Sabrina affectionately linked arms with me and said, “Sister, that’s not right. No matter what, we’re still family. Besides, you haven’t seen Dad since you got out.”
At the mention of Dad, I fell into silence. After a long pause, I finally nodded. Only then did Reid and Wesley seem to relax.
The chauffeur brought over Reid’s luxury car. He opened the door for Sabrina with practiced ease.
Just as I was about to step in, Sabrina smiled sweetly and said, “Sister, my dress is a little too big. Why don’t you take another car instead?”
Reid, already seated in the front passenger seat, frowned and added, “Today’s Sabrina’s birthday banquet; her dress must be handled with care. I’ll call a car for you—”
“No need.”
Before he could finish, I had already turned and walked off on my own.
Reid looked stunned for a moment, but Sabrina gently tugged his sleeve.
“Let’s go, Reid. We’re already running late.”
Whatever hesitation lingered on his face vanished in an instant.
He turned to the driver. “Let’s go.”
The car sped away without a second thought.
Every driver in the household had suddenly become “busy.” And I, his so-called wife, couldn’t even get a ride.
Unable to hail a cab from the villa and with the sky growing darker, I had no choice but to walk.
Rain began to fall, the droplets soaking my dress. By the time I reached the banquet, drenched to the bone, it had already been going on for a while.
Reid and Sabrina stood side by side, their smiles radiant, the very picture of a perfect couple.
Dad stood with them, a satisfied smile on his lips, nodding as if proud of the scene before him.
The guests surrounding them showered them with compliments, calling them a match made in heaven.
And? I stood at the entrance, soaked to the skin, my dress dripping water, looking like a drowned rat.
The stir I caused at the door caught Dad’s attention.
He strode over, his face dark with anger. Without a moment’s hesitation, he began to scold me, his words sharp and merciless.
“Who let you come here?”
“This is your sister’s birthday banquet. Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”
“A convict like you, if I were you, I’d have killed myself by now. If you had any decency, you’d divorce and step aside.”
“I’ve already announced today that Sabrina is my daughter. Why are you still clinging to Reid?”
“Dad, I am Reid’s rightful wife!”
“Sabrina is just a poor student we helped out; how could she be your daughter?”
A loud, stinging slap landed on my face, the force leaving my ears ringing.
In that instant, I became the center of attention at the banquet.
“Disgrace!” Dad bellowed.
Sabrina flinched like a frightened rabbit, darting into Reid’s arms for comfort.
And my son, who had once been so tender and close to me, didn’t even spare me a glance.
His small body stood firmly in front of Sabrina, shielding her from me.
“You’re just a convict. What right do you have to question me?”
“If you had even half the sense of Sabrina, you would’ve died in prison instead of making a fool of yourself here!”
The crowd watched closely, some raising their phones, capturing every moment.
I covered my face, consumed by a flood of humiliation that seemed to drown me.
Reid hesitated, a flicker of doubt in his eyes.
“Father…”
“Reid, Chairman Hardin is here. Let’s go greet him.”
“But—”
“Sister Brielle is still Dad’s biological daughter. She’ll be fine.”
Reid hesitated, but ultimately, he allowed Sabrina to pull him away.
With his arm around her, they walked toward the guests, not once looking back.
I stood there, trembling under the mocking stares of the crowd.
That child I had raised with my whole heart didn’t even pause; it just cast me a look of disdain and rushed after Sabrina.
