatly, brushing past her and handing my card to the staff.

They gave me the CD.

I turned to her, running a finger lightly along the edge of the disc. My voice dropped to a whisper only she could hear.

“Do you know why I fought so hard for that bracelet?”

She frowned.

“Because it was the last piece my father ever made before he died.” My eyes stung. “I told you about it more than once. You just never listened.”

When I parked in front of the Krause Family villa, my hands on the steering wheel were still shaking.

“Byron…” Amanda, Lana's mother, came out, concerned. “You look terrible. Did Lana—?”

“I want a divorce.”

Hector, Lana's father, slammed the newspaper onto the table. “What did she do this time?”

I held up my phone. The video from the auction played clearly on the screen.

“This wicked girl!” Hector turned pale with rage.

Amanda sighed. “You’ve been good to her. It’s the Krause Family who let you down...”

That evening, two neatly prepared divorce agreements sat on the coffee table.

Just then, the door opened. Lana walked in, Wayne beside her.

I stood abruptly. A fruit knife clattered to the floor.

Lana instinctively shielded Wayne. “Byron! What are you doing?!”

“I want a divorce.” My voice was calm. I placed the agreement on the table. “Sign it. I already have.”

She sneered. “You think playing hard to get will make me care?”

My eyes burned. “You sold my video. Do you even deserve to call yourself a wife?”