He draped an arm around my shoulder and said nonchalantly, “Everyone makes mistakes. That’s all in the past. Now, I only love Florence and I just want to build a life with her."
“Don’t say things to upset my wife, or I swear you’ll face the consequences.”
Sydney rarely displayed affection publicly, so his words left me feeling both hopeful and uncertain.
The room fell silent momentarily before laughter erupted. They envied me—a woman with a husband who loved her, a man with both romance and success.
Everyone joined in the mood, except Kya. Her eyes turned red and tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
Someone among the crowd sneered, “Look at that, Kya. If you hadn’t been so blind and greedy, you could’ve married Sydney by now and become the wealthiest woman in the city. And not living this pathetic life.”
“That’s right. I heard she’s divorced. What’s she even doing here?”
“Is she looking for a man willing to take her in?”
“I saw her with a kid earlier.”
Hearing this, Sydney's grip on my arm suddenly tightened, causing sharp pain. Yet, he didn’t seem to realize. His gaze was locked on Kya, seemingly waiting for her to deny it all.
But she didn’t. Kya simply lowered her head further.
Sydney averted his gaze in frustration, lighting a cigarette. He cared for her—far more than he wanted to admit.
“She really thinks she can find a man who’d want someone like her?” Rod Beauford, notorious for his troublemaking ways since high school, sneered loudly. “I wonder what it would feel like to have the once-proud Miss Tucker under me.”
His tone grew even more brazen and a sleazy grin spread across his face. “How about we make a deal? You sleep with me tonight and I’ll throw five thousand dollars your way. Sounds good, right?”
Rod’s words were shameless and crude. Sydney’s expression darkened, his piercing gaze icy as it bore into the man.
At that moment, Kya lifted her head, her tear-streaked face flushed. “Who do you think you are to trample on my dignity? If it weren’t for my father, your family would’ve gone bankrupt long ago!”
She added resolutely, “I’m not those women who stood roadside selling themselves. I’ll only sleep with the man I love.”
Her eyes lingered on Sydney without concealment. Then, she declared boldly, “Apart from him, no one else will touch me.”
She ignored me entirely, brazenly seducing my husband right before my eyes.
Rod’s face turned red with anger. He abruptly stood up from the couch, moved to Kya’s side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Despite her struggles, he planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Think you still the precious powerful daughter, huh? That’s bold. Why don’t we see if you still have the power to keep me from fucking you?”
With that, Rod grabbed Kya by the waist, hoisted her over his shoulder and headed for the door. Kya struggled, casting pleading looks toward Sydney.
Sydney was tense, his entire body rigid. His fists trembled as he clenched them tightly.
Just as he stood up, I grabbed his hand, my voice laced with desperation. “You’re my husband. Whatever happened to Kya is none of your business. Please, stay and don’t humiliate me.”
Sydney, who had never spoken harshly to me, fixed his gaze on the door where Kya had disappeared. His expression was unreadable. He shoved my hand away with such force that I fell heavily onto the couch.
Under the mocking gazes of the crowd, he glanced at me and said coldly, “How can you be so heartless?”
Then, without another word, he strode out, as if terrified that any delay might lead to irreversible consequences.
Clenching my hands into fists, I silently swallowed the tears that threatened to spill, forcing a smile. “I’m not feeling well. You all go ahead and enjoy the party. I’ll head home."
Behind me, laughter and ridicule erupted, but I didn’t turn back.
