My Husband’s Affair My Public Payback

This morning, my best friend Olivia and I were strolling through an art gallery in SoHo when I saw him—my husband, Liam, ever the picture of cool composure, emerging from a tattoo parlor.

That evening, I discovered the small "S" tattooed on his wrist.

I didn't confront him. Instead, I allowed a sly smile to touch my lips.

At the charity gala the next day, I publicly announced a donation to build twelve community art centers, naming his company as the exclusive sponsor.

Leaving him to foot the entire bill.

My best friend, Olivia, even pulled an all-nighter to find me the best divorce lawyer in New York.

With my career and my looks, a future is one thing I don't lack.

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1

At the charity gala, I held a champagne flute, chatting and laughing with several real estate moguls.

As the music swelled, the dance floor gradually filled.

Only then did Liam arrive, fashionably late, with his assistant, Sophia, in tow.

I watched as he stood at the entrance to the grand hall, adjusting a pair of diamond earrings for Sophia.

A slight smirk touched his lips, his eyes brimming with pure adoration, as if admiring his own handiwork.

Liam’s aesthetic had always been impeccable. With that final touch, her entire demeanor shifted, elevating her to the level of the custom gown she wore.

In that moment, any trace of hope I had harbored was instantly extinguished.

When I’d seen Liam leaving that tattoo parlor, I’d tried to dismiss it as a coincidence, a desperate flicker of hope stirring in my chest.

I had even deliberately chosen a gown to match his suit.

But as the gala began, he hadn't said a word about the tattoo.

I couldn't resist calling him, fishing for a hint of a surprise. He brushed me off, claiming he was busy, but I could still hear a saccharine female voice in the background.

"Liam, will Chloe be upset if she finds out?"

"Don't worry, she has enough jewelry to open her own exhibition."

In that instant, I knew. This man was no longer entirely mine.

Sophia tilted her face up, smiling sweetly at me, those charming dimples looking unsettlingly familiar.

"Chloe, you look absolutely radiant tonight."

Her flattery was met with my icy gaze as I scanned her from head to toe.

"That's a unique bracelet. It looks identical to a concept sketch I drew up a while back." The implication was clear—we were all intelligent people, after all.

A recent grad, not even a year into her first job, couldn't possibly afford custom-made luxury of this caliber.

Sophia squirmed under my stare. She bit her lip, twisting her hands as she shot desperate, pleading glances at Liam.

Liam met my gaze, his expression as placid and unruffled as ever.

"Chloe, don't misunderstand. Sophia mentioned she's never attended such a grand gala, or worn jewelry of this caliber."

"Seeing her ambition and how hard she works, I simply had a set prepared for her."

I raised an eyebrow and nodded, giving the host beside me a pointed look.

The next second, a spotlight found me, and the entire room fell silent.

I glided gracefully onto the stage and took the microphone.

Liam watched me, a flicker of confusion in his eyes.

I crossed my arms, leaning against the lectern with a playful smirk.

"Everyone, I have an announcement to make."

"I will be personally donating thirty million dollars to the city of New York to build twelve community art centers."

The room erupted in applause.

I continued, "Furthermore, I would like to invite Sterling Ventures, here with us tonight, to be the exclusive sponsor of this project."

"After all, the twelve CEOs here tonight all have excellent, ambitious assistants. Surely Liam wouldn't play favorites and lavish attention only on his, would he?"

Sophia knew I was publicly shaming her and Liam. The color drained from her face, and her voice trembled, thick with unshed tears.

"Chloe, please don't make things difficult for Liam. It's all my fault. I'll return the jewelry right now."

To hear her tell it, anyone would think I was the unreasonable one, trying to tear apart two lovebirds.

"Sophia, you're overthinking it. It's only thirty million. That's hardly making things difficult."

"Liam was born into luxury; it's understandable he doesn't grasp the significance of a man giving a woman jewelry."

"But as his personal assistant, you should have better professional judgment than he does. Didn't you know enough to refuse?"

Sophia ducked her head in panic, mumbling apologies.

Liam was blessed with looks, a prestigious background, and a stellar career. He'd spent the first half of his life shining like a star, a magnet for an endless stream of admiring women.

For years, he had maintained his aloof and independent facade.

Women who tried to get close were usually met with nothing but a cold, distant stare.

He had held me in his arms on countless nights, whispering in my ear.

He said I was the one he treasured most.

But now, that had all changed.

In his eyes, I saw a new concern—for another woman.

Liam just shook his head and chuckled, pulling a black card from his jacket and handing it to a stagehand.

He strode to my side, slipping an arm around my waist and locking his gaze with mine.

His pleasant voice murmured in my ear, masked by the music.

"It's just jewelry. I didn't realize you cared so much. Never mind scaring the poor girl—if you make yourself sick with anger, I'm the one who'll be heartbroken."

His tone was light and teasing, as if discussing a trifle, skillfully steering the conversation away from Sophia.

A cold smile touched my lips. My fingers curled around his tie, pulling him closer, inch by inch.

"Sophia has a crush on you. You're a smart man; you couldn't have missed it."

"I know this amount of money is nothing to you. This was the first time. I expect it to be the last."

The surrounding guests, mistaking our tension for flirtation, let out a rowdy cheer.

He was so close I could feel his breath on my face. Liam flushed, a crack appearing in his unflappable composure.

He frowned, uncomfortable. "Chloe, not here. What will people think?"

"There is nothing between Sophia and me but a professional relationship. Don't let your imagination run wild."

I snorted softly and released him.

Embarrassing him in public was easy, but it wouldn't reflect well on me.

To be seen fighting over such a plain girl was beneath my dignity.

I had made my point. I would let it go, for now.

After all, I had no real proof of an affair.

I linked my arm through his and stepped to the front of the stage to deliver the closing remarks on the year's charitable achievements.

The other CEOs' assistants were savvy. They gleefully accepted their gift boxes and made a point to parade past Sophia.

"We all have Sophia to thank for this. If it weren't for her, we'd probably never wear such expensive jewelry in our lives."

"In Liam's eyes, a piece of jewelry is like a piece of candy for a child. You're not getting any ideas about him, are you?"

"Those eyes, those dimples… they look so much like… Well, well. No wonder Liam gives you special treatment."

One after another, their faces smug, their words dripping with warning.

Sophia had probably never been so humiliated. Her head sank lower and lower, as if she wished the floor would swallow her whole.

Tears splattered on the polished marble.

As the crowd began to thin, she fled, her eyes red and puffy. She didn't come back.