But today, I finally understood. I was wrong.
So terribly, laughably wrong.
“Ahhh!”
A primal scream tore from my throat as I started hurling things across the room. Crystal ornaments, limited-edition figurines, designer handbags—nothing was spared from my wrath. When exhaustion finally stole the strength from my limbs, I collapsed in the corner, curled up like a wounded beast, licking my wounds with no solace in sight.
The special notification on my phone blinked.
It was Rio.
“Not coming home tonight. Beth isn’t feeling well. Staying with her.”
Beth. Bethany. Again and again. Her name was a thorn lodged deep in my heart, twisting cruelly with every breath I took.
For six years, I lived like a ghost in the shadows of our marriage—hidden, silenced, erased. While I was forced to be invisible, he paraded Bethany like a trophy, showering her with resources and attention, making sure the whole world knew just how much he cherished her.
Every year, on his birthday, on our anniversary, even on my own birthday, he was never there.
His excuses varied, but the result was always the same. The one left behind was always me. The one by his side was always Bethany.
Last year, he had promised to spend my birthday with me. But at the last moment, Bethany twisted her ankle and he left without a second thought, not sparing me so much as a glance.
I sat alone, staring at my cold birthday cake, tears blurring the candle flames. The next day, the tabloids were ablaze with pictures of Rio celebrating Bethany’s birthday. They stood close, their smiles bright, the very picture of intimacy.
And me? I was nothing but a joke. A court jester foolishly waiting for a king who never spared her a second look.
I had once confronted him, demanded to know why he always chose Bethany over me.
His answer had been dismissive, as if my pain was an inconvenience.
“Bethany is my business partner. I have to take care of her. You, on the other hand, are my wife. You should understand me. Support me.”
I should understand him?
I suddenly felt exhausted—bone-deep, soul-crushing exhaustion.
Six years. Six years of lies, of betrayal, of bending over backward for a love that had never been real.
With trembling hands, I typed out a message.
[Let’s get a divorce.]
The moment I pressed send, my heart stilled. For the first time in six years, I felt peace. Minutes passed. No reply. I let out a bitter laugh.
Of course. Right now, he was busy tending to his "business partner." Why would he waste time on his invisible wife?
***
In the VIP room of an exclusive nightclub, deafening music pulsed through the air, champagne bubbling over crystal glasses as dazzling lights cast an intoxicating glow over the revelry.
Rio lounged back, a smug grin on his face, an arm draped possessively around Bethany’s slender waist as she giggled at something he whispered in her ear.
“Rio, you’re amazing! Another championship title under your belt!” Bethany gushed, clinking her glass against his.
Rio laughed, basking in the adoration of his team and the sycophants surrounding him.
“Of course! Who do you think I am?”
His teammate Glen elbowed him playfully, waggling his eyebrows.
“Hey, man, where’s your wife? Shouldn’t she be here celebrating with you? Six years of hiding her away—isn’t it time to let her breathe?”
A round of jeers and whistles erupted from the crowd.
“Yeah, dump the old ball and chain already! Marry our lovely Bethany instead! We’ll even chip in for the wedding!”
“Hahaha, Rio, don’t tell me you’re bored with her and looking for fresh meat?”
