I sat on the floor, unable to collect myself for a long time.
When Lester and I first started dating, I told him I came from a broken home. My parents divorced when I was little, and both of them fought over who got to keep my brother. Neither one wanted me.
Because of that, I grew up starved for security.
When Lester found out, he pulled me into his arms, his eyes full of aching tenderness. "Baby, don't worry. You're the only one in my heart. I'll give you a hundred percent of the security you've never had."
But those promises had become the very blade now cutting me open.
I closed my eyes and sent Lester a message: Let's get a divorce.
By the time I finished reaching out to a lawyer and checked my phone again, the internet had exploded.
Lucy had started a livestream to expose me.
My hands were shaking as I tapped into her stream. She was crying, tears rolling down her face like spring rain. "I really never imagined Wendy was that kind of person."
"I came across her account online a while back. She seemed like such a hardworking young woman, and I felt for her. I happened to have some couture pieces I wasn't using anymore, so I reached out."
"But then she turned around and went after my husband. When he ignored her, she just wouldn't let go."
She held up her phone, showing screenshots of my chat history with Lester. The screen was almost entirely my messages. Lester had only replied with the occasional "Mm," "Sure," or "Got it."
The comment section detonated. A wall of abuse crashed toward me.
"I've seen her posts before. Seemed like a decent girl. Turns out she's a homewrecker."
"Who knows if it's even a real business? Probably uses the whole luxury resale thing as an excuse to chase other women's husbands."
"Disgusting. Someone ban this woman already!"
I stared at the screen, ice spreading through every inch of my body.
The next second, Lester entered the livestream and sent Lucy ten mega-tips in a row.
That sealed it. Everyone in the comments was now convinced I was the other woman.
I tried desperately to explain, but the messages scrolled too fast. My comments drowned in seconds.
Within a single hour, followers abandoned me in droves, turning on me as they left. My inbox filled with vile curses.
I held myself together by sheer force of will and took a cab to Lester's office.
The moment Lucy saw me, she put on a frightened act, shrinking behind Lester.
I didn't give her the chance to speak. I swung my hand and slapped her across the face.
A split second later, Lester's palm struck me even harder.
My vision went black from the pain, but I forced myself to stay upright.
When he saw the raw hatred in my eyes, Lester froze. Instinctively, he reached out to steady me.
But Lucy grabbed his arm first, clinging to him. "Lester, I told you she already knew everything. If I hadn't started that livestream, she would've—"
His voice went flat. Dead. "Go live right now. Apologize to Lucy publicly. Tell everyone you were jealous of her, that you deliberately smeared her name, and that you were the one trying to destroy someone else's relationship."
Then he looked at me and softened his tone. "Wendy, as long as you behave, you'll always be my wife."
"You want to build your brand? Once this blows over, I'll set you up with a brand-new account. There's no need to make a fuss."
I stared at the face I once knew better than my own. All I felt now was revulsion.
After a long pause, I met his gaze. "And if I refuse?"
There was nothing warm left in Lester's eyes. "Sweetheart, I don't want to have to destroy your career with my own hands."
A bitter laugh escaped me. Every last spark of feeling died. "Fine. I'll do it."
I sat down in front of the screen and looked straight into the camera.
The instant the stream went live, viewers flooded in like a dam had burst.
I looked into the camera, my voice steady. "Hi, everyone. I'm Wendy Dudley."
"I'm here to formally report that Lester Delgado, CEO of the Delgado Group, committed adultery during our marriage and misappropriated marital assets."
