Trapped in a Marriage Fueled by Revenge

Courtney's POV

“She actually fell for it! Even when he’s drunk, he only ever calls for Tamara. She really loves giving herself too much credit.”

“She dumped you first, and you only married her to humiliate her for revenge. And now she actually thinks you love her? How dumb can she be?”

A loud ringing filled my ears. My head spun with anger and humiliation.

I lifted my hand to slap Clive. But before I could, he caught my wrist and flung me onto the couch.

"How does it feel?" He sneered. "Being played like a fool?"

I turned my face away, refusing to answer.

"I called you here tonight to apologize to Tamara."

After Clive said that, Tamara stepped forward from the shadows. He pulled her into his arms without hesitation and kissed her in front of everyone like no one else existed.

The room then erupted with cheers, whistles, and congratulations. Their voices were deafening.

A wave of nausea hit me and my vision blurred. My ears also rang so loudly that it drowned out everything else.

Grabbing my bag, I turned and rushed toward the door—only to be blocked by their towering figures. I struggled for a moment, then I lost my balance and crashed to the floor, sending pain through my ankle.

As such, my wig fell off, revealing the short, uneven stubble underneath.

The room immediately fell silent afterward. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then, slowly, Clive started clapping as he walked toward me, his face twisted in mockery.

"Wow, Courtney. Another performance? What is it this time? Cancer?"

Tamara let out a sharp laugh, then using a pen, she picked up my fallen wig like it was something disgusting and tossed it into the trash.

"Courtney, if you’re going to fake it, at least commit. What, too scared to shave your whole head?"

"Right? Your face is even redder than mine! What a waste of talent—you should’ve been an actress!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

"Alright, enough," Clive cut in, his voice laced with amusement. "Courtney, just apologize to Tamara, and we’ll drop this whole thing."

I scoffed. "And why the hell should I apologize?"

His arm tightened around Tamara, pulling her closer as he looked down at me.

"Because you hurt her, you idiot!"

I let out a cold laugh. "So what if I did? She deserves it for being a third party."

Tamara flinched, her eyes widening. Tears then spilled down her face as she suddenly shouted, "Yes! Yes, I deserve it! I fell in love with someone I shouldn’t have! I deserve to be hated, to be insulted! But the real third party is the one who's not being loved! I’m just fighting for what’s mine!"

She wept like a tragic heroine, her voice strong and unwavering despite the absurdity of her words.

And Clive—he actually looked moved.

Gently, he wiped away her tears with his fingers and consoled her, saying, "Alright, alright. Don’t cry. You look like a lost kitten."

He was different now.

I lowered my gaze, too exhausted to care. I just wanted to leave. But before I could do so, Clive spoke.

"Courtney, didn’t you say earlier that you needed money? How much is it? Five hundred thousand? I’ll transfer it right now if you apologize to Tamara."

In the past, I never had to ask twice. He never questioned me, never hesitated—just gave it to me.

But now, for Tamara, he made me beg.

"Clive," I said quietly. "Do you even know what I need the money for?"

He hesitated. Then, with an indifferent smirk, he shrugged. "Does it matter?"

I wiped my face, forcing myself to stand despite the pain in my body. Without another word, I walked out.

I didn’t want his money anymore. But I did wonder if one day he found out that the money he refused to give me could have helped me suffer a little less while I was still alive but didn't do so, how would he feel then?

"Hello, I’d like to cancel my burial plot."

"Miss Russell? Have you recovered? Congratulations!"

My eyes burned.

I set my phone down and collapsed onto the couch.

And just like that, I fell asleep.