Anger boiled over. I snatched the teacup and, without a second thought, splashed it on Briana's face. "Shameless!" I screamed, my voice trembling with fury.
Leo roared at me, striding towards Briana. "You're out of your mind, Bela!"
Brianna, feigning sadness with glistening eyes, said, "I'm fine, Leo. I should just go to the hotel." She stood up, ready to leave. But Leo's hand stopped her, "Wait. Stay here, Briana."
I felt like a discarded doll, replaced by a newer, more appealing one. Brianna had stolen my place in Leo's heart. Tears welled up, not tears of anger, but tears of despair.
"Let's talk inside," Leo urged, pulling me along, half-dragging me.
Inside the room, Leo let out a frustrated sigh. I stood there, my face set in a stubborn line.
"Bela, please… please don't act childish," he pleaded, his voice softer now.
"Forgive me for yelling at you, it's all for your own good," he continued, his tone laced with manipulation.
I remained silent, keeping my distance. Leo approached and pulled me into a hug. "Let Briana stay with us. It won't be long, give me a week," he whispered, his voice a persuasive murmur in my ear.
My tears fell freely, my heart aching with a pain that ran deep. I wanted to ask why he was doing this, but my tongue felt heavy, my lips locked shut.
Six years of our life together, stained by his unreasonable request.
"Just one week, no more," I pleaded, my voice trembling as I fought back tears.
"Of course, darling, you finally understand what I mean," he said, kissing my forehead.
Leo and Brianna left the house, claiming to continue their work.
Then, the charity party invitation arrived. A party filled with important figures. Leo sent me a message, urging me, "Isabella, you have to come soon. Bring the invitation for me."
My heart pounded, Brianna's words from earlier that day still echoing in my mind. But when I remembered our six years together, filled with sacrifice, I finally replied with a heavy, empty "okay."
That night, amidst the party's boisterous energy, Brianna arrived like a haughty queen. Her beauty, if it could be called that, was merely a mask for her wickedness.
When I was separated from Leo, she clung to him like a snake, her hand never leaving his arm, her gaze filled with a lust that made me sick. Leo, foolishly, could only grimace awkwardly, as if hypnotized by Brianna's false charm.
I wanted to vomit. Their closeness, so blatant, was a harsh slap to my still-hopeful heart.
After she was satisfied playing with Leo in public—as if she wanted to make sure I witnessed every touch and loving look—Brianna approached me.
Her sarcastic smile felt like a razor slicing through my heart. "You know? Starting tonight, we'll be living together," she whispered, her voice dripping with mockery.
I swirled my drink, trying to keep my hands from trembling. "Yes, congratulations Brianna. One week, right?" I replied coldly.
Brianna's eyes widened. "That's just Leo's trick. Do you believe it?" she whispered, her voice sharp and laced with venom.
"What do you mean?" I asked, the question tumbling out of my mouth.
Briana's lips curled into a smirk. "Get ready to be kicked out. Because I'm going to be the lady of the house," she said, her words like a poisoned dart.
Fearing that her playing victim act would happen again, I pretended not to care. However, I knew, those words were like a virus that slowly gnawed at my soul.
I turned to leave, wanting to escape her presence. But Brianna, that cunning woman, seemed to have planned it all.
With a quick, deliberate movement, she threw herself down, screaming hysterically, "Ouch!" Cheap theatrics. I knew it. However, Leo, foolishly, immediately fell for her drama.
"Isabella," he called out, Brianna's voice full of fake concern.
"Why did you push me? What did I do?!" Brianna screamed again, her voice dramatic.
I could only stare at her in disbelief, boiling with uncontrollable anger.
"What's wrong with you, Isabella? Have you lost your mind?" Leo's voice made some people fall silent.
"Leo, are you blind?" I asked, my voice laced with shock.
"No. I saw it, you deliberately pushed her," he said, his words unforgivable. He believed her more than me.
"It's okay, Leo, I'm fine," Brianna said, grimacing falsely.
"No, we need to straighten this out. Tell me, Brianna. What did she do to you?" Leo demanded an explanation in front of everyone, seemingly unconcerned with the pain he was inflicting on me.
Brianna, still pretending, seemed reluctant to answer Leo's question. But eventually, that unfounded slander came out of her poisonous mouth.
"She didn't accept me living in your house, she wanted to kick me out, she also called me a slut," she said, the words flowing smoothly from her sweet mouth.
Before I could defend myself, before I could explain, Leo slapped me. A hard slap that sent me staggering, silencing the room. All eyes were on me.
Leo, the same man who hugged me this afternoon, kissed my forehead, and apologized for the trouble he caused - now he believed that stranger's lies without hesitation. Six years of our life together, now shattered into pieces.
"You're sick, Bela," he said, his words more painful than the stinging wound on my cheek.
People started whispering, some laughing, insulting me, even some openly mocking me by saying that the country girl with the cheap dress I was wearing tonight was not worthy of such a grand event.
"Stop it, Leo. Don't blame Bela. Please, just take me home," Brianna whined. She was still acting like a delicate flower in the eyes of the crowd.
Leo obeyed like a dutiful dog, supporting Brianna's body as she pretended to be sad while limping.
As for me... he just left me there, like a worthless piece of garbage.
Brianna and Leo's departure began to cause a stir. The guests blamed me for the tarnished event. Unable to bear the shame, I immediately left the building.
